The Power of Purpose: Phyllis Wilson's Impact on Military History

Host: Shannon Huffman Polson

Shannon Huffman Polson is a former Apache helicopter pilot, speaker, and author of "The Grit Factor: Courage, Resilience, and Leadership in the Most Male-Dominated Organization in the World." She is the founder of The Grit Institute, where she helps purpose-driven leaders build grit and resilience.

Guest: Phyllis Wilson

Phyllis Wilson is a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 with a military career spanning nearly four decades, including deployments to Iraq as a senior intelligence analyst. She is the president of the Military Women's Memorial in Washington, DC, the only national memorial honoring the service of women in all branches and eras of the U.S. military.

Description

In this episode of The Grit Factor, Shannon Huffman Polson talks with Phyllis Wilson about her remarkable journey from a young recruit to a leader in the Military Women's Memorial. Phyllis shares her experiences in the military, the challenges she faced, and her mission to preserve the stories of America's servicewomen.

Summary

Phyllis Wilson discusses her military career, the importance of preserving the stories of servicewomen, and her leadership at the Military Women's Memorial. She reflects on the challenges of being a woman in the military, the impact of her work, and the lessons learned from her service.

Key Highlights

00:00 – Challenge Accepted
Phyllis opens by reflecting on moments when people underestimate her:

“Sit back and watch, buddy. I’ll show you what I’m capable of doing.”
She frames underestimation as fuel for proving herself rather than discouragement.

---

03:17 – Joining the Army for Opportunity
Phyllis describes joining the military to afford college — a “four-year plan” that turned into 37 years of service.
She was drawn in by education, travel, and a sense of purpose.

---

05:09 – Motherhood & Warrant Officer Training
Phyllis recounts attending the Warrant Officer Candidate Program while raising young children:

• Describes grueling inspections and “hazing” culture of the time.

• Brought her kids to training at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, with classmates helping out.

• Reflects on resilience and community support.

---

09:07 – Climbing to Chief Warrant Officer 5
She breaks down the rarity of her rank:

• Out of 1 million Army personnel, only ~822 are CW5s.

• Highlights the tight Warrant Officer network and the importance of relying on collective expertise, not pretending to know everything.

---

10:22 – Imposter Syndrome
Phyllis candidly talks about moments of doubt at senior levels:

“You pinch yourself—am I really supposed to be here?”
She learned to trust the leaders who believed in her and to “just do the work.”

---

13:25 – Iraq: Life-or-Death Intel Decisions
As a senior intelligence analyst in Special Operations, she was responsible for nightly mission targeting:

• Describes pressure of ensuring missions aren’t sent to “dry holes” or booby-trapped locations.

• Talks about guilt when missions result in deaths, even if assessments were correct.

“Sometimes when they don’t come home alive, you kick yourself… Can I keep doing this?”

• Coping through treadmill running 70–80 miles a week to manage stress.

---

17:36 – Serving Alongside Her Sons
Phyllis’ sons were deployed in Iraq simultaneously:

• Promoted one to Sergeant during Thanksgiving.

• Mixed pride and deep fear, especially near the end of their tours.

---

21:43 – Special Operations as a Woman
She thrived in Special Ops because the mission came first and gender was irrelevant:

“I never even noticed I was the only woman in the room… I count lefties, not women.”
She stresses speaking with value, not just to be heard.

---

25:57 – Leadership & Trust Under Pressure
Trust looks different in combat vs. garrison. She highlights how earning trust through competence is essential when lives are on the line.

---

29:45 – Childhood Foundations
Growing up as a tomboy in a strict but loving household shaped her confidence and resilience.
She recalls lifeguarding as a teen and learning to develop “thick skin” early.

---

33:45 – Evolving Sense of Purpose
Over decades, her purpose deepened through service and exposure to other cultures.
She learned profound lessons on contentment and gratitude from communities abroad.

---

39:01 – Post-Military Transition
After hanging up the uniform, Phyllis felt unexpectedly lost.
She founded “Wounded Warriors Have Families Too” to support families of injured service members, restoring her sense of mission.

---

44:28 – Leading the Military Women’s Memorial
As president, she discovered how many women’s stories remain untold.

• The Memorial’s database has 325,000+ stories but represents only ~10% of all who served.

• She’s passionate about preserving and amplifying these histories.

---

51:52 – Defending Women’s Stories Today
In an era where some narratives are being erased, Phyllis emphasizes protecting and elevating military women’s stories — including those who died recently.

“Our job is to honor and tell the stories… not drag their names through the mud.”

---

58:01 – Lifelong Mission
Phyllis’ driving force today:

“How could I not have known these stories?”
She’s committed to making sure America knows the names and deeds of the women who served.

---

1:01:20 – Closing
Shannon thanks Phyllis for her leadership and storytelling. Phyllis’ journey is framed as a call to preserve legacy, build resilience, and lead with purpose.

Resources & Contact Details

The Grit Institute: thegritinstitute.com
Military Women's Memorial: womensmemorial.org

Book: The Grit Factor
Download The Grit Factor Manifesto

Contact Phyllis Wilson:
[e-mail]