Boots About Business

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bab_030_jason_marchant.jpg Jason Marchant won’t tell you to not get a degree, but he will tell you don’t let not having one prevent you from applying for a job. That’s how he did it. And in a couple years, he went from a veteran in transition, and wondering what he’d do with his life, to having a career in sales and business card with the title of “president” of a franchise. Today he leads a sales team for a company called Fine Tune. When he hires, he doesn’t require a college degree. Instead, he looks for people willing to put in the effort, and he’ll train them on the skills needed. Jason is a former Marine that later served in the Army Reserve and deployed to Afganistan (there’s a lot of former Marines in the Army Guard and Reserve). On this episode, he shares how he wound up with a career in sales. Show links: * Connect with Jason on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmarchantfinetune/) * Jason’s employer Fine Tune (http://www.finetuneus.com/careers) * Sales books Jason recommends for professional development: 1) Fanatical Prospecting (https://www.amazon.com/Fanatical-Prospecting-audiobook/dp/B01HMUWHVU/) by Jeb Blount 2) The Ultimate Sales Machine (https://www.amazon.com/The-Ultimate-Sales-Machine-audiobook/dp/B000VRA0ZW/) by Chet Holmes 3) The Slight Edge (https://www.amazon.com/Slight-Edge-Turning-Disciplines-Massive/dp/193594486X/) by Jeff Olson _

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/bab_029_starr_corbin.jpg After leaving the Army Starr Corbin took a job for which she felt she was overqualified. But she took it anyway and excelled. In few years, she was running the shop that eventually led opportunities with companies like CapGemini, iHeartRadio, and eventually her own consulting company. Today she leads the software team for a robotics startup in Austin, TX. On this episode she describes how she made a career out of tech – and how she still relies the principles of project management and “servant leadership” she learned in the Army. Links from the show: Starr Corbin on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/starrcorbin/) Starr’s employer (https://www.diligentrobots.com/) Starr’s consulting business (https://corbinsolutionsgroup.com/) https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/HELO-Ride-1.jpg https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Starr-and-James-Army.jpg

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/bab_028_chuck_kluball_home_depot-scaled.jpg After Chuck Kluball transitioned out of the Army, he spent months applying for jobs and sending out resumes. In fact, he says he submitted about 400 applications and received no responses. Zero. Home Depot was at the top of his most wanted list and he sent some 40 applications to positions there and had the same result: No call backs. No interviews. And no job offers. Still, he preserved, and he obviously is working for Home Depot today. On this podcast he explains what the experience taught him, how he finally landed a job, and shares advice he has for veterans seeking jobs in business. Links discussed on the show: Chuck Kluball on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-kluball/) Home Depot Military careers (https://careers.homedepot.com/career-areas/military-2/) Vetlanta (https://vetlanta.org/) and Vetlanta on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/vetlanta/) DoD Skillbridge (https://dodskillbridge.usalearning.gov/how-to-apply.htm) LinkedIn Group: DoD Skillbridge Community of Practice (https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12257076/) https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/bab_028_chuck_kluball_101.jpg

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/bab_027_michael_winters.jpg Many of the lessons Michael Winters applies to his small business, he learned in the Army. He and a buddy started researching what it take to open a landscaping business while he was still wearing the uniform. In fact, they started mowing lawns part-time, in off duty hours, to get things going. It wasn’t easy, but then Mike says a lot of the things that helped him to be successful with a small business, are things he learned in the service – like an “insane” work ethic and organizational skills. Links: On Facebook: ThirtySeasons LLC (https://www.facebook.com/ThirtySeasonsLLC) Email: thirtyseasonsmike (at) gmail (dot) com 1-175th Infantry website (https://www.175infantryregiment.com/) and on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/1st-Battalion-175th-Infantry-Regiment-122834911107845/)

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/bab_026_dj_faldowski.jpeg It was 9/11. That’s what gave him the motivation to join the service. DJ Faldowski went on to graduate from Annapolis and serve in the Navy SEALs. He spent nine years in the Navy and multiple deployments before he decided to transition out. He wound up working in private equity, which is an elite aspect of finance. He later moved into business development and operations. Today he’s a program manager at SERVEPRO, which is currently owned by the private equity firm Blackstone. He also gives back to the veteran community by supporting a charity called Legacies Alive. Links: • Connect with DJ on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/djfaldowski/) • The charity DJ supports: Legacies Alive (https://legaciesalive.com/) • DJ’s current employer, SERVEPRO (https://www.servpro.com/) • SERVPRO Receives 2020 Hire Vets Award from U.S. Dept. of Labor (https://www.servpro.com/201110-hirevets) • Private equity firm Blackstone’s commitment to veterans (https://www.blackstone.com/our-commitment-to-us-veterans/)

