JOCKO WILLINK’S MOTORCYCLE SWEEPSTAKES HIGHLIGHTED ONE OF THE MOST TRAGIC STORIES OF AFGHANISTAN


By kbarber
Origin team Jocko Willink, Pete Roberts, and Tony Audette standing by their motorcycle

Jocko Willink and Origin USA are hosting a motorcycle sweepstakes in conjunction with Audette Motorcycles and offering one of the most outstanding and totally custom-made bikes in the world: the VELOS. But this sweepstakes is about much more than this masterpiece of a motorcycle. Suggested read:Here Are the Military Motorcycles That Helped Rev Up U.S. Success

The Men Behind the Motorcycle Sweepstakes

If you’re taking part in the VELOS sweepstakes, the names you need to know are business partners Jocko Willink and Origin CEO Pete Roberts, along with Tony Audette, the creator of the bike. You have them to thank for not only the chance to win the bike but also for the bike itself.

Who Is Jocko Willink?

Jocko Willink is a retired U.S. Navy SEAL officer who served as a member of SEAL Team 3. During his time in service, he earned a name for himself through his bravery, particularly during the battle against Iraqi insurgents in Ramadi. Willink earned both the Bronze Star Medal and Silver Star for his service before retiring as a lieutenant commander after 20 years of service. After his honorable service, Willink found much success in civilian life. He co-founded a leadership consulting firm, co-authored the book Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy Seals Lead and Win, and now hosts a widely popular podcast called The Jocko Podcast. One of his biggest ventures is his co-ownership of the company Origin USA, which sells lifestyle and nutrition products, led by Jocko's business partner and CEO, Pete Roberts. Now, having reached 742% growth over the last three years, Willink and Roberts are partnering with another Veteran who has quite the harrowing tale to tell.

Tony Audette: Marine, Engineer, and Forgotten Exile

Tony Audette, like Jocko Willink, made a name for himself after his time serving in the military. He’s the founder of Audette Motorcycles and the creator of the Audette VELOS. But this isn’t his whole story. After following in the footsteps of his family’s multi-generational military service, he was dedicated to joining the Marine Corps and being the best Marine that he possibly could. Unfortunately, Audette was among the Americans left behind in Afghanistan after the Obama Administration’s draw down of 2011. He was part of what’s known as the Exiled 8.

The Exiled 8 and America’s Forgotten Marines

Audette, a machine gunner in the eight-man squad serving in the most exiled places in Afghanistan, spent a long time out in the desert with his platoon. So long, in fact, that he says, “We got lost on our platoon roster; we got lost on our company’s roster.” One of the key values of Marines is to never leave each other behind, but that’s exactly what happened to Audette and his seven comrades. After realizing they would have to accomplish their mission without the support systems that drive the U.S. Military on the front lines, they began living with the new motto, “Home Is Where You Make It.” Facing constant violent sandstorms, hostile conditions, dwindling food and other basic supplies, the Marines were left alone and fending for themselves. Audette faced insurgent fire on November 4, and eight days later, a member of his platoon stepped on an IED and lost both of his legs. They even had to put down their pet goat, Jeremy, after he was bitten by a pit viper. Despite living in what many would call a literal hell on Earth, the Marines in Afghanistan made the most of it. They made nice with civilians in the local population and learned some valuable lessons about freedom from them. Audette noted, “You define what freedom is by how you build your life… Those people there, they had nothing, and they certainly weren’t in a free country like we are. But at the same time, they were the most free that I've ever seen anybody.”

Coming Home

Audette and his team of the Exiled 8 were eventually brought home, but life was… confusing for them. At that point, the Marine Corps, and the group of eight who were forgotten, was their home. How do you pick up with a normal life, go to school, get a job, and continue on after an event like that? A simple wish Audette had when he got home was to buy a motorcycle, and he did. He got a 1975 Honda CB 750. He also rebuilt his first bike, which he got when he was 14, with his dad. This only made him want to dive into the world of motorcycles even more, as many Veterans do upon returning home. He then had a dream to create an American superbike. After being transitioned to the Reserve Marine Corps, Audette decided to attend Engineering School and earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Central Connecticut State University. He also approached the budding Origin USA and asked Roberts to be his mentor as he set out on the task. Roberts had implemented Willink's leadership lessons at Origin, and he was ready to pass them on to Audette. After leaving his previous employer, where he desired to build something different and unconstrained, Audette began work on his superbike. Audette sold so much of his own personal possessions to make this bike a reality. Because he persevered, the end result was glorious. Roberts and Willink decided that a motorcycle sweepstakes for this beast of a bike was a perfect way to give back to Vets, so the three of them set up a Veterans Day sweepstakes.

How To Enter the Motorcycle Sweepstakes

This isn’t like other motorcycle sweepstakes. It’s only running for three days, and the clock’s already counting down. You have until November 14, 2022, at 3:00 a.m. ET to enter. By signing up with your email on Origin USA’s website, you’ll be entered once to win. But that’s not the only way you can enter to win. Since this is a collab between Audette and Origin, purchasing Origin products during this period will give you even more entries into the motorcycle sweepstakes. Here’s how else you can enter:

  • Buying a Bison Victory Boot gets you 70 entries.
  • Buying a Carbon Victory Boot gets you 50 entries.
  • Buying Caron Victory Denim gets you 20 entries.
  • Every Origin order over $100 gets you 10 entries.

Keep in mind that the limit for entries is 200. For the rest of the official rules, click here.

Audette VELOS Specs

We get it. You wanna know how this baby runs before you spend extra money to enter. Believe us when we say that extra entries for buying Origin products are worth every single penny for this outstanding bike. Need to haul a few things behind you on a trip? The 156 ft.-lbs. of torque make it easy as pie. That torque is more than what’s offered on the Kia Soul and Ford Fiesta hatchback (and many more popular vehicle models out there). The 49-degree V-twin motor and 128 BHP horsepower mean that you don’t have to worry about the Audette VELOS underperforming. Throw in the 2,064 CC engine and 6-speed constant mesh gearbox, and you have a recipe for the best bike you’ve ever driven.

Give Back, and Give To Yourself, With the Audette VELOS

This Audette VELOS motorcycle sweepstakes is a love letter to Veterans, but by spending money on Origin products and getting more entries, you’re making that letter even longer by supporting a Veteran-owned company. To Jocko Willink and Tony Audette, thank you for everything you’ve done for our country, both in the military and outside of it. Read next:Triumph Motorcycles Helped America Kick German Butt During WWI & II


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