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Jason DeBlasio shares his journey from a difficult upbringing and dropping out of high school to serving as an Air Force flight engineer, supporting critical mid-air refueling missions on the KC-10 during combat operations.

In this episode of Not Special, Jason explains the often-overlooked role of flight engineers, the pressure of keeping aircraft in the fight, and what it means when fuel determines whether troops on the ground survive. He also discusses his transition out of the military and the creation of Military Metal Art, a company dedicated to building culture, identity, and pride through handcrafted metal artwork.

The conversation explores leadership without recognition, innovation inside the military, entrepreneurship after service, faith, marriage, and defining success beyond rank or title.

This episode offers a rare look at the unseen roles that make missions possible — and the mindset required to build something lasting after service.

⏱️ CLICKABLE CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Why Jason Is Special

01:18 – Dropping Out of High School at 16

03:03 – The Court-Ordered Program That Changed Everything

04:15 – Life on the Flight Line: Cold, Misery & Reality

05:36 – Becoming a KC-10 Flight Engineer

07:26 – “The Most Overqualified Backseat Driver”

08:22 – Hearing Troops in Contact Over the Radio

13:20 – 13 Deployments & The Weight of the Mission

15:09 – Knowing When It Was Time to Leave the Military

16:53 – The $10,000 Coffee Pot Problem

20:42 – The Birth of Military Metal Art

22:19 – Turning Passion Into a Scalable Business

28:51 – Why Quality Almost Broke the Company

31:31 – A Stick Figure Drawing Becomes a Masterpiece

33:04 – Leadership, Ego & Letting Talent Walk

35:59 – Selling Majority Ownership Without Losing the Soul

37:53 – Culture, Identity & “The Goldfish Effect”

41:01 – Why This Work Actually Matters

42:01 – Artwork For SpaceX Astronauts

44:20 – Final Thoughts on Purpose & Impact

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