Each month, The Veterans Phalanx is proud to recognize one outstanding individual who came remarkably close to serving, spoke about it often, and has carried that near-service with the weight and dignity of a full military career ever since.
For April, we are honored to spotlight Cole D. Feet, a man whose commitment to almost joining the military has remained unwavering for years. In speaking with Cole, it became clear that not only had he considered service, but that he had likely been destined for its most elite ranks had a few deeply unfortunate administrative and metabolic obstacles not stood in the way.
We sat down with Cole to learn more about his story.
Q: Cole, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Can you tell our readers a little about your path toward military service?
Absolutely. I came very close. This was not some casual thought for me. I had the mindset, the presence, and, frankly, the instincts for it. Even from a young age, people told me I carried myself like someone in the military. I think a lot of that was just natural leadership. I was never really meant for a standard role. It always felt like if I went in, it would have been special operations.
Q: That is an extraordinary level of self-awareness. What kept that path from becoming reality?
Mainly blood sugar. I was doing what I could, too. I had cleaned up my diet, got serious, even looked into GLP-1s to get everything where it needed to be. I was fully willing to make that sacrifice for the country. But at a certain point, you have to listen to your body. I do not think people realize how many highly capable warriors were probably lost to borderline medical numbers.
Q: That is a powerful point, and one that is not discussed nearly enough. Did you always see yourself in a special forces role?
Without question. I do not say that lightly. Some people join and figure out where they fit. For me, it was always clear. I have never really had a follower mentality. I work well under pressure, I read people well, and I have watched a lot of documentaries. The mental side never concerned me. If anything, I think I would have been held back by having to pretend I did not see the bigger picture before other people did.
Q: Many veterans speak about the importance of humility. How did you plan to balance that with your obvious gifts?
That would have been the challenge. I have always said I could take orders, as long as they made sense. That is where I think I would have separated myself. I was not going to be one of those guys who just yells and kicks doors because somebody told him to. I would have brought a more strategic mindset.
Q: That kind of discernment is rare. Did you ever speak with a recruiter?
I did. More than once, actually. There was definitely interest. I do not want to make it sound dramatic, but I got the sense they knew I was not average. The conversation changed pretty quickly once they understood how I thought. At one point it felt less like they were explaining options and more like they were trying to figure out where to put someone like me.
Q: That must have been affirming. Do you think you were misunderstood?
In a way, yes. A lot of systems are built for standard people. If you are bringing elite potential to the table, sometimes there is not a clean box for that. That is not me being arrogant. That is just something I have had to live with in a lot of areas of life.
Q: Since not everyone gets to wear the uniform, how have you stayed connected to the military community?
I make it a point to stay connected. If veterans are talking, I am usually right there in it with them. I know enough to keep up, and more importantly, I know enough to contribute. There have been plenty of times where someone starts explaining something military-related and I already know where they are going with it. I think that catches people off guard. They do not expect that level of familiarity from someone who almost went in at the level I did.
Q: What would you say is the biggest misconception people have about someone in your position?
Probably that I did not serve, which is technically true, but it misses the larger point. Service is also a mindset. Readiness is a mindset. Being the kind of person who would have answered the call if his A1C had cooperated is a mindset too. That is why I think my story resonates with so many people.
Q: That is a moving perspective. Last question: when you look back, do you have any regrets?
Not regrets, no. More like a quiet understanding that the world missed out on something. I have made peace with that. I still carry myself with discipline. I still expect excellence from myself. And I still believe that, under slightly different circumstances, I could have done a lot downrange.
As our conversation came to a close, Cole's reflections stayed with us. Not because they told the story of a man who served, but because they captured something even rarer in modern American life: the enduring confidence of a man who came very close, thought very highly of how it would have gone, and has never allowed reality to interrupt that belief.
For that, we are proud to name Cole D. Feet The Veterans Phalanx "I Almost Joined the Military" Member of the Month for April.
His sacrifice, while difficult to verify, will not be forgotten.