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/bab_025_chris_kennedy.jpeg Christopher Kennedy joined the Marines as a communications officer, and almost by accident wound up in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity was still a nascent industry then, but the experience served him well over his career. He’s worked in high profile cybersecurity gigs across multiple vertical markets, including government and finance, and also in organizations big and small, with companies like AttackIQ and Northrup Grumman. Today he’s a senior cybersecurity executive at a large financial institution While we’ve covered cybersecurity a couple times on the show, there is opportunity here because it’s a growing sector. And Chris has a truly unique background and a lot of stories, so I think listeners will enjoy it. Links: • Connect with Chris on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherkennedyatattackiq/) • DoD SkillBridge Program (https://dodskillbridge.usalearning.gov/) • Defense contractor Northrup Grumman on transitioning veterans (https://www.northropgrumman.com/careers/veterans-transitioning-to-civilian-careers-job-search-and-networking-strategies/)

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bab_024_adam_braatz.jpeg Adam Braatz joined the Air Force to play the piano. A professional trained musician, he was among the few that audition and selected for the Air Force band. That experience took him around the world – before transitioning to a Military Training Instructor (MTI). Today he serves as Vice President, Communications & Programming at the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce. There he works with an “ecosystem” of partners that build networks, programs and connections to foster business opportunity for veterans. Having worked with many veterans and the organization that hires them, he shares some tips for veterans in transition on this episode. Show links: * Connect with Adam on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/abraatz/) * Adam's organization: Wisconsin Veteran’s Chamber of Commerce (https://wiveteranschamber.org/) * Adam’s blog: Veterans, Loyalty, and “Promotion from Within” (https://www.adambraatz.com/post/veterans-loyalty-and-promotion-from-within)

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bab_023_kent_wilson.jpeg Some veterans struggle with finding purpose after military service. It’s hard to match the idealism of uniformed service – that is being part of something bigger than oneself. Kent Wilson, however, found purpose in his work in cybersecurity. The mission is very real every day, but it took a dinner with some old buddies that were still serving in the Army – after he got out – to make that point. Today he’s the vice president of Customer Experience at Bricata, which is a network security provider. In this episode, he shares how his uniformed experiences as an infantryman and paratrooper have influenced his career. He also describes how he got into cybersecurity and shares his advice for other veterans considering the field. Show links: Connect with Kent on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kent-wilson-145002a/) Kent’s employer: Bricata (https://bricata.com/careers/) Free tech training for veterans: With You With Me (https://www.withyouwithme.com/) Cybersecurity training resource: Cybrary (https://www.cybrary.it/) Cybersecurity training resource: SANS Institute (https://www.sans.org/)

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/bab_022_timothy_dance.jpeg Some of the conventional popular food delivery services are missing important elements: tamper proof measures, temperature control technology and other food safety issues. That’s a big part of where Timothy Dance sees a niche for his business idea. An Air Force veteran turned chef and entrepreneur, he walks us through his plans as he builds out a company– and also explains how his training in the Air Force lends itself to business. Show links: * Connect with Tim on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-dance-3b6800126/) * Tim’s business: Dancin' Delivery (https://www.dancindelivery.com) * Dancin' Delivery Launches "Operation: Santa CAUSE (https://georgiachron.com/ganews/dancin-delivery-launches-operation-santa-cause-to-support-the-georgia-military-community-georgiachron-10092505)" To Support The Georgia Military Community

