PETE HAS HISTORY
Pete Slama grew up in a small town in Minnesota, raised by his mother, a single parent after his father left when Pete was just 9 years old. His mom worked tirelessly to provide for him and his five sisters and two brothers. As a teenager, Pete struggled with school, had difficulty fitting in with friends, and eventually turned to alcohol and smoking to cope. His life seemed to spiral until he made a life-changing decision to join the military, seeking structure and purpose beyond the challenges of his youth.
I served just over five years in the United States Air Force, where I initially continued to drink and smoke heavily. However, over time, I made positive changes in my life and eventually met the woman I would marry while still serving. During my time in the Air Force, I was asked to speak to school kids about life and the military, which helped me develop public speaking skills. With the encouragement of my mentor, I also tried open mic nights at comedy clubs to add humor to my presentations, which taught me stand-up comedy. These experiences, along with the values of professionalism, loyalty, determination, and pride for myself and my country, set me on a path toward future success.