In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Carl “Schaef” Schaefer to reflect on a remarkable career that spans combat missions, Pentagon leadership, and shaping the future of U.S. airpower. From the shock of having a missile locked on his aircraft, to the grind of 3 a.m. wake-ups and 13-hour days, Schaefer shares both the adrenaline and the sacrifices of a life in service. His stories carry lessons on resilience, responsibility, and the unrelenting pace of military operations.
The conversation dives deeper into the transformation of the Air Force — from Cold War tensions to the rise of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence. Lt. Gen. Schaefer opens up about balancing personal struggles, such as nearly failing out of the Academy and leaving a newborn child for a year-long deployment, with professional triumphs, like commanding multinational missions with dozens of aircraft. At its core, this episode asks how America can maintain military dominance in a rapidly shifting technological landscape.
The solution, Schaefer emphasizes, lies in adaptability: learning fast, leading with humility, and embracing innovation — whether in personal growth or national defense.