From Army Ranger to The Apprentice Winner | Kelly Perdew

How does a West Point graduate and Army Ranger go from military service to winning The Apprentice and building one of the most successful veteran-focused venture capital firms in America?

In this episode of Combat Story, AJ Pasciuti sits down with Kelly Perdew to discuss leadership, service, entrepreneurship, and the lessons that carried him from the U.S. Army to the national spotlight and beyond.

Kelly shares his journey through West Point, Army Intelligence, and Ranger School before discussing the experience of competing on—and ultimately winning—Season 2 of The Apprentice. He reflects on the leadership lessons he learned in uniform, how military experience shaped his approach to business, and why veterans often possess unique advantages as entrepreneurs and leaders.

The conversation also explores startup failures, venture capital, the founding of Moonshots Capital, and the importance of backing mission-driven founders who can thrive in uncertain environments.

Throughout the discussion, Kelly offers practical insights on leadership, resilience, accountability, and what it takes to build successful teams both inside and outside the military.

In this episode, we discuss:

West Point and Army leadership development Ranger School and lessons in perseverance Winning The Apprentice Season 2 Transitioning from military service to business Entrepreneurship, startups, and failure Building Moonshots Capital Investing in veteran-led companies Leadership under pressure The value veterans bring to the private sector Creating impact after military service Whether you're a veteran navigating transition, an entrepreneur building a company, or simply interested in leadership and personal growth, Kelly's story offers valuable lessons from both the military and business worlds.

Chapters

00:00 Leadership Wins Everywhere

01:12 Meet Kelly Perdew: West Point, Ranger & Apprentice Winner

06:22 Why Military Leadership Translates to Business

12:54 Choosing West Point and the Path to Service