Cleared Hot Episode 170 - Wil Willis

Mar 1, 2021

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Cleared Hot Episode 170 - Wil Willis

Explore the raw, unfiltered journey of Wil Willis: from elite military operator to TV host. Uncover tales of trauma, resilience, mental health, and finding purpose.

This episode of the podcast features an in-depth conversation with Wil Willis, known for his hosting roles on television shows such as "America's Greatest Rifle," "Special Ops Mission," and "Forged in Fire." Prior to his entertainment career, Willis served in the military as an Army Ranger and an Air Force Pararescue Jumper.

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Military Service and Transition

Willis discusses his unique transition from Army Ranger to Air Force Pararescue Jumper, explaining his motivations for this career shift. He highlights that combat experience does not inherently confer credibility, emphasizing the importance of character and conduct as a human being. Willis recounts an experience in Ranger battalion with an individual who, despite being considered a hero in Mogadishu, exhibited poor character.

He details the rigorous training involved in Pararescue, describing it as a "jack of all trades" role encompassing medical skills, survival, diving, climbing, and more. Willis notes that the military excels at molding young individuals but often falls short in preparing them for civilian life post-service, assigning it an "F minus minus minus" grade for veteran transition support.

Personal Background and Mental Health

Willis shares his childhood experiences, growing up on an Air Force base and being influenced by stories of Green Berets. He discusses his early aspirations and the path that led him to Pararescue. Willis also candidly addresses his diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, stemming from childhood abandonment issues and abuse. He explains how military service, with its high-tempo operations, initially channeled his anger and impulse control issues positively but also contributed to substance abuse and relationship difficulties.

He describes the challenges of his personal life, including struggles with relationships and a significant rupture with his son. Willis emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and taking responsibility for one's actions. He recounts a particularly difficult incident involving physical discipline with his son, which led to a period of estrangement and a reevaluation of his parenting.

Career in Entertainment

Willis discusses his transition into the entertainment industry, starting with hosting "Deadliest Warrior" and "Special Ops Mission" before landing the role on "Forged in Fire." He shares his initial interest in screenwriting and film school. Willis recounts the serendipitous nature of his entry into television hosting, including a generic host contract and the filming of a sizzle reel.

He details his experience on "Forged in Fire," including the challenges of standing for long periods, the production process, and his interactions with contestants and judges. Willis expresses his belief that the show, while entertaining, sometimes validates individuals as professional knife makers based on competition performance rather than extensive experience. He also touches upon the political decisions within the military and the entertainment industry, including the controversy surrounding the Army's switch from black to tan berets and the pressure to conform to production demands, such as shaving his beard.

Philosophy and Closing Thoughts

Willis advocates for honesty with oneself, self-acceptance, and continuous personal growth. He stresses the importance of reaching out for support and being a better person each day. Willis believes that everyone is going through something and encourages empathy and understanding, even towards those perceived as "idiots." He shares his personal journey of confronting his own issues, including impulse control and substance abuse, and finding a path toward helping others.

He reflects on the concept of legacy and the impact individuals have on the world. Willis emphasizes the importance of positive influence, drawing parallels to his impactful high school baseball coach. He concludes by advocating for more hugs, kindness, and open communication, urging people to be better to one another and to accept their own imperfections while striving for improvement.

Introduction and Military/Entertainment Transition

The episode begins with a discussion about Wil Willis's background, including his military career as an Army Ranger and Air Force Pararescue Jumper, and his transition into the entertainment industry, hosting shows like 'Forged in Fire'. He touches on his personal journey, including overcoming childhood trauma and mental health challenges.

Wil Willis served as an Army Ranger and an Air Force Pararescue Jumper.
He is known for hosting shows like 'Forged in Fire', 'Special Ops Mission', and 'America's Greatest Rifle'.
Willis discusses his transition from military service to the entertainment industry.
He shares insights into his personal struggles, including childhood trauma and borderline personality disorder.

Military Service and Evolving Perspectives

Willis delves into his military experiences, detailing his transition from Ranger to PJ, the importance of cross-training, and his evolving perspective on combat and credibility. He shares anecdotes about his time in the Ranger battalion and the lessons learned about human character beyond combat achievements.

Willis explains the unique transition from Army Ranger to Air Force Pararescue Jumper.
He emphasizes the importance of knowing multiple weapon systems and tactical maneuvers.
His perspective on combat credibility shifted, realizing that combat performance doesn't equate to good human character.
He recounts an experience in Ranger school that highlighted a fellow soldier's poor character despite combat heroism.

