From Battlefield to Ballot Box with Dr. Trei McMullen
One of the most powerful ways veterans can continue serving after taking off the uniform is by stepping into civic leadership. For many, the mission doesn’t end when military service does—it simply evolves. That transition from battlefield to community leadership is exactly what Trei McMullen represents.
A U.S. Army combat veteran, former counterintelligence agent with the 7th Special Forces Group, and now a candidate for the Florida House of Representatives, McMullen’s journey reflects a growing movement: veterans leveraging their experience to shape the future at home.
A Calling Forged Early
McMullen’s path to service began long before he ever wore a uniform. Raised outside Cleveland, Ohio, as the youngest of six children in a faith-centered family, service was already part of his environment. With two older brothers in the Marine Corps—one of whom retired—it was a lifestyle he both admired and understood.
But like many in his generation, September 11, 2001, became the defining moment.
As a seventh grader, McMullen watched the events unfold in real time. The following day left an even deeper impression. He recalls stepping outside and seeing something he had never witnessed before: a united country.
Flags lined the streets. People treated each other with kindness. Differences seemed irrelevant. For a brief moment, the nation stood together with a shared purpose.
That moment stayed with him.
“I wanted to fight,” he recalls—not just in the physical sense, but in defense of something bigger than himself.
GUEST BIO: WHO IS DR. TREI MCMULLEN?
Trei McMullen is a U.S. Army combat veteran, former counterintelligence professional, entrepreneur, and political candidate known for his focus on continued service after the military—particularly through civic leadership and community impact.
He served roughly nine years in the Army, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and later worked in counterintelligence in support of Special Forces operations. His military career was cut short due to a service-related medical condition, which led to his transition out of active duty.
After leaving the military, McMullen continued working in national security as a contractor on high-level assignments overseas. During that time, he also founded a company called SIOTUS (“See You On The Other Side”), aimed at creating opportunities and honoring fellow service members, particularly those lost in combat or affected by issues like opioid addiction.
In addition to his business work, he pursued higher education in fields like homeland security, emergency management, and global security, building a foundation for public service.
McMullen later entered politics, running as a candidate for the Florida House of Representatives. His platform centers on:
Community and school safety
Veteran advocacy
Government accountability
Civic responsibility and leadership
His decision to run was heavily influenced by personal experiences involving threats to his children’s school safety, which pushed him to take a more direct role in shaping policy.
At his core, Trei McMullen represents a growing group of veterans who view public office as a continuation of their service—bringing real-world experience, leadership under pressure, and a mission-driven mindset into government.
Lessons from War—and Leadership
McMullen enlisted in 2006 and deployed to Iraq shortly after, serving 15 months in Babil Province. Like many veterans, he describes his time in service as both one of the best and most difficult periods of his life.
But beyond combat, one of his most enduring takeaways was leadership.
He breaks it down simply: there are bad leaders, good leaders, and great leaders.
Bad leaders teach you what not to do. Good leaders help you reach your potential. But great leaders? They push you beyond what you thought was possible—and show you that you can do it again.
That distinction shaped how McMullen would later approach both business and public service.
A Career Interrupted—and Redirected
After nearly a decade in the Army, McMullen’s career took an unexpected turn. A medical emergency—a blood clot that led to a pulmonary embolism—forced him to confront his own mortality.
Soon after, he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, likely linked to environmental exposures during deployment.
Despite his desire to continue serving, a senior leader gave him advice that would change everything: it was time to move on.
Reluctantly, McMullen medically retired in 2015.
What followed was one of the most difficult transitions many veterans face: stepping into the civilian world.
The Hard Truth About Transition
Leaving the military isn’t just a career shift—it’s an identity shift.
McMullen describes the experience as hitting a wall. Despite his experience, training, and leadership background, he struggled to find employment. Applications went unanswered. Opportunities seemed out of reach.
“You’re no longer invited to the barbecue,” he explains—a candid way of describing the abrupt loss of belonging many veterans feel.
Rather than giving up, he leaned on the same resilience that carried him through deployments.
He returned to contracting work overseas, supporting high-level operations in Afghanistan and other regions. At the same time, he began building something of his own.
Building a Mission Beyond the Military
While working as a contractor, McMullen founded his company, SIOTUS—short for “See You On The Other Side.” The name reflects a deeply personal mission: honoring those lost in combat and at home, particularly to issues like opioid addiction.
Unlike many startups, McMullen funded the company himself, using income from overseas work rather than relying on loans. His goal wasn’t just business success—it was creating opportunities for others, especially fellow veterans.
Through this work, he saw a broader truth: struggle after service isn’t limited to rank or role. It’s universal.
That realization strengthened his commitment to continue serving—just in a different capacity.
The Moment That Sparked a New Mission
McMullen didn’t immediately jump into politics. In fact, he spent time exploring opportunities behind the scenes, considering roles as a staffer or advisor.
But a series of events brought everything into focus.
One day, his daughter called from school to report an active shooter situation. Weeks later, his son experienced a bomb threat at his own school.
In those moments, McMullen—despite all his training and experience—felt powerless.
That was the turning point.
“If you’re trying to get my attention,” he recalls thinking, “you’ve got it.”
Why Veterans in Leadership Matter
McMullen believes veterans bring a unique and necessary perspective to public office.
They understand conflict—not as an abstract concept, but as a lived reality. They’ve seen the consequences of policy decisions firsthand. And they know the value of accountability, structure, and mission-focused leadership.
In his view, too many political systems are influenced by factors that pull leaders away from the people they serve—whether it’s money, bureaucracy, or career ambition.
Veterans, he argues, are often grounded in something different: service before self.
A Different Approach to Politics
What sets McMullen apart isn’t just his background—it’s his mindset.
He approaches leadership the same way he approached military operations and business: by understanding systems from the ground up. Before running for office, he made a point to learn how things actually work behind the scenes.
He also rejects the idea that politics should be driven by ego or control.
Instead, he frames leadership as a form of service—one that requires transparency, accountability, and a willingness to be used for the greater good.
“Tell me how you plan to use me so I can help you use me,” he says—a philosophy rooted in humility and purpose.
Protecting What Matters Most
At the core of McMullen’s campaign is a simple but powerful motivation: protecting his children.
That extends beyond his own family to communities at large. Safe schools, secure neighborhoods, and accountable leadership aren’t abstract goals—they’re personal.
He believes that when people feel safe, everything else improves. Communities become stronger. People engage more. Trust grows.
Without that foundation, progress becomes much harder to achieve.
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Continuing the Mission
For veterans like Trei McMullen, service doesn’t end with a DD-214. It evolves.
Whether through business, advocacy, or public office, many are finding new ways to apply the lessons they learned in uniform to challenges at home.
McMullen’s story is one example of that transition done with intention—turning hardship into purpose and experience into leadership.
As more veterans step into civic roles, they bring with them a perspective shaped by sacrifice, resilience, and a deep understanding of what’s at stake.
And in a time when trust in leadership is often questioned, that perspective may be exactly what’s needed.
Editor’s Note
This article features the personal and professional journey of Trei McMullen, a U.S. Army veteran, entrepreneur, and candidate for public office. His story reflects the experiences of many veterans who transition from military service into civilian leadership roles, including business and politics.
The perspectives shared in this piece are based on McMullen’s own experiences, including his time in uniform, his post-military career, and the events that influenced his decision to pursue civic leadership. As with all personal narratives, this account represents one individual’s interpretation of events and motivations, and should be considered within that context.
This article is intended to highlight themes of service, leadership, and civic engagement, and to encourage thoughtful discussion about how veterans can continue contributing to their communities after military service.
