In this edition of Long Blue Leadership, host Lt. Col. (Ret.) Naviere Walkewicz ’99, is talking with Sam about his journey from the three times he landed on the “footprints” on in-processing day through the challenges he faced as he learned to lead his peers, side-stepping career advice that might have left him in obscurity, his relentless perseverance pursuing his dreams, graduation in 2018, the history he’s making now and Sam’s continuing support of the Air Force Academy.

"Putting yourself in other people's shoes is big."
"If you have an end goal in mind, it's not going to be easy to get there. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it."
"What you see as a finished polished video, the behind the scenes is crazy."
"Don't lose sight of that end goal."
"Dig deep down and realize what you want. And just relentlessly go after that."

• Putting yourself in other people's shoes is important for effective leadership
• The Terrazzo Gap between intercollegiate athletes and non-athletes at the Academy is a unique challenge
• Being involved in clubs and sports at the Academy provides valuable experiences and friendships
• Passion for photography and social media can lead to a career in public affairs.
• Don't lose sight of your end goal and relentlessly pursue it.
• Advocate for yourself and trust in your own decisions.
• Creating meaningful impact requires hard work and dedication.
• Inspire others by sharing your journey and experiences.
• The Academy Blueprint program helps level the playing field for aspiring cadets.
• Expand your knowledge and learn from various sources of inspiration.
• Don't be discouraged by challenges and setbacks; they can lead to growth and success.

Deep down, Sam Eckholm always knew the Air Force Academy was where he belonged. As the son of an Air Force pilot and Academy graduate, he was brought up on the blue and silver. After graduating high school in Dallas, Texas, he followed in his dad's footsteps, attending the U.S. Air Force Academy as a member of the class of 2018.

Following graduation, Sam was selected as a member of the F-22 Raptor Demonstration team, where he traveled the world as a Public Affairs Officer, documenting the 5th generation stealth fighter jet at air shows across the globe. After separating from active duty in 2022, Sam's passion for military service has not changed, but his ability to share that passion with an even larger audience has. His videos have accumulated over 100 million views online, with over 1 million followers across his social media platforms.

Attending the Air Force Academy is what started it all, and Sam's goal is to help others achieve their dreams of throwing their hat in the air and graduating from the Academy. The Air Force Academy Blueprint is the culmination of almost two years of pouring his heart and soul into a singular project, and he can't wait to bring it to you.