Episode 1: From Service to Smoke - The Birth of Chief of the Leaf
After 35 years in the United States Air Force, I didn’t retire to slow down.
I retired to build something that meant just as much.
For decades, I lived in a world of structure, discipline, and brotherhood. The kind of environment where standards weren’t suggestions—they were a way of life. Where the people beside you weren’t just coworkers, they were family. And where moments—real moments—mattered.
And when you had the rare chance to sit down, light up a cigar, and reflect… it meant something.
It wasn’t just about the smoke.
It was about the pause.
The conversation.
The clarity.
But somewhere along the way, I realized something was missing.
Not in the cigars themselves—but in what they stood for.
Somewhere, the meaning got diluted. The ritual became casual. The culture lost a piece of its backbone. What used to represent earned time, respect, and connection started feeling like just another product on a shelf.
And that didn’t sit right with me.
Because where I come from, things mean something.
Time is earned.
Moments are intentional.
And what you put your name on matters.
That’s why I created Chief of the Leaf.
This isn’t just about cigars.
It’s about identity.
It’s about bringing back a sense of purpose to the ritual—whether you’re lighting up a Maduro after a long day, choosing a Habano to mark a win, or throwing on a hoodie that represents more than just a logo.
This brand is built on the same principles I carried for 35 years:
- Discipline
- Pride
- Brotherhood
- Legacy
Two cigars.
A growing line of gear.
But more importantly—a standard.
Because Chief of the Leaf isn’t for everybody.
It’s for those who understand that some things in life are meant to be earned… not rushed.
This is just the beginning.
Welcome to Chief of the Leaf.
Joe Powell
Thanks for your service brother! I’m a retired Chief myself (28 years in our Air Force) and avid cigar enthusiast.
Mark Banks
Great message my friend!! I wish you and this endeavor nothing but absolute success and growth! And I will certainly do my part to assist.
Alan baylor
Can I pickup them at your house since I live in Kathleen
Retired CMSgt (Jan 2003)