Redmond Ramos is a former FMF Navy Corpsman and founder of Redmond Ramos STS, where he continues to serve as a motivational speaker.  During a deployment to Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, where he joined up with the marines and sailors as a combat replacement, Redmond was struck by an IED, severely injuring his left leg.  After failed attempts to save his leg he decided to have the medical staff perform a below-the-knee amputation.

Shortly after Redmond has his leg removed he continued his fight through physical therapy.  He was not about to be stopped by his injury, nor let it define him.  It would merely become a part of who he was.  He began to train for the Warrior Games, an adaptive sports competition for wounded, ill and injured service members.  He doesn’t stop there and his incredible story is one of the greatest Veteranology has gotten to host to this point.

Redmond Ramos STS – http://www.redmondramos.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/redmondramos.com

The Travis Manion Foundation: http://www.travismanion.org/

The DoD Warrior Games: http://warriorgames.dodlive.mil/

Challenged Athletes Foundation: http://www.challengedathletes.org/

Curt Bean is an Army veteran and the Executive Director of the Art of War project based out of Denver, CO.  Curt served two tours in Iraq, each lasting more than a year.  After leaving the service he spent time traveling but soon started to wonder what was next for him.  He moved to Florida and started to work towards becoming a firefighter and EMT.  He passed all the training with flying colors but his PTSD was flagged as a disqualifying factor.  Curt had moved to Denver to start his firefighting career and after finding that this would not be the path he would take signed into a PTSD in-patient clinic at the local VA Hospital.

While at the VA Hospital he saw that art was not being included into the program as much as he thought it could.  With the help of some of his mentors he brought an art therapy program to the in-patient clinic and then expanded it into the community, eventually starting his own non-profit based out of downtown Denver, the Art of War Project.  Curt has an amazing story to tell and a lot of hope to share with his fellow veterans.

During the show you’ll hear:

How the Art of War Project helps veterans with art therapy, art appreciation, retreats, meditation, and other creative and healthy practices.

How Curt created his program while in treatment in the VA and how he turned it into a thriving non-profit in Denver.

The importance of being the best version of yourself each day.

Why acting like or calling yourself a disgruntled veteran is hurting more than just yourself.

How opening up to the civilians around you and helping them undertand your service can help bridge gaps in your social and professional life.

Show Links:

The Art of War – http://www.artofwarproject.com/

Intro 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

This episode of Veteranology is with Travis Blair, an Army with 10 years active duty and now serving his second year in the Texas National Guard. Travis is currently a special education teacher at the elementary level and has now written his first children’s book. When I asked him if he considered himself an entrepreneur he said he liked to use his father’s words and calls himself a “Stuff-Maker.”

Travis got told “no” a lot while trying to publish his first book and he shares his wisdom about persistence and determination. My favorite quote from the episode: “But if you feel it’s something that you want, do not let anyone take it from you.”

Travis also shares his belief in the importance of community and urges veterans to not only tend to their military relationships on social media but to put effort into building and fostering new relationships in your local area.

If you’d like to help fund his Kickstarter there are still a few days left to get yourself an early copy of his book:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2140811709/the-knitting-chicken

If you would like to reach out to Travis you can do so on Twitter: @Zarf

Intro 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

Episode 10!  Kenneth Elliott is a Marine Corps veteran, serving as a machine gunner for the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines Regiment from 2005 to 2009.  He served two tours, first to Iraq and then to Afghanistan.

Kenneth is currently a police detective for the Houston, TX police department, assigned to murder investigations.  He has been a police officer for 5 years and has found great fulfillment in the line of duty.  During the episode we talk about the following and more:

-The difficulties he faced and overcame as a white cop in an urban neighborhood with a large minority population.

-The struggles of being a great Marine waiting to EAS and try and prepare for the civilian world.

-His befriending of a WW2 Marine veteran who landed at and helped take Iwo Jima.

-The efforts he and his partner took to help a homeless veteran reconnect with his distant family, get an ID and his birth certificate, and finally get VA support and a home.

-His important advice for young marines, veterans leaving the service, and those wishing to pursue a career in law enforcement.

I am incredibly proud to call this man my brother.  You will always find him doing the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason.

Show links:

The story about him befriending the WW2 Marine

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