When Cal Riley joined the military, it was in the aftermath of 9/11. That day, forever etched in the minds and hearts of our country, was a major driver behind his decision to serve but it wasn’t the only factor. His decision was also deeply personal.
Cal’s grandfather was a resilient World War II prisoner of war (POW) who escaped twice after being shot down as a tail gunner in the Army Air Corps. His legacy of resilience, courage, and service was something Cal admired and aspired to emulate in his own life. “I felt obligated to serve and I wanted a story of adventure,” recalls Cal. He entered the ROTC and began a path that would shape the rest of his life both personally and professionally.
Listening to Cal describe his time in the Army is a special experience. As he recalls many unforgettable moments he often does so with a smile on his face. Especially as he remembers the people who so profoundly shaped his service.
Although not every moment was easy, or worthy of a smile, he does describe his time in the military as transformative. “I was always disciplined, but the exposure to different personalities and cultures made me really grateful to be an American,” he says. From grueling field exercises at Fort Benning to the challenge of Ranger School, every experience left a lasting impression.
He recalls his first night air assault vividly: “We were in a Chinook helicopter. I went off the ramp into a huge ravine, and all my guys landed on top of me. It was a tangled mess, but a memory I’ll never forget.” Combat experiences in Afghanistan, including the Battle of Farah and near-miss IED attacks, are moments that profoundly shaped him.
But it wasn’t just the intense moments, it was the people, too. “I’ll never forget my medic in Afghanistan, who saved our lives countless times,” he says. Cal still reflects on the sacrifices of those who died for our country in combat. He also reflects on those who returned home silently fighting invisible battles, ultimately dying by suicide. “They sacrificed in ways that a lot of people don’t understand.”
Through each experience, whether in combat, training, or in daily service alongside his Army brothers and sisters, Cal was learning lessons of leadership, resiliency, and perseverance. These lessons propelled him forward, even after his service in the Army concluded.
After his service, Cal launched a career within business leadership and entrepreneurship. He is now an EOS Implementor and consultant to organizations of all sizes who wish to clarify, simplify, and achieve their visions. His career has revolved around continuing to serve others, it just happens to be in the context of business leadership and no longer requires him to jump from Chinook helicopters.
Cal wasn’t the only member of his family to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. His younger brother, Lucas, also joined the military. Lucas was, in Cal’s words, “the life of the party” — intelligent, funny, and deeply committed to helping others. He served in the Army for ten years, became a lawyer, and devoted himself to supporting people facing involuntary mental health commitments. His sense of justice and fairness is something that Cal recalls with admiration.
It wasn’t that simple though. Lucas, like so many, had challenges too. “He was a tortured soul in pain, but when he wasn’t in pain, he was incredible,” Cal recalls.
The loss of his brother to suicide became a pivotal moment in Cal’s life. “I wanted to make sure his life wasn’t defined by his death,” he explains. “I wanted this to mean something — to help others so fewer people have to go through this experience.”
As a suicide loss survivor, entrepreneur, and leader, Cal was faced with a decision. What would he do with the tremendous grief he was facing? His answer was to use his loss to help prevent future losses. He lovingly, and at times painstakingly, wrote a book entitled, Entrepreneurial Compassion.
The goal of the book is to share his experiences and lessons learned, with the aim of cultivating more compassionate leaders in the workplace and beyond. “I never really understood what mental illness was until my brother passed away,” said Cal. As he reflected on his brother’s life and journey, he realized that there was a major lack of compassionate leadership in Lucas’ life. That was the springboard for his book concept and expressed mission to cultivate one million compassionate leaders.
The lessons shared within the pages of his book include anecdotes from his time in the Army, but also offer an honest look at his grieving journey. “The most challenging part of writing the book was reliving my brother’s death,” he admits. “It was almost like experiencing it all over again, but the most rewarding part is knowing this book could help others,” explained Cal.
His commitment to donate all profits from his book to Stop Soldier Suicide demonstrates his commitment to his brother’s legacy and our mission. “Survivors live in two worlds,” he said. “You can’t go back in time, but you can act forward. It doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be something.” Through his journey, and his mission-driven book, he hopes to inspire compassion, awareness, and leadership in others, creating ripple effects that extend far beyond himself.
Cal’s journey — from military service to personal loss and advocacy — is a testament to resilience and purpose. He reflects: “If we can impact even one person in a meaningful way, it could have an exponential impact on the world.”
Through sharing his story, Cal Riley is not only honoring his brother’s memory but also helping to build a future where fewer lives, both veteran and civilian, are lost to suicide. He is on a mission to ensure more people find the hope, compassion, and support that they both need and deserve.