What are you doing to help this country; now that you have transitioned to civilian life?

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 11:21:08 -0400

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 11:23 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 11:23:12 -0400

I'm not a civilian yet but when I am, I will continue to uphold my values to my family, community and country. So your part and remain productive. Follow all rules and continue to promote a safe and healthy America.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 12:03 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 12:03:00 -0400

Like Chief Hayes, I have not left military service. However, I will retire from the military before my civilian job so I will continue public service by training the next generation of police, corrections and parole & probation officers.

Response by SGT Aaron Dumbrow made Jul 21 at 2015 12:08 PM

SGT Aaron Dumbrow — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 12:08:22 -0400

I hadn't really thought about it much, but I ended up getting pulled into the American Legion, and once I started, I keep getting more involved, trying to get more focus on community and veteran service. Teaching my three son's the value of service has been huge for my wife and I as well. The big thing I am learning though is to do things where I am at any given time. In my current job, I responded to an internal HR survey about Veteran's hiring, and now I am taking a leadership role in an Employee Resource Group for Veterans, contributing to our HR Blog, and advising the team on how we can bring in more qualified Vet's to help our company. All this because I answered a couple questions. I think we can all do a little to support those around us, we have much we can share with those who served, those who still serve, and those who never served. There are some incredibly valuable lessons we can bring back to our friends and family to strengthen our great Nation.

Response by LT Garth Young (Ret) made Jul 21 at 2015 12:13 PM

LT Garth Young (Ret) — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 12:13:38 -0400

I retired 21 years ago & for the past 18 years I've been a recruiter. I find companies talent to make them prosperous; so ultimately I'm putting people to work which in turn helps them, the company, our economy, our Nation. And then there's that piece about being a good member of society, raising a family, grand kids, etc. Going to the polls on election day, flying the flag, talking up our Armed Forces every chance I get, encouraging young people to join. How's that?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 12:22 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 12:22:00 -0400

I transitioned from active duty into the reserves in 2008 and have been working in management consulting since. Now I have made a major pivot and launched my own social enterprise (veterans2Commerce, http://www.vets2.co) aimed at harnessing the talent and value resident in the military experience and help top military transition into Corporate America. According to a daily stat from Harvard Business Review Among large, publicly held companies, the proportion of CEOs with military backgrounds has declined markedly, from 59% in 1980 to 6.2% today. Plus CEOs with military experience are 70% less likely to be involved in corporate fraud than the average of U.S. chief executives. We need to create additional avenues for our top performing NCOs and Officers to enter corporate career tracks with path ways to the C-suite. My goal is to provide faster tome-to-market alternative to business school that builds on the military experience so that we can have Executives that follow the values we learned in the military, putting country and our economic health above shareholder value.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 21 at 2015 12:36 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 12:36:48 -0400

This is something I was always troubled by on Active Duty. When on shore duty in the Navy, we were always told we had to "give back to the community". The DOD even established the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal to recognize this.

Why are those of us on the "Tip of the Spear" expected to "give back"? Isn't serving the country in this most un-selfish way, giving back enough?

Yet, even though on total disability, I do everything I can to better the lives of service members with combat PTSD/Moral Injury...

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2015 1:11 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 13:11:25 -0400

SPC Margaret Higgins, although I am on the civilian side myself now, I am still a military dependent. While my primary "job" consists of taking care of my toddler son right now, I use my free time to volunteer as a Key Spouse (Army has FRG leaders I believe) within our current unit. In this capacity, I reach out to other spouses and military members who may be moving to and living overseas for the first time in their lives. I work with them to help facilitate an easy adjustment to a new culture, new military rules for everything from paying rent to finding childcare and employment (for spouses), and everything in between. I maintain contacts throughout all base agencies, and work to bring Airmen and families to the proper resources for anything from becoming a parent to a crisis situation. Having a different experience in my career from those who my husband supervises, I work to educate the AD members on career options they may not have been made aware of throughout their careers, such as full time Air National Guard positions and Full Time Technician positions, should they express that they are not sure exactly where they see their future heading. Similarly, I share my story of working with the VA to collect benefits, what I wish I had done while still on Active Duty, and ways that they can make the most of the benefits available to them when the time comes to transition out.

