Entryway’s Post

Recognizing those who go above and beyond is crucial

I’m reaching out to let you know that I know how it feels to be laid off. When I left active duty in the Marine Corps, I had to go on employment because I couldn’t find a job right away. I’ve been there and have experienced the lack of confidence and self doubt that accompanies it. Here’s my advice to you, now, standing on the other side of it. Here are some actionable steps you can take: Make a list of people you admire and respect, determine how they can each help you, and then make a plan to reach out to the people on that list. Being proactive and being clear when you ask for help are the things you can control within a seemingly uncontrollable situation. ❤️ #unemployed #laidoff #marinecorps

In the military combat arms profession, it is well known that we do not leave a man behind . There are obviously many reasons for this but the biggest one is that this is the right thing to do, and what allows us as Americans to keep our humanity and dignity. My first Combat Tour, of three, was in Ramadi where there were many US soldiers sailors and marines killed and horribly wounded. Jocko Willink does a YouTube that you can listen to where he talks about all the deaths and memorials in Ramadi during the 06-07 time period. We never left an area until we had collected our dead and sometimes we lost more soldiers collecting our dead . After collection, we go through ceremony of recognition. We also investigate their death to figure out how we could’ve done things better. An after action review was always a useful exercise to learn how to do better. One of my biggest triggers is thinking about collecting the dead and wounded from war, but it’s something that had to be done. How is a college that’s not directly engaged in combat, not have time to recognize the death of a veteran student who deployed ? How can we make time but they can’t make time ? Why are Endicott college deans and professors writing a book about trauma and alluding to a student who committed suicide and wasn’t recognized by the college . A few years later, I’m identifying as a disabled veteran and they’re using my rifle on purpose for a year to try to get me to commit suicide after identifying as 100%. And when I asked for the protections that I should be provided, they don’t have them. This student suicide should have been investigated. The soldier in the article below went through machine gun fire to collect a fallen comrade . Endicott college can’t even have a memorial service for a veteran student who served during a time of war and actually deployed. They’re actually getting paid to protect veterans and they’re not. Why is Endicott college getting millions of dollars in G.I. bill money? Just based on what they did to me, they should not be receiving funding. Why are we rewarding colleges that can’t serve the disabled?

Did you serve 1 to 19 years in the active-duty military, but got out before retiring? Or, are you a current traditional National Guard or member of the Reserves with some active-duty deployments or service under your belt? DID YOU KNOW👇: 🔥You can "buy-back" your active duty years and have them apply to a federal retirement and time in service? 🔥 I was given and posted this presentation about a year ago, but have received some questions about it recently so I wanted to post it again. One of the benefits of having spent time in the military, is being able to apply that time to a federal career and retirement. To manage expectations, it's not "free," but it's also not as expensive as I first thought. The following is some EXCELLENT information for non-retirees who are looking for federal careers. For those that did not know they can "buy back" their active duty years/ deployments (does not apply if you retired from the service), it's an amazing opportunity to put those active duty years and or deployments to use. Don't settle for being another #underemployed statistic. #vfec #IVAC #VETwork #OneMoreVeteranHired #OneMoreVacancyFilled #OneMoreMilSpouseHired #StillServingVeterans #VetsHelpingVets #mentor #veterati

Once again Brock Young for the win! Lots of FREE resources in this single post. Notes: 1) buy back time does NOT count toward leave or the 5 years of mandatory “creditable civilian service” required to earn a FERS annuity (pension.) 2) this process has multiple steps and can take six months or more, start as soon as you’re hired - it will avoid or minimize your catch up interest! Of course if you’re going through this buy-back process, I cover it all in my book, but feel free to reach out if you specific questions!

