Posted on Nov 23, 2016
Hi RallyPoint. LtCol Justin Constantine here for a Q&A. What questions do you have for me?
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*RP Staff will be monitoring this discussion*
From RP Staff:
Justin Constantine is a former Marine and attorney who works as an inspirational speaker and leadership consultant and serves as a liaison between the corporate and military communities. He survived a gunshot wound to the head while serving in Iraq in 2006.
In addition to helping lead the Wounded Warrior Project, LtCol Constantine has launched his own good-will initiative called My Veteran Calendar. It's a collection of inspirational messages from some great leaders you'd know. You can support this project by grabbing a copy yourself here: http://myveterancalendar.com/
About LtCol Constantine:
Lieutenant Colonel Justin Constantine joined the U.S. Marine Corps after his second year of law school at the University of Denver. While on active duty, Constantine served as a judge advocate specializing in criminal law and was stationed both in Okinawa, Japan, and at Camp Pendleton, California, where he worked as a defense counsel and criminal prosecutor.
Constantine left active duty in 2004. As a Marine reservist, he volunteered for deployment to Iraq in 2006 and served in the Al-Anbar Province as a team leader of a group of Marines performing civil affairs work while attached to an infantry battalion. While on a routine combat patrol, Constantine was shot in the head by a sniper. Although the original prognosis was he had been killed in action, Constantine survived. Through teamwork and a positive mental attitude, he had a successful recovery. Constantine was awarded the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon for his service.
Constantine cites finding Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) was one of the good things that came from his injury. As a WWP Alumnus, Constantine was awarded the George C. Lang Award for remarkable courage and service to his fellow warriors in May 2011. That same year, he joined the WWP board of directors.
In 2007, Constantine began working with the U.S. Department of Justice and in 2008 was invited to serve as counsel for the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Constantine was accepted into the fellowship program of the Truman National Security Project in 2009 and was the Honor Graduate of his class at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. Following this, he was accepted into the LLM Program at Georgetown University and completed his Master of Laws degree in 2014.
Between 2011 and 2013, Constantine worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation on a counterterrorism team. It was during this time he started The Constantine Group, an inspirational speaking business, where he tours the country speaking to corporate, military, and educational audiences on the key topics that have affected his life – leadership, overcoming adversity, teamwork, and the power within us all.
He spends much of his spare time assisting a number of veteran service organizations on wounded service member activities, including fundraising and raising awareness around veterans issues. Constantine also served on a four-year, congressionally mandated task force for recovering warriors, which provides an annual report to the Department of Defense.
Based on his remarkable recovery and continued advocacy for veterans, Constantine received the Commitment to Service Award from the Give An Hour Foundation in 2012. He has also received significant recognition and awards from the White House, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Washington Redskins, James Madison University, and the Tri-State Troopers Fund. In 2014, Constantine was awarded the Lincoln Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement by a veteran in providing aid and opportunities to other veterans.
Constantine has also been featured in magazines and programs, including Men’s Health, The Huffington Post, James Madison University’s Madison Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, Financial Times, and the Department of Labor’s “America’s Heroes at Work Success Stories.”
LtCol Constantine will be stopping by next Tuesday (11/29) at 4:00pm EST for a live Q&A. Ask your questions below:
From RP Staff:
Justin Constantine is a former Marine and attorney who works as an inspirational speaker and leadership consultant and serves as a liaison between the corporate and military communities. He survived a gunshot wound to the head while serving in Iraq in 2006.
In addition to helping lead the Wounded Warrior Project, LtCol Constantine has launched his own good-will initiative called My Veteran Calendar. It's a collection of inspirational messages from some great leaders you'd know. You can support this project by grabbing a copy yourself here: http://myveterancalendar.com/
About LtCol Constantine:
Lieutenant Colonel Justin Constantine joined the U.S. Marine Corps after his second year of law school at the University of Denver. While on active duty, Constantine served as a judge advocate specializing in criminal law and was stationed both in Okinawa, Japan, and at Camp Pendleton, California, where he worked as a defense counsel and criminal prosecutor.
Constantine left active duty in 2004. As a Marine reservist, he volunteered for deployment to Iraq in 2006 and served in the Al-Anbar Province as a team leader of a group of Marines performing civil affairs work while attached to an infantry battalion. While on a routine combat patrol, Constantine was shot in the head by a sniper. Although the original prognosis was he had been killed in action, Constantine survived. Through teamwork and a positive mental attitude, he had a successful recovery. Constantine was awarded the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon for his service.
Constantine cites finding Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) was one of the good things that came from his injury. As a WWP Alumnus, Constantine was awarded the George C. Lang Award for remarkable courage and service to his fellow warriors in May 2011. That same year, he joined the WWP board of directors.
In 2007, Constantine began working with the U.S. Department of Justice and in 2008 was invited to serve as counsel for the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Constantine was accepted into the fellowship program of the Truman National Security Project in 2009 and was the Honor Graduate of his class at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College. Following this, he was accepted into the LLM Program at Georgetown University and completed his Master of Laws degree in 2014.
