Key Points:
- Finding Purpose through Military Service and Education
Miles Bassett shared his journey of seeking purpose after a rough start at Auburn University. The Coast Guard offered him a path to not only help others but to rediscover his own confidence. His service was crucial in preparing him for a second, successful stint at Auburn, where he found immense support through the Auburn Student Veterans Association, allowing him to excel academically and reintegrate into civilian life with a strong foundation. - Transition to Civilian Life and Discovering a Career in Sales and Transportation
After completing his degree, Miles ventured into sales and recruiting within the transportation industry, a sector he felt connected to through his family’s history in trucking. His hands-on internship experience and personal dedication to understanding all aspects of the industry, from warehouse duties to driver recruitment, gave him a unique edge. His transition highlights the importance of understanding the operational roots of any industry. - Commitment to Veterans and Community Engagement in Nashville
Miles now works with Conversion Interactive Agency and PDA, where he supports recruitment advertising and retention for truck drivers, drawing on his experience in sales and his passion for helping people. He continues to serve veterans by participating in various veteran organizations and community programs in Nashville. His experiences emphasize the value of giving back, whether through work in the transportation industry or active engagement in the local veteran community.
Transcript:
Sean Ofeldt: Welcome to today’s show. I’m Sean Ofeldt, your host and CEO of Transition Overwatch. Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Miles Bassett, who is a Sales Executive at both Conversion Interactive Agency and PDA and is also a veteran of the United States Coast Guard. Miles, welcome to the show.
Miles Bassett JR: Thanks for having me, Sean.
Sean Ofeldt: So Miles, we were chatting a little bit before, but really our focus today is on your journey, right? So going from what led you into service, what did you do there? And let’s just start there, and we’ll kind of chart that journey out from service to ultimately transportation, where you currently live and work.
Miles Bassett JR: Yeah, yeah. So, you know, when I first left high school, the day after I graduated high school, I moved down to Auburn. I don’t think, developmentally and emotionally and mentally, I was ready for being at college, being away from my family and all that that entails. So naturally, unimportant things became important to me, and I did those things over going to class. Well, my family was not about that. Everybody has gone to Auburn and has been successful there, and they did not want me to embarrass them while I was there. So they pulled me out, and I was pretty lost. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to be like this failure.
So I started looking into the services, and really the Coast Guard stood out to me because I saw where I could do a lot of good, where I could do search and rescue, help, train, educate the public. And so I joined, I signed up, got ready for it. All I did was work out, which was fantastic, you know, running and just getting ready for boot camp. And honestly, I really succeeded in boot camp. And I found that confidence back again that was always there in me, but I had pressed down with, you know, unimportant things. So, got into the Coast Guard and was stationed up in Boston, which was great because I had family close to me in Boston—my aunt and my uncle, which was great. And then my cousin, who suffers from Asperger’s.
Being able to be in the Coast Guard and be next to him and learn more about him while in high school really, really helped me grow as a human. And I saw that when I was done with my service, I wanted to continue to be able to help people while, you know, getting my education. The Coast Guard taught me a lot. I had a lot of really good supervisors, but I also had some bad supervisors. And we can learn from both, right? So I took things from both the good and the bad and kind of became my own leader, my own leadership style.
Miles Bassett JR: I got done with Boston and then went to A-School and became a Boatswain’s Mate. That’s where you get all your training and learn how to drive the boat—you do everything. But I was really good at the law enforcement side, talking to the fishermen and talking to the fleets out there. So when I got moved to Delaware, that’s all I did was the boarding officer stuff. And I really, really enjoyed that because, again, I got to educate the public on the laws and regulations that we have—both state and federal—and also got to do some law enforcement work to protect the community where I was living.
Sean Ofeldt: That’s pretty amazing. You know, a fear of failure really jumps out, right? That’s something I think individuals deal with throughout their lifetime. But you used that as a trigger to say, “I don’t want to fail,” and make a compelling reason to ask, “What’s next?” Really cool to hear that. You mentioned spending time with your cousin while you were in the Coast Guard, which is a bit of a common theme—educating and helping others. Did you find that this was something that helped define who you are?
Miles Bassett JR: Yeah, I’ve always been a people person, and I’ve always had a drive to seek out someone who maybe wasn’t understanding something or who needed help. I think I took a lot from the people who helped me. They showed up when I didn’t understand something and helped me make sense of it. When we connect with people, like really good teachers, we remember them for life. Being able to take things I’ve learned and give back to others who may not know as much is important. As a nation, if we all just helped each other out a bit more, we’d be in a much better spot.
