Veteranology #20 – Jeremy Starr

Jeremy Starr always knew he wanted to serve his community and during high school he made the decision to join the ranks of the United States Marines.  He wanted to help in the Global War on Terrorism and ended up serving two tours in Iraq with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, as a mortarman within the Weapons Company.

His active duty service would not be his only call to duty.  After leaving the Marine Corps he decided to pursue a career as a firefighter, eventually starting his career in Milwaukee, his hometown.  Now, he’s recently been promoted to lieutenant of Special Teams, where he trains for urban rescue operations.  On top of that, he’s still serving in the Marine Corps reserves, which he joined two years after leaving the active service.

In this episode Jeremy and I discuss the important of finding your “why,” not just in life, but in your everyday decisions.  We tackle the challenges of feeling like the old guy amongst younger peers, and the loss of the “I’ve got your 6” mentality that is bred into your as a Marine.

Here are some links to important topics we discuss on the show:

The book The Tribe, by Sebastian Junger.

The MEPS Triangle (Mental, Emotional, Physical, Spiritual).  I couldn’t actually find a solid lead on this concept but I did find an amazing speaker, Andrew Wittman, who speaks with retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. John Folchetti about the concept.

The Paddy Brown Program which “provides support and financial assistance to post-9/11 veterans ensuring they have the resources needed to transition into civilian life.”

Looking for top notch t-shirts made specifically for veterans by veterans?  Visit Inkfidel now and get your hands one some great looking and fitting clothing. www.inkfidel.com

Last but not least, if you have a moment, please let me know what you think about the Veteranology podcast!

Veteranology #12 – Eric Wright of Vets2PM

Dr. Eric Wright

Dr. Eric Wright

I get on the mic to speak with Dr. Eric Wright, PhD, PMP, and MPM.  Eric is a navy veteran who eats, sleeps, and breathes project management.  He and his partner, retired Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant Tim Dalhouse have created one of the most comprehensive programs for veterans looking to pursue a career leading projects and people in the civilian sector, Vets2PM.

Vets2PM’s mission is to help military veterans become project managers by inspiring them about the incredible value of their military experience to the lucrative field of project management, training them how to manage civilian projects and earn professional certifications, and preparing them to connect with employers who value their experience and expertise.

Logistics, Intelligence, Admin, and…Combat Arms.  If you’ve planned, executed, or briefed missions in the military than you probably have what it takes to get your Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Links from the show:

Vets2PM.com

Project Activities explanation for the PMI application

Links from the Intro:

Inkfidel: www.inkfidel.com

Don’t forget to use coupon code Veteranology at checkout for 10% off your order!

Veteranology survey: http://goo.gl/forms/s79vY9BBGJ

Veteranology #11 – David Shandera

Former Navy Corpsman (Greenside) David Shandera and I discuss his transition from the medical side of the military into the civilian medical field.  David lays out his advice for other veterans wanting to do the same.  He also gives specific advice for all veterans leaving the service on how to stay healthy and keep a positive outlook on life outside the military.

We also discuss the challenge and prestige of being a 19 year old Navy Corpsman with the responsibility of keeping all those around you healthy and safe, some of the negative situations that can cause a veteran to want to leave the military, and the initial pitfalls a veteran can face during their first year out of the service.

 

Show links:

Inkfidel: www.inkfidel.com

Don’t forget to use coupon code Veteranology at checkout for 10% off your order!

Veteranology survey: http://goo.gl/forms/s79vY9BBGJ

Veteranology #9 – Inkfidel

In this episode I sit down with Pete Bell. Pete Bell is a former Cavalry Scout who served with both the 82nd Airborne Division and 173rd Airborne Brigade. After leaving active duty in 2011 he returned to school completing his degree in Graphic Design with minors in Marketing and Art History. He has designed both the 2013 official Army Ten-Miler race tees and the 2015 IAVA (Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America) Veteran’s Day Parade hoodies. He is the CEO of the military apparel lifestyle brand, Inkfidel, which he founded in 2013. He currently lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, Tristan and their three children.

Show links:

Inkfidel: www.inkfidel.com

Don’t forget to use coupon code Veteranology at checkout for 10% off your order!

Veteranology survey: http://goo.gl/forms/s79vY9BBGJ

Veteranology #8 – Norman Goetz

Norman Goetz is a Marine Corps veteran and current Network Administrator for the city of Rock Island, IL. He served from 2004 to 2009 as a Special Intelligence System Administrator. He deployed to Fallujah, Iraq with the 5th Marines Regiment and then spent his last few years working for Headquarters Marine Corps within the Pentagon.

In this episode Norman and I discuss his deployment to Iraq, what is was like working at the Pentagon as a young enlisted marine, the uncertainty he walked into leaving the service during the 2009 housing crisis, and much more.

Veteranology #7: Dr. Craig Bryan

Dr. Craig J. Bryan, PsyD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical psychologist and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Utah. Dr. Bryan received his PsyD in clinical psychology Baylor University, and completed his clinical psychology residency at the Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas.

