Lee Deckleman: From Ramadi Combat to Internal Volume and Mindfulness

Early Life and Military Service

• 🧠 Lee Deckleman experienced a traumatic childhood, including premature birth, foster care, his father's early death, and a dysfunctional family environment, which led him to seek purpose and identity.
• 🚀 He joined the Army, serving as a Ranger and in Special Forces (18 Delta medic), including a deployment during Desert Storm, before being medically retired due to a botched surgery.

High-Stakes Security Work

• 🎯 After military service, Deckleman worked as a paramedic and Federal Air Marshal before joining Triple Canopy in Ramadi in 2004, where he experienced over 20 direct attacks and ambushes.
• ⚠️ He later worked for other private security firms and at Facebook security, where he observed how Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies led to the hiring of unqualified personnel, compromising security standards.
• 💥 Deckleman recounts a personal breaking point where he contemplated violence against his boss, highlighting the intense psychological toll of his experiences and the difficulty of transitioning to civilian life.

Understanding Internal Volume

• 💡 The concept of "internal volume" describes one's internal state of peace or stress, with a high volume indicating unresolved trauma and a low volume representing calm and presence.
• ✅ He notes that the military often promotes a "monstrous" side, which can be intoxicating in combat but becomes a significant challenge when returning to a civilized society.
• ⚖️ Achieving equilibrium between internal and external experiences is crucial, as the constant high internal volume can lead to chronic stress and unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Journey to Healing and Mindfulness

• 🌱 Deckleman embarked on a four-month journey walking the Appalachian Trail, which organically taught him mindfulness and helped detox his ego, allowing him to be present.
• 🧘‍♀️ He discovered the profound impact of yoga on trauma recovery after reading "The Body Keeps the Score," leading him to found "Be Yoga Strong" to provide free yoga as therapy.
• ✨ His path involves an ongoing process of "ego death," which, though painful, leads to liberation, groundedness, and a focus on truth and kindness over external validation.

Reflections and Veteran Support

• 💬 Deckleman emphasizes the challenges veterans face in transitioning, including inadequate VA care and the struggle to find purpose after high-stakes combat experiences.
• 🤝 He advocates for veterans to seek support and offers to connect them with resources for VA claims, highlighting organizations like Tunnels to Towers that assist homeless veterans.
• 🔑 His ultimate message is about integrity and aligning internal truth with external actions, striving to be a positive force and acknowledging the continuous work required for personal growth.