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bab_021_beau_higgins.jpg One of the skills Beau Higgins says veterans bring to business is an ability to operate in chaos. That is when things are chaotic – veterans learn to focus on getting things done. For 25 years, Beau got things done in the Marine Corps. He’s a retired colonel that held roles from intelligence to Marine Recon and went all over the world. Today, he is a Senior Manager of Military Talent Acquisition for Amazon. Amazon is a company that also strives to attract people that get things done. In fact, one of its leadership principles is all about getting things done: bias for action. He talks to us a little bit about that and describes some of the programs Amazon has in place to attract military veterans. Links discussed on the show: Beau Higgins on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauhiggins1/) Resource: Amazon Military Webinar Series (https://amznmilitaryaffairswebinairs.splashthat.com/) Resource: Amazon Careers: Military Recruiting (https://www.amazon.jobs/en/military) Video: Amazon pledges to hire 25,000 veterans (https://youtu.be/206DGGhE8jM) Factoid: Amazon Leadership Principles (https://www.amazon.jobs/en/principles) Transition: DoD SkillBridge internship program (https://dodskillbridge.usalearning.gov/faq.htm) Charity: The Travis Manion Foundation (https://www.travismanion.org/)501(c)(3) Ted Talk: The 50 cups of coffee challenge (https://youtu.be/rswXftHfzps)

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bab_020_nathan_iglesias.jpeg Nathan Iglesias joined the California Army National Guard right after 9/11 – and after graduating college he essentially spent the next six years on active duty. He was trained as an intelligence officer, attended the military’s language school where he learned Dari, and later deployed to Afghanistan. He eventually came off active duty and was recruited by Google. While he remains a member of the Army National Guard, we talk on this episode today about how he finds balance between these two demanding roles, perhaps more importantly, and how in many ways his career in the Army and at Google complement each other. *Note: *The views Nathan expressed on the show are his along and not necessarily reflective of Google, the California National Guard or the U.S. Army. Show Notes and Links: Nathan on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-iglesias-b37b3b88/) Nathan’s post on the Google blog: How Google supports military communities (https://blog.google/inside-google/life-at-google/veterans-day-2020/) Careers: Veterans and their families make great Googlers (https://careers.google.com/programs/veterans/) Grow with Google: For Veterans and Military Families (ttps://grow.google/programs/veterans-commitment/) (resources)

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bab_019_Jaime_Chapman.jpg When Jaime Chapman married into the Army, she experienced firsthand how difficult it is to find a job or maintain a career. While she did find work as a DoD contractor running programs for veterans in transition, the contract nature of the work meant her employment was subject to budget constraints. Despite three promotions, when she was laid off for the second time, she decided to become an entrepreneur out of necessity and started a staffing agency. She started out writing resumes for transitioning Soldiers, but then with her personal and professional experience, realized a better niche was helping military spouses. Today, she’s helped thousands of military spouses find jobs and careers and she shares what she’s learned in this episode. Links to resources discussed on the show: Jaime’s talent acquisition and recruiting business focused on military spouses (https://jchapman.com) For employers: Military Spouse Employment Partnership (https://msepjobs.militaryonesource.mil/msep/) (Military OneSource) For service members and spouses: USO Pathfinder Program (https://www.uso.org/programs/uso-pathfinder-transition-program) (career counseling, professional development and transition assistance) Hire Heroes USA (https://www.hireheroesusa.org) US Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce (https://milspousechamber.org)

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bab_018_craig_hatcher.jpg Craig Hatcher joined the Navy as a Nuclear Machinist Mate looking after the reactors and associated equipment that powered the nuclear ship to which he was assigned. He later got out, and worked for UPS, until his wife’s interest and budding career in real estate drew him in as well. Today, Craig runs his own real estate brokerage. On this episode we talk to him a bit about what it takes to become an agent and the steps veterans can take if a career in real estate sounds interesting. We also ask about his take on the housing market and the associated benefits many veterans have earned like VA loans and IRRLs. *Links: * Find Craig on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-hatcher-963a0a14/) Craig’s business: Georgia Residential Realty (http://grratl.com/), LLC National Association of Realtors - certified military home relocation professionals (http://www.militaryrelocationpro.org/find-mrp/why-use-mrp) Department of Veteran’s Affairs info on VA loans (https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/index.asp) Military.com: IRRRL Facts for Veterans (https://www.military.com/money/va-loans/irrrl-facts-for-veterans.html) Nerd Wallet: VA Streamline Refinance (VA IRRRL); A Fast Way to a Better Mortgage (https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/va-streamline-refinance-or-irrrl-what-is-it-how-does-it-work)

