COL Miguel Howe from George W. Bush Institute here 3/6/18 for a Q&A. Q&A has Ended.

COL Miguel Howe — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 16:27:16 -0500

* This discussion will be monitored by RallyPoint staff. Please follow guidelines at: http://rly.pt/QARules *

Colonel Miguel Howe, USA, Ret. is the inaugural April and Jay Graham Fellow of the Military Service Initiative at the George W. Bush Institute. As an endowed Fellow, Colonel Howe represents the Bush Institute's work to improve the transition of post-9/11 veterans to civilian life, and to foster veteran leadership to enhance our businesses, communities and nation. In this role, he advocates for post 9-11 veterans and builds awareness for the issues that affect their transitions, with a focus on employment, education, and health and wellbeing.

Colonel Howe retired from the United States Army where he served for over 24 years in a myriad of command and staff assignments to include in Iraq and Afghanistan. He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the commander of the Afghan National Army Special Operations Advisory Group, Camp Morehead Afghanistan. He also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Chief of Staff for the NATO Training Mission in Al Rustamiyah, Iraq. A Special Forces Officer, he has commanded special operations forces on numerous deployments throughout Latin America with the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Colonel Howe served as the Special Assistant to the CEO of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and commanded the U.S. Army Southern California Recruiting Battalion. He began his Army career in the 25th Infantry Division as a Rifle Platoon Leader.

Colonel Howe was selected in 2006 by President George W. Bush to serve as a White House Fellow. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and earned a Master of Arts in National Security Studies from Georgetown University. He is married with two children.

COL Howe is here to discuss these topics:
· Transition issues, including employment and wellness, specifically the invisible wounds of war
· 21st century challenges and the need for continued leadership from our nation’s veterans and military families
· Bridging the civilian-military divide

Q&A Rules

RallyPoint periodically invites special guests to answer questions from the community. The following guidelines are in p...

Response by SPC Joseph Wojcik made Feb 27 at 2018 4:55 PM

SPC Joseph Wojcik — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 16:55:01 -0500

I recall hearing about a job corps like program for veterans a few years back, is that program still being considered or has it be shelved?

Also, veterans don't have adequate representation in the fields of corporate recruiting and academic admissions, are there any initiatives to fill more of those roles with former service members?

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Feb 27 at 2018 5:01 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 17:01:57 -0500

COL Miguel Howe - Thanks for joining us. Knowing your team has spent a lot of time studying the primary issues affecting veterans finding employment, education and adequate healthcare, what do you think the major roadblocks are here and how can we as a community help address them?

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Feb 27 at 2018 6:17 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 18:17:36 -0500

What do you think has created and fosters the civilian-military divide? What can the military community do to help?

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Feb 27 at 2018 9:59 PM

A1C Ian Williams — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 21:59:52 -0500

Good evening to you, sir COL Miguel Howe and also thank you for the opportunity to speak with you. Concerning your mission statement on fostering veteran leadership to enhance our businesses, communities and nation with a focus on employment, education and health, do you also advocate for the change in education protocols for those currently in service? Better access to nutritional competencies, education and gainful employment while currently serving will build the foundation for successful veterans after their separation. COL Mikel J. Burroughs Capt Dwayne Conyers SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Lt Col Charlie Brown CPL Dave Hoover Sgt Randy Wilber 1LT Sandy Annala SSgt Addison R. Maj Marty Hogan MAJ Don Bigger LTC Private RallyPoint Member 2LT Private RallyPoint Member SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member Col Private RallyPoint Member COL Charles Williams COL Lee Flemming

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2018 9:21 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 09:21:07 -0500

COL Miguel Howe I am very interested in veteran transition issue based on my personal experience. Some believe that high veteran unemployment is directly related to the high suicide rates. Is your organization having any success at securing veteran employment? Because honestly I am not seeing the impact as a soon to be unemployed vet.

