In this powerful episode of The Ready Room Podcast, host Ryan Keys speaks with Commander Hunter Scott, USN, whose childhood curiosity evolved into a national campaign that reshaped naval history. At just 12 years old, Scott launched a school project investigating the tragic sinking of the USS Indianapolis, the Navy’s worst sea disaster, and the controversial court-martial of its captain, Charles McVay.

Motivated by a brief mention in the film Jaws, Scott’s research turned into a years-long quest for justice. He gathered survivor testimony, navigated political resistance, and ultimately influenced Congress to pass a resolution exonerating McVay. His advocacy also resulted in the awarding of a Naval Unit Commendation to the ship’s final crew.

Now a seasoned naval aviator and executive officer, Scott reflects on how his pursuit of truth not only honored forgotten heroes but also shaped his own leadership philosophy and naval career. His story is a testament to the impact one determined individual can have on military legacy and institutional change.

Commander Hunter Scott is more than a naval aviator, he’s living proof that curiosity, courage, and conviction can make history. Long before he ever set foot in a cockpit, Scott demonstrated the kind of leadership the Navy prizes most: the moral courage to ask difficult questions and the determination to pursue truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. That mindset has stayed with him throughout his 18-year career in uniform.

Today, Scott serves as Executive Officer at the consolidated brig at MCAS Miramar, where his role centers not just on enforcing standards, but on guiding people through accountability and transformation. His experience as both a leader and a listener allows him to approach military service with a unique blend of discipline and empathy.

What sets Scott apart isn’t just what he accomplished as a student, it’s how he continues to lead with integrity, invest in people, and use his platform to inspire a new generation of service members to act with purpose and principle. Whether in the air, at the podium, or behind the scenes, his career reminds us that leadership begins the moment you decide to speak up for what’s right.

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