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/bab_17_herb_thompson.jpg When Herb Thompson was getting ready to retire from the Army, he had no idea what he would do next in his career. However, the uncertainty is something he was trained to deal with, and he used those skills to start planning his next mission to the civilian world. He didn’t know much about LinkedIn, but he got on it and just reached to people asking for advice. The effort led to an astounding 2,000 informational phone calls where he just asked a lot of questions about career options. People were just generally willing to help. Those conversations led him to consider a career as a management consultant. He narrowed down his “targets” to a few management consulting firms and went to work trying to land a job. Here’s the thing: He submitted some 1,000 job applications and less than 1% led to interviews and zero job offers. He landed his first corporate gig through networking and relationship building. Today, he’s turned to helping other veterans. He’s penned about his experience called The Transition Mission: A Green Beret’s approach to transition from military service (https://www.amazon.com/Transition-Mission-approach-transition-military/dp/1734301503) (100% of the profits goes to charity). Links: Herb on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/herb-thompson-sf2biz/) Herb on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sf2biz/) _Inc. Magazine: _This True Story of a Harrowing Special Forces Combat Mission Teaches 11 Brilliant Lessons in Leadership (https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/this-true-story-of-a-harrowing-special-forces-combat-mission-teaches-11-brilliant-lessons-in-leadership.html) Transcript: Frank: ... and welcome everybody to episode number 17 of The Boots About Business podcast. I am your host Frank Strong, and here with us today is Herb Thompson. He is a former green beret and today serves as a management consultant with Accenture. Here's an interesting story on transitioning, which actually led him to write and publish a book on the topic, it's called The Transition Mission, and we're going to get into that later in the show. Welcome to the show, sir. Herb: Hey Frank, appreciate you having me on, man. I'm happy to be here and look forward to put out some good info and have a good discussion. Frank: Glad to have you. So the first question I always ask people is the question about the uniforms, the uniting theme in the show, why did you join the service? And then what inspired you to go SF, special forces? Herb: Growing up in upstate New York, there wasn't a whole lot of options where I came from, and ever since I was little kid I wanted to join the military. The army was the first recruiter I went to and had they not come through, I would have been out of the Marine Corps. So thankfully the army recruiter came through and then the rest is history, there was not a huge family connection, I found out later my grandpa was in the Korean war, but I found that after I joined. And then I had two goals, to be a drill sergeant and earn my green beret. I had saw an article in National Geographic in the school library about it when I was a younger kid and that just made me want to be a green beret even before I knew really what it was just from that article. And fortunately, I was able to accomplish both of my goals in the military I've done my 20 years. Frank: So there's a lot of myths and maybe misinformation and Hollywood effication, if you will, of what the special forces are, what the green berets do, and it's now an opportunity we have a chance to talk to somebody that actually served in that capacity every day, so let me ask you, what is it that green berets do? Herb: Green berets are expert in unconventional warfare. That is what we do now. There's other things we do, but we are one of the few, if only force, especially in America that goes over and works by, with, and through a government force or indigenous force, whether that's government or non-government. So we don't have to send in 500 Americans from an infantry battalion of Marines or army, but you could send in 12 green berets, we're self-sustaining, we do our own thing there, come back out, it's just a numbers game. So mass producing, build rapport, really assimilate and learn a culture while doing that through accomplishing strategic missions. Herb: It comes in all shapes and form. A lot of in Iraq, people got into it with the kind of the Rambo as part of it, of door kicking and running and gunning, but really how I've always looked at is as a green beret, if you're shooting your weapon, either something's gone really wrong or you messed up, because you should be getting all these indigenous forces or somebody else to shoot for you and it's really by using your brain over the brawn. Frank: This even reminds me of a term that we see pop up in the business world nowadays, the idea of force multiplication or force multiplier. Herb: Yeah, that's what it is, force multiplier. The best pie of the best modern example or semi-modern is right after 9/11, the few green berets that went in there was a few other people on the ground from people that don't exist. But then those green berets, in about six weeks had Northern Afghanistan secure and that was by working through the Northern Alliance. So that is a model of what a green beret is supposed to do. Frank: Great. And that was turned into a book, I believe it's called Ghost Soldiers. Herb: Horse Soldiers. Frank: Horse Soldiers, that's right, and then later a movie. Herb: The movie 12 Strong, which obviously they get into more of the shooting or the cool guy aspect of it. It's boring to go, "Oh wow, you went in there and you just talked to him, and he rode out a horse and then you called in some air strikes," it doesn't... it's not cool. Frank: That was amazing. So you personally, I imagine you've been to a lot of special places, is there one or two that stand out in your mind? Herb: Yeah. The current war zones where we've been, I spent all my time in Middle East. So just about every country in the Middle East, I've been to. I wouldn't say any of them stick out. The one that always sticks out is coming back to America and being happy when I hit boots on ground here, that's the one that sticks out to me, and why I did what I did. That was always this special moment, not that I didn't enjoy downrange and that's what I live for in a lot of ways, but getting back here is the special moment. Frank: I couldn't agree more, well said. This is a somber question, but I ask almost everybody that comes on the show, what was your worst day in uniform? Herb: Multiple ones. It's when you lose a buddy. When you lose a brother, a sister, however, pin on the listeners, that is the toughest days. When you sign up for combat arms, it's going to happen, or if you're in special operations, it's a threat, but a lot of times you don't believe it can happen to you or you accept it. But those are definitely the hardest days, those times, or even now that I'm out and I hear about something happening, even if I don't know him, I know of the person. So those are the tough days. Frank: For sure. And then the flip side of that question is what was your best day? Herb: I think of a couple of missions I had that were just awesome, doing what a green beret is supposed to do. Surrounded, fighting within ditch and no other care in the world and just happy. But I would actually say probably surprisingly, that was my last day. I didn't even have a uniform on, I left base, didn't look back in the rear view mirror and I was like, "All right, next chapter, the life let's go." So I will say that is what I look back now as the best day. Frank: Awesome. No doubt, a great day. Looking back, what do you think the service taught you that is applicable to your business world today? Herb: Everything, I use it every day. A little context, I joined straight out of high school at the age of 17. I had a little bit of job, but there was no... I was 17 years old when I joined, so everything I learned while I was in the army, I grew up, I became a man in the army and everything that has taught me I use it today. I will say, even now doing a graduate degree in Ivy League School, a lot, even what I'll move forward using is what I've learned in the military with just a little bit of tweaks and flares from what they added to my education. Frank: That's awesome. And since you mentioned it, where are you taking your graduate degree now? Herb: I'm doing an executive MBA at Cornell. Frank: Awesome. Herb: So again, will not go in there without my military experience, but more importantly, selling has shown the value of my military experience and what I would bring is same with the job. Frank: Do you think, this is an ad hoc question, but your experience in unconventional warfare is an asset as you pursue your graduate studies? Herb: It's huge, not just graduate studies and business, because it's all about people. How do you study a problem set? How do you study people? How do you get them to do what you want to do? How are you able to analyze problem sets and filter data? All that is the same for school, it's for business, so it definitely plays in big time. Frank: I don't want to dig into the transition part. And you mentioned one of your best days in uniforms really is leaving and never looking back, proud of a career but turning the page. So to speak, you have an interesting story, a project that you did as you transitioned, tell us about that, what happened and how did it unfold? Herb: Started two years out from my proposed retirement and I didn't have a clue. I knew I didn't know what I didn't know, and I knew I didn't know a lot. So I was like, "How am I going to do this?" And I knew I didn't want to become a statistic. I didn't have anything to go back home from where I grew up. So it was, "What do I know? I know how to plan missions. I know how to plan out conventional warfare." H

