In this episode of Alone and Unafraid, Thad and Tyler sit down with Benjamin Lee, a former Air Force EOD technician turned founder of Solar Security Net, a nonprofit aimed at reducing energy costs for disadvantaged communities by leveraging solar energy. Benjamin shares his journey from military service and combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan to battling addiction, confronting the loss of purpose after leaving the Air Force, and ultimately finding a new mission. He discusses the complexities of military life, including the psychological challenges faced by EOD technicians, and how those experiences led him to develop Solar Security Net. The conversation dives into the power of community, personal resilience, and how clean energy can be a force for positive change.

Links

Home - Solar Security Net

Go fund Me for Solar Security Net

Key Takeaways

1. Resilience and Recovery: Benjamin’s story is a testament to confronting trauma head-on, tackling addiction, and regaining purpose by serving others.

2. Solar Security Net: The nonprofit seeks to alleviate the energy burden for low-income families by constructing utility-scale solar farms, funded through corporate tax offsets.

3. Combat and Mental Health Benjamin shares firsthand insights into the psychological toll of being an EOD tech and the struggles veterans face when transitioning to civilian life.

4. Community Focused Solution: Solar Security Net is designed to build infrastructure that benefits communities, providing free or reduced-cost energy while fostering local partnerships.

5. Purpose Through Service: Benjamin emphasizes that true fulfillment comes from living a life of service to others, a lesson he's carried from his military career into his nonprofit work.

Chapters

03:01 From Military to Nonprofit: A New Mission

05:51 Understanding EOD: The Unsung Heroes

08:45 The Evolution of IED Tactics in Iraq and Afghanistan

12:06 The Psychological Toll of War

14:55 Finding Purpose in the Aftermath

17:48 The Birth of Solar Security Net

21:08 Building a Sustainable Future

24:00 Community Impact and Energy Independence

26:51 Overcoming Addiction and Finding Clarity

30:09 The Role of Service in Personal Growth

33:04 Advice for Those Struggling with Purpose

36:03 The Importance of Community and Connection

39:00 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Keywords:

Solar energy, renewable energy, nonprofit organization, military transition, energy independence, community solar, EOD technician, Iraq, Afghanistan, addiction recovery, purpose after military, green energy, disadvantaged communities, personal resilience, combat PTSD, sustainability.