I’m Craig Gustafson—a retired Navy submariner, veteran transition coach, and recovering social misfit.

I spent over 20 years in the Navy, most of that time underwater, running ship control and keeping things steady deep below the surface. But when I transitioned out of the military, I quickly realized I had no control over something far more confusing: everyday human interaction.

I couldn’t read facial expressions. Missed body language. Misunderstood intentions. Conversations felt like minefields, and I often left them feeling more lost than when I entered.

For most of my life, I just thought I was awkward. That I didn’t "get it." But about five years ago, I discovered the truth:

I wasn’t broken—I was untrained.

Since then, I’ve immersed myself in learning the human skills I never got issued in the Navy. I’ve studied emotional intelligence, body language, and communication science with the same intensity I once gave to learning ship control—deliberately, consistently, and with mission focus.

And it changed everything.

I rebuilt my relationships. Learned to lead in new ways. Reconnected with people—and myself. And in that journey, I found a new mission:

Helping other veterans move from isolation to connection, from frustration to confidence.

I coach and train veterans who feel out of place in civilian life—not because there’s something wrong with them, but because nobody ever taught us how to connect outside the wire. I use practical, science-backed tools (including material from The Science of People) to teach the people skills that change lives and save them.

If you're a fellow vet who feels like a fish—or a squid—out of water, I see you.
I was you.
And I’m here to help you find your footing in this next chapter.