Greg Putnam – Earning It, Living It

In the shadowed hallways of the Navy SEAL SDV Team 1 facility, a sign hangs above the doorway that team members pass beneath daily: "Earn It Every Day." For Greg Putnam, those four words became more than a motto – they became a life philosophy that would bridge two seemingly different worlds: the elite military special operations and Montana ranching.

Now, as General Manager of Little Belt Cattle Company in Martinsdale, Montana, Putnam finds these words echoing in Resistol's "We Live It Every Day" – a parallel that runs deeper than mere coincidence. "That's more than a phrase," Putnam reflects, his voice carrying the weight of both experiences. "It's a way of life."

The morning sun breaks over the Little Belt Mountains as Putnam puts his rope on his saddle and adjusts his Resistol hat, just a couple of the many recent habits that carries the same intentionality as checking his gear did during his SEAL days. "I think of my hat very similar to how I think of a SEAL trident," he explains. "A SEAL trident comes with a lot of responsibility when you're wearing it. In my mind, same with a cowboy hat. People have expectations of those who've earned and wear both of those things. That's something that has to be earned every day."

This earned-not-given philosophy permeates every aspect of Putnam's approach to ranching. The core values that guided him through military service – honor, courage, and commitment – now direct his management of one of Montana's premier cattle operations. "In ranching, you always have to have the honor, courage, and commitment to do the right thing by the livestock in your care and the people that are on your team," he says.

The motto "All in, all the time" transitions seamlessly from military operations to ranch life. When you have livestock in your care, Putnam explains, that becomes the number one priority – taking care of them to the highest level of your ability requires an unwavering commitment to excellence, regardless of conditions or circumstances.

Montana's unforgiving climate serves as a daily test of this commitment. "It really taught me to be mentally and physically tough," Putnam says of his military training's application to high-country ranching. His SEAL experience taught him the value of proper preparation, from his Resistol hat shielding him from the elements to having the right tools for any situation.

The parallels between military service and ranching extend beyond individual responsibility to team dynamics. "It truly does take a team," Putnam emphasizes. "Both jobs are not 9-to-5 jobs, and nobody's sitting there looking at their watch waiting for five o'clock to hit. The job is done when it's done." This dedication to mission completion, whether in combat operations or cattle management, creates a similar bond among team members.

For veterans transitioning to civilian life, Putnam's journey offers a compelling roadmap. "Finding something that required a similar focus and dedication, as well as skill and growth that you have to work on daily to make your country and your community a better place – that was hugely impactful," he shares. He sees ranching as a continuation of service to the nation, shifting from providing national security to ensuring food security.

As the sun sets over Little Belt Cattle Company, Putnam's day isn't over – it rarely is. But there's a satisfaction in this perpetual vigilance, a purpose that bridges his past life with his present. Whether it's a SEAL trident or a Resistol hat, the symbols of responsibility he wears remind him daily of the commitment they represent.

This Veterans Day, as America honors its service members, stories like Putnam's remind us that service takes many forms. For some veterans, the transition from military to civilian life isn't about leaving service behind – it's about finding new ways to serve, new missions to accomplish, and new standards to uphold. It's about continuing to earn it, and live it, every single day.