#86 - Jocko Willink and Mike Sarraille

About this episode

<p><a href="https://twitter.com/jockowillink">Jocko Willink</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/mjsarraille">Mike Sarraille</a> served together as Navy SEALs and now work together at <a href="https://www.echelonfront.com/">Echelon Front</a>, a company Jocko cofounded.<br><br>We met up to talk about a new initiative they’ve set up called <a href="https://www.efoverwatch.com/">Overwatch</a>. Overwatch is a talent acquisition firm that matches employers with veterans from special operations forces and combat aviation. You can learn more about Overwatch at <a href="https://www.efoverwatch.com/">EFOverwatch.com</a>.<br><br>They’re also hosting an event called the Muster in San Francisco on October 17th and 18th. You can sign up at <a href="https://www.extremeownership.com/">ExtremeOwnership.com</a>.<br><br>If you’d like to hear more from Mike and Jocko, check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDWupT4tc8M">Jocko Podcast Episode 134</a>.<br><br>The YC podcast is hosted by <a href="https://twitter.com/craigcannon" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Craig Cannon</a>.<br><br>We're accepting applications from startups for the Winter 2019 funding cycle. <a href="http://ycombinator.com/apply?utm_source=podcast" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Apply here</a>.</p><p><br>***<br><br>Topics<br><br>01:04 - Intros<br><br>5:07 - Mike and Jocko on how they transitioned out<br><br>9:37 - How the military prepares people for the private sector<br><br>13:47 - What is Overwatch?<br><br>23:32 - Preconceptions about veterans<br><br>28:24 - Advice for companies looking to hire veterans<br><br>31:03 - Jocko's next book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dichotomy-Leadership-Balancing-Challenges-Ownership/dp/1250195772">The Dichotomy of Leadership</a><br><br>33:58 - Mike and Jocko's working relationship<br><br>45:20 - How to set up your team so everyone can contribute<br><br>55:02 - What Mike and Jocko are trying to improve about themselves<br><br>58:45 - Alex Badalyan asks - What are some military tactics startups could adopt to increase team effectiveness and throughput?<br><br>1:00:47 - Allen asks - From your experience as a SEAL and in the business world, do two or more co-founders/leaders have a higher success rate? What are your thoughts on a solo leader/founder with a strong team and culture?<br><br>1:06:56 - Armando Neves asks - I liked Jocko's episode on strategy and the way of the Samurai (The Book of Five Rings), how much of the warrior mindset is he implementing on a day to day basis?<br><br>1:11:17 - Ryan Carl Mercer asks - Favorite MRE and thank you for your service sir.<br><br>1:14:59 - Spencer Clark asks - Is culture more decided by micro or macro policies &amp; interactions?</p>