Connecting through Content: From Air Force Officer to YouTube Sensation

“Putting yourself in other people’s shoes is big. It’s kind of hard to remember that. If I do this, how will it make the other person feel? What impact will I leave?”

Understanding the magnitude of his message has landed Sam Eckholm where he is today.

From walking through the door of an Air Force Public Affairs office after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy as a Public Affairs Officer, to now being an Aerospace and Defense Content Creator with almost a million YouTube subscribers, Sam is chasing an incredible dream and creating a global community.

Following graduation, Sam was selected as a member of the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team, where he traveled the world as a PAO, documenting air shows across the globe. He separated from Active duty in 2022, but his passion for military service didn’t stop.

His entrepreneurial venture was driven by his remarkable talent as a visual storyteller and a community he knew he could reach online.

“I began building a following of people interested in the military. From the Top 10 Reasons to Join the Air Force to the first video I made of myself flying in a T-38, I realized I had opened a door,” said Eckholm. “People began reaching out to me and I was met with a decision: do I continue serving in the military or do I serve the military community in a different way, as a civilian creating videos that would inspire millions?”

Sam says when he creates and publishes videos, he can see the views, likes, and comments, but it’s hard to grasp just how large his audience is and how substantial of an impact he has left on others. A few times a year he hosts or attends in-person events like air shows and public speaking engagements to interact with his online audience.

“Those in-person events really put things into perspective. Just being able to meet and hear from my audience in person, it makes me fired up to keep working harder and harder,” said Eckholm.

“It’s a different feeling when you’re out there and there’s dozens of people literally waiting in line to meet you or take a photo with you,” said Eckholm. “I’m just a guy who makes videos, and through watching those videos, people have told me they are what inspired them to pursue a military career… it’s pretty amazing.”

Eckholm has created more than 60 videos that feature first-hand insights from DoD missions and other organizations like the United States Secret Service.

“It’s cool being a creator who isn’t just in it for themselves. Really what I’m doing is helping highlight the amazing men and women who wear the uniform, educating the general public on what the military does, and inspiring others to consider a career serving.”

When asked what advice he had for people thinking about joining a new community, trying a hobby, or pursuing a new career, he said “dig deep down, realize what it is that fires you up, and just relentlessly go after it.”

You can find Sam on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and Discord.

This article was written by Savannah Stephens, an Air Force Reserve Public Affairs Officer and Department of the Air Force Civilian. You can read Savannah’s full bio and the complete edition of United Forces & Families ENGAGE: United Through Community here.