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bab_016_todd_connor.png Todd Connor is a Navy veteran that has really done some interesting things. He’s worked for big companies like Booz Allen, he’s run his own consulting firm, and he’s even run for elected office. However, two of the things that he’s done that we’ll talk about on the show is an organization he founded called Bunker Labs and a book he has coming out with Wiley called Third Shift Entrepreneur: Keep Your Day Job, Build Your Dream Job. Links: * Todd on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddconnor/) * Todd on Twitter (https://twitter.com/ToddConnor) * Todd’s book and website: Third Shift Entrepreneur (https://thirdshiftentrepreneur.com/) * Bunker Labs (https://bunkerlabs.org/) * Bunker Labs is "a 501(c)(3) non-profit – is a national network of veteran and milspouse entrepreneurs dedicated to helping the military connected community start their own business."

My friend Tom Deierlein posted an update to LinkedI (https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6732017553482235905/)n that reads: To all my Veteran friends: When people thank you for your service tomorrow and all days. Don’t say "you’re welcome." Tell them how you really feel: "It was my honor and a privilege." Tom was the first interview for this podcast series -- so it you haven't listened yet, go check it out: Persistence and Grit: Tom Deierlein CEO of Thundercat Technology (https://www.bootsaboutbusiness.com/1) (to date it's the episode with the most downloads). But his note reminded me of another veteran who has a philosophy that goes like this: Be a better veteran than you were a Soldier. That inspired me to produce this short edition and special message. Thank you for listening. Thank you for your service. And have a Happy Veteran's Day. We'll be back next week with another regular episode.

