464: Default Aggressive. Combat Ready Leadership From Estonia. With Estonian Spec Ops Soldier, Remo Ojaste
This episode of the Jocko Podcast features Estonian special operations soldier Remo Ojaste. The summary recounts Ojaste's unlikely journey from reluctant military conscript to a pivotal role in building Estonia's contemporary military capabilities through his deployment in Afghanistan.
It delves into Ojaste's personal transformation after leaving the forces: his struggles with gambling and finances, his encounter with Jocko Willink's teachings, and his embrace of principles like extreme ownership. The summary explains how Ojaste applied these lessons to rebuild his life, repay debts, and establish a successful leadership training company, Combat Ready, by fostering a positive culture empowered by Willink's philosophies.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Nov 13, 2024 episode of the Jocko Podcast
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1-Page Summary
Remo Ojaste's Military Journey
The summary recounts Remo Ojaste's trajectory from a reluctant conscript to becoming a member of the Estonian special forces, sharing his personal background and ties to Estonia's turbulent history under Soviet occupation. Initially uninterested, Ojaste ended up joining the Estonian military when overlooked paperwork prevented his release from mandatory service. After completing grueling training and selection, Ojaste deployed to Afghanistan, engaging in combat operations alongside local forces. He credits these experiences for advancing Estonian military capabilities.
Transitioning to Civilian Life
Leaving the military, Ojaste initially struggled to find purpose, unsure how to apply his skills. However, teaming up with Martin, a fellow veteran, they established Combat Ready, a leadership training and consulting company deeply influenced by Jocko Willink's principles, especially "Extreme Ownership." Despite early challenges like marketing, Combat Ready gradually secured clients and expanded internationally by demonstrating their approach's effectiveness.
Personal Transformation
The summary details Ojaste's personal struggles with gambling and financial crisis after leaving the forces. Realizing he needed to take ownership, a pivotal moment came when he encountered Willink's writings. Implementing principles like extreme ownership and decentralized command, Ojaste reinvented himself, repaid debts, and focused on building a positive culture at Combat Ready by empowering his team with Willink's teachings. His journey exemplifies overcoming obstacles through self-accountability.
1-Page Summary
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Counterarguments
- The idea that overlooked paperwork was the sole reason for Ojaste's military career could be challenged by suggesting that there may have been other factors at play, such as a sense of duty or a lack of other opportunities at the time.
- The claim that Ojaste's experiences were solely responsible for advancing Estonian military capabilities might be overstated; it could be argued that the advancement was due to a collective effort involving many individuals and systemic changes.
- The narrative that Ojaste struggled to find purpose after leaving the military might be critiqued by pointing out that many veterans successfully transition to civilian life without significant struggle, and this experience is not universal.
- The success of Combat Ready could be examined critically, questioning whether the company's growth and client acquisition were as smooth as presented or if there were undisclosed setbacks.
- The emphasis on Jocko Willink's principles might overshadow other factors that contributed to Ojaste's personal transformation and the success of Combat Ready, such as the support of colleagues, family, or other mentors.
- The focus on "Extreme Ownership" as a transformative principle could be critiqued by suggesting that this approach may not be universally effective and that other leadership styles could be equally or more effective in different contexts.
- The idea that Ojaste's journey exemplifies overcoming obstacles through self-accountability might be challenged by considering the role of external support systems, luck, or timing in his success.
Actionables
- You can start a personal accountability journal to track your daily decisions and their outcomes, fostering a mindset of ownership similar to the "Extreme Ownership" principle. Begin by writing down key decisions you make each day and reflect on how they align with your goals and values. At the end of the week, review your entries to identify patterns and areas for improvement, which can lead to more deliberate and responsible decision-making.
- Create a "Culture Corner" in your living space with inspirational quotes, books, and symbols that remind you of the values you want to embody, such as self-accountability and resilience. This dedicated space serves as a daily visual cue to reinforce your commitment to personal growth and can be a place for quiet reflection or reading materials that inspire positive change.
- Develop a "Decentralized Command" approach in your household by delegating responsibilities to family members or roommates, encouraging autonomy and teamwork. Assign tasks based on each person's strengths and interests, and hold regular meetings to discuss progress and challenges. This practice can improve communication, foster a sense of ownership among all members, and reduce the burden of managing everything on your own.
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Remo Ojaste's military background and service with Estonian special forces
Remo Ojaste, whose family lived through Estonia's turbulent history, including Soviet occupation and the Estonian War of Independence, shares his journey from a mandatory conscript to a member of the Estonian special forces with deployment experiences in Afghanistan.
Remo's journey through the Estonian military, from conscript to special operations
Initially uninterested in military service, Ojaste ended up joining the Estonian military due to overlooked paperwork. Conscript service in Estonia is mandatory and lasts for 11 months if placed in a leadership position, which was Ojaste's path. He describes bootcamp as a "Suckfest," yet following conscript service, there's a trial period of one year, after which those who remain receive top security clearance for an additional three years.