Response by Col Rebecca Lorraine made Feb 28 at 2018 9:28 AM

Col Rebecca Lorraine — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 09:28:53 -0500

Col Howe, welcome to Rally Point! I recently completed a study on The Transition Experiences of Post 9/11 Women Warriors: A Sociocultural Perspective and most of the women reported they were not adequately prepared for the emotional separation from their military family. What recommendations do you advocate for to better prepare veterans before they leave the service beyond the failing TAP programs?

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Feb 28 at 2018 10:21 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 10:21:43 -0500

COL Miguel Howe: I would like to sincerely and most appreciatively THANK YOU COLONEL; FOR JOINING US HERE ON RALLY POINT.
I have a question for you Colonel: Could the military ever assist in the stopping of school shootings?
I am Very, Very concerned about our future generation-our children-and their safety.
AGAIN, THANK YOU EXCEEDINGLY KINDLY, SIR, FOR JOINING US WITH YOUR HONORABLE PRESENCE; HERE ON RALLY POINT.
-Most Sincerely,
Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired

Response by PFC Paulette Wilson Guzman-Rosario made Mar 1 at 2018 2:49 PM

PFC Paulette Wilson Guzman-Rosario — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 14:49:39 -0500

I was discharged from the army in 2014 for patterns of misconduct without having any ucmj/article 15 against me . I have been try to get my DD214 fixed so that I can re-enlist . I went to the ARB in November of last and seen it was sufficient enough for a discharge .it took three years to go in front of the board. i was also a sharp victim in my unit. after I reported the sharp I became a target . I was trying go back into the army to go green to gold since I am in school now for law. any advance on trying to either get a wavier or re-enlist. according to the va I am not entitled to none of my benefits due to a general discharge under honorable conditions.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2018 6:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 18:33:19 -0500

Sir, how can we make it a more streamlined process for Veterans to obtain Government Jobs, once they have transitioned to the Civilian world. I ask this question from my own experience, in finding a GS or Wage Grade position. I've been trying since 2014, and have been interviewed more than 4 times yet never selected to a meaningful position. I'm still in the process of hunting of a meaningful position within the Government realm, yet I retired in 2014 in November and have yet to land anything. I'm 100 percent disabled and I think this may be a deterrence for the HR Department? Any insight this group may have would be helpful. I've worked since I was six years old, and not working at all isn't a option for me, yet I'd love to get back in position where I was able to work with Soldiers again, because we speak the same language.

Response by SGT Mark Halmrast made Mar 2 at 2018 1:32 PM

SGT Mark Halmrast — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 13:32:32 -0500

COL Miguel Howe thank you for joining us on RP.
What can vets who have made the successful transition back into civilian life do to help?
The leadership and professionalism that vets carry are value-adds to business and our communities. How can those of us on the far side of the transition effectively help those who are embarking on it?
Thank you for your service, sir, and for taking time to join us today.

Response by CPT David Gowel made Mar 2 at 2018 3:31 PM

CPT David Gowel — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 15:31:43 -0500

COL Miguel Howe, thanks for joining us on RallyPoint. I'm a believer that we can accomplish more by working together and have watched your organization work alongside other great veteran service organizations. Can you share some thoughts on GWBI's strategy for collaboration with other VSOs to support the military community?

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Mar 3 at 2018 12:12 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 12:12:40 -0500

Sir thank you for coming to RP. My statement/question to you is this: I did an internship for the government where the agency was told I was a disabled veteran. During the interview process, it was brought up and explained that I would be required to make any and all medical appointments related to my conditions and they were tracked. My first line is a Vet himself, understood the requirements and made no issues about it, but those above him did. They couldn't understand why I'd miss work on a regular basis and in the end, I was not hired due to health reasons. How can one expect civilians who never served to fully understand that when allowing wounded veterans to work for them, there is the added "baggage" that also comes with it? We're not as "simple" to deal with as a "regular" vet who isn't injured, or did their time and left service just fine? Under the Obama administration, there was a push to hire vets, and I'm glad many of us were given the chance, but there is still a serious gap between well intentions of employers, the "quota" expected to have in place to make it seem they're "supporting" us, and actually understanding us.

