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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 #5: Russell Davies

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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

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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