United States Military Lieutenant Colonel Sean Donohue was accustomed to army service lengthy earlier than his personal profession started in 2002. Each of his grandfathers served their nation, and Donohue grew up in Tacoma, WA close to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. It might come as a shock that one in every of his mother and father weren’t on board with the prospect of him placing on the nation’s fabric.
“I at all times thought the army was an intriguing alternative,” Donohue stated. “Nevertheless it was nothing my mom ever wished me related to, nor did she ever articulate why she felt that approach.”
What Donohue did participate in was sports activities. He performed baseball and soccer at totally different factors of his childhood, however he acknowledged that health was not his highest quality rising up.
Donohue recalled, “I used to be an lively child, however weight was at all times downside for me.” He did discover success within the pool and even swam competitively in faculty. Nonetheless, he opted to focus extra on music and obtained his diploma in Music Enterprise.
“I assumed I used to be going to be working with rock bands,” he shared.
He Answered His Nation’s Name
Like many present members of the Armed Forces, Donohue opted to think about service after the terrorist assaults on the US on September 11, 2001. By 2002, Donohue formally shifted his focus from music to the Military. Despite his athletic background, he was involved about how he would maintain up in primary coaching. Issues turned out okay for him, although.
“It labored properly sufficient and I bear in mind being the oldest man in my primary coaching firm at 23 and one in every of solely two of us who handed the previous APFT on the primary check.”
Within the 23 years since, he labored in a number of capacities whereas touring the world, together with as a fight medic, legislative liaison, TRADOC-IMT Surgeon, and is at the moment a PA whereas residing in Virginia. He’s grateful for the leaders which have challenged and supported him all through his 20 years in service.
“I’ve been very lucky to be surrounded by nice leaders all through my profession and I’m grateful that a few of them have inspired me to do issues that I wasn’t fully satisfied of on the time.”
He could be the one acting on a day-to-day foundation, however the husband and father of three emphasizes that he didn’t make this dedication alone.
“I’m most pleased with my household although, Lexey and I joined the Military- which means we made the selection collectively to develop into an Military household.”
They’ve discovered health to be one other frequent bond that holds them collectively and a good way to remain related whereas persevering with to be at their finest for themselves and one another. Donohue obtained into biking throughout the lockdowns, and his household joined him in pursuing the brand new ardour.
Donohue defined, “For our household, it was a good way to attach and share nature and the outside collectively.”
He took it a step additional and went on to teach the biggest workforce in Virginia, and he proudly shared that his youngest son continued biking and raced nationally for a number of years. His son ultimately shifted his focus again to lecturers, however he himself went on to start out participating in cyclocross, a hybrid of highway and mountain biking.
“A number of mud, sand, hills and operating. Legend says it began as a approach for French troopers to coach in winter. It’s a blast and I like the neighborhood.”
That is just one side of his private dedication to being his finest self. He has additionally been devoted to the weights and operating, which made his travels throughout the globe somewhat extra satisfying.
“My travels would by no means have been so wealthy if it wasn’t for making time to squeeze in a run.”
Donohue is at the moment concerned with the Military’s Holistic Well being and Health (H2F) readiness system, which is designed to assist troopers enhance in 5 totally different pillars (bodily, psychological, non secular, diet, sleep). As a Scientific Integration lead, Donohue helps lay the groundwork of this program and sees its potential for achievement now and later as they develop over 100 groups throughout the Military over the following few years.
“Not solely will H2F serve troopers now, however it should assist make life simpler for them after they develop into veterans.”
Donohue shall be sharing his ardour and data with many attendees at an upcoming United States Air Drive Honor Guard Symposium in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 13, 2025. Donohue shall be bringing his data and expertise with H2F with him as he joins different well-respected members of the army neighborhood resembling LTC Charjo Grant, USAF SSgt Chase Griffin, and others. Donohue is worked up to be able to assist many others discover ways to be their finest to allow them to proceed giving their finest to the nation. He sees the chance for what it’s, a method to attain Individuals that they usually could not.
“We’re actually lucky to have a nationwide platform. Militarily talking, we could solely be one p.c of the nation, but we are able to have an outweighing impact on the larger setting. It is a nice alternative to have extra of a nationwide discourse.”
Donohue’s affect has been and can proceed to be felt for the remainder of his profession and even after by many who he could by no means meet in individual. He seems to be again at his profession fondly and sees his future as shiny with many extra alternatives to return. He additionally hopes that the following technology of Individuals that enter service will concentrate on their very own potential and make investments into that with the identical vitality and dedication that he had into his personal profession.
“Take an opportunity on being really nice your self.”
You possibly can comply with Donahue on LinkedIn.
M&F Senior Navy Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this text.
