By John Rose-
Many people associate the word ‘retirement’ with slowing things down and settling into a more laid-back version of their lives. When you look at someone like myself, who was transitioning from a long career in the military, the thought of slowing down doesn’t make all that much sense. When I left the Air Force, I formulated a plan to keep me as mentally and physically engaged as I was while working as a USAF master sergeant. Between a career as a project manager and owning a fitness franchise, I’ve been keeping myself more than busy after retirement and think other veterans might find a similar sense of fulfillment through franchising.
Before I retired in December 2021, I made a few plans for how to reframe my life after the military. I had doubts that I could replicate anything close to the dynamic environment I enjoyed with teams of service members in the Air Force. After 20 years as a digital network exploitation analyst, I was able to translate my skills in the military into a project management role for a tech start-up that provided the baseline financial stability I was looking for. I began looking into franchising as a way to build my income while offering a meaningful service to my community.
A Model that Mirrors the Military
Leaving the military means having the liberty and agency to start something of your own without a chain of command to report to. This can be daunting or liberating. I chose to see this as an exciting opportunity to own a business, but I still wanted some higher-order oversight to help guide me in that process. If I was going to try something this new, it made sense to surround myself with people who know a thing or two about how it works. If I learned anything from the Air Force, it’s that no operation gets off the ground without a team supporting the project.
When the structure and routine of the military have been a part of your life for decades, transitioning out of that space can be a culture shock. And when you are starting a new job and maybe even moving off base, having a team that supports you and wants to build you up can change everything.
When I started looking closely at how franchises operate, it seemed there were a lot of structural parallels with the military, and I knew that would help me find my footing in this space. Franchising gives you a blueprint to follow, so your role as a franchisee is to follow through and execute the tasks laid out in the business plan. This structure allowed me to focus on developing a quality team and positioning my business for success in my local marketplace.
The Power of Pursuing a Passion Project
After settling on franchising as a logical addition to my full-time career, I took some time to reflect on what new business would make sense to bring to my local community in San Antonio, Texas. I wanted to give my kids the opportunity to train as athletes and be in environments where they push themselves and learn from teammates. When I was driving my daughters 45 minutes to a nearby training facility for their weekly workout, it hit me—this is the gap in the marketplace I had been looking for.
Staying in shape, not just mentally but also physically, is important for everyone, whether you’re a veteran, a nine to five worker, or a kid who wants to seize every opportunity in life. During my service, the Air Force had a big push for preventative health care and taking care of your body. Through that discipline, physical training had become a habit and an integral part of my lifestyle. In fact, after retirement, this is one of the ways that I kept in touch with who I was in the Air Force.
Fitness is engrained in my values and plays a significant role in my relationships with my kids. As soon as I stumbled on D1 Training’s fitness franchising opportunities, I was sold. Opening a business can be a stressful and draining process, so to anyone looking to do the same, I suggest taking your time to find a business model that speaks to you. If work feels like play, the hard times are a little easier to weather.
Get Support, Give When You Can
From start to finish, opening a franchise has been a whirlwind of excitement, setbacks and success. I appreciate having the D1 corporate team to be in touch with when I come across an issue or need some guidance handling something entirely new to me that they have dealt with hundreds of times before.
As a veteran, I developed a diverse toolkit of skills thanks to the constantly changing environments, projects and team dynamics I would have to juggle. The resiliency training I received from the Air Force has helped me manage my stress throughout the ups and downs of business ownership. I have been fortunate to have a support network of my family, my D1 team and the community of veterans I’ve had the privilege to work with throughout my career.
There’s a reason San Antonio has earned the title “Military City, USA,” and recognizing the location of my D1 Training in proximity to the Lackland Air Base where I served, I want to give back to the community that has gotten me to the point I am at today.
It’s not uncommon for kids and families of military service members to be relocated. For young kids and teenagers, this can affect their involvement with sports teams and, ultimately, the opportunities that accompany them. Our scholastic programming at D1 can offer kids the chance to hop in and train without waiting for the season to be right. Additionally, we are putting together some programming for a boot camp prep class that can get people ready to go into military service in shape for the physical requirements.
What began as an investment opportunity after retiring from the military has become my passion project. Being able to give back to the military community and hopefully inspire the next generation has let me see my D1 Training as a reflection of what I value and hope to pass on to others.