Nathalie Gregg’s Post

Did You Know? Bob Ross Was More Than an Artist – He Was a Veteran Many of us know Bob Ross as the calm, encouraging painter who made “happy little trees” a beloved phrase. But before his career as the host of The Joy of Painting, he served in the U.S. Air Force, enlisting at just 18 and rising to the rank of sergeant. He retired in 1981 after 20 years of dedicated service. Stories like Bob Ross’s remind us that veterans have powerful, multifaceted journeys that extend beyond their service. And it’s those stories, their impact, and their resilience that I’m passionate about highlighting. As a veteran myself and the Founder and CEO of VetMentorAI, I know firsthand the strength it takes to transition from military life to civilian success. That’s why I’m excited to share that I’ll be shifting more of my content to focus on veteran stories, support, and the impact we can all make together. From success stories to insights about navigating challenges, this space will become a hub for celebrating and empowering those who’ve served. My goal? To create a space that uplifts, informs, and connects veterans, as well as those who wish to support them. Because veterans are more than their service—they are creators, leaders, innovators, and change-makers. Stay tuned as we spotlight more veterans, share resources, and inspire one another to push forward and thrive. #VeteranSpotlight #MilitaryHeroes #VeteranStories #Empowerment #Leadership #VetMentorAI

As I reflect on Veterans Day, I find myself focused deeply on those who wore our nation's uniform. They asked for nothing in return, yet gave everything. Even in times when society turned its back, they remained steadfast in their duty. While we've seen periods of genuine appreciation for our veterans, I worry that the true meaning of this day has begun to fade. During my time as CEO of Synergis Education, I made it a priority to honor our veterans meaningfully. Now, I challenge other business leaders to go beyond the customary email of thanks. These men and women took an oath to defend our Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. They worked countless hours for modest pay, knowing they might be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice at freedom's altar. To all companies reading this: Make Veterans Day more than a symbolic gesture. Grant your employees both Veterans Day and Memorial Day as paid holidays. This isn't about virtue signaling—it's about honoring those who ensure our freedoms: of speech, of movement, and all the liberties that make our nation exceptional. To all veterans: Your service matters. Your sacrifice matters. And you deserve more than just our words—you deserve our actions. As a veteran myself, I've walked this path. I know firsthand what service means, and that makes this call to action even more personal. #VeteransDay #Leadership #CorporateResponsibility

Happy Veterans Day, and thank you to all who served, including my Grandfathers. General Dwight D. Eisenhower Commanded the US Military during their service in WWII. 🚀 Leadership Lessons from Dwight D. Eisenhower 🚀 1. The Power of Delegation: Eisenhower believed that true leadership meant empowering others. In both war and peace, he trusted his people to take ownership of their tasks."Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because they want to do it." 2. Strategic Vision: Eisenhower didn’t just react to events; he set clear, strategic goals and anticipated future challenges. His development of the Interstate Highway System is a testament to his forward-thinking, envisioning infrastructure that would benefit generations. 3. Calm Under Pressure: Known for his unshakeable calm, Eisenhower navigated crises with poise. This ability to manage stress and make clear decisions helped him lead during pivotal moments in history. Emotional intelligence is as critical as any other skill in a leader’s toolkit. 4. Empathy and Morale-Building: Despite his high rank, Eisenhower valued the welfare of his team. He connected with soldiers and fellow officers on a personal level, boosting morale and inspiring loyalty. As Eisenhower himself once said, “You don’t lead by hitting people over the head—that’s assault, not leadership.” Let’s remember his legacy as we continue to build workplaces where strategic thinking, trust, empathy, and resilience are at the forefront. #Eisenhower

This Veterans Day, I'm reflecting on the extraordinary resilience demonstrated by our nation's veterans—not just in service, but in the countless challenges they face both during and after their time in uniform. Veterans remind us that true strength isn't just physical—it's mental, emotional, and spiritual. They teach us that adversity can be overcome, setbacks can be transformed into comebacks, and that even in the darkest moments, we can find purpose and determination to keep moving forward. In the workplace and beyond, the lessons veterans impart on resilience, leadership, and perseverance can inspire us all. As we honor their sacrifices, let’s also take a moment to ask ourselves: How can we apply their lessons to our own lives? Whether it's facing challenges head-on, adapting to unexpected circumstances, or supporting those around us in their struggles—let’s channel the strength of our veterans in everything we do. To all veterans: Thank you for your service, your sacrifices, and your unwavering courage. Your example will continue to inspire us all to push through challenges with grace, grit, and determination. #VeteransDay #Resilience #Leadership #Motivation #Veterans #ThankYou

