Who Are You When the Plan Ends?

Who are you when the plan ends?

Marine veteran William Philyaw IV shares his journey from overseas embassy security duty to navigating an unexpected injury that forced him to surrender a 20-year vision.

Through faith, family, and intentional relationships, William rebuilt his identity and discovered a new mission serving veterans in Virginia.

This episode explores transition, purpose, and the quiet courage it takes to start again.

Stay unarmored, stay authentic, and stay mentally fit.
God bless you all.

Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction: When the 20-Year Plan Ends
3:14 – Overseas Security and Leadership Growth
6:39 – Injury and Career Uncertainty
9:05 – Turning to Faith for Direction
12:40 – Family Changes and Tough Decisions
15:55 – Networking Breakthrough and New Career Role
19:30 – Rebuilding Identity Through Relationships (adjust if needed)
22:00 – Final Thoughts: Small Faithful Steps
23:30 – Outro: Your Next Step 

Transcript

Welcome And Mission Of The Show

Mario P. Fields 0:04

Welcome back to Unarmored Talk, the show where we take the armor off and get real about leadership resilience and how we respond to life. I'm your host, Mario P. Fields, and today I'm joined by United States Marine Corps veteran William Phil Filar, the fourth. I think I got that right. He came into the Marines in about May of 2020. And I'm gonna tell you guys, he built this amazing reputation for being not just a devoted team player, but someone who takes one step at a time with faith, integrity, and a proactive mindset. William, welcome to the show, man.

William Philyaw 0:43

Yeah, well, I appreciate you having me, Mario. Thank you. I'm I'm excited to hang out and have some fun today.

William’s Path To The Marine Corps

Mario P. Fields 0:49

Yeah, no worries, everyone, in uh a happy, belated 250. Simplify. Everyone, also, he's got global travel experience, diverse training, and he has worked alongside many people from all walks of life. And he works for this amazing company, he's based out of Chesapeake, Virginia, and is connected with Insight Global, which is an amazing company. He's doing a lot of things out there for veterans. Before we get into the show, before I we jump into the topic, if you will, thank you everyone for supporting the show. Thank you for um sharing and listening on the YouTube channel and also in audio. Again, you guys know this for charity as we head towards year number six, making an impact around the world. I just had a discussion with someone right before the show, and they said, Hey, well, how do you measure impact? And I said it's not return on investment, it's return on relationships and human impact. So, all the previous guests, thank you, William. Thank you. And if you're listening, thank you. And if you're watching on a YouTube channel, thank you so much. Here we go, William, my man. Can you tell the listeners and viewers a little bit more about yourself that I did not cover?

