MilitaryStars Blog

Young Veterans Volunteer For Their Community and Each Other

One of our mission critical jobs here is to "break down the barrier between soldiers and civilians", so it's great to hear those words coming from a young veteran volunteering his time to do the same thing.  Veterans returning from overseas to their homes in Washington state and the all-too-common uncertainty of transition now have a group of those who have been there, and they do more than talk.  Together they volunteer their time to community improvement projects in the area, and if you don't think that can't make a difference, one of them decided to join in after not leaving his home for nine months.  Imagine how much good could be done for communities and their young veterans if this idea spreads!   

MMA Army Style

In honor of Ft. Myers' Seth Petruzelli (wow), check out Army Times' photos, video, and reporting from the 4th Annual All Army Combatives tourney in Georgia.  Great way to start off the week motivated!

Classic Rock For Veteran Causes

Some of my favorite stories here over the years have been the ones where help for veterans comes from unlikely sources.  This is a great one - I didn't realize the Doobie Brothers have done so much for veteran causes (and you, your dad, or your buddies should know that yes, they still play shows).  Their manager was exempted from Navy service by doctors, but years later, a connection formed with the head of the National Veterans Foundation.  Since then, concerts by the band and wine from their manager's vineyards have raised $2 million for veterans.   You never know where support is going to come from, so always keep an open mind and have a great week!   

From Field Artillery to the Practice Field

Thursday's a big, big day - after our Colorado Springs event, college football season is here!  Check out this story of a field artillery soldier back from Iraq and playing defensive end at college in Utah.  As I've often found with the guys I work with, this soldier's experience puts everyday problems and complaints in perspective for his teammates.  He feels lucky to still be playing a game and it rubs off on the younger players.   Being able to have his teammates' backs, to mentor, and to rely on focus and strength are all qualities that have served him well at home and abroad - they'll serve anyone well in the corporate world, too.  Hope it inspires you - have a great week! 

Soldiers' Drive to Succeed

I remember when the Segway came out, people were, at the least, a little underwhelmed after hearing it could change the world.  It's therefore refreshing to see how the machine truly has changed the lives of wounded service members through the Segs4Vets program.  Another creative, specific initiative proving that ideas for improving the lives of veterans can come from anywhere, and can lead those veterans anywhere as well.  The soldier profiled in the story helps others who are competing for the US Paralympic Hockey Team, while he's looking forward to a civilian career in IT.  I know an awesome place he could start!  Have a great week.   

Veteran, ESPY Nominee, King of the Mountain

How many times have you heard people advise you to "never let anyone tell you that you can't do something" or similar words?  From what I hear every day, in a military career or a military-friendly civilian career, you're actually being shown that you can do more than you ever thought possible every day.  You're being shown, rather than told, because it's more powerful (ask anyone selling a book of writing advice), and because it's beating back another powerful force at the same time: self-doubt letting your own head tell you that you can't do something.  If you're feeling that at any time, add this piece to your Favorites and go back to it.  Remember where your training has brought you, and what you can accomplish with it!   

Volunteers Changing Other Veterans' Lives

I've spoken with some amazing individuals who devote their lives to helping homeless veterans, including San Diego's Alpha Project.  A story from West Virginia's Herald-Dispatch.com on the state's Volunteers of America (VOA) demonstrates what a huge difference veterans can make on their fellow servicemembers' lives.  No one veteran's services organization can do it all alone.  More people thankfully are willing to help every day, and we always must realize that each of these groups plays a crucial, specific role.  Groups like VOA and Alpha Project give homeless veterans the means to take back their lives, including one day walking through the door at a hiring event and setting themselves up for success. If you don't believe it can happen, check out The Pursuit of Happyness - it's not just a movie.  VOA needs volunteers, and hopefully will inspire the rest of the nation to find more as well!

Veteran Hiring Awareness and Big League Dreams

I'm playing fantasy baseball for the first time this year (Lance Berkman! Knock on wood!), but this guy's living it, and for a great cause.  Hal Myers is a recent Army retiree with 80% service connected disability, and basically will be interning across the country, donating his time without pay, for any minor league club that will have him.  That's how badly he has always wanted a job in baseball, and he also hopes his quest raises awareness for veteran hiring in general.  Seeing a veteran pursue his dream with this dedication, a dream no doubt shared by many of us, is fantastic publicity.  The link also includes a preview of his site, where he will be blogging about what should be the journey of a lifetime.   

How To Really See Veterans' "Intangible" Skills

This is just an awesome piece.  The end details the fight for the "21st century GI Bill".  The first few paragraphs will give you chills.  It is written by Marty Conatser, National Commander of the American Legion, and when he states the following, he certainly speaks for me: "Business leaders shouldn't just hire veterans simply out of gratitude. They should hire veterans because it is smart business."  Anyone who has any doubts needs to check the link; anyone who knows it to be the truth would do well to as well.  "Intangibles" that veterans provide have rarely felt so tangible.   

Free Outdoor Adventure For Transitioning Military

Some of you may have heard of Outward Bound, an organization that hosts wilderness adventures for everyone from kids to adults.  They now offer a veteran program, with courses offered at various base camps from Maine to California.  Best of all, they recently received a grant to pay for 1,500  transitioning veterans' airfare to the camps and equipment!  The link (MileHighNews.com) demonstrates the connections the veterans are able to re-establish with one another, while making new connections with the civilians who run the programs.  More of both kinds of connections are always needed and this is a one-of-a-kind way to make them.