Meet Casey McEuin of Project RELO

Today we’d like to introduce you to Casey McEuin.

Casey, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am originally from Los Angeles, CA and previously served in the United States Army just over 17 years. Over the course of my military career, I had to become a resilient leader quick because you were always on the move, moving to a new location every couple of years. Well after my 9th move in 14 years, I found myself in Afghanistan and working alongside some of the greatest men and women I ever had the chance to serve with. During this time in Afghanistan, our base came under attack and I was critically injured, which forced me to be medically separated from the Army just shy of being able to retire on my own.

Leaving the military was a scary time for me because I had invested everything I had in my military career. But in an instant, I found myself having to change the direction in my life. I struggled to find meaningful work and ended up living out of my Jeep for a few months to save the money I did have coming in. This is when I relied heavily on my faith and prayed hard to have the guidance I needed to find the path I was supposed to take. This is where my servant leadership path took place. I wanted to ensure that no veteran would ever have to go through the same ordeals that I had to as I transitioned out of the military, so I focused my attention on working in the nonprofit organization world and to help veterans through their transitions.

In 2015 I began working in the nonprofit world dedicating my life to taking care of veterans. It is the continued service to my brothers and sisters that landed me on the south lawn of the White House in April of 2016 where I was honored by President Barack Obama for my continued service to the nation by helping veterans. Life at this point still made me want to do more and this is ultimately what changed my life.

I was asked to attend a Project RELO mission in June of 2016 and not knowing what to expect, I thought to myself it is only another resource to have in my arsenal to make a dent in the universe. What I did not know is that when I attended my first mission as a veteran instructor on a Project RELO mission, that I would find myself running the organization 6 months later. The founder, Christian Anschuetz and I clicked from the get-go. What we discovered is that there are too many veteran service organizations that are all about giving a veteran a handout. Well, we are not about giving handouts, we are about educating corporate America on the value of hiring veterans. That hiring a veteran is good business, while also doing something that is considered a social good.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has never been a smooth road for me, but I am okay with that. I truly believe that struggle and criticism are prerequisites for greatness. Throughout my 17 years military career, I flourished and rose to the top rather quickly. When I was injured in Afghanistan, I realized that I was just another Soldier on his way out of the military. Having to learn to walk again, navigating out of a broken marriage, having to immerse myself into a society I no longer understood, and then to find my way into the business world with hardly no experience, I was lost. But this is where I had to remain resilient and vigilant at the same time. I leaned on my mentors and prayed daily.

I am also a firm believer that everything happens in life is God’s plan. There was a plan for me throughout all of this turmoil that I had to go through over the last decade. Where I am today, is exactly where I should be, as the President and Executive Director of the most innovative and unorthodox veteran service organization out there. My struggles have opened doors to new opportunities in my life, most notably is the fact that my struggles and my path led me to find the love of my life and my soulmate, my beautiful wife, Sage. She is the reason that I had to endure all of those struggles and tribulations. If it weren’t for her, I would not be where I am today.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Project RELO – what should we know?
Project RELO is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that is designed to educate corporate America on the value of hiring veterans. Not for the social aspect of doing something good, but doing so because it is good for business.

Project RELO provides immersive, visceral and highly effective leadership training to corporate executives and top talent. The training missions are conducted on American military bases where participants and transitioning veteran instructors conduct multi-day pseudo military operations.

Project RELO missions are executed over a three-day period where participants conduct real, physical convoy operations, navigating to various objectives in massive military training areas. Weapons training (real weapons / simulated rounds) and high-tech simulators provide an experiential glimpse into our military members’ backgrounds. Exploration of combat towns and mock negotiations with costumed mullahs diversifies our understanding of our veterans’ skillsets.

As the collective team navigates the various obstacles that invariably arise during any military operation, leadership, teamwork, and selflessness provide the glue that allows the collective team to meet its objectives. It is also here that participants experience the best leadership training available anywhere. For instead of a classroom or whiteboard, leadership is taught by example.

Project RELO missions provide superlative leadership training. Yet, even more importantly, participants develop a deep understanding about the character, quality, and full extent of our veterans’ skills. And with this understanding comes appreciation, and a desire to hire more of our former military members into their respective organizations.

Project RELO then continues its veteran advocacy beyond the missions by helping firms establish, or improve existing, military hiring programs.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I can do all things through Christ. He has guided me to where I am today, and I am eternally grateful for the blessings that He has bestowed upon me. I lean on Him daily to help guide me.

My amazing, beautiful, and loving wife, Sage McEuin. She truly is my All in All The Lord brought us together to build an empire and to live a life of love that we like to call viral love because we want to spread love across the world. She supports everything that I do and never tries to stop me, even when my ideas seem a bit outlandish.

Christian Anschuetz, the founder of my organization, a former Marine, my brother, and the only man that has ever put time and effort into training me and teaching me not only how to run a business, but also how to be the man I always wanted to be. I would not be where I am today without the love, devotion, and brotherhood that Christian has provided me.

My four beautiful children! I remember a day when I had to say today is a great day for a great day. This was my mantra to get me through the day. But when I see the smiling faces of Brandon, Eisley, Jaylin, and Noah McEuin, I know that it was a great day because I was able to provide for them!

Each day of my life, I live to give back to my God, my Country, and my Family. Without them, I am nothing!

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