Ep. 143 Startup Overmatch: Lessons in Leadership, AI, and Execution from Army Veteran Mack Ohlinger

In this episode of the MilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with Mack Ohlinger — U.S. Army veteran, West Point graduate, London Business School alumnus, and Co-Founder & CEO of Dunedain, an AI-driven defense technology company redefining how the military makes critical decisions.

Mack shares his journey from leading soldiers in the Army to leading engineers and product teams in the fast-paced world of defense innovation. He breaks down how Warmind is helping the Department of Defense accelerate decision-making processes — shrinking the traditional Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP) from 12–24 hours to under one hour — and enabling what he calls true “C2 overmatch” on the modern battlefield.

Listeners will get an inside look at how Mack and his team are tackling inefficiencies that cost billions of dollars and millions of labor hours each year, while building tools that empower warfighters to think, decide, and act faster than ever before. Beyond the technology, Mack opens up about the entrepreneurial journey — from the importance of finding the right co-founder and building a strong network, to balancing confidence with humility and learning to pivot quickly in the startup world.

For veterans curious about entrepreneurship, defense tech, or how to turn military insight into innovation, Mack offers grounded, actionable advice — including how to start building before you start pitching, how to attract the right investors, and why success ultimately comes down to team, timing, and relentless execution.

This conversation dives deep into leadership, innovation, and service — from the battlefield to the boardroom — with one of the defense sector’s most exciting young founders.

If you’re a veteran looking to build, lead, or innovate after service, this episode will leave you motivated to take that first step.

🎧 Connect with MilVet → [milvet.org]
 💼 Follow us on LinkedIn → @MilVet
 📱 Subscribe on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube for more conversations that empower the veteran community.

#Veterans #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #DefenseTech #AI #Innovation #Army #Transition #C2Overmatch #Warmind #MilVetPodcast #ServiceAfterService

Thanks for listening!

Here's how you can find us to continue the conversation:

Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
Follow us on Instagram at @themilitaryvet
Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter at https://www.themilvet.org/resources-for-veterans
Check out our video content on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@themilitaryvet