United States Military Lieutenant Colonel Sean Donohue was acquainted with navy 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 could 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 material.
“I at all times thought the navy 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 completely different factors of his childhood, however he acknowledged that health was not his very best quality rising up.
Donohue recalled, “I used to be an energetic child, however weight was at all times downside for me.” He did discover success within the pool and even swam competitively in school. Nonetheless, he opted to focus extra on music and bought his diploma in Music Enterprise.
“I believed 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 USA 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 fundamental coaching. Issues turned out okay for him, although.
“It labored properly sufficient and I bear in mind being the oldest man in my fundamental coaching firm at 23 and one in every of solely two of us who handed the previous APFT on the primary take a look at.”
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 present 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 solely 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 grow to be an Military household.”
They’ve discovered health to be one other frequent bond that holds them collectively and a good way to remain linked whereas persevering with to be at their greatest for themselves and one another. Donohue bought into biking through 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 educate the most important workforce in Virginia, and he proudly shared that his youngest son continued biking and raced nationally for a number of years. His son finally shifted his focus again to lecturers, however he himself went on to begin participating in cyclocross, a hybrid of highway and mountain biking.
“Plenty 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 facet of his private dedication to being his greatest self. He has additionally been devoted to the weights and operating, which made his travels throughout the globe a bit of extra fulfilling.
“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 present concerned with the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) readiness system, which is designed to assist troopers enhance in 5 completely different pillars (bodily, psychological, religious, vitamin, sleep). As a Scientific Integration lead, Donohue helps lay the groundwork of this program and sees its potential for fulfillment 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’ll assist make life simpler for them after they grow to be veterans.”
Donohue will likely be sharing his ardour and data with many attendees at an upcoming United States Air Pressure Honor Guard Symposium in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 13, 2025. Donohue will likely be bringing his data and expertise with H2F with him as he joins different well-respected members of the navy neighborhood corresponding to 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 greatest to allow them to proceed giving their greatest to the nation. He sees the chance for what it’s, a technique to attain Individuals that they usually might not.
“We’re actually lucky to have a nationwide platform. Militarily talking, we might solely be one % of the nation, but we will have an outweighing impact on the larger atmosphere. This can be a nice alternative to have extra of a nationwide discourse.”
Donohue’s impression has been and can proceed to be felt for the remainder of his profession and even after by many who he might by no means meet in particular person. He appears again at his profession fondly and sees his future as brilliant with many extra alternatives to come back. He additionally hopes that the following era of Individuals that enter service will pay attention to their very own potential and make investments into that with the identical power and dedication that he had into his personal profession.
“Take an opportunity on being really nice your self.”
You can follow Donahue on LinkedIn.
M&F Senior Army Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this text.
