Break it down Barney Style

Keep it Simple Stupid!

At the American Warriors Foundation, we believe in the power of Veterans’ own voices to illuminate the path forward. As we promised, we’ll let their words make the point—BLUF: Culture, Camaraderie, Purpose. These aren’t just ideals; they’re the pillars of a transformative vision that began for me long ago in the military. I recall my early days as a Private when our Battalion Commander, LTC Willis—Coach Willis Colen K Willis, I believe his name was—did something extraordinary. He shut down our entire battalion for a month-long Mandatory Education Cycle. If you weren’t enrolled in school, you were in classes he organized with the local community college. I landed in Military Leadership, where we watched films, discussed leadership qualities, and absorbed lessons our Sergeants were supposed to already know. LTC Willis empowered us junior Enlisted Soldiers, which in turn pushed our Non-Commissioned Officers to elevate their own leadership. In just one month, he transformed our battalion’s culture more effectively than I’ve seen companies or colleges manage in a decade. That experience planted the seeds of Purpose, Direction, and Motivation in me—values I now expand with Esprit De Corps and Camaraderie. These five pillars are what we aim to recreate at Coyote Meadows Ranch, fostering an environment where Veterans can thrive by embracing their culture, not suppressing it, in a civilian world that often feels like a foreign land—“out here,” as some of my Veteran friends call it, in the very country we fought for and strove not to embarrass.

Veterans carry a unique culture forged in service, one that lingers long after they leave the military. One Veteran shared, “I separated in 2010, but I catch myself still using phrases and abbreviations, not to mention 24-hr time. I don’t want to be ‘that guy’ who makes the military their whole personality, but it was convenient to be able to type a sentence in 4 or 5 half words and everyone knew what you were saying.” This shorthand—like “Say again?” or “Roger that”—is more than habit; it’s a lifeline to a shared understanding that binds Veterans together. Another reflected, “Some of the phrases I still use that’s been helpful even at work: break it down Barney style, move with a purpose, BLUF, what’s the commander’s intent, op orders/planning.” These aren’t just words; they’re tools of efficiency and clarity, like “Make a hole,” which one Veteran called “one of the most powerful tools the military taught me.”

Yet, this culture often clashes with civilian life. “I low key cringe when people say ‘1900’ lmao like bro it’s 7,” one Veteran admitted, while another noted, “My ex-husband uses 2400…even programs his car clock with it, and it makes me cringe every time.” Even small habits persist: “After being out for almost 2 decades, I still tuck my laces into my shoes/boots,” shared another. These quirks reveal a deeper struggle—Veterans feel “lost in the sauce,” as one put it, navigating a world that doesn’t speak their language. But as a third Veteran wisely noted, “Not necessarily a bad thing.” That culture, that camaraderie, is a strength we can harness.

Every time I shave my crusty face now, I think about the time many years ago when I wiped shaving cream all over my face in boot camp. “You gonna shave yo lips, private?!” “No, Drill Sergeant!” Wherever you are, Drill Sergeant Goodman, thanks for teaching me how to be a man when I was still a boy. Hope li

fe was good to you. For many Veterans, the military wasn’t just a job—it was a crucible that raised them, molding boys into men through discipline, structure, and the unyielding support of their “Battle Buddies.” In those formative years, they learned to rely on each other, to find safety and guidance in the unit, whether in the chaos of combat or the quiet moments of training. But out here, without that safety net of “each other,” many feel lost—adrift in a civilian world that doesn’t understand the bond of a Battle Buddy or the structure they once thrived in. They miss the unspoken promise that someone always has their six, leaving them searching for purpose in a society that often overlooks their unique needs.

At Coyote Meadows Ranch, we’re building a sanctuary where Veterans can reclaim that sense of unity and purpose. Imagine a place where the phrase “Move with a purpose” isn’t met with confusion but with a knowing nod—a community where Veterans work together in agriculture, technology, construction, or manufacturing, supported by immediate employment, vocational training, therapy, and housing. Here, they can launch entrepreneurial ventures, adding 10 Veterans per ranch each year, growing by 10 ranches annually. In five years, that’s 1,500 Veterans across 41 ranches, thriving in an environment that understands them. We’re not asking Veterans to suppress who they are to succeed “out here”; we’re creating a space where their culture is their strength. Join us in this mission to empower Warriors and secure futures.

Thank You for Supporting Us, May God continue to Bless you.

American Warriors Foundation