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Veteranology #20 – Jeremy Starr

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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 #7: Dr. Craig Bryan

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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

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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 4: Major AJ Scotti

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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

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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.

Veteranology #2 The Artist

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Show notes

In this episode I sit down with “Raz”, a Marine Corps veteran I served with in 2/7 Weapons Company.  Raz left the Marine Corps in 2008 and started on a 7 year journey that would eventually see him working construction, discovering his true passion for art, and eventually heading to San Fransisco to attend the Academy of Art University.  He is now a graphic designer and freelance illustrator/designer living mere feet from the beach.

He started Create Art, his brand and business, and has sold clothing and art pieces here in the US and internationally in Germany, France, and the UK.  If you would like to see what Create Art has to offer the website iswww.cr8art.com and you can also find Create Art on Instagram under the name @_createart_

Quote from the show:

“You finally get to the point where life is hard not because you’re struggling, but because you’re choosing to do something difficult.”

Veteranology #1 The Veteran Power Couple

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I interview Ryan and Darline Warner, two Marine veterans who met in their Transition Assistance Program and are now happily married with two kids.  They lift together, cook for each other, and both flourishing in their chosen careers.

Here are just a few of the topics we discuss:

What it was like during transition, both while exiting the service and the first few months after?

What can be done to help young veterans have a fulfilling transition into the civilian world?

When do you finally realize you are living a lifestyle you actually want and not just struggling through.

The non-profit mentioned in the podcast:

Lift for the 22.  #LiftForThe22 is a military support network designed to use fitness as a tool to combat PTSD and veteran suicides. Their goal is to have a gym membership for every veteran.  You can check out Lift for the 22 at http://www.facebook.com/LiftForThe22