The Military Wire with Mike Schindler

This NASA HR Expert Shares How to Navigate and Land a Government Job

Government jobs. Are they worth pursuing? Do they pay great? Are they secure?  On this episode of The Military Wire our guest today is going to shed light on how to effectively navigate and position yourself for a government job.

Our guest on The Military Wire is Darryl Washington / Former US Army Officer, former professor of military science at Texas A & M,  who works for NASA - the most respected government agency in the country - in Human Resources.

His span of expertise is impressive and he shares how he landed at NASA and how you could potentially land one of the many thousands of open and available government jobs.

HR Expert Betsy Kippenhan Shares What It Takes to Succeed in One of the Fastest Growing Media and Tech Companies in the World

Do you have what it takes to succeed in one of the fastest growing media and technology firms in the world? 

You likely have the skills and maybe even the training; but do you have what it takes to thrive and advance? 

Our guest on The Military Wire, Betsy Kippenhan Vice President of Human Resources - Washington Region at Comcast, shares her thoughts on not just what skills it takes, but the mindset one of the largest and fastest growing media and technology companies in the world looks for in their employees.

Ms. Kippenhan serves as an executive leader of all HR-related activities for Comcast throughout the state of Washington. She is also the leading executive in the state for building a workforce that includes active military/reservists and military veterans, as well as women and minorities/people of color. 

She previously served as Comcast’s West Division Vice President of Talent Management and Operations in Denver, Col, where she oversaw talent acquisition practices across 14 states. 

For more information on available careers, visit: https://jobs.comcast.com/programs/military

Military Spouse Shares The Impact Animal Assisted Therapy Can Have on Veterans

Fighting depression, anxiety and even moral injury for those who serve can be a battlefront that is tough to win. In this episode, you'll hear from a military spouse and clinical director who shares how animal assisted therapy can be a life saver. 

Many of us know someone who has struggled with depression, sadness, unresolved emotional issues – I think all of us know someone who has.  Mental health conditions are common in the United States. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (46.6 million in 2017). More than 1.7 million Veterans received treatment in a VA mental health specialty program in fiscal year 2018.

Yet, often there is a stigma attached to getting help – and while there is no better alternative to getting one on one help, there are some effective ways to help address some of these issues without having to walk through the clinic doors. Our guest on The Military Wire, Prairie Conlon, LPC, has a Master’s Degree in professional counseling and a Postgraduate Degree in Military Behavioral health counseling. She was recently featured on MILITARY MAKEOVER with Montel Williams, and is also a military spouse. She's lived what she is discussing on this episode and shares how animal-assisted therapy can greatly benefit a Veteran or a military spouse. 

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.