--- title: "Ryan Reichert's Field Manual for Sobriety: Three Daily Wins, Tighter Circles and the War of Purpose" description: Former Army leader Ryan Reichert’s memoir shares a faith-grounded system for men seeking sobriety, leadership and daily wins that work for veterans today. author: Darie Nani (Editor-in-Chief) date: 2025-08-08T14:29:16.000Z updated: 2026-07-10T10:06:18.548Z canonical: https://richdadmagazine.com/article/ryan-reichert-s-field-manual-for-sobriety-three-daily-wins-tighter-circles-and-the-war-of-pur image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/ryan-t-reichert.webp categories: Work & Purpose content_type: Book Review region: Global publication: Rich Dad Magazine --- Twenty-three years in the Army, rock bottom in 2023, then a rebuild grounded in faith and daily discipline. Former military leader Ryan Reichert’s new memoir [‘God Only Knows When the Devil Comes for You’](#god-only-knows-when-the-devil-comes-for-you-a-second-chance-at-life), published by Trilogy Christian Publishing, a subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network, hit shelves on 28 July 2025. This is not about platitudes – it’s about routines that work when willpower alone fails. Reichert’s system offers a [practical run-book for men](https://richdadmagazine.com/article/how-dakota-campbell-s-hard-lessons-became-the-young-god-real-life-tactics-for-self-mastery) wanting sobriety, better control and more honest leadership at home and work. His approach is simple to execute daily and does not rely on willpower alone. At a time when [17.6 veterans die by suicide daily](https://news.va.gov/137221/va-2024-suicide-prevention-annual-report/) according to the VA’s 2024 report, and the [latest SAMHSA data](https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/20250728/samhsa-releases-annual-national-survey-on-drug-use-and-health) shows 27.9 million Americans struggle with alcohol use disorder, [practical frameworks](https://richdadmagazine.com/article/how-to-rewire-your-mind-and-career-a-practical-playbook-from-business-success-and-stroke-reco) matter more than theory. We caught up with Reichert to discuss his field-tested approach to recovery, leadership transitions and building [accountability systems that actually work](https://richdadmagazine.com/article/pivot-in-a-changing-economy-lessons-from-former-nfl-star-as-half-of-professionals-plan-career-pivots-in-2026). ## Leadership Under Fire, Leadership in Recovery **What leadership lessons still matter now you’re rebuilding?** ‘Relationships are the number one predictor of success, so my relationship with God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit come first in everything I do. When I was at my greatest success in leadership roles in the Army my three daily wins were in check. I was spiritually, physically, and personally aligned in everything I did. Be it talking to the Big Man, training for ultra-marathons, or being a part of my community and family. The balance came with truly being centred.’ ‘What I truly learned was who you surround yourself matters the most. The team will win together or lose as individuals not aligned on the common good. Your relationships that are aligned in one’s three daily wins are the same. Today I would say show me your circles and I’ll show you your level of success to sustain, rebuild, or truly win at everything you do in life.’ **Practical takeaway:** Audit your circles tonight. List the five people you spend most time with. Do they support your [three daily wins](https://richdadmagazine.com/article/awakening-protocol-on-ai-dependance-three-critical-vulnerabilities-most-men-miss). ## The Civilian Transition Trap **What caught you off guard when the structure fell away, and how can men avoid it?** Veterans face particular challenges in their first year post-separation. Research shows [43% are unemployed in the first three months](https://www.performance.gov/cx/life-experiences/navigating-the-transition-to-civilian-life/), whilst 20% struggle with alcohol or drugs during this period. Approximately 200,000 service members leave the US military annually, with over 60% reporting adjustment challenges. ‘I didn’t take into account how those daily wins and relationships kept me right side up. I had dreamed for so long to retire and get to make my own decisions that I lost focus on life as the destination and not the one-day-at-a-time journey. I ran the race to the finish line only to find out the finish line moves every day.’ ‘In the military we did everything before 9am when it came to those three daily wins; in civilian life there was no outside accountability so I had to find it myself. In the civilian world no-one is shooting at you or trying to blow you up. I’d tell those transitioning that you must put that same work in that we put in when we were in the military. We never stop on the journey of life to get 1% better each day.’ **Practical step:** Build outside accountability if you no longer have it at work. Schedule your [three daily wins](https://richdadmagazine.com/article/accountability-over-excuses-how-consumptions-of-life-lays-out-practical-clarity-for-modern-men) before you open email. ## Life-or-Death Thinking, Daily **How do you frame sobriety when the stakes feel lower than combat?** ‘Today, I believe there is no difference between the life-or-death decisions down range versus the life-or-death decision to get sober. If I do not live the truth, one-day-at-a-time today it is the same decision. If I am unable to be brutally honest in everything I do I will die and succumb to my previous addictions.’ Reichert applies a framework familiar to anyone who has read Stephen Covey’s work: ‘Spheres of control vs. influence vs. out of my control.’ The concept of focusing energy on what you can actually affect rather than broader concerns has become a cornerstone of [effective leadership development](https://richdadmagazine.com/article/brace-for-impact-with-empathy-how-a-navy-seal-re-wrote-the-real-playbook-for-leading-through-). **Practical step:** Write your three spheres on a card. Act only in the control column today. ## The Moment Everything Changed **What was rock bottom?** ‘When I put the final nail in the coffin and commit that last of my seven deadly sins. Yes, biblically looking at another woman other than your spouse is adultery but the act was committed in 2023 and from there the good Lord removed my gluttony in alcoholism.’ ‘In a man’s highest of success he becomes weak if not mentally prepared for the weight of said successes.’ ## The Warning Signs High Achievers Ignore **What red flags did you wave away?** Veterans show higher rates of alcohol use disorders compared to civilians, with young veterans aged 18-25 having a [10.1% prescription pain reliever misuse rate](https://drugabusestatistics.org/) versus 6.5% for their civilian counterparts. The ability to maintain outward success whilst struggling internally makes detection difficult. ‘I lied on every evaluation on how much I drank when being interviewed in the military or with health care providers. I hadn’t been arrested since 1997 so my track record on paper was still good. My circles that I was hanging with didn’t have a problem because it was just part of what we did whenever we were together.’ ‘Some of us are a part of the slow-learner club and it takes losing everything and then seeing how terrible we were by not being able to reconcile some of the destruction we created.’ **Common rationalisations men use:** - I can handle it because I’m strong enough - My professional track record is still clean - Everyone in my circle drinks the same way - I haven’t been arrested or had legal consequences - I function well at work despite my drinking Do a brutal self-inventory. Which of these sound familiar? ## The First 30 Days **What did you actually do beyond prayer?** Research shows [Alcoholics Anonymous is 60% more effective](https://www.cochrane.org/about-us/news/new-cochrane-review-finds-alcoholics-anonymous-and-12-step-facilitation-programs-help-people) than other interventions for achieving abstinence, according to a comprehensive Cochrane review. The programme’s accessibility and zero cost make it valuable for both individuals and healthcare systems. ‘Looking up where I would go to my next AA meeting. Getting a sponsor, someone who had been through it before and could help guide me through my days. The accountability of another human was a huge help. Faith and prayer were there with attending church towards the end of the first 30 days but really the spiritual awaking didn’t happen until closer to 60 days into my recovery.’ ‘Putting in the work every single day is where I’ve found peace and joy; no longer overthinking every single outcome, task, or whatever chaos comes into my life.’ **Beginner’s 30-day checklist:** - Find local AA meetings and attend daily in week one - Get a sponsor by day seven - Daily check-in text with sponsor or accountability partner - Start church attendance if desired by end of month - Track cravings and wins nightly ## The Spi-Ritual Routine **What is ‘Our Protector Development’ in practice?** ‘Our days start with prayer, meditation, and an attitude of gratitude; writing down 10 things you are grateful for, praying for three people you do not adore, and then executing your daily wins: 1) physical win, 2) mental win, and 3) spiritual win.’ ‘Following your daily wins you conduct an after-action review of your wins: 1) where do you sustain in your wins, 2) where do you improve in your wins, and 3) what actions do you need to take moving forward when tomorrow gets here. You end your day the same way you started with prayer, meditation, and an attitude of gratitude.’ ‘These “Spi-Ritual” practices create an armour around you to protect you before you go to sleep and dawn the armour in the morning before beginning your day.’ **Practical step:** Print the routine as a one-page card. Keep it on your desk and by your bed. ## For the Non-Religious Reader **What if faith is not your thing?** ‘I believe religion is for those who do not want to go to hell and spirituality is for those of us who have already been there. When looking at scripture I believe anyone with an open mind and emotional maturity can look at it as just letters and words like any other book.’ ‘Meditating is as simple as sitting in silence and being connected to a serene environment. Another piece when operating in a state of gratitude is knowing that everything that happens to ones self is for the greatest good. Once anyone can shift their mindset to only see a positive outcome no matter what happens they truly enter a state of pure gratitude.’ For men seeking [practical faith applications](https://richdadmagazine.com/article/faith-at-work-five-authors-with-real-world-lessons-for-men-seeking-purpose-and-power) or spiritual grounding without traditional religious frameworks, Reichert’s approach offers a middle ground. **Practical step:** Five minutes silent sit daily, plus list 10 gratitudes. No app needed. ## Asking for Help Without Losing Your Edge **How do you balance responsibility and asking for help?** ‘It is a superpower to be able to ask anyone for help and know that my circles will gladly do anything in their power if asked. I know in the military I was Captain America on the outside and a house on fire on the inside because I was afraid to ask for help.’ ‘The two sayings for “FEAR:” Forget Everything And Run or Face Everything And Rise. I will face everything and rise knowing that the greatest good comes from the truth and being brutally honest in everything in my second chance at life.’ **Practical step:** Name three people you will ask for help this week, with specific asks. ## Why Go Public **Why write the memoir, and what is the business case for vulnerability?** Alcohol misuse costs employers [$35.3 billion annually](https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payers/substance-use-disorders-cost-employer-sponsored-health-insurance-over-35-billion-year-cdc) in healthcare expenses alone, according to CDC data. The economic argument for addressing addiction openly has never been stronger. ‘Why not? We all have a story inside of us, why not tell it so someone who is or has gone through the same thing can have a guidebook to help them heal, grow, and rebuild a life worth living. The business case is not holding back all the darkness we as humans hide from the light of day.’ ‘The simple maths in life is 30% of people love you, 30% of people hate you, and 40% really do not care. So at the end of the day 2.4 billion people give you a thumbs up, 2.4 billion don’t, and 3.2 billion do not know what to do… I say go off the living truth and be kind to all eight billion because the world needs more love.’ ## Publishing and Next Moves **How did the Trilogy Christian Publishing deal happen?** ‘TCP was a divine appointment after about two weeks into the writing process their publishing advertisement landed in my Instagram page and I filled out their for more information portion of the advertisement. Shortly thereafter we contract the first book and probably 30 days later a second book.’ **Where is this heading?** ‘Long term OPD is going to be a full-time mission. By the end of 2025 there will be a series of three books, online course with six weeks of coaching, an app, quarterly retreats, book writing options, and media hosting on the Our Healer, Our Protector Podcast I co-host with Lisa Sander.’ ## Practical Advice for Men Not Ready to Admit It **If a reader recognises himself but is not ready?** ‘Reach out and let’s chat. Let’s start the process of your “Spi-Ritual” practices to get your daily wins going and see where life takes you. I know life can hit hard, but choose your hard! Marriage is hard, so is divorce. Being overweight is hard, so is being in shape. Doing what we say we are going to do is hard, so is obtaining all the dreams and our God given purpose.’ For men struggling with [self-awareness and stress](https://richdadmagazine.com/article/what-you-tell-yourself-about-yourself-a-mindset-shift-for-navigating-stress-and-self-doubt), Reichert’s framework offers a starting point without requiring full commitment to recovery programmes. ‘Whatever you are doing in your life right now give it one more! One more call, one more push-up, one more I love you, one more I am sorry, one more smile, one more excuse me, one more day to keep putting in the work to becoming the man in the mirror you believe you want to see.’ **Practical step:** The ‘one more’ list to tape on your mirror: call, push-up, ‘I love you’, ‘I am sorry’, smile, ‘excuse me’. ## Spiritual Warfare at Work **What does it look like in an office?** ‘”Spiritual Warfare” can look like the overthinking one puts themselves through on a daily basis trying to control every single thing in their life. Instead of focusing on what they can control in their life. They can control what they put into their body, this goes for food, alcohol, drugs, etc. Garbage in garbage out.’ ‘Hydrate, our body is made up of 70% water so put water into your body; move your body we were not meant to sit behind a desk for eight to 12 hours a day. Get up and go for a walk around your corporate environment, do 10 push-ups at your desk every hour, do some jumping jacks to get the blood flowing. Let go of your pride and ego; do better, try harder, and be kind. Communicate with your team!’ These [neurological recalibration techniques](https://richdadmagazine.com/article/lifestyle-hacks-for-men-neurological-recalibration-rituals-that-actually-work-for-you) mirror what high-performing men use to maintain clarity under pressure. **Practical step:** Hourly micro-habits at your desk today. ## Where Twelve Step Fits **How does your approach compare to AA?** ‘I don’t believe my approach is any different. I believe we live life in such a way where what we put in we get out, plain and simple. If we do not do the work, one will not see the results. So do the work; if you say you are going to do something, do it! Very simple, very easy. There is a reason we have two ears and one mouth; if we pay attention more and listen before we speak we might actually take in what we are suppose to.’ Reichert’s field manual comes down to three daily wins, honest circles and the courage to ask for help. For men seeking to [rewrite their story](https://richdadmagazine.com/article/yours-to-design-how-psychology-professor-deangelo-burse-rewrote-his-story-and-how-you-can-too), his system offers practical steps without requiring complete life overhaul. The book is available now in eBook and paperback from [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com), [Barnes & Noble](https://www.barnesandnoble.com) and [Bookshop.org](https://bookshop.org). **The Three Daily Wins Worksheet:** - Physical win: What will you do for your body today? - Mental win: What will challenge your mind today? - Spiritual win: What connects you to something bigger today? **After-action review template:** - Sustain: What worked well in today’s wins? - Improve: What needs adjustment tomorrow? - Actions: Three specific steps for tomorrow ## God Only Knows When the Devil Comes for You: A Second Chance at Life *Our Protector Development, God Only Knows When the Devil Comes for You* tells a story through the lends of a second chance at life with multitudes of failure but also some great miracels too. It is a faith journey which guides the reader through one’s life and reflection, where some tools are developed so one can use them to protect themselves with God in their life and Jesus Christ by their side. It is a born-again Christian’s work to help anyone else before they might have to go through the same trials or as they are going through the flames in their journey. One child of God just wants to be of service to another child of God. Available in paperback & ebook editions ### Book: God Only Knows When the Devil Comes By Ryan T. Reichert Our Protector Development, God Only Knows When the Devil Comes for You tells a story through the lens of a second chance at life with multitudes of failure but also some great miracles too. It is a faith journey which guides the reader through one's life and reflection, where some tools are developed so one can use them to protect themselves with God in their life and Jesus Christ by their side. It is a born-again Christian's work to help anyone else before they might have to go through the same trials or as they are going through the flames in their journey. One child of God just wants to be of service to another child of God. [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2QDG1R4)