Don Gabrielson’s Post

Lead by example, Ductus Exemplo. This is the motto of Marine Corps Officer Candidate School, where I received my first military training.  It is essential for leaders, both military and civilian. In the Marines, this meant I would make a point of doing any tasks my Marines did, from taking a turn cranking up a 110’ telescoping antenna, to serving as an augment on convoys in Afghanistan. But what does this look like in an office?  ·      Keep the hours you expect your team to keep. ·      Follow the procedures you expect your team to follow to follow (is there a team calendar people need to put PTO in?) ·      Complete required training ON TIME. What does this tell your team? ·      You understand the frustrations with some aspects of the job. (Not all required training is exciting) ·      You are holding yourself to the same standards they are held to. ·      You can help them through some questions they might have with these processes. What is the result of this? ·      You earn the trust and respect of your team. ·      People will be more likely to own mistakes, not make excuses for them. ·      You foster a positive dynamic for your team. #Leadership #DuctusExemplo

Our Beginnings. If you didn't know it, the US Patriot Chamber of Commerce started because a financial advisor & US Army veteran had clients transitioning out of the military. They had their TSP and planned to make a go out of a private sector career. Some of those clients succeeded, and others found themselves, only a few short months later, discovering that the grass wasn't as green as they thought. The corporation they worked for was not as pro veteran as they assumed, and they didn't feel like they understood how to fit in. Some of those clients ended up becoming government contractors and went back to work in the exact same space for the exact same boss they had before. We wanted to make a difference, not just in the lives of veterans, but also in the cultures of corporations. As the Patriot Chamber, we don't just want to help our transitioning service member gain employment, we want to help them sustain senior leadership roles within private sector companies. So, we take the extra step of providing mentorship, and helping our nation's heroes develop the unique skills required for private sector leadership. And we're a great place to network for both patriots and veterans! We aren't just a chamber of commerce. We are, uniquely, a chamber of commerce that is "by civilians, for veterans". This is the place where freedom works. #transitioningservicemembers #veterans US Army United States Air Force US Navy United States Marine Corps US Coast Guard Academy

Joining ABC was one of the best business decisions I have made.

Reposting for expanded reach. There is a conspicuous gap in transition support for retiring military officers. Various service policies present barriers to accessing career transition fellowships that provide valuable civilian experience. Current service career transition programs are insufficient, and the number of veteran-focused non-profit organizations highlights both the gap and need.

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): If you still represent yourself as a military member after retirement, act like it! CCM(Ret): What does that mean? While I normally will post about leadership, agriculture, education, military/veterans and other items of professional interest, today I’m pointing out a problem I’ve noticed, and I hope that together as #Veterans we can address it politely and properly.  Those who have chosen to use their last held military rank with (Ret) after it and even continue to use their military photo as their profile – I have no issue here and respect your service, as I hope you respect mine (as a retired Command Chief Master Sergeant and former public-school educator). However, if you do choose to use your military photo and/or rank in your profile, use discretion: You’re still representing your branch of service to the public. This should come with a measured approach to all reposts and comments you personally contribute to our online community. Someone with their RANK(ret) in their profile referring to the current President as a nickname derived from a NASCAR chant (I just saw this over the weekend) is not only improper, but it also degrades the public's trust and is disrespecting the uniform you choose to continue to present yourself in. Regardless of the rank you earned; you, my former colleagues, should take care when posting about the current, or former Commander in Chief or even candidates for public office. If you still represent yourself as a part of the United States Military: Act like it or change your profile! Honor and Integrity don't evaporate when you retire. I continue to work each day to live up to my core values, even though I am now USAF, retired. Please join me in keeping the public trust. #retwithhonor United States Air Force US Army United States Marine Corps US Navy United States Space Force Air National Guard Army National Guard U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) American Legion

“The fact of the matter is that we cannot function without admitting the limits of our knowledge and trusting in the expertise of others. We sometimes resist this conclusion because it undermines our sense of independence and autonomy.” Trust and responsibility form the basis of a functioning society. Everyone’s talent complements or supplements those of others. Each person must take responsibility for applying their talents in a responsible way. Tom Nichols identifies several inhibitors to achieving these conditions. Among them is his “trifecta” of misinformation - a focus on form over content, bias, and the “need for speed”. In many respects, we are all “talking past one another.” Nichols offers that in consuming information we must be more humble, “ecumenical”, less cynical and more discriminating. For military professionals, we apply expert knowledge and provide civilian leadership our “best advice” on how to apply the military instrument of power. Society will judge us and assess for malpractice. Do we inspire trust and exercise responsibility? My TOP takeaways: (1) In a world of instantaneous communication, we need to pause and THINK before transmitting. (2) Humility goes a long way in opening ourselves up to understanding. (3) Competence is not conferred, but earned through education, talent, experience and application. U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) | Marshall Scholars at the US Army School of Advanced Military Studies | The Army University | U.S. Army Combined Arms Center | US Army TRADOC | Army University Press | U.S. Naval War College

