With 1.36 million followers on YouTube, former Air Force officer Sam Eckholm shows what the aerospace and defense worlds are like behind the scenes. As his father did for him, the host and producer uses his voice to educate 10 million+ viewers each month and inspire the next generation into service.
An example to follow
Sam’s father Seth is an Air Force Academy graduate and former military pilot. Sam — the former PAO for the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team — credits him as the influence to go to the Air Force Academy and then into the military himself.
“I kind of always knew that I wanted to follow in his footsteps and go to the Air Force Academy, and — at the time — I always thought I wanted to be a pilot as well,” he said.
But Sam never felt pushed into military life. In fact, his parents were intentional to not pressure their children into the service.
“I knew from my time at the Academy that the cadets who thrived were those who wanted to be there, not those who were there only because their parents wanted it. Therefore, I tried to be careful sharing my experiences so it didn’t seem as though I was wishing the same for Sam,” explained Seth. “He’s the one who took the initiative and did all the work to pave his own path.”
Getting into a military academy is no small feat, and Sam vividly remembers the daunting task of applying, even with Seth’s experience. However, with his parents’ backing and his dad’s support in the application process by “[making] it make sense,” it seemed more attainable.
“I wasn’t in it by myself, which was cool; I had some support there,” he recalls.
Paying it forward
Recognizing that most applicants don’t have the same advantage, Sam wanted to pass along the support that his father had given him. He launched the Air Force Academy Blueprint, an all-access course that explains military academy admissions, breaks down the nomination process, and prepares students for the intense interviews.
“I wanted to create a resource that really leveled the playing field … that gave all those tips and tricks and things I had accumulated,” said Sam. “My goal was to not only educate people about the Academy … [but] getting kids the information they need and the motivation to actually finish [the application] and complete it.”
The legacy of Eckholm mentorship continues for military hopefuls — and their parents. Sam has an information section on his website dedicated to parents, but his best advice is simple.
“Guiding is the biggest thing I say a parent’s role should be. You should be there to support them through it, help them,” he said. “Nothing feels better than knowing your parent is in your corner, especially when you’re off at basic training [and] knowing that they’re proud of you.”
Adventure
“When Sam left for the Air Force Academy, it was hard letting go,” admitted Sam’s mother Anne. “We knew that he would be gone for extended periods and that our opportunities to spend time with him would be limited.”
While Anne was familiar with the demands of military service after being an Air Force spouse for a decade, becoming an Air Force mother was a new role for her. However, she said, “… it was comforting knowing he would be joining the military family that I really enjoyed and that took great care of us.”
Anne also understood the excitement military life offered, though she had no experience with the military before meeting her husband.
“It was so new and different to me that it made for a great adventure,” she said.
Life lately
Sam now finds adventure around the world (and occasionally out of it!) as a content creator in high demand. His YouTube cinematic episodes are informative while entertaining — with one follower saying that the videos are “Netflix quality”— and range from a week of survival with Air Force Special Operations groups to flying the Marine Corps F35B stealth fighter jet. One of his favorite videos, though, was when he reunited his father with his former aircraft, the KC-135 Stratotanker.
“I always say that’s one of my favorite aircraft, because of [him] flying it, and all the stories he has, and what he’s told, so to be able to feature him in a video, full circle… it was really cool,” Sam said.
He noted that after his father studied his old notes and manuals and did the typical “dad” inspection of the aircraft prior to flying, “it was like he never left.” Sam added that Seth was a natural on camera, and many comments called for him to have his own channel.
“He made that one of the more fun videos I’ve ever done, and I’m glad it performed well, that people really enjoyed it,” he said.
Family pride
While he may be a YouTube sensation, his parents’ pride reaches beyond the fame: they are simply proud of the person he is.
“Any example I may have provided for him is far and above exceeded by the example he has provided for so many others,” Seth said.
“It’s been wonderful to watch as Sam’s reach continues to grow. He’s helped inform and guide so many people. We’re happy he’s found something he loves doing and is passionate about,” his parents said together.
“We couldn’t be more proud.”
Subscribe to @SamEckholm for the “ride of a lifetime.”