I do not believe for one second vets should get any special privilege, but we should not be held back due to a lack of understanding by employers or ignorance on their part in not trying to understand what we can bring to the table even with our injuries. We might not be the fastest learners, understands, or linear Einstein's, but we definitely bring outside the box thinking processes, a clear understanding of team vs. individual, and a never quit attitude (which sometimes is a bad thing or even threatening to some who've never seen it) I truly enjoyed where I was. My first line was awesome, I had a contractor who never served, but totally understood where I came from, and would stop and help me when she knew I was in over my head or needed that extra kick in the rear to get over the hill. It's a shame others above them did not have the same level of understanding or even cared.

It's really bad when Walmart has a better grasp on helping veterans succeed, than the federal government who makes these programs. How can we make this better for everyone both employer and employee?

Response by Cpl Tim Callahan made Mar 3 at 2018 3:29 PM

Cpl Tim Callahan — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 15:29:18 -0500

COL Miguel Howe ,
Who's a faster golfer you or 43

Response by LTC Ken Bowers made Mar 5 at 2018 2:06 PM

LTC Ken Bowers — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 14:06:26 -0500

COL Howe, Congratulations on all your recent success and your association with the George W. Bush Institute! I really enjoyed, and value serving with you in Afghanistan at Camp Morehead on the Afghan SOAG. That was a good group of folks, and you are a solid leader. Good luck on your Q&A session, and your work with the George W. Bush Institute

Ken Bowers
LTC, EN Retired

Response by CW2 Ernest Krutzsch made Mar 5 at 2018 3:55 PM

CW2 Ernest Krutzsch — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 15:55:30 -0500

Can I get a letter from President Bush for my Retirement? I know he can't sign the Retirement Certificate, but how do I get a letter?

Response by Pvt Antonio Reyes made Mar 5 at 2018 4:43 PM

Pvt Antonio Reyes — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 16:43:13 -0500

COL Miguel Howe My Husband Was Discharged From The USMC as OTH on his DD214. He applied for VA Help and Got 100% Disability For Scritzophrenia but somehow the VA Classified As Dishonorable For VA Purposes. Did The VA Have The Right to Do so and of not what can we do. He's not all there in the head & he has become so stubborn because of the was he was trained. He thinks he can take on the world but he lost his job & keeps acting out

Response by COL Miguel Howe made Mar 6 at 2018 4:01 PM

COL Miguel Howe — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 16:01:57 -0500

Thanks to team Rally Point for this opportunity to spend some time with all of you and to share a bit about President and Mrs. Bush’s leadership, and our work at the Bush Institute to foster a successful transition and reintegration from military service to civilian life. As President Bush says often, and would tell you himself, there is not much he misses about being President, but he does miss being Commander in Chief, and he misses looking in the eyes of the men and women who serve and saluting them and their families.

When we serve in uniform our mission is clear – to fight and win our nation's wars in order to ensure our freedom, security and prosperity. President Bush has challenged us that when we take off the uniform we have a new mission – to continue to contribute to the security, economy, and sustained health of our democracy as veterans. Our work at the Bush Institute’s Military Service initiative is designed to help foster that new mission by setting the conditions for a successful transition. We’ll talk more about that today, but I encourage you to check out our website to learn more and see our veteran resources on transition issues: http://www.bushcenter.org.

George W. Bush Presidential Center: Home of the Bush Library and Museum and Bush Institute

The George W. Bush Presidential Center is home to the Bush Presidential Library and Museum and the Bush Institute.

Response by SSG Mark Reidy made Mar 6 at 2018 5:21 PM

SSG Mark Reidy — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 17:21:59 -0500

COL Miguel Howe, G'day from Adelaide Australia from your big twin. Enjoying the conversations here. It's great to have this platform to share knowledge and experience.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2018 5:23 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 17:23:20 -0500

How important personally was it for President Bush to meet his wounded Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2018 2:21 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 14:21:06 -0400

So apparently everything we discuss these days is monitored by the pc police. Or the gestapo. Aka the Demoncratic party.