All you need is 2 min in order to mobilize your lower back…. 🙆♀️ We have all felt some sort of low back discomfort and stiffness😥 whether it be from sitting a lot, injury, etc… 📣Try out this stretch with Dr. Theresa Larson DPT, CSCS, USMC, in the morning and even at night on both side to test out how your back feels before and after? ✋Comment below if you found this helpful?👇 #lowbackmobility #wellbeing #healthiswealth

Not long to enter nominations for the 2024 Services Awards! The awards categories in full are as follows: Services Awards Categories Most Outstanding Police (Individual, Unit or Veteran) Most Outstanding NHS/Healthcare (Individual, Unit or Veteran) Most Outstanding Fire Service (Individual, Unit or Veteran) Most Outstanding British Army (Individual, Unit or Veteran) Most Outstanding Royal Navy (Individual, Unit or Veteran) Most Outstanding Royal AIr Force (Individual, Unit or Veteran) Volunteer of the Year (covering such elements as Mountain Rescue, Lifeboat Personnel, Cadets Volunteers) Overall Outstanding Services Personnel of the Year (drawn from the above categories, please don’t nominate for this category) Awards Criteria: Nominations are for the individual or unit (serving or former) who has gone the extra mile (in addition to their high level of work and service) during the designated time period, showed courage, gone above and beyond their duties performed whilst on duty, for charitable causes (including fundraising), sporting challenges or exemplary service whilst off duty in an extraordinary context between the dates of 01 March 2023 to 01 March 2024. Nominations are to be sent to hospitality@nafese2023.com with the subject header “Services Awards” and the categories nominating for. Please detail as much evidence as possible, although the judging panel may require further evidence, should the nomination be progressed (this will be called for at a later stage). Anonymous nominations can not be accepted. Nominations deadline is Sunday May 19 at midnight. #armedforces #emergencyservices #volunteerservices

Thankfulness Day 2: Patrol Base Abbate PBA was founded by Marine Corps LtCol Thomas Schueman after realizing that a large portion of veteran service organizations have qualifiers on their membership. For instance, some require you’ve deployed. Others require you’ve been in the Marine Corps. Others require you’ve serve in SOF. With these barriers to entry, those who haven’t seen combat or deployed are often barred from entry. With non-combat #veterans 68 percent more likely to commit suicide, Tom dedicated himself to creating an organization that would be open to all - regardless of branch or combat experience or MOS or rank. PBA is structured around two primary “club” concepts - geographic and affinity. For instance, if you’re in #Texas, I’d encourage you to join the Houston or San Antonio Clubs, as they are always offering ways for veterans to gather together. Additionally, there are interest clubs - everything from fight club to book club to dive club. In what shouldn’t be a shock, I am a member of hunt club and had the opportunity to visit the Patrol Base in Thompson Falls, Montana, in April. It was a beautiful place to rest and refit, ready to return home to continue to serve. Today, I have three thank you’s: - Tom, for creating the org - Kevin Fallon, who does the Lords work as the operational backbone of the organization - Joshua Bent, their photographer, who always makes me laugh when I’m having a bad day _____ #veteransstrengtheningamerica #montana #turkey #hunting #suicideprevention

"Into the Unknown" Out of all the pictures that I have taken during my career in the Coast Guard, this will always be one of my favorites. My OIC at the time, Officer In Charge Senior Chief Allen (Yes, Senior Enlisted in the Coast Guard have the potential to be "Officers" at their assigned units they are in charge of #TheMoreYouKnow) looked out the window of where our unit was at and said, "It's a beautiful day for a Coxswain check-ride, isn't it, Smith?" Well, the look on my BM3's (Boatswains Mate 3rd class) face was ever so apparent, and he knew this question was going to come sooner or later. However, the training and qualification to become a Coxswain is one that is rigorous and mentally tasking, and my utmost respect to the BM rating in the Coast Guard to take charge when S*** hits the fan will always be there. While I and my fellow MK's kept the engines running, they kept us, the crew, alive, and his months of training and experience allowed him to ace his check-ride. This picture is relevant to what a veteran goes through after leaving service if not prepared. You look out of the window and everything is clouded; you don't know what lies beyond the shadow of rainfall and the waves of turmoil that can crash upon you. However, being a service member you HAVE resources, you HAVE people around you that can help you be successful, much like the tools on the console to help navigate the sea successfully and safely. It's never too soon to start your transition; I don't personally believe in 6 months, 9 months, or even 12 months to start. If you are dead set on planning on your exit and it comes across your mind, pursue it to the fullest extent of your ability and come out of the water and onto land safe. . . . . . . . . #SemperParatus #Training #CoastGuard #Opportunities #FollowForMoreTips #Operations #TAPS #Transition #Veteran