Remo's early life in Estonia, including his family's history and experiences during Soviet occupation
Estonia has had a long-standing contention with Russia, marked by periods of Soviet and German occupation during World War II. Estonians fought against both occupiers, and post-war, Estonia was absorbed into the Soviet Union until it regained independence in the early 1990s through the singing revolution, a peaceful protest movement symbolized by singing songs of freedom.
During the Soviet era, trade in contraband goods like vodka and cigarettes was common, in which Ojaste’s family took part. His parents, living next to a Russian airfield, engaged in said trade. Remo's family also experienced the Soviet army's mandatory service, and both of his great-grandfathers fought on opposite sides during World War II, instilling a legacy of resilience. Remo's upbringing was a contrast between city living and the freedom of the countryside and deeply influenced by his grandparents, who were deportees to Siberia during the war and returned as accomplished individuals, reflecting the complex narratives of survival during those times.
Remo's selection and intense training to join the Estonian special forces, including the challenging selection process
Ojaste was unsure of passing the special forces selection but went ahead due to his ego. He completed basic soldier skills and moved to squad leader training, which he found extensive and beneficial, particularly as he received training from instructors freshly returned from Afghanistan. Subsequently, he passed the selection, a two-week ordeal with a high attrition rate, ensuring only the highly capable were selected.
After selection, there's further training, some of which took place abroad, like the three difficult months in Hungary. Ojaste and his team were also tuned by "old-school American SF guys" who taught them about explosives and essential special forces operations skills.
Remo's deployment to Afghanistan was preceded by early Estonian efforts to engage in the region, riddled with challenges. By 2005, Estonian forces had established Human Intelligence in Afghanistan, and new Estonian units were being trained by U.S. Special Operations Forces. The operational aim was to become NATO-qualified for deployment.
Remo's deployment to Afghanistan with the Estonian special operations unit, and his first combat experiences
Ojaste speaks a ...
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Remo Ojaste's military background and service with Estonian special forces
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Actionables
- You can explore your family's historical background to better understand personal and cultural resilience by creating a family tree that includes personal stories, historical events, and how they've shaped your family's character.
- Start by interviewing older relatives and collecting stories from different periods, such as wartime or significant political changes. Document these narratives alongside a timeline of historical events to see the interplay between personal experiences and larger historical contexts. This can give you a sense of the resilience that has been passed down through generations.
- Enhance your problem-solving skills by simulating high-pressure decision-making scenarios similar to military training exercises.
- Set up a game night with friends where you play strategy and survival board games that require quick thinking and adaptability. Games like "Pandemic" or "Risk" can mimic the need for strategic planning under pressure, helping you to develop a mindset that's capable of handling stressful situations with calm and determination.
- Build cross-cultural understan ...
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The founding and growth of Combat Ready, Remo's leadership training and consulting company
Remo's transition from military service to the private sector
Remo's initial struggles to find purpose and direction after leaving the military
As Remo transitioned from military service to the private sector, he faced an uncertain path. Upon deciding to leave the military for the sake of being with his newborn daughter and seeing a lack of combat opportunities, Remo compiled a pros and cons list, which ultimately resulted in his resolution to exit the forces, with 14 reasons favoring departure and none for staying.
Not initially seeing how his military skills could apply in civilian settings, Remo felt his capabilities were limited to martial tasks. However, after realizing there was a demand for what he could offer, he teamed up with Martin, also an Estonian special operations soldier, to establish Combat Ready.
Remo's partnership with fellow Estonian veteran Martin to establish Combat Ready
The foundation of Combat Ready was initiated when Remo reached out to Martin and another person to collaborate on a new venture. At first, the idea did not come to fruition because they were preoccupied with university and other commitments, but Martin's subsequent successful engagement with a company demonstrated a market for their skills.
Martin, who was experienced and knowledgeable about the necessary paperwork, completed the company formation. They decided to split ownership equally, believing that any issues should be resolved collectively.
Combat Ready's early challenges and breakthroughs, including securing their first clients
Combat Ready's early days were marked by perseverance and gradual success. Remo reflects on how an unexpected award garnered attention and legitimacy for the company. They faced hurdles such as navigating marketing strategies and utilizing social media for promotion. Even the simple construction of a homepage posed a challenge.
Their first gig with a startup insurance company, where they presented on concepts like extreme ownership, was positively received. This validation was a significant breakthrough, confirming the demand for their expertise.
Remo mentions they chose to test their methods' effectiveness within their companies before approaching potential clients, akin to how new equipment is adopted domestically by the defense industry before being marketed. This approach paid off, demonstrated by the interest shown by 100 attendees at a conference that Combat Ready hosted, despite expecting low attendance.
The principles and approach that guided Combat Ready's growth
Remo and his team's focus on implementing the leadership principles from Jocko Willink's books
Combat Ready's core approach is deeply influenced by the leadership principles from Jocko Willink's books, particularly "Extreme Ownership." Remo and his team dedicated themselves to applying Willink's teachings, purchasing his books for the entire team, and testing these principles in various contexts - from youth organizations to corporate settings.
Remo credits much of the company's growth to these principles and recounts how they have trained alongside Jocko Willink to better understand and teach those tools.
