WETSU: A Battleship New Jersey Podcast

Episode Summary – “Chief Warrant Officer 5 Phillip Brashear: A Distinguished Military Journey”

Release Date: November 26, 2025
Host: Marshall Spevak (B), CEO, Battleship New Jersey
Guest: Chief Warrant Officer 5 Phillip Brashear (A), U.S. Army (Ret.)

Episode Overview

This episode celebrates the remarkable military career and family legacy of Chief Warrant Officer 5 Phillip Brashear, a master Army aviator, veteran of multiple deployments (Bosnia & Iraq), son of legendary Navy diver Master Chief Carl Brashear (inspiration for Men of Honor), and himself a leader who has left an enduring mark on the armed services. Marshall Spevak and Phillip Brashear discuss career choices, service across branches, family influence, leadership, the enduring impact of Men of Honor 25 years after its release, and the meaning of service both aboard and beyond the Battleship New Jersey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Joining the Navy: Searching for Structure

• [02:27] Brashear describes joining the Navy after flunking out of college, seeking structure and discipline.

  “I wanted to join the Navy…because I had just flunked out of college and I felt kind of lost…joining the Navy would be the best thing…”
  — Phillip Brashear, [02:27]

2. Transition to the Army & Warrant Officer Path

• [02:40 - 03:46] After seven years as a Navy helicopter crewman, Brashear didn’t have a degree for Navy flight school but learned about the Army Warrant Officer Program—switching branches enabled him to become a pilot.

  “If you switch from the Navy Reserve to the Army National Guard, I will send you to flight school.”
  — Brashear recalling influential advice, [02:58]

• Role of Warrant Officers: Brashear explains the technical and leadership functions of Army warrant officers, focusing on expertise and cohesion within units.

  “A warrant officer…is a technical expert. He’s…advisor to the commander…being a liaison to the commanding and executive officers…”
  — Brashear, [03:46]
  “In army aviation…80% of the pilots flying aircraft are warrant officers.”
  — Brashear, [03:46]

3. Deployments: Iraq & Bosnia—Flying & Legacy Moments

• [04:24 - 05:29] Brashear recounts diverse missions: medical transport, force protection, and VIP flights, including ferrying Chuck Norris in Iraq and Arnold Schwarzenegger in Bosnia.

  “I even got a chance to fly Chuck Norris around…” [04:43]
  “…I got a chance to fly Arnold Schwarzenegger around…more VIP duty flying him around as he visited the troops…” [05:11]

4. The Legacy of Carl Brashear & Men of Honor

• [05:58 - 07:32] Phillip reflects on realizing his father’s stature both as a child on base and later at 38 upon the movie’s release, discovering untold parts of his father’s story.

  “Back then, as a child, I knew that my father was pretty special…but…when the movie came out…I was 38 years old, still learning about my dad…”
  — Phillip Brashear, [05:58]

• Personal anecdotes: Carl’s humor and wit were essential traits often missed in accounts.

  “He had his own way of putting me in place… he had a great sense of humor…”
  — Phillip Brashear, [06:48 - 07:32]

5. Building His Own Path

• [07:47 - 08:19] Pride in achievements outside his father’s shadow, including combat service and aviation.

  “I felt so proud that I was able to break away and do my own thing…being a pilot…my dad wasn’t a combat veteran, so I felt kind of proud that I was able to go off in my own direction…”
  — Phillip Brashear, [07:47]

• Aircraft Flown: Black Hawk (primary during Bosnia and Iraq), Hueys, and Chinooks.

  “…Bosnia, I was a Black Hawk pilot…[In] Iraq…also…Black Hawks... then started flying Chinooks…” [08:24]

6. Honorary Navy Chief & Chiefs Week at Battleship NJ

• [09:22 - 12:18] Brashear’s close affiliation with the Navy’s Chief Petty Officer community, participating in Chiefs Week, mentoring new chiefs and keeping tradition alive.

  “What I thought was going to be an army retirement turned into a Navy retirement…to be named honorary chief…”
  — Brashear, [10:00-10:48]
  “I don’t just like it. I love it…Being able to mentor new chiefs as they come on board…”
  — Brashear on Chiefs Week, [12:18]

• Spevak and Brashear discuss Chiefs Week's importance, tradition, and growth into the largest Chief Petty Officer Heritage Academy in the country.