Between 2011 and 2013, Constantine worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation on a counterterrorism team. It was during this time he started The Constantine Group, an inspirational speaking business, where he tours the country speaking to corporate, military, and educational audiences on the key topics that have affected his life – leadership, overcoming adversity, teamwork, and the power within us all.
He spends much of his spare time assisting a number of veteran service organizations on wounded service member activities, including fundraising and raising awareness around veterans issues. Constantine also served on a four-year, congressionally mandated task force for recovering warriors, which provides an annual report to the Department of Defense.
Based on his remarkable recovery and continued advocacy for veterans, Constantine received the Commitment to Service Award from the Give An Hour Foundation in 2012. He has also received significant recognition and awards from the White House, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Washington Redskins, James Madison University, and the Tri-State Troopers Fund. In 2014, Constantine was awarded the Lincoln Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement by a veteran in providing aid and opportunities to other veterans.
Constantine has also been featured in magazines and programs, including Men’s Health, The Huffington Post, James Madison University’s Madison Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, Financial Times, and the Department of Labor’s “America’s Heroes at Work Success Stories.”
LtCol Constantine will be stopping by next Tuesday (11/29) at 4:00pm EST for a live Q&A. Ask your questions below:
Wounded Warriors
Motivation
Leadership Development
Q&A
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 38
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Thanks for your dedication to duty and your honor to country LtCol Justin Constantine!
Q: What are your thoughts of General (ret) "Mad Dog" Mattis being part of the next administration? (I completely trust and respect him and would serve with him again anytime!)
Q: What are your thoughts of General (ret) "Mad Dog" Mattis being part of the next administration? (I completely trust and respect him and would serve with him again anytime!)
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LTC Stephen C.
LtCol Justin Constantine, even though I did not have a question, I do think that CSM Michael J. Uhlig's question is worthy of a response.
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LtCol Justin Constantine
Thanks CSM. I think we would be very fortunate to have General Mattis serving in a leadership position in this administration. I have met him several times, including once right after I was wounded and most recently at a course I took last year at Stanford University for veterans who wanted to start their own businesses. My impression is that he thinks deeply about relevant issues, and also reads a lot of what other experts have written. In fact, one of topics he talked about with our class was as a leader, if you aren't taking time to reflect on what works and what doesn't, you can assume that none of your people are either, and that isn't good for anyone. I think that is a great philosophy for whatever you are doing in life, whether it is leading troops, running a business or taking care of your personal life.
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Thanks for your service and dedication LtCol Justin Constantine No question- just my respect and thanks.
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What do you see are some of the major challenges affecting veterans obtaining good jobs?
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LtCol Justin Constantine
Thanks Ian. I think there are a few steps every service member can take to elevate their chances of securing a fulfilling career.
1. Work with someone on your resume so it reads the way private sector HR professionals are used to and can understand. There are many free services out there for this- too many of us use military acronyms that nobody else understands or don't explain their accomplishments correctly.
2. Practice interviewing. Again, there are free services out there for this, and chances are you have not sat through corporate interviews before. Granted, some HR folks need to learn a lot more about how to interview veterans, but you can't do anything about that.
3. Many of us don't do any research to find the best geographic locations for the jobs we want that are going to be in demand in the future. Take the time to do that, and you can find those resources at the places I mentioned in previous responses.
4. Finally, if you are still in the military, start your search early so you have the time to find the job that is a really good fit for you, and not one that you have to take because you have no other options.
1. Work with someone on your resume so it reads the way private sector HR professionals are used to and can understand. There are many free services out there for this- too many of us use military acronyms that nobody else understands or don't explain their accomplishments correctly.
2. Practice interviewing. Again, there are free services out there for this, and chances are you have not sat through corporate interviews before. Granted, some HR folks need to learn a lot more about how to interview veterans, but you can't do anything about that.
3. Many of us don't do any research to find the best geographic locations for the jobs we want that are going to be in demand in the future. Take the time to do that, and you can find those resources at the places I mentioned in previous responses.
4. Finally, if you are still in the military, start your search early so you have the time to find the job that is a really good fit for you, and not one that you have to take because you have no other options.
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Sgt Ian Richmond
Thank you for your time and response. I will research these things and get to work.
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Sheila Soto
A1C (Anonymous) - Good 4 U! I Am from MI. Orig. &The 70's to about 81 was Amazing Jobs in the Auto Industry. Was no doubt why, we were able to put so many to work in Jackson,MI. Unfortunately, America changed Immensely after 81! Even With My Family, We Moved to Dallas, which was Amazing Jobs in Nursing. They were Building Hospitals & Clinics at A Rapid Rate. Was never without at least 2 Jobs! That is When the North moved South! A Bumper Sticker in Jackson said "Last One Out, Turn Off The Lights"! Have been in San Antonio, TX. 35 yrs & Is Military City USA! We R so dedicated to Our Military! Jobs, Education, Sm. Houses to care 4 Our Homeless Vets! Builders build Homes accessible to the Wounded often 4 Free. The biggest Job in SA is Cyber Security! Education in that area is badly needed!
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