Combat Ready's strategy of demonstrating the eff ...
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The founding and growth of Combat Ready, Remo's leadership training and consulting company
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The pros and cons list may have been subjective and influenced by Remo's personal circumstances, which might not provide a comprehensive view of the potential opportunities in the military.
- Remo's struggle to see how his military skills could apply in civilian settings could be seen as a lack of career transition support or guidance for veterans.
- The establishment of Combat Ready with Martin suggests a reliance on personal networks, which may not be a viable option for all veterans transitioning to civilian life.
- The equal split of ownership in Combat Ready could lead to potential conflicts or decision-making paralysis if the partners disagree.
- The early award that Combat Ready received might not be a reliable indicator of the company's future success or the quality of its services.
- Combat Ready's challenges with marketing and social media suggest a possible gap in their understanding of civilian business practices.
- The positive reception of Combat Ready's first gig does not guarantee consistent success or client satisfaction in the long term.
- Testing methods within their own company before approaching clients could result in a confirmation bias, as internal success may not always translate to external effectiveness.
- The core approach being influenced by Jocko Willink's principles may limit Combat Ready's adaptability and overlook other leadership philosophies that could be beneficial.
- Purchasing Willink's books for the entire team and training alongside him could be seen as a heavy reliance on one source for leadership guidance.
- Demonstrating the effectiveness of Will ...
Actionables
- You can evaluate career transitions by creating a weighted decision matrix, assigning values to different factors based on their importance to you. Instead of a simple pros and cons list, assign a weight to each factor that affects your decision to stay or leave a job. For example, if work-life balance is twice as important to you as salary, give it twice the points. Sum up the points to see which side weighs more heavily.
- Develop a skill translation tool to bridge your experience into new fields by listing your skills and matching them with job descriptions in various industries. For instance, if you have experience in project management, list the core skills involved, such as leadership, organization, and risk assessment, then find civilian job postings that require similar skills and see how they match up.
- Create a peer mentorship group with individuals from diverse professional backgrou ...
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Remo's personal challenges and journey of overcoming obstacles
Remo's journey through personal challenges, including gambling and financial crises, is a story of self-transformation and empowerment through the application of Jocko Willink’s principles of extreme ownership and decentralized command.
Remo's struggles with gambling and financial issues after leaving the military
After leaving the military, Remo found himself on a path leading to financial troubles, influenced by a family history of gambling. Remo admitted to developing gambling habits in college, which later escalated. He experienced the high variance and unpredictability of income from gambling, relying on poker as his main source of income, leading eventually to €30,000 in debt.
Remo's realization that he needed to take ownership of his problems
Despite recognizing red flags in his financial situation and the unstable nature of gambling income, Remo was always confident he could dig himself out of any financial predicament. It wasn’t until his personal relationships suffered and he faced increasing financial pressures—such as rising rent after moving to Tartu—that he began to accept responsibility for his problems.
Remo's decision to reinvent himself and seek new opportunities
Remo’s relentless poker sessions and the eventual departure of the mother of his child marked a turning point in his life. Recognizing he had hit a low point, he contemplated his options, considering a return to the defense industry and feeling drawn to the structure and discipline it represented.
Remo's discovery of Jocko Willink's work and the impact it had on his personal transformation
The devastating end of his relationship and dire financial straits led Remo to Jocko Willink's writing, where he encountered the idea of extreme ownership. Realizing that he was blaming others for his troubles, Remo felt compelled to look in the mirror and acknowledge his part in his own downfall. This was a pivotal moment for him.
Remo's application of the principles of extreme ownership and decentralized command to his own life
Armed with a newfound perspective from Willink's teachings, Remo began devising a plan to address his debts, reaching out for help and securing places to live fo ...
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Remo's personal challenges and journey of overcoming obstacles
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Remo's gambling habits may not be solely attributed to family influence; individual choices and psychological factors could also play significant roles.
- Accumulating debt from gambling could be seen as a lack of financial literacy or risk management, rather than just a reliance on poker for income.
- The concept of taking ownership might not address underlying issues such as addiction or mental health, which could require professional intervention.
- Reinventing oneself is a complex process that may involve more than a decision; it often requires ongoing support and resources.
- While Jocko Willink's work may have been helpful for Remo, self-help principles are not universally effective and may not resonate with or be applicable to everyone's situation.
- The application of extreme ownership principles to personal debt and issue ...
Actionables
- You can start a "debt diary" to track your financial habits and identify patterns that lead to overspending. Begin by jotting down every expense and the reason behind it, which will help you notice triggers and situations that cause unnecessary spending. For example, if you find that you're more likely to make impulsive purchases after a stressful day at work, you might decide to engage in a relaxing activity instead of shopping.
- Create a "reinvention roadmap" for personal growth by setting clear, achievable goals for different areas of your life. Write down what reinventing yourself means to you in terms of career, relationships, and personal well-being. Then, break these into smaller, actionable steps. For instance, if part of your reinvention is to become more physically fit, your roadmap might include a weekly exercise routine, meal planning, and a sleep schedule.
- Establi ...
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