Outside of these activities, I also volunteer with a few organizations on base to raise money and boost relations between Americans and foreign nationals here in Europe. And of course, I spend lots of money on the local economy to boost the positive perception of Americans! :)

Response by SGT Anthony Rossi made Jul 22 at 2015 9:11 AM

SGT Anthony Rossi — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:11:03 -0400

My wife left active duty in 1996 right before we were married, and then I left active duty in 2000 for the ministry. We both have been working together to build a pioneer church for the past 12 years helping to reach others for Christ, and build a love for our country and its values that made it great among our community.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 23 at 2015 6:33 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 06:33:09 -0400

I VOTE.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 23 at 2015 3:30 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:30:09 -0400

I am trying to be a pure person, help others, and apply the gold standard to my promises.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Aug 15 at 2015 6:14 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 18:14:23 -0400

SPC Margaret Higgins Great question! My most current contribution has been here on RallyPoint. I have connected with a lot of active duty personnel, veterans, and retirees from all the branches of the service. I believe that I've helped a few get connected with other individuals to work out problems or ask questions. I would like to think that I'm providing some wisdom in the form of mentoring or coaching about military transition into the civilian world and leadership attributes that can be used for that transition or for up and coming new leaders. I believe I can do more and will most likely once I make my final move back to Colorado. I'm also concentrating on taking care of my daughters and getting them through college and taking care of my parents. I stand ready to help any veteran, active duty member, or retiree that I can here in the RP community. Oh yea, I will continue to be a model citizen within society and represent the military services as a model retiree!

By the way SPC Margaret Higgins thanks for asking great questions!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2015 6:35 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 18:35:03 -0400

My contrabutions are donations to veteran and current serving member causes like WWP, Operation Home Front, Project Sanctuary etc. Also by instilling in my two sons to give of themselves. One son currently serving SFC Steven Borders and my youngest son who is unabe to serve his country has chosen to serve his community as a volunteer firefighter. I still work for the transprtation department in our city and strret sweep in summer and deice and plow in the winter. So I guess in a sense I'm still giving back to my community. I just get paid well for doing it!

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Aug 15 at 2015 6:43 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 18:43:18 -0400

Actually retirees are still part of the military but in an inactive/retired status. The CoS GEN Odierno last year introduced the "Soldiers for Life" campaign for both retirees and veterans. I'd suggest any vet interested to look into it.
http://soldierforlife.army.mil/

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Aug 15 at 2015 6:46 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 18:46:44 -0400

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Aug 15 at 2015 7:25 PM

SFC Everett Oliver — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 19:25:35 -0400

I am on my 5th year as Commander of my local American Legion Post. We do not operate a bar, but we have a meeting room given us by the Village on the second floor of City Hall. We are very connected to the village. Enough so that we have our own mail slot in the Village Office. The Commander and Vice Commander have keys to city hall.
We lead two Ceremonies in the village on Memorial Day.
We plan and Lead the Independence Day Parade.
We place about 700 flags on veterans graves each Memorial Day
We lead the local Church's Mt Carmel Parade
We lead the Village Birthday Parade and conduct a laying of the Roses for 20 men from the village that died during war time.
We participate in a Veterans Day Program at the K-12 School
We participate in an American and Government program at the High School
We send at least one Student to Buckey Boys State every Summer.
We have discovered 2 unmarked Veterans graves, and got them marked and notified family members.
We found and cleaned up a Revolutionary war cemetery that had been forgotten.
We had a local bridge dedicated by the County as the village Veterans memorial Bridge.
This year I'm working on getting a Deck Built for a Disabled Veteran.

Response by SSG Ricardo Marcial made Aug 15 at 2015 7:32 PM

SSG Ricardo Marcial — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 19:32:28 -0400

I am working on helping transitioning personnel and veterans by placing them with companies looking for veterans. That's the ultimate taking care of Joe's for me.

Response by CPL Corey Aldridge made Aug 15 at 2015 7:54 PM

CPL Corey Aldridge — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 19:54:55 -0400

I own an Emergency Preparedness and Public Safety Company.

