Retired Marine Corps master gunnery sergeant Robert Yarnall talks about leadership, preventing veteran suicide and more on this week’s episode of Tango Alpha Lima, which celebrates its fifth anniversary today, April 1.
Retired Marine Corps veteran Robert Yarnall has parlayed his military experience into helping other veterans, including as the vice president of Development and Impact for the Robert Irvine Foundation. On the fifth anniversary of the American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast, he appears as a guest and shares the lessons he learned as a young Marine and how they continue to influence him today.
“It’s the adaptability,” he says of lessons learned during service. “The best laid plans are great until the line of departure … and from there … how do you adapt to that?”
Yarnall, a retired Master Gunnery Sergeant, credits those who mentored him and how he was given the opportunity to lead as a young Marine.
“The one thing I loved throughout my career is who really forged my identity and who I became. People took me under their wing. They taught me. They showed me. They took the time to invest their in me. It’s a principle I carried with me whether I was dealing with my young Marines, my athletes or my students.”
He likes to point out how veterans are unique since only 1% of Americans serve. That distinction gives veterans an edge in overcoming life’s challenges.
“Let’s forget the surviving part, let’s start thriving.”
Yarnall, who played and later coached American Legion Baseball, serves as the Robert Irvine Foundation’s lead for the Face the Fight initiative, of which The American Legion is also involved. Part of his motivation stems from the loss of a non-military suicide, one of his 15-year-old football players.
“It ties in with what we do as it pertains to lethal means safety and locking up our weapons,” says Yarnall, a father of four. “It’s definitely changed how I lock up mine.”
Also, co-hosts Adam Marr and Joe Worley chat about:
• A centennial celebration for American Legion Baseball.
• The story of a “good luck” flag.
• The exciting new season of “After Action” that co-host Stacy Pearsall is working on.
You can also check out the 300 Tango Alpha Lima podcasts available in both audio and video formats here. You can also download episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify other major podcast-hosting sites. The video version is available at the Legion’s YouTube channel.
- Tango Alpha Lima