He served four years in the Air Force on active duty as the Chief of Primary Care Psychology Services and Suicide Prevention Program Manager at Lackland AFB, and deployed to Iraq in 2009 as the Clinical Director of the Traumatic Brain Injury Clinic located at Joint Base Balad (LSA Anaconda), Iraq. Dr. Bryan currently researchers suicide, psychological health, and resiliency among military personnel and veterans, and oversees two randomized controlled trials totaling approximately $3M testing interventions for suicidal military personnel at Fort Carson, Colorado. He also serves as the lead risk management consultant for the $25 million STRONG STAR Research Consortium investigating treatments for combat-related PTSD among military personnel.

Dr. Bryan is a nationally-recognized expert on military suicide, and serves as a consultant to the Department of Defense for psychological health promotion initiatives and suicide prevention. He regularly provides training to clinicians and medical professionals about managing suicidal patients, and has over 120 publications and scientific presentations in the areas of suicide and military mental health, including the book Managing Suicide Risk in Primary Care.

In this episode Dr. Bryan and I discuss the issue of veteran suicides.  Dr. Bryan helps answer the following questions asked by my fellow veterans:

  • How accurate is the statistic that 22 veterans commit suicide everyday?
  • What are the commonalities of veteran suicides?
  • How should we, as survivors, react to suicide?
  • What solutions are proving the most effective at combating the veteran suicide rate?
  • Do mental health first aid techniques work?
  • Has there been a change in the veteran suicide rate related to the publicity of this issue?
  • Are suicides more related to transitioning out of the military and finding purpose than PTSD and bad memories/dreams?
  • Are there direct or indirect connections between medications prescribed to veterans and suicide risk?

Veteranology #6: Jordan Meek

Jordan Meek and I met at the Marine Corps School of Infantry in 2004. He graduated on went on to serve with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, Weapons Company as a mortarman. He served two tours in Iraq within the city of Ramadi once as a humvee driver and again as a vehicle commander. He left active duty in 2008 and moved home to Iowa.

In Iowa Jordan went to college for communication technology and eventually found himself working for Union Pacific where he has been for the past 5 years. Now he raising a family and building a great a future.

In this episode we discuss:

The funny things that happen in bootcamp.

The city of Ramadi and the mission Jordan supported there.

Jordan’s career growth and why he chose to get into communications.

The hole left above Jordan’s bunk by a dud mortar round.

The importance of reaching out to fellow servicemembers for help and to find out how they are doing as well.

 

You can find more information about Union Pacific jobs here: https://up.jobs/

Veteranology #5: Russell Davies

Russell Davies wanted to give other veterans the same healing and fulfillment he felt out on in his kayak navigating rapids in the wilderness.  With that goal in mind he created PTSD, or Professional Transformation with Sports Development.  PTSD is a non-profit aimed at helping veterans deal with depression and intervening with veterans at risk of suicide.

In this episode Russell and I discuss his deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, his transition out of the Army, his discovery of the soothing yet dangerous world of kayaking wilderness rapids, and the creation of the organization PTSD.

There is also a portion of this show where we discuss the filler word veterans are known to use, the F-Bomb.  We drop a few but it’s all in good fun and to point out the problem we face when trying to find new conversation filler words like “um” and “uh.”

If you would like to find out more information about Professional Transformation with Sports Development visit the Facebook page here.

Veteranology 4: Major AJ Scotti

logowithtext

Major AJ Scotti and I get on Veteranology to discuss his transition out of active duty over to the reserve side of the Marine Corps.  While continuing to serve he co-founded GreenCorps International with another marine veteran and is in the process of combating veteran homelessness by providing affordable housing from a unique angle.

AJ also goes in-depth on the most important thing the Marine Corps taught him about leadership and how Marines and other service-members continue to be leaders in the top businesses around the country.

If you’re looking for inspiration to be a better leader, start a new project, or hustle through a Monday, then this is a show you do not want to miss.

Find out more about GreenCorps International here:  http://greencorpsi.com/

Veteranology #3: Dustin Batson

In this episode I have the honor of interviewing Dustin Batson, a Marine Corps veteran, squad leader, entrepreneur and business owner.  The West End Elixir Company opened its doors on September 10th of this year and business has been overwhelmingly good for Batson.  With half of his staff being veterans this should come at no surprise.

Episode three contains too many nuggets of wisdom to put them all into the show notes. Here are a few parts to listen for:

Using the reserves as a stepping stone out of the military.  (Throughout)

2nd Battalion, 7th Marines leading the way in Afghanistan.  (6:50 mark)

The biggest challenge he faced moving into the civilian world.  (15:50)

His rise through the bar ranks and leadership as a bar’s general manager.  (19:30)

He explains the fear and liberation of starting his own business.  (28:32)

His future plans for success and where he is taking his business.  (41:06)

You can find the West End Elixir Company website here.  There was also a recent news article about Batson and his bar. Read it here to see how he is helping veterans start new jobs as bartenders.