Welcome back to the Reed Manga Series! In Part 2 of Indiana’s conversation with Jericho McClellan, we dive deeper into the journey of a man whose resilience and leadership have forged an inspiring legacy. Jericho’s story begins with a name—a gift from his father, who wanted him to embody the strength of the ancient walls of Jericho. It’s a name that would guide him through a distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force and into his current role as a strategic visionary and tactical leader.
In today’s compelling conversation, Indiana and Jericho delve into the core values that have shaped Jericho’s life and career: Integrity, Service, and Excellence. Jericho reflects on these principles, instilled in him by his parents and refined through his service in the U.S. Air Force, where lessons from his childhood gained powerful new meaning. This discussion goes beyond Jericho’s personal journey, touching on how these values serve as a foundation for navigating complex issues—from ethical leadership in warfare and technology to redefining resilience and purpose in a world increasingly influenced by AI.
Through his insights, Jericho challenges us to consider the impact of our own values on the people we lead, the technology we adopt, and the world we strive to create. Join us as we explore these profound themes, inviting you to reflect on the values that drive your own path. This is more than a story; it’s an invitation to build a life rooted in integrity, curiosity, and impactful connections.
INTEGRITY, SERVICE AND EXCELLENCE
Indiana: Jericho, what are the core values that have shaped your life and career?
Jericho: Growing up, my mom grounded me in these values. I was taught from a young age about integrity—doing what’s right, even when no one’s watching. Service before self. Excellence in everything we do. It was straightforward in the military, but as a kid, it was more abstract, something my parents modeled through their actions, like my dad’s quiet strength. The Air Force really took those teachings and drove them home, giving me structure around these ideas, and that began to mean more as I got older.
Indiana: I can imagine those values became even more real in intense situations. Do you have any moments that stand out from your Air Force days?
Jericho: One moment that stands out was with my first Flight Chief, Master Sergeant Williams. He pulled me aside once, looked me squarely in the eye, and said, ‘Only ever do what you think your stripes can handle.’ It was this unforgettable reminder to not overstep, but also to always aim high. I carried that wisdom with me, I was trained not only to perform my own role but made a point of learning the role of my immediate supervisor, knowing that one day I’d be in their seat. This mindset pushed me to perform above my rank, which opened doors to opportunities others didn’t always have.
By the time I was stationed in Afghanistan in 2007, I found myself viewing everything through a stark new lens, a reality that raised questions I hadn’t dared to ask before. I remember days when the phone lines went silent—a deliberate, haunting pause until families of recently fallen comrades could be told the devastating news through the official channels. This protocol wasn’t just procedure; it was an act of respect, a shield meant to protect loved ones from inadvertently receiving the daunting news anyway but directly. Afghanistan forced me to confront the true value of human life and the relationships we so easily take for granted. This truth cuts across any line of conflict; war doesn’t discriminate. War is war, death is death, and families are families. In the end, war and death shatter families—on both sides of any armed conflict. Period.
5TH GENERATION WARFARE AND THE ROLE OF AI
Indiana: Thank you for sharing that, Jericho, That is intense. Talking about war—what’s your view on 5th Generation warfare? It’s a concept that’s impacting us all, but from a perspective many might not see.
Jericho: 5th Generation warfare is something we’ve been living in for years, mostly without realizing it. It’s warfare at the level of influence—where the battlefield isn’t just territories but the minds and beliefs of people. Since the internet, social media and mass marketing exploded, we’ve seen this shift: forces working for positive change on one side, and others aiming to manipulate and divide on the other. It’s the same old tactic of ‘divide and conquer,’ but now technology has become the catalyst.
AI has the potential to amplify this issue, yet many aren’t focused on its risks. AI models are trained on vast datasets collected from human-generated content—from platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) to publicly available art and writings. Essentially, these models absorb everything that developers can feed them, learning about humanity as a whole and about each individual user, depending on the model’s scope. Whether this is a good or bad thing varies greatly based on the ethics of the companies creating and selling these models, as well as the practices of those who offer AI-driven products to their own customers.
Indiana: Could you explain how the development of AI could affect warfare?
Jericho: Follow the money. Warfare is a big money-making business. The ‘AI financial bubble’ is a real thing it refers to the vast amounts of investment pouring into artificial intelligence, creating a booming but potentially unstable market. Companies and investors see AI as the next frontier, so they’re fueling its development with billions of dollars. But like any bubble, this could burst if the technology fails or loses public trust. Imagine if AI were to manipulate an election or if some event exposed it as unreliable. Such an incident could trigger widespread anxiety, causing people and companies to pull back from AI and potentially tank the industry, leaving severe economic consequences in its wake.
Advanced AI systems are increasingly being developed not only for commercial uses but also for defense and military applications. We saw a similar pattern during the Global War on Terror when the demand for technology to counter unconventional threats spurred massive investments in new defense capabilities. These new technologies —drones, surveillance, and cybersecurity tools—became profitable for companies and governments alike.
