The Military Wire with Mike Schindler

The Importance of Mentorship and Knowing Your Value

Inc magazine published an article Why a Mentor is A Must – and in it movie maker George Lucas noted, "Mentors have a way of seeing more of our faults that we would like. It's the only way we grow." 

 

In this episode of The Military Wire, you'll hear from a military mom Andrea Biwer, also the Executive Director of Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce in the Greater Chicago area who is transforming how their community is honoring and positioning veterans for success and she shares how they are helping Veterans understand their value. You'll also hear from Marne Diethorn, Director of Human Resources at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines who is also a Marine, no longer on active duty, and she shares how mentorship played a role in her corporate success and how mentorship will be key to your success.

If you want to truly grow, find a mentor. 

 

How To Translate Your Military Experience with Starbucks HR Director Dave Van Slambrook

Your military training likely positioned you well to be an asset in corporate. But...you need to translate it so the hiring manager understands how you will add value. 

In this episode, David Van Slambrook, Director, Human Resources, Law & Corporate Affairs and Finance at Starbucks, who previous to this job served 28 years in the United States Army, served as a garrison commander, battalion commander, Inspector General, asst. Chief of Staff for United States Pacific Command and retired out as a colonel, shares how he struggled a bit but then got his "break" and how he is helping Veterans "get their break" by better translating their experience.

If you've ever wanted to work at an international company that values Veterans and military spouses, be sure to look up David on LinkedIn and message him directly.

 

The Last Full Measure: Hollywood Director Shares His Thoughts on Those Who Serve

In this latest episode, longtime Hollywood director Todd Robinson shares his thoughts on those who serve our country in uniform - and how this service above self mentality can truly shape your future. 

Todd's latest film, The Last Full Measure, tells the true story of Vietnam War hero William H. Pitsenbarger (Jeremy Irvine), a U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen (also known as a PJ) medic who personally saved over sixty men. The film tackles many issues some wrestled with in Vietnam while also uncovering a “cover up” that, when exposed, brought closure to many.

When we all look at our service - the acts performed, the missions accomplished, the tasks completed may not be worthy of a Medal of Honor, but they are worth knowing you accomplished something 93% of Americans have never achieved: service to your country in the military. 

The Last Full Measure is a must-see. It has an A-list cast, it tackles some issues often left unaddressed and it is in many ways therapeutic. 

 

Finding Your Mission, Purpose & Identity with Special Forces/Operator & Best-Selling author Brad Taylor

Mission. Purpose. Identity. Three words that are clearly understood by most who serve in our military. And then we get out and some lose sight of this – it becomes a journey to “find our place” after service. Our guest on The Military Wire – former Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel Brad Taylor, now best selling author, will shed light on how he found his mission, purpose, and identity after his service to our country – and we’ll talk about his latest book “Hunter Killer” on this episode of the Military Wire.

Best-selling author Brad Taylor served more than 21 years in the US Army Infantry, retiring as a Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel. Numerous infantry and SF positions, including eight years in the 1^st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta where he commanded multiple troops and a squadron – he’s conducted operations in numerous locations, including Iraq, Afghanistan and other classified locations – he also served as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at The Citadel in Charleston, SC.  His books have sold over 2 million copies.

To learn more about Brad, visit his FB profile or visit Hunter Killer. 

From Top of Class to Most Invisible: Finding Your Identity After Service with Jen Anthony

Identity. In the military our identity – who we are, our rank, our mission, our purpose, is all packaged pretty tightly. We know where we stand in the ranks, others know our skills and accomplishments from the ribbons and medals on our uniforms (chest candy) and the newest recruit, boot, airman knows exactly what level of respect to display just by looking at a uniform. Identity in the military is not a secret.

And then we get it. And all of that changes. Today’s guest on The Military Wire is Jen Anthony. Jen served 20 years in the US Air Force achieving the highest enlisted rank of E-9, Chief Master Sergeant. Only one percent of the enlisted force reach the rank of "Chief" and she did so at a time when the total population of female service members was less than 19%. She has worked all over the world to include places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, and Turkey. While in service, she specialized in offensive and defensive cyberspace operations coupled with a strong background in leadership and professional development.

She shares her story how she went from being in the 1% club of enlisted to transitioning and becoming what felt to be the most invisible Veteran in the country. Her journey and her experience isn't unique and her method to discovering her new identity is one you can duplicate.

Be sure to check out this episode if you are about to transition - or have transitioned. 

