Readback

A Marine Aviator’s Manual for Navigating Life’s Hardest Lessons

With twenty-five years as a United States Marine Corps officer and aviator, Ryan Cherry has learned a lot of hard lessons about what it means to lead under pressure, learn from failure, and stay grounded through the chaos of life. Now a sought-after executive coach and speaker, Ryan is sharing his experiences in this entertaining and raw account of the lessons he’s learned the hard way—so you don’t have to. 

Readback is a clear-eyed manual built on twenty-two hard-learned lessons from a career at the controls of AH-1 Cobra helicopters and in the trenches of military leadership. From the flight line to the front lines, Colonel (ret.) Ryan Cherry shares what it takes to lead better, live sharper, and grow through adversity. 

Told with candor and a unique perspective, each chapter captures a defining moment—sometimes painful, often gritty, and always instructive—along Ryan’s journey to becoming a decorated pilot and leader. Ryan doesn’t shy away from his own missteps or moments of doubt. Instead, he breaks them down and offers readers the same straight talk he once gave Marines in his squadron. The result is a no-nonsense guide packed with lessons in humility, resilience, and high-stakes decision-making. 

Whether you’re wearing a uniform or navigating your own battles in business, family, or life, Ryan provides a relatable guide to finding your way through it all. Readback arms you with practical insight that will help you change your leadership strategy—and perspective—for the better.