  “…now the largest CPO heritage academy in the entire country…” — Spevak, [13:11]

7. Leadership Lessons: Leading by Example

• [14:08 - 15:02] The significance of humility and modeling behavior for one’s subordinates; tying it to core military values.

  “…to be a great leader, you have to be a great follower…Let those sailors see you pick it up…don’t just walk past...” — Brashear, [14:08]

• Host Marshall recounts Admiral Halsey’s humility during WWII—waiting in line for Thanksgiving dinner with enlisted men.

  “Sir, Admiral…go to the front…‘No, I’m gonna wait in line…’” — Spevak paraphrasing, [15:02]

8. A Family Tradition of Service

• [15:45 - 16:08] Both Phillip’s wife and children have served or are serving, reinforcing legacy and pride.

  “…my wife…served in all three services connected to the army, active duty, National Guard and Army Reserve. Shout out to my son…in Gitmo Bay, Cuba, serving with the army...”
  — Brashear, [15:45]

9. Lightning Round: Personal Insights

• [16:27 - 16:53]
  • One word to describe father? “Brave.”
  • Favorite aircraft? “Chinook.”
  • Essential trait for Navy chiefs? “Honor.”
  • One person for dinner on the Battleship? “Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln.”

10. On “WETSU” and Embracing Challenges

• [17:10 - 18:17] The WETSU mindset: tackling tough work with pride and positivity. Brashear, reflecting on myriad meaningful “wetsu moments,” finds it impossible to choose just one.

  “...that’s an impossible question for me to answer...I love every moment...”
  — Brashear, [17:53]

11. Men of Honor—25 Years Later

• [18:27 - 21:16]
  • The movie’s 25th anniversary stirs reflection on family, legacy, and the Hollywood experience.
  • Brashear shares family attendance at the set and premiere, and how both Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert De Niro did in-depth research to portray his father authentically.

  “…I got a chance to be on set three separate occasions…to get out that limousine behind my dad with the cameras flashing was a great experience…”
  — Brashear, [18:44]
  “…Cuba did spend some time with my father…Cuba got to learn some of my dad’s mannerhythms…and man, he portrayed him great in the movie…”
  — Brashear, [20:44]

12. Continuing Connections

• [21:20 - 22:01] Brashear maintains relationships with producers/directors of Men of Honor and with the crew of the USNS Carl Brashear.

  “…there’s a stateroom waiting for me… going to carve out some time and get on that ship again…”
  — Brashear, [22:01]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On legacy and humility:

  “To be a great leader, you have to be a great follower.” — Phillip Brashear, [14:08]

• On service & growth:

  “I felt so proud that I was able to break away and kind of do my own thing and being a pilot.” — Phillip Brashear, [07:47]

• On the lasting impact of service:

  “I love every moment that I’ve been able to be in.” — Phillip Brashear, [17:53]

• On military family tradition:

  “My wife…served in all three services connected to the army…Shout out to my son now who’s in Gitmo Bay…” — Phillip Brashear, [15:45]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:27] — Why Brashear joined the Navy
• [02:58] — Transition to Army & Warrant Officer path
• [03:46] — What is a Warrant Officer?
• [04:43 / 05:11] — Iraq & Bosnia deployments, VIP missions
• [05:58] — The impact & realization of his father's legacy
• [07:47] — Personal pride and growth
• [08:24] — Helicopters flown: Blackhawk, Huey, Chinook
• [10:00-10:48] — Receiving Honorary Navy Chief designation
• [12:18] — Experience mentoring at Chiefs Week
• [14:08] — Leadership lesson: leading by example
• [15:45 / 16:08] — Military family service tradition
• [16:31] — Lightning round
• [17:10] — WETSU philosophy
• [18:44] — Hollywood & Men of Honor behind the scenes
• [20:44] — Cuba Gooding Jr. & Robert De Niro preparing for roles
• [22:01] — Connection to USNS Carl Brashear

Conclusion

This episode offers a wide-ranging look at the intertwining paths of leadership, legacy, and service—both individual and family. Phillip Brashear’s humility, humor, and insight shine throughout, as does the unique heritage of the Battleship New Jersey community. The discussion brings history to life with personal anecdotes, lessons for leaders, and the ongoing power of telling stories—whether on the deck of a battleship or Hollywood’s big screen.