TESTIMONIALS, on Behalf of Beyond The Treks Operating Concepts & Mentorship
Chad is not just an influencer; he is like a guiding light in the lives of those fortunate enough to be around him. His care for the team and the people in his presence is genuine and unwavering. What stands out most about Chad is his commitment to never putting anyone in a situation they cannot handle and using his position with the utmost integrity. In my experience, Chad has always been the one to lead by example, the tip of the spear, willing to go out of his way to help anyone in need. It is like he carries a sense of responsibility for everyone's well-being. I can confidently say that hell would have to freeze over for him not to be there in your darkest hours. Personally, Chad is like a brother to me. There have been moments when I doubted my abilities, felt I was not good enough for a certain position, but Chad was always there to reassure me. He saw potential in me that I could not see in myself, and each time I felt incapable, he took note and pushed me in the right direction. And without fail, he was always right. Chad's not just a leader; he is a mentor who genuinely cares about the growth and success of those around him. His encouragement and belief in my capabilities have made a lasting impact on my personal and professional journey.
When I think about leadership and the men I've known personally who’ve embodied it, Chad Ballestrazze is one of the first to come to mind. Chad has a way of motivating those around him through his actions. He possesses a certain charisma that makes you want to hold yourself accountable. Most would see this as leading from the front, but that is not the entirety of it. It could be described more accurately as leading from within. You can see his dedication to the goal through his actions and the discipline he imposes on himself to always be better.
If I could sum up all he’s shown me in a single phrase, it would be this: to demand discipline from others, one must be disciplined themselves. When I’m faced with a challenge or a situation in which I must lead, working with Chad has given me a solid foundation of where to start—with myself.
I would like to say I know Chad very well. I knew him formerly as Lieutenant Chad Ballestrazze when we served together in the U.S. Army, 5th battalion, 20th infantry regiment, Attack Company. I had the pleasure of serving as a subordinate within his platoon, while he was in the role of platoon leader for 2nd platoon, “ACES”. Although I was a subordinate, Chad treated me as an equal and made it known that he valued my input to the organization. Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage, these are the Army values and values that are displayed day in and day out by Chad. He is a natural leader and lives the Army values. I would not hesitate to follow him onto any battlefield, wherever the mission may be. His passion and stewardship of the profession has driven him to exceed where others may fail. My career came to an unexpected end when I was medically retired due to an autoimmune disease sustained overseas. As the trajectory of my life’s career changed, I was forced to figure out a new beginning. During this unknown time period in my life/career Chad was nothing but supportive. Initially I was hospitalized in the ER and then spent 1 week at the hospital. During my stay, Chad made it out to check on me everyday, even on days he was stuck late at work. I believe this can be attributed to the type person he is, A leader. Chad is the type of leader who would never ask you do something that he does not expect of himself. Leaders lead from the front, that is something I’ve learned from my time with him. If I could pick one word to describe Chad it would be honor. Because to me, honor is encompassed by a few things. It is created by doing your duty every single day for the entirety of your career. Doing the right thing when no one is looking. Upholding the standard when you’re mentally/physically exhausted. And being there to pickup your comrades when they can’t pickup themselves. He showed me not to let anything hold me back from reaching my goals and he inspired me to make the most of my life and to strive for greatness. He taught me that regardless of what trials/ tribulations we may each face in our lives, that ultimately we are in control of our own lives. Inspired by the leader he is, I have set forth on my own goals. I am now serving as a police officer. Where I strive to be a leader for my community/organization, similar to how I saw Chad. In addition I run a YouTube channel where I utilize my passion for firearms to set up another asset for my life that hopefully one day allow to step away from my career. Once again, Chad Ballestrazze is a natural leader. But more so than being a leader and soldier, he is a friend. One who I am proud to have known and am grateful I can call my brother. I sincerely believe he will excel in whatever tasks he sets his mind to and that he will be an asset to any entity lucky enough to have him as a resource.
As a young private brand new to the Army, when meeting Chad Ballestrazze as my new platoon leader for the first time, he ruined the chance for all officers I would meet for the rest of my career. Not one, to this day, has met the caliber of leadership, mentorship, integrity, tenacity and passion that 1LT Ballestrazze had and I, everyday strive my best to be just like him.
It was a cold and December Monday morning in JBLM, WA. Infantrymen hemorrhaged into our company doors at 0600 hours, sluggish and tired as usual (some hungover from the night before), but burst through the door playing loud rock music was 1LT Ballestrazze. " That the prior enlisted dude, I heard he's a dog", whispered the joes. "Boys, we are headed to engineer's bluff, 10 times up, 10 times down". For anyone who does not know, Engineers Bluff is a quarter mile hill in JBLM just outside the first brigade footprint where the strong go to suffer and the weak steer clear from. The usual "shammers" shook in their boots, NCOs saw that their mettle would be tested in front of their men, but the ones who saw what Chad was doing, the ones who craved the structure, were excited. This was more than PT. This was the start of something beautiful. A culture of earning it everday, leading from the front and the idea of "everyone washes windows".
Being in second platoon for the SECFOR mission to the Korean Peninsula under the leadership of Chad Ballestrazze was the best experience of my life. Seeing him get a platoon of men who could barely pass a PT test to rucking with gas masks on a Sunday morning for fun proved to me the quality of the environment around you is completely up to you. As a leader in any organization, the quality of work, and employee is solely on the effort of the leader. Sure, you have some guys (or girls) or who wont buy in, but thats where standards are applied and though they may be great people, in a job like ours, people that are liabilities can be fatal. Building a culture is something he did so well, it started with a name and a T shirt.... " Aces Platoon", and grew into confidence, tactical proficiency and dare I say... arrogance, just kidding, Just pure confidence because we saw a man who was so driven, motivated to be a soldier that believed in us, so we started to believe in ourselves.
As a Staff Sergeant, to this day, wherever my men are, I make it a point to be with them. The boys are sleeping outside in the rain? I'm there. Save the warm truck for the casualties. I was a young private once pulling all night RTO shifts and Chad Ballestrazze a commissioned officer who had been in the Army since I was in Kindergarten sat and talked with me about the future of my career over a cup of coffee and a plate of delicious Army chow. Where the boys were, there he was. That small gesture from Chad has made me realize so much of what it meant to be a leader and I vowed since then, if my men are uncomfortable, I BETTER be there with them.
Bottomline is, Chad cares about the people around him and everyone sees it. Because of my time under Chad Ballestrazze I aim, everyday, to build a culture of pride in self and service, give 110% of myself to my men because they deserve it, and NEVER EVER have ANYONE doing anything I am not willing to do for or with them. I am never cold. I am never tired. I am never hungry.
Chad, thank you for everything, you met me as a private and because of your lessons I am now a Staff Sergeant, and leading my men is the best accomplishment I will ever have, and it is all because of you.