 

 

 

 

HR Expert David Alsop Shares How He Overcame Veteran Myths and Stereotypes

Veteran myths and stereotypes seem to take on a life of their own - and sometimes influence HR hiring decisions. HR Expert David Alsop, Senior Director and Head of Human Resources for Ultradent, a global dental and orthodontic manufacturing company that has experienced non-stop growth for over 30 years, shares how he personally held some misconceptions and how today he not only advocates for the skills, abilities and leadership veterans bring to the workplace but makes it a point to influence other hiring managers to understand the value Veterans bring.

To learn more about the hiring opportunities at Ultradent, visit their website at www.ultradent.com or visit David Alsop on his LinkedIn profile.

HR Expert Wymillian Cobb Shares How to Become a Top Tier Leader in Corporate

How does one become a top tier leader – and where does one start after military service to get on this pathway to corporate leadership? We’ll unpack this topic today with one our nation’s top Hospitality Recruiters & Human Resources Executive – who just happens to also be an Artificial Intelligence Enthusiast.

There are hundreds of books on leadership – and those of us who have served in the military in many ways can clearly see how we can advance to the next level of positional leadership – what time is required, what certifications or qualifications. But corporate is different. There isn’t always a clear path to the next level of leadership. And even if you are a top tier leader in the military doesn’t automatically guarantee you a top tier leadership position in corporate.

Our guest today on The Military Wire is Wymillian Cobb, one of our nation’s top Hospitality Recruiters & Human Resources Executives with over 14 years’ experience - who just happens to also be an Artificial Intelligence Enthusiast. She and her husband own have an HR Staffing firm, VJT Strategic HR Hospitality and one of their primary areas of focus is to help those who get into the industry succeed and grow to become top tier leaders.

To learn more about how Wymillian may be able to help you, visit her at Wymillian Cobb.

Lessons from Elite Military Units for Creating and Sustaining High Performance Leaders and Teams

Have you ever just "lost motivation" or if you lead teams, felt your teams just don't seem to be engaged? In this episode of The Military Wire, you'll hear from one of America's Elite and top performers, Eric Kapitulik, on how to re-engage and how to engage your teams so that you truly can achieve your best year yet.

Erik Kapitulik, founder and CEO of the Program, is a former Infantry Officer and Special Operations Officer with 1^st Force Reconnaissance Company, 1^st Marine Division. He received his MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business in 2005 and Founded The Program in 2008. He’s participated in eight IronMan Triathlons, The Canadian Death Race Ultra Marathon, The Eco Challenge, And The America Birkebeiner Ski Marathon. He has summitted five of the Seven Summits: Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. McKinley, Mt. Aconcagua, Mt. Elbrus, and most recently, Mt. Everest.

To learn more about Eric and how he can help you achieve your best year yet, visit TheProgram.org

Defining Your Brand After Service - with Global Chief Human Resources Officer at The Engine Group Dianne DeSevo

What does it mean to be you after that uniform comes off? And how do you even start defining your own personal brand? In this episode of The Military Wire, Dianne DeSevo, Global Chief Human Resources for one of the top global branding companies, shares how you define and build your brand after your military service.

Dianne is no stranger to helping companies (and individuals) build their brands. Today, with The Engine Group – a global creative media and marketing company - Dianne continues to help global companies "brand" their identities. And those same techniques and strategies work for individuals. 

Prior to The Engine, she served as Vice President of Human Resources at Disney ABC Television and Director of Human Resources at Time Warner.

To learn more about The Engine Group, visit their website.

To reach out to Dianne, ping her on Linkedin and just let her know you heard about her on The Military Wire. 

Effectively Communicating vs Selling Your Value with MilSpouse and HR Specialist Michelle Olson

Communicating vs Selling your Value. I think we’ve all heard the adage “people don’t like to be sold, they love to buy.” Sitting before someone in HR – hoping to get that job – sometimes may feel like having to do a sales job. You are competing against countless others and this is your one chance to turn the head of the employer and close the deal. 

But is there a difference in selling vs communicating value and do the approaches have different outcomes.

In this episode of The Military Wire, you'll hear from Michelle Olson, a military spouse, also a military employment counselor - and a Human Resource Specialist for a Berkshire Hathaway Company – (think Warren Buffet) - Johns Manville, who’s products are used in a wide variety of industries including building products, aerospace, automotive and transportation, filtration, commercial interiors, waterproofing and wind energy. A proud member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, we serve customers in more than 80 countries around the globe. 

 She shares her perspective from a the spouse lens as well as the HR lens - and you'll want to take notes.  

To learn more about the opportunities at Johns Mansville, visit their website or reach out to Michelle. 

(**Slight audio issue at 4:54 but then the interview resumes)