506: Nick Nichols—Folds of Honor

The episode opens with the host catching up with Colonel Nick Nichols, a retired Air Force pilot with over 30 years of service, including numerous combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nick discusses the unpredictability of which aircraft he would fly in the military, highlighting how crew members and pilots depend heavily on each other’s trust and skills. The conversation then shifts to Nick’s post-military work with Folds of Honor, a foundation providing scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled service members and first responders. Nick shares his frustrations about the underrepresentation of trades and skilled careers among the beneficiaries of his foundation’s scholarships, prompting a discussion about combining efforts with the host’s foundation to promote these vital jobs. The host expresses admiration for Nick’s persona, which defies the stereotypical image of a retired military officer, noting his tattoos, ranch in Tulsa, and love for hunting. The episode sets the tone by emphasizing the importance of purpose and service, both in military life and beyond.

Nick recounts his military career, emphasizing how he was assigned to fly various aircraft, predominantly F-16s, during multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, totaling seven combat tours. He describes the routine of flying high-stakes missions to support ground troops and enforce no-fly zones, sharing details about the technical aspects of aircraft survivability and the mission’s risks. He provides a vivid account of a harrowing firefight in Afghanistan in 2013, where he was involved in close air support under intense enemy fire. Nick explains the chaos and focus required during such missions, including the emotional toll of losing a young crew member who died while talking to him on the radio, and the subsequent grief and reflection that followed. He reflects on the weight of those experiences and the importance of honoring fallen comrades, stressing how these memories influence his ongoing efforts with Folds of Honor.

The conversation delves into the psychological and emotional impacts of combat, with Nick expressing that even years later, the memories of key missions and fallen friends remain vivid. He shares a poignant story about receiving a phone call from his wife after a demanding mission, which revealed the emotional toll of separation and loss. Nick discusses the concept of earning one’s right to be proud of their service, emphasizing that true heroism is about the sacrifice of others who do not return. The host and Nick talk about the weight of these sacrifices, how service members process their experiences, and the importance of telling those stories publicly to honor the fallen. Nick describes the duality of being haunted by certain memories but also finding solace in knowing they are appreciated and remembered.

The episode explores how service members handle grief and trauma, with Nick sharing the power of reflection and the importance of supporting veterans' mental health. He describes his efforts with the mental health initiative linked to Folds of Honor, which offers 24/7 access to mental health resources for military and first responder families. Nick emphasizes that the road to healing involves recognizing the weight of past experiences but also finding meaningful ways to channel that pain into positive actions, such as his foundation’s work and personal endeavors like hunting, ranching, and storytelling. The conversation underscores the importance of community, purpose, and service as essential elements for recovering from the scars of war.

Towards the episode’s end, the host asks Nick whether he continues to dream about flying, to which he responds affirmatively, highlighting that the experience of flying remains deeply ingrained in his identity. They discuss the importance of storytelling, especially in the context of combat, heroism, and sacrifice. Nick advocates for more public sharing of veteran stories to combat cultural desensitization to war’s realities. The episode concludes with mutual appreciation, a discussion about the foundation’s mission to support families, and plans for future collaborations to promote trades and raise awareness for the sacrifices made by military and first responders. The host emphasizes that honoring these sacrifices is the way to keep their memories alive.