This connection between profit and warfare dates back to the Napoleonic wars, where for the first time, large-scale industrialized war efforts became possible, setting a precedent for economic interests tied to conflict. The Napoleonic wars marked a shift where governments invested heavily in weapons and logistics, creating incentives for private industries to support warfare. Today, AI could follow this same path, where technology created for defense or influence control can be monetized in ways that benefit its creators while shaping geopolitical dynamics.
Indiana: Thanks Jericho for making all those connections between money, technology, and warfare. It is not so obvious to see how all these connect with each other but they do indeed. So, with this in mind, how do we stay human and prevent a money and technology-driven world destroy the world as we know it?
Jericho: The real question we must ask ourselves is this: ‘Can we step away from a war we never wanted?’ The answer is ‘Yes. We absolutely can.’ It’s not an easy road or a convenient one. But to stop losing in a game that keeps beating us, we simply stop playing. We don’t need vengeance, retribution, or justice. We make the choice to walk away. We choose to listen, to learn, to love, and to help others see their own worth. Instead of competing, we turn inward, examining our own actions, owning our flaws, our misunderstandings, our ignorance, and our failures. And in doing so, we make the powerful decision not to repeat them—not to live or act that way again.
For me, I found forgiveness through Jesus Christ. At 38, in a profound moment of self-revelation, I felt the weight of shame and guilt from past mistakes pressing down on me. In desperation, I asked Him to prove Himself and lift that burden. He did, and I haven’t been the same man since. Now, I find peace in every situation, even the grueling ones. I experience joy when others feel disturbed, upset, or confused. I walk with clarity, confidence, and assurance that nothing can hold me back from fulfilling my purpose, knowing that every challenge is part of the journey to where I’m meant to be. I have the vision, but, like those childhood road trips spent in a van, I’ve learned to enjoy the scenic views through the windows.
CURISOTIY & WISDOM
Indiana: You’ve shared that curiosity and wisdom have been your life teachers. Could you tell me more about that?
Jericho: Whenever I arrived at a new duty station—five duty stations in all and a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan—I’d always ask how things were done and, more importantly, ‘why‘. I refused to accept ‘That’s just the way we’ve always done it.’ Instead, I’d respond with, ‘Where’s that written?’ and dig into the details, making sure I had the facts to teach others, so we all had the same foundation.
Knowledge without wisdom is just vanity. Wisdom is the art of applying knowledge effectively, with understanding, toward a clear goal. When we live with a genuine hunger to learn, we open ourselves up to discovery, to answers, to true insight. But why gather knowledge if we don’t put it to use? We all need to confront this reality: knowing what we know, admitting we don’t know it all, and proving our knowledge by creating something valuable from it. If our knowledge doesn’t produce real value, then it’s empty pride to hold onto it at all.
TURN UNDERDOGS INTO TOP DOGS
Indiana: Jericho, you once described yourself as someone who doesn’t just root for the underdog, but teaches, trains, and cheers them on through the fight. So tell me—how do you transform underdogs into top dogs?
Jericho: Every person is here for a purpose, each of us carrying a spark of greatness because no human was created in vain. That purpose isn’t always clear from where we stand, but that’s exactly why we have to keep pushing forward—step by step, day by day. Through life’s haze and hardships, we carve out a path that feels true, one that stirs peace and excitement. My dad taught me early on: ‘if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.’
That wisdom is timeless, a guiding force for purposeful living. I don’t just believe in it—I live it, helping people see their own value, teaching them how to amplify it, and empowering them to carry it through.
In the Air Force, I trained my junior instructors to make sure that every student not only understood but mastered what they were taught because lives depended on it. And I’ve carried that same mission into every field I’ve touched—manufacturing, construction, sales—you name it. Whatever I’m doing, my goal is the same: help others do something better, become someone better, or just feel stronger because they’re doing it with me.
That’s what being a top dog is all about ruling your own life, regardless of where you find yourself, and owning it to the fullest.
As Indiana and Jericho conclude their powerful conversation, we’re left with a compelling challenge: to rise above the noise of technology, conflict, and ambition, and instead embody values that uplift us and those around us. Jericho’s journey is a testament to the profound impact of living with integrity, humility, and purpose. In a world increasingly driven by profit, AI, and influence, we’re reminded that true strength lies not in dominating others, but in empowering them.
This is a call to action—not just to admire Jericho’s path, but to carve out our own, grounded in values that outlast any trend. When we lead with wisdom, curiosity, and compassion, we transform not only ourselves but also the world around us.
So, as you walk forward, let Jericho’s story inspire you to build a legacy of resilience and purpose, one choice at a time. This isn’t just Jericho’s story—it’s a universal call to embrace our potential to lead lives rooted in courage, humanity, and unshakeable vision.
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The post The Reed Manga Series – Honored Guest – Part 2 of Conversation with Jericho Mcclellan appeared first on Author Joanne Reed.