Pararescue Training and Early Aspirations

The conversation explores the demanding nature of Pararescue training, including the 'jack of all trades' mentality required. Willis details his path to becoming a PJ, influenced by his father's military service and childhood exposure to military narratives, and his initial aspirations.

Pararescue training emphasizes being a 'jack of all trades' with broad operational capacity.
Willis's initial interest in aviation and special forces was influenced by growing up on an Air Force base and media like Rambo.
He was advised to pursue Pararescue in the Air Force for a blend of medical and special operations skills.
His early career aspirations were shaped by his father's Air Force service and a neighbor's Green Beret stories.

Joining the Army and Parental Reactions

Willis recounts his unconventional path to joining the Army, driven by frustration with a previous recruitment experience and a desire for action. He details his enlistment process, his initial choice for infantry over medic, and his father's reaction to his decision.

Frustrated with Air Force recruitment, Willis impulsively joined the Army.
He initially wanted to be a medic but chose infantry ('shoot people in the face') due to his anger.
His father, an Air Force veteran, was initially upset about his decision to become an Airborne Ranger.
He describes the rigorous process of enlisting, including passing MEPS and a urinalysis.

Military Transition and Family Concerns

The discussion shifts to the challenges of military transition and the impact of service on family life. Willis reflects on his son's decision to join the Marines, the emotional toll on parents, and the importance of understanding the commitment involved in military service.

Willis shares his parental concern when his son enlisted in the Marine Corps.
He emphasizes the need for individuals to understand the full commitment and potential sacrifices of military service.
The conversation touches on the limited public support for veterans, as seen at events like the Warrior Games.
He advises potential recruits to join for the right reasons, not just for heroism or anger.

Mental Health: Borderline Personality Disorder

Willis candidly discusses his diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), its origins in childhood trauma and abuse, and its impact on his relationships and behavior. He details the symptoms and his journey toward managing the condition through therapy.

Willis was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), stemming from childhood abandonment and abuse.
BPD symptoms include emotional instability, impulsivity, and hypersensitivity.
He describes how BPD affected his relationships and led to substance abuse and self-destructive behaviors.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is mentioned as the primary treatment for BPD.

Childhood Trauma and Family Dynamics

He shares deeply personal accounts of childhood abuse, including physical discipline from his father and stepmother, and the emotional impact it had. He reflects on his relationship with his father and the complexities of forgiveness and understanding.

Willis recounts instances of severe physical abuse during his childhood, including beatings with a belt and a boat oar.
He describes a traumatic incident involving a lost house key and subsequent punishment.
He discusses the complex relationship with his father, acknowledging both the abuse and his father's own struggles.
The importance of forgiveness, even for perpetrators, is highlighted for personal healing.

Post-Military Transition and Re-enlistment

The conversation explores the challenges of transitioning out of the military, the lack of adequate support, and the difficulties in translating military skills to civilian life. Willis shares his own struggles after leaving the Army and his eventual return to the Air Force as a PJ.

Willis criticizes the military's transition support for veterans, calling it inadequate.
He found it difficult to translate his military skills (e.g., 'stinger missile school') into civilian job requirements.
After leaving the Army, he worked construction jobs before re-enlisting in the Air Force to become a PJ.
He describes the demanding and lengthy Pararescue training pipeline.

Entertainment Industry and 'Forged in Fire'

Willis discusses his experiences in the entertainment industry, from his early acting gigs to hosting 'Forged in Fire'. He touches on the challenges of authenticity in media, the politics of production, and his eventual departure from the show.

Willis's entry into entertainment began with hosting gigs and acting roles.
He discusses the challenges of maintaining authenticity in military-themed media.
He recounts his experience hosting 'Forged in Fire', including on-set dynamics and creative differences.
Willis expresses frustration with the production process and the perceived lack of respect for his expertise.

Legacy, Personal Growth, and Closing Thoughts

The episode concludes with Willis's reflections on legacy, personal growth, and the importance of authenticity and connection. He emphasizes finding comfort in one's own skin, seeking help, and striving to be a better person daily, offering a message of hope and resilience.

Willis stresses the importance of self-honesty, personal growth, and seeking help for mental health challenges.
He advocates for understanding and empathy towards others, recognizing that everyone faces struggles.
His current focus is on storytelling and creating content that inspires and connects people.
He believes in leaving a positive legacy and encouraging others to be the best version of themselves.