As we have recently celebrated the 80th anniversary of one of the greatest military events in American history, this article should cause us all to pause and reevaluate the military leaders that we promote. Do we currently have a George C. Marshall, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Omar Bradley, or Teddy Roosevelt Jr. in the general officer ranks of the U.S. military? The question above shouldn't be watered down to the simplistic, do we have good generals today, question. Of course, there are good generals today. Good people who work insanely dedicated and devoted hours and who sacrifice of themselves and their families to get a lot of things done. That isn't what we should be thinking about when pondering the question in the first paragraph. Do the United States of America and the Department of Defense create the kinds of officers that it used to create in terms of competence, creativity, and grit? That is my question. I have had the opportunity to work closely with more than a dozen general officers and to observe many dozens more and I can only think of one, maybe two or three, who truly 'got it' when it came to embracing the operational environment. Therefore, my answer to my above question is a resounding and emphatic, NO! I do not think that each general or flag officer is to blame for this problem. They are a product of a system that encourages mediocrity and rewards staying the safe course. While most generals encourage officers to read, I have heard only one general encourage students to study hard. I have not seen a single current Fox Conner who in the 1920s and 1930s encouraged, mentored, and instilled drive and pursuit of excellence in the hearts and souls of many of the WWII generals. Performance in Iraq and Afghanistan in combination with the commentary and advice to the Ukrainians and the Israelis since 2022 and 2023, respectively, have shown that many senior U.S. military leaders lacked the requisite understanding of war, the operational environment, strategy, and logic associated with warfighting. In so far that a god is that which creates a thing then the generals and admirals of today are children of a lesser god in that the system that created them is lesser than the system that created the generation of leaders who led across the beaches of Normandy some 80 years ago. Yes, the technology in the classroom is much better in 2024 as are all of the accoutrements of education, but the heart of a system that encouraged leaders to immerse themselves in their profession and the associated knowledge, skills, and abilities is gone. In 2024, there are many things that are more important to the officer and to the professional military education system than warfighting. https://lnkd.in/gxxZ4WHa

I often talk about how the skills and experience our ex #ArmedForces candidates gain from the military. There is growing accreditation of military experience by civilian organisations. These include professional bodies such as APM, IMechE, CILT and BCS. For example, did you know that a British Army & Royal Marine Captain, Royal Navy Lieutenant & RAF Flight Lieutenant have received leadership skills training equivalent to a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management from the CMI or ILM? #Recruitment #Leadership #RecruitArmedForces

Below are my views on some recent comments I have seen on LinkedIn There’s been an ongoing debate about the Navy widening its applicant pool, with concerns that this might weaken the force by lowering standards. This fear is understandable but based on a misconception. The Navy hasn’t lowered its standards; it still demands excellence, commitment, and capability. What has changed is the recognition that greatness doesn’t always come in a neat package. Potential can appear in different forms; only some start on equal footing. Some face challenging circumstances, lack guidance, or haven’t had the opportunity to shine on paper—but they can still become great Sailors. By expanding its aperture, the Navy is giving these individuals a chance, not by relaxing standards but by offering the structure, mentorship, and purpose needed to unlock their potential. This mirrors what veterans face when transitioning to civilian life. Employers often judge veterans by job titles or résumés without recognizing their value—leadership, teamwork, and adaptability. Like the Navy, employers need to look beyond the surface to see the potential for growth and contribution. The Navy isn’t weakening by opening its doors wider; it’s strengthening by recognizing that greatness can come from anywhere. This isn’t about changing standards—it’s about understanding that the path to excellence is different for everyone and that sometimes, all someone needs is a chance. What do you think? US Navy Infrastructure Masons Compass Datacenters Michael Quinn RADM Jim Waters Naval Submarine League U.S. Naval Institute Rick Severinghaus Bill Hamblet Bill Bray Herb Thompson Jon Macaskill #veterans #veteransupport #veteranshelpingveterans

Excellent introduction to the SCC aspect of H2F. A key component is injury prevention through appropriate and consistent PT. As this program expands ultilization, it's impact will be felt down the road as injuries go down and more adaptable soldiers are developed. Combined with the other resources within H2F, the program will strengthen and improve the quality of life for service members. #H2F