#726 Michael Brehm Navy Veteran; 26 Aug 2026

🎙️ Veteran Story: Michael “Mikey” Brehm — U.S. Navy Veteran What begins as a conversation between two military musicians who have not seen one another in nearly a decade becomes an honest, funny, and deeply personal look at service, family, ambition, burnout, and knowing when life is calling you in a new direction. Texas native Michael Brehm grew up playing sports and music before discovering jazz trumpet and earning a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies from Texas State University. After performing aboard cruise ships, meeting his wife, Jamie, and temporarily settling in Canada, Michael began searching for a stable way to continue pursuing music while building a future for his family. That search eventually led him to the U.S. Navy Music Program. Michael shares his experiences at Navy boot camp, attending the Armed Forces School of Music, serving with Navy Band Northwest, advancing quickly to E-5, and learning that military musicians do far more than perform. Through ceremonies, public events, and personal interactions, he discovered how music can represent service, honor sacrifice, and reach people in ways words sometimes cannot. One of his proudest moments came during boot camp graduation, when he performed a trumpet solo in “America the Beautiful.” Afterward, an intimidating instructor stopped him to explain how deeply the performance had affected him. For Michael, that moment revealed the true purpose behind wearing the uniform and making music in service to others. His journey also included leadership responsibilities, family pressures, injuries, professional frustration, counseling, and the difficult lesson that constantly saying “yes” can eventually lead to burnout. Through the Navy’s Career Intermission Program and the GI Bill, Michael earned a master’s degree in jazz performance from the New England Conservatory before returning to service at Navy Band Northeast in Newport. When Jamie received an opportunity to pursue her dream career, Michael chose family and a new future over another enlistment. Now living in Connecticut with their four children, he is preparing to pursue an MBA and help build the next chapter of their family’s life. Throughout the episode, Michael reflects honestly on both the good and difficult parts of military service, the leaders who shaped him, unforgettable performances, embarrassing moments, and the lasting benefits of taking life as it comes. His words of wisdom are simple but powerful: Fear regret more than risk. The things you are most afraid to pursue may be the very things you should run toward. Episode Participants 🎙️ Andrew “AJ” Cox — Host, Founder and Executive Director of The Lost Art Project: Veterans’ Voices; retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant and military musician 🎺 Michael “Mikey” Brehm — Guest; U.S. Navy veteran, trumpet player, military musician, husband, father, and graduate of the New England Conservatory Every veteran’s experience is part of our shared history. By recording these stories in the veteran’s own words, we preserve not only where they served, but who they became because of that service. 🌐 thelostartprojectveteransvoices.org Preserving Voices. Protecting Legacies.