We give out about 25,000 3 Day emergency kits to the financially disadvantaged. We make School Safety and Emergency plans. We set up Safe Passage for the children by coordinating between local law enforcement, local business and the individual school. We perform Search and Rescue operations during disasters.
As I am sure many others feel the same. My separation from service did not terminate my obligation to our Country

Response by 1SG Trina Hines, M. Ed. made Aug 15 at 2015 8:08 PM

1SG Trina Hines, M. Ed. — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 20:08:53 -0400

Here are a few:
1) Motivating teenagers to become better citizens in society -JROTC
2) Donate to the Pentagon Memorial Fund monthly
3) Provide free business coaching to women veterans

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Aug 15 at 2015 11:24 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 23:24:47 -0400

I'm not doing much for society at the moment, but after I retired, I joined our local VFW (VFW Post 9972) and did a lot of volunteer work in the Post and community. After a few years, I became the Jr Vice Commander, and 2 years later, became the Sr Vice Commander and contributed a lot state wide. After the second year at Sr Vice, I began to develop some "issues", and thought it would be best to step back and get myself back on track. Thinking about getting back into it as I do miss it, but maybe not until next year, we shall see...

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Aug 16 at 2015 12:37 PM

PO2 Peter Klein — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 12:37:21 -0400

Spent a term on the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Veterans of San Diego (VVSD.) VVSD originated Stand Down events for homeless vets. It is still held every year - unfortunately.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 16 at 2015 1:43 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 13:43:00 -0400

Charitable organizations like Kiwanas club and they my church SPC Margaret Higgins plus I work with medical organizations that travel across the world and give free medical care.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 17 at 2015 2:09 AM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 02:09:41 -0400

I volunteer my time performing missions with the Patriot Guard Riders. We provide escorts and honor guard details at funerals for fallen military, veterans, and first responders.

I am also a member of the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association (CVMA) where our motto is "Vets Helping Vets." We donate our time, money, and resources to helping local veteran causes. Here in Tucson we've adopted Esperanza En Escalante, a halfway house for (formerly) homeless veterans and their families. We provide monetary donations, fill their food lockers, and buy school supplies like backpacks for their children.

Response by SFC Mark Bailey made Aug 17 at 2015 9:52 AM

SFC Mark Bailey — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 09:52:21 -0400

I was on terminal leave when 9-11 happened
When retirement branch said it was too late to cancel the retirement, I volunteered to go overseas as a military combat arms instructor. After several years, I ended up in Iraq and later Afghanistan as the Senior CREW Theater Logistics Manager (WARLOCK, DUKE, ACORN, etc.)
From 2005 to 2010 I never had a single cargo pallet delayed, damaged, or destroyed...and so my on-time delivery rate was 100% for all counter-IED equipment for that entire time. The grand total from 2007 to 2010 was 3084 tons of CREW counter IED jammers...

I kept telling everyone, "this isn't just a box... it DIRECTLY saves lives and we need to make sure it gets to its destination BEFORE they need it, not after... treat it as if it is your Mother, because there is a Mother out there counting on her child to return home alive".

If my diabetes had not kicked in in 2010, I'd still be there...

Response by SGT John Rauch made Aug 17 at 2015 12:25 PM

SGT John Rauch — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 12:25:05 -0400

Im the youth pastor at my church

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2015 11:24 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 23:24:52 -0400

Ive been retired from Army Reserve/Guard for 13 years but just retired from my teaching job. Im expanding on what Ive already been doing, continuing to serve my country in Coast Guard Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol Sea Cadets, American Legion, AUSA, ROA. I'm also reaching out more to veteran especially disabled vets. My script in life is serve my country, its youth and the service members and veterans who undergo hardships and sacrifices to keep our country great. I want to motivate youth to "be all they can be" either join the military or pursue other occupations who they can fulfill themselves and contribute to our country and community. I also want to do the same for our military service members and veterans.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 18 at 2015 6:25 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 18 Aug 2015 18:25:07 -0400

I am a leach on society now.