Lucky Charms And The Long Road Back (Jim Bennett) episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 20, 2026 · 2H 46M

Lucky Charms And The Long Road Back (Jim Bennett)

from Veterans Archives: Preserving the Stories of our Nations Heroes · host Bill Krieger

Send us Fan MailA full-ride scholarship, a Pentagon internship, and a clear military track should have meant a smooth launch. Jim Bennett did the opposite. He chased the Appalachian Trail, learned what it means to “hike your own hike,” and then carried those lessons into the Michigan Army National Guard as 9/11 turned weekend service into a new era of war and responsibility. We talk through the moments that shaped him: Hurricane Katrina relief in the Gulf, the grind of leadership training, Kuwait convoy operations, and a darkly funny “bomb threat” that was literally a duct-taped box of Lucky Charms. Then the tone shifts to what most people avoid saying out loud: the pressure of Afghanistan contracting, the cost of a lapse in integrity, and what shame does to a person when the uniform comes off and the consequences stay. Jim also shares the way back. Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholics Anonymous picking up the phone, PTSD, and the slow work of rebuilding a life through service, creativity, and a blue-collar small business in HVAC and indoor air quality. If you care about veteran stories, military leadership, recovery, and real second chances, this conversation stays with you. Subscribe for more long-form stories, share this with someone who needs hope, and leave a review with the lesson that hit you hardest. Support the showwww.veteransarchives.org

Send us Fan Mail A full-ride scholarship, a Pentagon internship, and a clear military track should have meant a smooth launch. Jim Bennett did the opposite. He chased the Appalachian Trail, learned what it means to “hike your own hike,” and then carried those lessons into the Michigan Army National Guard as 9/11 turned weekend service into a new era of war and responsibility. We talk through the moments that shaped him: Hurricane Katrina relief in the Gulf, the grind of leadership trai...

NOW PLAYING

Lucky Charms And The Long Road Back (Jim Bennett)

0:00 2:46:31

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Veterans Archives: Preserving the Stories of our Nations Heroes?

This episode is 2 hours and 46 minutes long.

When was this Veterans Archives: Preserving the Stories of our Nations Heroes episode published?

This episode was published on June 20, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Send us Fan MailA full-ride scholarship, a Pentagon internship, and a clear military track should have meant a smooth launch. Jim Bennett did the opposite. He chased the Appalachian Trail, learned what it means to “hike your own hike,” and then...

Can I download this Veterans Archives: Preserving the Stories of our Nations Heroes episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!