85. Scott Sanders, Chief Growth Officier of Forterra

On this episode of All Quiet on the Second Front, host Tyler Sweatt sits down with Scott Sanders, Chief Growth Officer of Forterra, to talk about building elite teams, mission-driven leadership, and the realities of hiring in defense tech. Scott shares his journey from Marine Raider to early Anduril employee to leading a company that’s shaping the future of autonomous ground systems.

What’s Happening on the Second Front

• Why so many veterans return to defense tech (even after swearing they wouldn’t)
• The “deployment test” for hiring and how to spot high-impact operators
• Balancing speed and quality in recruiting without breaking the culture
• The importance of taking time away from work to stay sharp
• Why military leaders struggle to let go—and how to fix it

Connect with Scott

• LinkedIn: Scott Sanders

Connect with Tyler

• LinkedIn: Tyler Sweatt