Overseas Security And Growth

Injury And Career Uncertainty

Turning To Faith For Direction

William Philyaw 2:06

Yeah, yeah. So um, you know, kind of starting um, you know, at the beginning of my career, you know, with joint deciding to join the Marine Corps. Um, you know, I was smart kid going through high school. I had a scholarship to go to Texas Tech and and uh, you know, was super motivated about going to school and you know, wanted to be an electrical engineer. That was kind of my path. And um, you know, I went went down to Paris Island, watched one of my best friends graduate, you know, become a United States Marine. I said, I need to do that. And uh, you know, I got super motivated and and uh was not was not in great great shape and put myself through this program, got myself, you know, into you know, I mean, I forget what it's called. It's been you know a few years now, but you know, the debt program, there we go. Thank you. Um and so uh got myself in the debt program, you know, worked my way into shape to to go to boot camp and decided to join the Marine Corps and leave my college aspiration aspirations behind and and uh you know the rest is kind of history there. And so, you know, when in my career I spent three, three and a half years overseas. I was part of the uh Marine Security Guard group um where I provided some you know diplomatic security uh to a few consulates and embassies overseas. So I spent spent about 16 months um in the consulate in Dana, Turkey, so it's southeastern Turkey. Um and then I spent another 14, 16 months in Abijan, Cote d'Ivoire, so it's on the west coast of Africa. Um got to, you know, learn learn a really cool skill set, be able to communicate with, you know, diplomatics and and higher-level officials within the State Department and and really just grow my interpersonal skills. Um, and so um something that you can't really get in school, you know, and so that was that was a great experience. And I was able to, you know, uh reconnect with my wife and and we moved from so I when I finished my tour in Africa, finished finished that up, and my wife and I moved to Jacksonville, North Carolina, um, where I got integrated into a infantry battalion, uh infantry platoon. I was a squad leader for a little bit, uh, ended up having an unfortunate, you know, I I still trying to figure out how it happened, but ended up tearing my laboring tendon in my hip and had it had to be grounded. Um, so I was it was very heartbreaking uh and and really, really kind of sucked. Um and so I I ended up taking over as the armory NCO. So I did that for, you know, I was going through my my treatment and trying to get surgery and stuff like that. And and uh, you know, so when I was going through that, everything was kind of up in the air, like, hey, you know, what am I gonna do with my life? You know, where's what's the next steps? Um and I really had no idea because I wanted to do 20 years in the Marine Corps. I I had a package in to go be a general instructor. Um and and I love I loved them, you know, work working with the Marine Corps, I think it's a great organization. And and so I was kind of you know, stuck in this this place of confusion. Um and and so, you know, that's where I really dug deep into my faith and and you know, because you know, one of the things I live by is is confusion does not come from God, right? And so um that's something that I had to dig deep into and really figure out, okay, hey, you know, what's next steps for my family and I, you know, is is it trying to rehab and get my hip right and stay in the infantry? Is it is it going to a different job? Like, so what what where do I need to go? And and uh, you know, so I felt the Lord calling me saying, hey man, like I think it's time for you to, you know, part ways with the Marine Corps and and you know, find a little bit more stability for you, you know, your your home and your family. I we ended up having a our our first baby, a little boy named Isaac. We had him um in April of 24. Um, and then you know, come Christmas of 24. So very quick turnaround. We had we found out that we were pregnant with our second. And so about that time, I was like, all right, you know, I gotta hear you. It's time for me to, you know, part ways and and provide some more stability. Um, so we we moved back home and and and so home for me is Chesapeake, Virginia. It's kind of where I went to, you know, it's where I went to high school, but you know, my I grew up in a military family as well. So uh we we moved everywhere, but I I really kind of dug roots here. Um, and so when we moved back here, I was still kind of in that land of confusion of like, God, I I heard you, you know, where you where you call me to. I I I mean, I'm I'm doing a Skillbridge internship, but I don't think this is where you need me. Um, and and uh, you know, it's kind of crazy. So I was working out at Crunch Fitness here in Virginia Beach and ended up meeting a dude um who I mean, truthfully was just a massive human. And so I wanted to learn from him. And and uh, and so I ended up speaking with him and he got me connected with his son. Lo and behold, he's known my stepdad for like 10 years. And so we we connected there and um and I ended up getting this job here at Insight Global. And and you know, as I've I've so I've been here, I started here in June, and and you know, from June to now, I've I've just realized that Insight Global, you know, is a is a very large corporation. I mean, they're they're almost a five billion dollar organization, but they care so much for their people, not only internally, but externally as well. So Insight Global is a a professional services and staffing organization. Um, and so they just care to, you know, asking their consultants, whether it's external or internal, hey, like how's your day? You know, how is how is your your your Christmas? I mean, like just digging deep and learning these people's lives and and livelihood and and who they are as people. And and they do the same thing for for you know internal employees and it just they make you feel welcome. And and so we have this vet net program that I was able to get plugged into. I'm actually getting ready to be part of the council where now I get to work with One World Health and and you know help plan these amazing, you know, quote unquote mission trips to to you know, like the Nicaraguas and Honduras and and help help people in that way. And and you know, it's just been it's been a great transition to be able to keep this the feeling of of helping people. Um and I think Insight Global very much personifies that. And so it's it's definitely been a call to action from God of saying, like, hey, plug yourself in here, plug yourself in, get connected with vetnet, get connected with all the veterans in the area. I mean, I'm I'm in Norfolk. It's one of the biggest, I mean, I it is the biggest Navy base on the East Coast. Like, there's so much potential for me to help fellow veterans in this area and not even just veterans, but active duty service members. Um, you know, whether that's finding them jobs through our services, whether that's, you know, bringing them in here if they have business aspirations, or, you know, working on on a private side, right? And and and you know, helping them find Christ and giving them resources for that and and just being an ear to listen to. And I I think, you know, there's just so much potential to be able to spread kindness and wisdom and love and and and you know, just active listening, you know, across across this area. And so that's kind of been my call to action, you know, the right these these recent months is to be able to be that person here in the area. So um I know it was kind of long-winded, but that that really is kind of just an overview of my adult career and very short adult career that I hope to continue to grow.

Mario P. Fields 9:41

No, you know, we're very empowered. I mean, I mean, the I mean the journey from you know, going from Marines Infantry to Little Isaac comes in, and then all of a sudden, oh, we're blessed with another child, and and and then, like you said, that really find your faith and and take those steps to now with Insight Global, you know, making that uh global impact. And and and one of the key things you mentioned, and I've seen folks struggle with this, and that's military or just humans in general, is having faith to take a step, maybe in a direction that there's some unknowns. Yeah, what would it you know what was your experience when you had to take these different these steps in unknown directions? And how did faith play a part?

