#14 Phil Kornachuck (US Army Special Forces) - Firefight Lessons, Identity Beyond Service & Leading with Purpose

In this World Changing Veterans Podcast episode, we speak with Army Special Operations veteran and StoneWater Training founder Phil Kornachuk, who served in the Canadian Army and then spent 22 years in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer, Ranger, and Green Beret. Phil recounts a defining April 6 firefight in western Afghanistan supporting Marine Special Operations, where casualties, limited medevac, no visibility for air support, and a pinned-down QRF forced him to focus on “what’s the smallest thing I can do right now,” use his “smartbook,” gain distance, and call airstrikes to shift momentum and evacuate wounded. He discusses building trust with Afghan commandos through small moments, preparing for hard days on good days, separating role from identity for veterans, finding purpose through self-awareness, and how StoneWater helps leaders and teams align purpose, principles, practices, and performance.00:00 Welcome and Takeaways01:59 Meet Phil Kornachuk02:30 From Canada to Rangers05:38 Olympics and Allegiance06:26 Why the Military Fit08:18 Rangers to Green Berets09:14 April 6 Firefight Story21:15 Smartbook Under Stress22:16 Purpose Values Routine23:39 Values Under Pressure24:06 Trust With Afghan Partners25:32 Veteran Identity And Purpose28:51 Building Community Intentionally30:35 StoneWater Training Mission33:52 Finding Your Calling38:04 Battlefield Lessons For Leaders40:20 World Changing Veterans Defined43:31 Connect And ClosingWays to connect:Phil KornachuckWebsite: https://www.stonewatertraining.com/Facebook: StoneWater TrainingInstagram: stonewater_trainingLinkedIn: StoneWater Training World Changing Veterans: If you would like to share your story on the podcast, join the movement, or connect with us at World Changing Veterans, email us at [email protected] and connect with with us on social media.LinkedIn: WorldChangingVeterans Instagram: wcveterans YouTube: WCVeterans This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit worldchangingveterans.substack.com