#4. Live With Purpose - Chuck Ritter

Objective Arete

Use failure as a stepping stone to achieve greatness. Understand that failure and defeat are not synonymous. Embrace challenges, be open to failure, and distinguish between acceptable risks and mere attempts to avoid risk. Winning often requires taking informed risks.

Chuck Ritter, Deputy Director/COO of Objective Arete and a retiring Special Forces Sergeant Major, emphasizes the importance of using failure as a path to becoming legendary. He discusses the necessity of making the best possible decisions, even when they are not ideal, and highlights that success involves identifying acceptable risks.

Guest Bio

Charles “Chuck” Ritter is a retiring Army Special Forces Sergeant Major with 27 years of service. He recently completed his tenure as the Deputy Commandant for the United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School’s (USAJFKSWCS) Non-Commissioned Officer Academy at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Before this, He served for over 18 years in the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne).

During his time in the Army, he held roles as a light infantryman, Special Forces Weapons Sergeant, Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant, Special Forces Team Sergeant, and Special Forces Sergeant Major.

Chuck’s military career spans the globe, including seventeen deployments, twelve of which were to combat zones. His service has earned him a Silver Star Medal, a Bronze Star for Valor, an Army Commendation Medal for Valor, three Purple Heart Medals, and numerous other military awards. His work has taken him to Japan, Yemen, Kuwait, Oman, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and more, giving him extensive experience in tackling challenges alongside international partners, the United States Department of State, and various government organizations regarding U.S. national strategic interests.

In addition to his military career, he is the founder and partner of LYCOS Group, LLC, a leadership consulting company based in North Carolina. His portfolio includes work with Lennox, Hibbett | City Gear, Crispian Consulting, and Celebrity Greens. He is a founding partner at Bric R Media Group, which owns Runt Graphic Design, Sandhills Equestrian Magazine, and Sandhills Fairways Magazine. He served on the board of directors for the Talons Reach Foundation from 2022 to 2024 and currently serves on the board of directors for the Dreams4All Foundation. He co-produced and co-hosted the USAJFKSWCS Pineland Underground podcast, helping it reach the number 3 spot on Chartable for government-related podcasts.

He resides in Southern Pines, NC. He recently co-founded Objective Arete, an organization focused on enabling personal excellence and self-efficacy in people, systems, and organizations. He is also a student at Norwich University, completing a B.S. in Strategic Studies and National Defense. In late 2025, he plans to apply for Duke’s MBA program.

Contact Chuck at:

Email: [email protected]

X: @chuck_ritter92

Live With Purpose, Embrace Adversity, and Relentlessly Pursue Excellence!

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