Family Changes And Tough Decisions

William Philyaw 10:28

Yeah, for sure. And and so um, you know, kind of kind of going back, right? I mean, from 17 years old to about 20, you know, I I I was that that what you see of of a Marine, right? That that like partier, that that drinker, right? I mean, and like and and that's kind of the stigma that the the young enlisted Marines carry. And and that's not even just the Marine Corps, but just across armed services as a whole. It's like that's kind of what we carry. And and so I was living that and and you know, and and I at the time I had no idea that God, you know, had his hand in these things, and and he led led me to be able to, I mean, honestly, truthfully, it felt that I was he was the one forcing me to take those steps, but but once I learned to to just okay, listen, right, take those steps. I took that step in Turkey and and you know, three months later, he reconnected me with my wife. And and so now her and I are married, and and then I took that step again, you know, trying to figure out, okay, hey, I got hurt. I had this envision of my career going 20 years in the Marine Corps, retiring from the Marine Corps, you know, I like that that was that was my plan. And and, you know, um, you know, that I mean you you've been in, I mean, Sar Major retired, right? So there's that saying of, you know, your plans go down the drain once the first round's fired. And so, I mean, truthfully, once I got hurt, like that was the first round fired. My plan just was gone. And so, you know, and so I had to take that step of faith again and and just move. Yes, I had family here locally, but I I had no no job lined up. I had nothing lined up, right? Like I was like, all right, well, here we go. You know, and so we lived with my pops, you know, for about seven months and and uh, you know, took this job with with the intent of knowing that I'm only gonna be making this not great salary, you know, for for a while. I mean, like it's you know, there's potential to make really good money here and and be able to provide. But you, I mean, everybody, I don't have a degree. I like everybody starts off somewhere. And so I had to take that step. And I took that step and and God bless bless my family and I with with you know fiscal blessings, and and you know, we've been able to uh you know provide and and have a really beautiful home. And and so as I continue to take those steps, it's I'm learning, I'm I'm continuing to gain that knowledge of wow, why question? Right, just just continue to listen and and you know accept instruction, right? There's a there's a verse, Proverbs 19, 20, it says, accept instruction and in the end you you will be wise, right? And so um, and so I take that, I actually have it tattooed on my chest above my heart, because I take that to heart. And so, and and as I've continued to learn and grow and take that advice and and take those steps, my life has just gotten better, my marriage has gotten better. I've I'm learning how to become a better father, better businessman, right, and and grow my skill sets just you know across a wide scale, right? And so it's just been it's been beautiful to see in my own life and and and it translates, it's it's translated in my wife's life, and and I'm just excited to like you know, teach my son that and and so it's just been it's been really cool.

Mario P. Fields 13:47

You guys you guys heard of the power of steps with faith, and then the power of steps without faith is your choice, and like William said, you know, um, you can be rigid, you know, it's your choice, but like he said, he said he started to listen, he leaned on his network, his family, and most importantly, his faith. And look at where he's at today. Um, and and I love how you mentioned Proverbs because the other thing that I learned recently in Proverbs, it says, Those who don't, you're a fool. So I said, So if I start calling you myself or anyone, you're a fool. No, it's not, it's not Mario, it's usually raw material called words to call you a fool. It's in Proverbs. Yeah, um, you know, I could have you on this show. You guys know the deal how unarmored talk works. Soon as we start, it is over. But I could have you on this show forever, but I don't want to do that to you. Um if someone, you know, before I get to that, well, before I get to my last kind of question, how can people find you real quick? LinkedIn, yeah, yeah.

William Philyaw 14:48

So I do have a LinkedIn. Um, you know, so William, William and Filial, um the fourth. So I am on LinkedIn. Um, you know, and and so that that's a great way to connect with me. Um, you know, if you if you want to just have an ear to talk to, you know, feel free to connect there. If you're you look for a job, I absolutely can help you there too. So um, you know, LinkedIn's a great resource, and and I'd love to share my phone number um, you know, to you via LinkedIn when you know when we connect.

Mario P. Fields 15:19

Nice. Now, here's the last one, my friend. Looking back, if you could stand next to yourself and can whisper a piece of wisdom in your ear, yeah. Um, what would you say if you had to pick something?

William Philyaw 15:34

Yeah, uh, that's a hard one because I would say a lot truthfully, I'd probably go punch my old self in the mouth.

Mario P. Fields 15:40

But you know, whisper something.

Networking Breakthrough And New Role

William Philyaw 15:43

Yeah, yeah. So I mean, I'd probably be a little bit aggressive to my younger self. Um, you know, I I don't know, that's that's a hard one. I think I think it all stems back to like I mean, because it's it's hard for me to think of that because I know that everything that's happened has happened for a reason. Um, and so you know it's just I I would say try to hope find find your faith faster. Uh find it faster, start listening quicker, and and make those decisions to listen immediately, you know. Um, because my life would probably be exponentially different um if I had done that.

Mario P. Fields 16:29

William, you're amazing. And guys, if you haven't picked up on if you were taking notes, he said, listen, listen, listen about uh multiple times, and that's a choice unless you're insane. William, it's been great. You know, my best to you and your family, and um we'll we'll talk soon, man.

William Philyaw 16:46

Awesome. Well, I appreciate it, Mario. Thanks for having me.

Mario P. Fields 16:48

Thank you. Be safe, man.