Sean Ofeldt: Absolutely. As you’re saying that, I’m thinking of my own teachers who really impacted me. So you spent about four years in the Coast Guard?
Miles Bassett JR: Yes, a little over four. The goal was always to go back to Auburn. I wanted to do that because my family had done it, and it was important to me. The Coast Guard allowed me to get back to Auburn with the GI Bill and everything. That was my goal. I enjoyed every second of it, even those 2 a.m. search-and-rescue calls for a kayak that drifted away with nobody on it. You learn to appreciate things when you’re away from family. I missed four Christmases, four Thanksgivings, the Auburn “Kick Six”—a lot of things. But now, being able to spend those moments with my family, I appreciate it so much more.
Sean Ofeldt: So, going back with that initial fear of failure, using it as a driver, then coming back to Auburn to do it right. That’s awesome. And you were completing that loop. What was it like to get back to Auburn and re-enter as a student?
Miles Bassett JR: It was nerve-wracking. Coming back to campus, seeing all these young students, I thought, “Is that what I looked like at 20?” Auburn did a great job letting me know about the resources for veterans. They directed me to the Veterans Resource Center and the Auburn Student Veterans Association. Walking into that center, I felt out of place at first. One of the first guys I met was an amputee, and I wondered if I belonged there. But within minutes, everyone welcomed me. They showed me our kitchen stocked with food, our library of textbooks. I never had to buy a book. They told me my only job was to go to class, and they took care of everything else. Some of my best friends were made in that center, in those conversations and hangouts, going to football games and supporting campus events together.
Sean Ofeldt: So your second go at Auburn was entirely different than your first?
Miles Bassett JR: Absolutely. I was making A’s, and I thought, “What is this? This is easy!” I had a support structure, which made a huge difference. Not every school has that robust support for veterans, and for anyone considering school, plugging into a Student Veterans Association is vital. My second experience at Auburn was night and day from the first.
Sean Ofeldt: After Auburn, what did that next transition look like for you?
Miles Bassett JR: I had a great internship with Sonic Tools in Auburn, working directly with their sales team. I saw the camaraderie and excitement these guys had when they made a sale. They’d put on a DJ song and celebrate. It was a close-knit, high-energy environment. I knew I wanted to be in sales. My dad had always been in the transportation industry, running trucking companies, so I felt a calling toward trucking. I didn’t want to work directly for him, though, so I went to Buddy Moore Trucking in Birmingham, where I was initially hired as a data analyst. I spent time learning everything, from riding with drivers to securing loads. Then, our director of recruiting got sick, and they put me in charge of recruiting. I fell in love with it. It was sales, being a counselor, a teacher—all of it. I talked to 30 different people each day, helping drivers get into good situations.
Sean Ofeldt: That’s incredible. You were combining that educational mindset and your genuine care for people. Not everyone has that, and it’s clear it’s brought you success. As you look back, are there any lessons learned you’d share with others in transition?
Miles Bassett JR: Yes. I would’ve done more research about veteran programs. There’s a lot out there, but also some not-so-great programs. You really need to know what’s reputable. Don’t try to navigate it alone. Talk to others who have transitioned. Also, instead of waiting for others to offer help, go to them. Ask what resources are available and use them.
Sean Ofeldt: That’s true. Transition is a process everyone has to go through. You can’t bypass it, but you can approach it wisely. You’re now in trucking and helping veterans connect to opportunities. What would you say to veterans considering this industry?
Miles Bassett JR: The transportation industry has so many paths. I know people who started as drivers and are now vice presidents of safety. The military skills we learn translate well here—being adaptable, working under pressure, managing things that don’t go as planned. It’s a high-energy environment, and veterans thrive because they’re used to being on time, being courteous, and being safe. This industry is the backbone of America, and veterans should seriously consider it.
Sean Ofeldt: That’s so true. Trucking is a critical industry, and veterans bring a lot to the table. You mentioned you’re based in Nashville now. Any thoughts on Nashville as a place for veterans?
Miles Bassett JR: Nashville is a veteran community with tons of opportunities. It’s a patriotic city and offers a lot of ways to get involved. There’s everything here, from veteran organizations to special needs programs, like a community I work with for young adults with disabilities. Serving my community is important because it keeps my sense of purpose. Nashville has all that, plus great sports and music. The traffic can be a pain, but it’s worth it.
Sean Ofeldt: Miles, thank you for your service, for sharing your journey, and for all that you continue to do for the veteran community and beyond. We appreciate you coming on the show and sharing your story.
Miles Bassett JR: Thank you, Sean. I really appreciate being here.
Sean Ofeldt: Have a great day, Miles.
Miles Bassett JR: You too, Sean.
