20 Jordan Hillstrom - US Army Ranger, deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan. State Trooper, Police Officer

20 Jordan Hillstrom - served 5 years in the Army's 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, with three combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. Jordan also served as a State Trooper and Police Officer for 5 years. Jordan then transitioned into construction, created software for bulk haulers LoadTraxx, and today consults for construction digitalization with Xeratec ➡︎ The VWB show is sponsored by: https://jet.build/ Mentions in This Video Jordan's Info: ➡︎ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-hillstrom-525a98162/ ➡︎ Business: www.xeratec.com www.loadtraxx.com ➡︎ Books: The Warrior Poet Way: https://amzn.to/3An36tj (amazon) Tribe: https://amzn.to/3An3acx (amazon) Deliberate Discomfort: https://amzn.to/3UIguii (amazon) Takeaways: Jordan’s large family instilled a strong work ethic, while Wisconsin’s culture fostered patriotism. Inspired by 9/11, he enlisted, overcoming basic training challenges that demanded mental resilience. Through the Ranger Indoctrination Program and deployments, he learned the value of preparation, breaking goals down, and perseverance—skills he later applied to business. Transitioning to civilian life brought unique challenges, especially in processing combat experiences, advocating for personal health, and navigating mental health stigmas. Jordan emphasizes the importance of proactive career planning, leveraging benefits like the GI Bill, and continuous learning. His military experience shaped his values of teamwork, adaptability, and holistic wellness, which guided him in civilian and professional life. Subscribe To Our Podcast Here ➡︎ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKONY1n1qysTx2RiBiwj28QzLc8gI2oui ➡︎ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2ZizGddgHgKA4oimoLkNRc?si=cd7c0afd6b064292 ➡︎ Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3Vt3rCE ➡︎ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vwbshow/ ➡︎ X: https://twitter.com/TheVWBShow ➡︎ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamstark512/ ➡︎ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veterans-who-build ➡︎ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veteranswhobuild/ The Veterans Who Build Show ➡︎ At VWB, we are on a mission to provide a platform for Veterans to share their story, empower others for success, transition from Military to civilian to profession, chat translatable skills, professional and personal wins, and all things Built Environment The VWB Show Sponsors ➡︎ The VWB show is sponsored by @jetbuild, www.jet.build ➡︎ Jet.Build is THE central command for RE development and construction project management software. Solutions range from project finance to stakeholder collaboration, construction operations, and data reporting with AI. Jet.Build is the better way to build Timecodes / Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Jordan 01:48 Growing Up 04:33 Catalyst for Military Service 07:13 Enlisting in the Army 09:10 Joining the Ranger Battalion 17:27 Ranger Indoctrination Program (RIP) 19:08 Mental Fortitude in Physical Challenges 24:01 Lessons from Endurance Running 26:18 Jordan's Military Journey 29:00 The Reality of Deployment 30:36 Family Sacrifice and Personal Growth 35:52 The Struggles of Transitioning 38:01 The Impact of Malaria 41:23 Understanding Ranger School 46:54 Lessons from Combat and Civilian Life 50:44 Navigating Life After the Military 55:13 Navigating Mental Health in Military Transitions 58:47 Shifting Perspectives on Military Operations 01:01:42 Evolving Roles and Responsibilities in Combat 01:06:15 The Discharge Experience and Transition Challenges 01:15:58 Reflections on Career Choices and Future Paths 01:18:39 From Law Enforcement to Construction 01:24:16 Field to Office Management 01:27:06 Innovating in the Trucking Industry 01:29:29 Creating a SaaS Product for Construction 01:32:26 Exploring Strategic Partnerships for Growth 01:33:34 Reimagining Technology's Role in Construction 01:36:44 Translatable Skills from Military to Civilian Life 01:39:34 Defining Career Wins and Advocacy 01:42:11 Holistic Wellness Practices