Jocko Willink
John Gretton "Jocko" Willink (born September 8, 1971)[2] is an American author, podcaster, and retired United States Navy officer who served in the Navy SEALs and is a former member of SEAL Team 3.
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Birth name | John Gretton Willink, Jr. |
Born | Torrington, Connecticut | September 8, 1971
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Navy |
Years of service | 1990–2010 |
Rank | Lieutenant Commander |
Unit | SEAL Team 1 SEAL Team 2 SEAL Team 3 |
Battles/wars | Iraq War |
Awards | Silver Star Bronze Star Medal Meritorious Service Medal |
Alma mater | University of San Diego[1] |
Willink's military service includes combat actions in the Iraq War, where he commanded SEAL Team 3's Task Unit Bruiser, the unit that fought in the battle against the Iraqi insurgents in Ramadi. Willink was honored with the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medal for his service. He achieved the rank of lieutenant commander.[3]
Willink co-authored the books Extreme Ownership and The Dichotomy of Leadership (with fellow retired SEAL Leif Babin) and co-founded the management consulting firm Echelon Front, LLC.[4] Willink hosts a weekly podcast with Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioner Echo Charles, called the Jocko Podcast.[5] He holds a B.A. in English from the University of San Diego.
Military career
After Navy recruit training and Radioman (RM) "A" School training, Willink reported to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) training at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. Willink graduated BUD/S class 177. Following SEAL tactical training (STT) and completion of six-month probationary period, he received the NEC 5326 as a combatant swimmer (SEAL), entitled to wear the SEAL insignia. Willink served eight years on active duty, as an enlisted Navy SEAL with SEAL Team One and SEAL Team Two. Willink was part of the SEAL team that seized the Russian Tanker Volga-Neft-147 in the Gulf of Oman, which was carrying Iraqi oil in violation of a United Nations economic embargo. Willink earned his commission via Officer Candidate School and served as a platoon commander. Willink completed multiple deployments to Asia, the Middle East and Europe. During Operation Iraqi Freedom he deployed to the Iraqi city of Ramadi in 2006 with SEAL Team Three as commander of Task Unit Bruiser, which included Leif Babin, Seth "Stoner" Stone, Marc Alan Lee, Michael Monsoor, Jonny Kim, Kevin Lacz, Ryan "Biggles" Job, JP Dinnell, Tony Eafrati, Jason Hogan and Chris Kyle. Willink also served as a Navy SEAL instructor during his career. He retired in October 2010 after 20 years of service.[6]
Post-Navy career
After retiring from the Navy, Willink co-founded the leadership consulting firm Echelon Front along with Leif Babin, who served with him in the SEAL Teams.[7] He and Babin also co-authored the leadership manual Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win.[8] After appearing on the podcasts of Tim Ferriss, Joe Rogan, and Sam Harris to publicize his book, Willink started his own weekly podcast, The Jocko Podcast.[9]
In addition to his work in consulting and authorship, Willink instructs jiu-jitsu at Victory MMA & Fitness in San Diego and co-owns Origin USA,[10] a company based in Farmington, Maine, which produces lifestyle apparel, nutrition supplements, and fitness equipment,[11] as well as being one of the only manufacturers of jiu-jitsu gis in the United States.[12] Willink has a chapter giving advice in Tim Ferriss' book Tools of Titans.
Bibliography
Adult nonfiction
- Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win (2015) (ISBN 978-1-76055-820-8)
- Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual (2017) (ISBN 978-1-250-15694-5)
- The Dichotomy of Leadership: Balancing the Challenges of Extreme Ownership to Lead and Win (2018) (ISBN 978-1-250-19577-7)
- Leadership Strategy and Tactics: Field Manual (2020) (ISBN 978-1-250-22684-6)
- The Code. The Evaluation. The Protocols: Striving to Become an Eminently Qualified Human (2020) (ISBN 978-0-9816188-2-1)
Adult fiction
- Final Spin: A Novel (2021) (ISBN 978-1250276858)
Children's books
- Mikey and the Dragons (2018) (ISBN 978-1-942549-43-7)
Way of the Warrior Kid (2017–2021)
Awards and decorations
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References
- "6 College Mind Hacks From a Navy SEAL". The Odyssey Online. May 16, 2016.
- Willink, John "Jocko". "Birthdate". John Gretton Willink genealogy page. Tjeenk Willink. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
- "Extreme Ownership". Macmillan Publishers. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
- "Lead. Win". Echelon Front. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- "Jocko Podcast – Leadership and Discipline". Retrieved May 28, 2020.
- "These former Navy SEALS explain why you should wake up before dawn to win at life". maxim.com. Maxim. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
- "Echelon Front". Echelon Front. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
- "Why this retired Navy SEAL commander has 3 alarm clocks and wakes up at 4:30 a.m." Business Insider. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
- Schawbel, Dan. "Jocko Willink: Career Advice From a Former Navy SEAL". forbes.com. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
- "John "Jocko" Willink, Personal Trainer, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt – Victory MMA and Fitness San Diego". www.victorygyms.com.
- Milliken, Maureen (August 24, 2017). "Origin USA plans to double workforce with new Farmington factory". Mainebix. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
- https://www.jiujitsutimes.com/three-kimono-companies-people-go-nuts/
External links
- Jocko Willink on Twitter
- Jocko Podcast
- The Unravelling with Jocko Willink and Darryl Cooper
- About Jocko's wife
- Echelon Front
- Victory MMA