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/bab_015_elliot_marks_.jpg Veterans are quick learners that are loyal and perform well under pressure. They have a sense of integrity, selflessness, teamwork and resiliency. However, articulating these things and other transferable skills onto a civilian resume one of the hardest things for veterans in transition to do. So says Elliott Marks who has had two careers in recruiting – one in unform and a second time in the business world. He started his career on active duty with the US Army, serving in mechanized and airborne infantry units, and later transitioned to the NC National Guard. There he largely served in recruiting before retiring a few years ago as a Sergeant Major. Today, he’s an executive recruiter at insightsoftware (https://insightsoftware.com/), a Raleigh-based technology company, and he shares some tips and resources that veterans can tap into to help. Links and resources mentioned on the show: Elliott on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliott-marks-157587130/) insightsoftware career page (https://insightsoftware.com/careers/) Hire Heroes USA (https://www.hireheroesusa.org/) Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/) American Legion (https://www.legion.org/) Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (https://iava.org/)

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/bab_014_josh_wilson.jpg Joshua Wilson is a Corporate Relationship Manager at America's Warrior Partnership. The organization is a non-profit aimed at empowering communities to empower veterans. That involves many different things, but Josh is focused on helping businesses set up military affairs programs. Military affairs programs are designed to help businesses attract and retain veteran employees. In addition, they also help attracted military spouses, which is an untapped source of talent. Josh is especially well suited to the job. He is a former Marine that later went on to earn JD and an MBA – and then went on to work as a public defender. Another veteran recruited him to America's Warrior Partnership. He joins us on this episode to share what he’s learned and provide some ideas for businesses interested in establishing such a program. Links: Joshua Wilson on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuawadewilson/) Contact Josh by email: jwilson -at- americas warrior partnership -dot- org America’s Warrior Partnership (https://www.americaswarriorpartnership.org/) Corporate Veteran’s Initiative (https://www.americaswarriorpartnership.org/corporate-veteran-initiative) Capital One Military Careers (https://www.capitalonecareers.com/about-military) (mentioned on the show)

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/bab_013_gable_eaton.jpg When Gable Eaton saw how many pizzas his peers assigned to Marine Barracks at 8th & I ordered, he saw an opportunity. The (then) young Marine came up a plan to open a Dominoes Franchise nearby…but there was one barrier: as an active duty Marine, he’d need the Colonel to sign off on his paper work, and he didn’t quite see the opportunity the same way. But in some, way, shape or form, that experience meant Mr. Eaton was bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, and today he’s the CEO of TeqTouch based in Chattanooga, TN. TeqTouch provides a patented wearable stylus that fits on your finger – that will prevent you from having to “touch” all those point-of-sale (POS) screens at the gas station or self-checkout line in the grocery store. Links: Gable on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gable-eaton-7775a462/) Gable’s business website (https://teqtouch.com/) TeqTouch on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/utouchbyteqtouch/) TeqTouch on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/tequtouch/) TeqTouch on Twitter (https://twitter.com/TeqTouch) Bunker Labs (https://bunkerlabs.org/our-impact/) is "a 501(c)(3) non-profit – is a national network of veteran and milspouse entrepreneurs dedicated to helping the military connected community start their own business." Below is a look at the wearable stylus -- there are many more on the Instagram account above. https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/bab_013_gable_eaton_p1.jpg https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/bab_013_gable_eaton_p2.jpg

https://www.swordandthescript.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/bab_012_ruthie_bowles.jpeg Sometimes veterans struggle to translate what they did in uniform into skills that make sense in the civilian world. Ruthie Bowls spent eight years in the Army working in intelligence. When she got out of the service, she went to work for a government contractor doing much the same thing. Still, she wanted something more and one thing the Army taught her it was to perform analysis, conduct ‘audience’ identification, and write and publish ‘content.’ So, while she didn’t have marketing experience per se, much of what she learned was certainly related. Today, she’s parlayed those skills into a civilian career and a business that’s made her – her own employer. Links: Ruthie’s business (https://defythestatusquo.com/) Ruthie on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruthie-bowles/) Ruthie on Twitter (https://twitter.com/annaruthus)