Astronaut Dreams, Wartime Drills, Real-World Coaching: The Ron Higgs Playbook

In this episode of Graybeard Radio, host Matt Hempel welcomes back longtime Navy friend Ron Higgs for a conversation that spans decades, oceans, and careers. They open with raw, affectionate memories of life aboard USS America in the early ’90s: sleeping too hot or too cold depending on the sea, water that tasted faintly of jet fuel, and scalding showers that left one crewman with burns. Against that grit, they recall the beauty—fjords of Norway, the Northern Lights—and the camaraderie of a pre-New Year’s party thrown early, knowing deployment would steal the holiday. The pair revisit Desert Storm’s nerve-wracking moments: a vulnerable Suez Canal transit, high-alert posture through the Strait of Hormuz, and the exhausting cadence of CBR drills. Communications were scarce in the pre-internet era—letters, pay phones, and rare sat calls—intensifying the separation from home. A fatal helo crash becomes a defining moment for Ron, a reminder that youth and invincibility are illusions. Ron maps his Naval Academy-to-Test Pilot School journey, including becoming a Navy-nominated astronaut candidate before being medically disqualified—a bittersweet peak. Post-retirement, curiosity drew him into startups via an angel group; networking delivered consulting work in the most human ways, like a chance brewery chat. After a brief COO role ended by COVID, he embraced fractional operations and discovered his groove: coaching engineers and technical leaders through the mindset shifts required for leadership. He tells of an executive who, after a team offsite, owned his shortcomings—proof that real change starts with candor. The episode crystallizes into practical guidance: introvert-friendly networking (start slow, meet one person, offer help), Ron’s three daily goals (meet, learn, help), and the power of community—especially among veterans. His parting advice to his 25-year-old self is timeless: find a mentor a few steps ahead. Ron now leads Both Management Solutions, transforming technical pros into effective leaders, and remains a generous connector on LinkedIn.