Check out my conversation with Darrell Utt, a Green Beret whose extraordinary 26-year military career includes pivotal roles in high-stakes personnel capture missions in Bosnia, counter-sniper security for Presidents Clinton and Bush, and leading a team of Green Berets recognized under his leadership as the best in the 10th Special Forces Group. We dive into his new book, "Grit to Glory: A Green Beret’s Journey from West Virginia to Baghdad," which chronicles his rise from humble beginnings and not fitting the traditional Special Forces archetype to leading an elite Special Forces ODA in combat. In addition to the battlefield stories, Darrell reflects on the challenges of transitioning to civilian life after becoming addicted to the adrenaline, high stakes, and raw survival instinct of combat ... a place where he thrived in chaos, transcended fear, and felt invincible. Darrell also unpacks his 'Grit Code,' a set of principles for overcoming obstacles and achieving excellence, including "Courage is Contagious," "Calm Breeds Calm," "Control What You Can Control," "Eradicate Arrogance," and the importance of "Embracing Innovation," especially in high-risk environments. His journey proves that greatness, whether on the battlefield or in life, isn’t a birthright but forged through courage, sacrifice, relentless hard work, and sheer grit. Watch: https://lnkd.in/emJpYhA5 #greenberets #specialforces #leadership

Great write-up below from the Military Order of the Purple Heart of the U.S.A., Inc. about the history of the American Purple Heart... Did you know that the Purple Heart was originally designated as the Badge of Merit in 1782 and George Washington 🤯ONLY🤯 awarded three servicemembers with the honor? It's true - check out the post below to learn more!!

The value of “I”. Recent conversation, and it took a little effort to change my verbiage from “we” to “I”, but the context was appropriate. I laughed to myself but didn’t think much of it. Then I read this article. A 21-year-old Waverly Woodson Jr was an African American medic, part of the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion on D-Day, and he was just awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions, 19 years after his passing in 2005. D-Day was a herculean effort, with everyone deserving recognition, but often, the individuals are lost in the group. Sometimes there is value in the “I”.  Waverly as an individual has his own incredible story, one that his family has been fighting to have heard; as do so many others.  Hearing it grounds so much more of history into context of what someone did rather than losing sight of everything that was done to accomplish D-Day.  It becomes lazy to say we thank the larger group and don’t take any effort to learn the individual stories. This is not strictly about WWII or D-Day, but even in modern organizations, we’re rightfully taught to speak in the “we”.  But sometimes we fail to recognize the individuals that contributed and we passively group them. I’ve met so many people with incredible individual experiences, talents and personalities. Sometimes there is much more value in the individual than is given recognition to. Sometimes recognizing the individual begins to give credit to the work and challenges that were truly accomplished. https://lnkd.in/gpjcbVcZ

As we approach 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆, we look forward to the unofficial start of summer, a time for barbecues and outdoor festivities. However, it's vital to remember the solemn roots of this holiday, established post-Civil War and originally known as Decoration Day, dedicated to commemorating those who have fallen in service to our country. 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀. These individuals bring unique skills and experiences to the civilian workforce, yet, recent studies indicate that veterans are often underemployed. At KIP Search, where we routinely see the exceptional qualities veterans bring to their roles, we advocate for thoughtful consideration of how businesses can support veteran employment. As you head into the long weekend, it’s an excellent time for companies to evaluate their hiring practices and consider how they can better support veterans and tap into their potential as invaluable members of the workforce. #memorialday #bestadvice #coaching #leadership

As we approach 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆, we look forward to the unofficial start of summer, a time for barbecues and outdoor festivities. However, it's vital to remember the solemn roots of this holiday, established post-Civil War and originally known as Decoration Day, dedicated to commemorating those who have fallen in service to our country. 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗮 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀. These individuals bring unique skills and experiences to the civilian workforce, yet, recent studies indicate that veterans are often underemployed. At KIP Search, where we routinely see the exceptional qualities veterans bring to their roles, we advocate for thoughtful consideration of how businesses can support veteran employment. As you head into the long weekend, it’s an excellent time for companies to evaluate their hiring practices and consider how they can better support veterans and tap into their potential as invaluable members of the workforce. #memorialday #bestadvice #coaching #leadership

On this day in history, President Roosevelt signed the GI Bill into law. If you view any American Legion social media platform, you’ll be reminded of this historic day. But in reality, today is bittersweet. Sweet, because it’s a reminder of greatness. It’s a testament to what can happen when a Congressionally Chartered Veteran Service Organization fights for the benefit of its members. It’s a model - a picture - of what to strive for. Bitter, because I question whether The American Legion’s founders would recognize the organization today. From a revered institution, to one that seems to systematically black ball women who stand too tall. From a well oiled grassroots machine, to one that seemingly removes effective voices from leadership, because they speak a little too straight. For those that don’t know the history of the GI Bill, The American Legion fought for it alone, against the other VSOs - DAV and VFW. My fear, today, is that The American Legion may no longer be the #VeteranServiceOrganization best equipped to stand in adversity, on behalf of its members. But, perhaps that fear is good. Perhaps competition will, finally, drive us to change - to working with one another for the betterment of veterans as a whole. My hope for today, as individuals celebrate the passage of the GI Bill, is that we remember what incredible things can be done when we come together as one unified grassroots movement. And regardless of our positions, may we work to ensure we elevate the voices of those less heard. Semper Fi Actionable: ask your state leadership to serve on your state legislative commission ____________ #marinecorps #semperfi #hottytoddy #goshalmighty #olemiss #veteransstrengtheningamerica #veterans #gibill #transitioningmilitary