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Apr
02

How to get to Valhalla? Apply Part 2 of 2

April 2, 2013 By

April 2, 2013 By

How to find your way to Valhalla?  An earthly and modern version of the paradise for warriors, the Valhalla Project is a haven for veterans to gather. They may, as tradition holds, regale each other with their stories, or not. They can, however, come to be occupied in productive pursuits in nature and to restore their spirits and bodies, for a little while in their healing and transition time. And, in the company of others who understand. 

Gordon Cucullu is co founder of the Valhalla Project

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Gordon Cucullu, Valhalla Project Co-founder

Inside information is shared here! Part II gives the step-by-step process for a qualified Soldier who might wish to spend some time in Valhalla to apply.

The insider? Lt. Col. (Ret.) Gordon Cucullu, who with his life and project partner, Chris Fontana, founded the Valhalla Project. They are also co-authors of the book Warrior Police, whose proceeds are tagged entirely to support the operation of this incredibly healthy project. Now.. In their own words…..

[Read more…]

Mar
28

The “She Said” response to a reader on gun control Part 2 of 2

March 28, 2013 By

March 28, 2013 By

“Is it gun control or constitutional infringement?” asked a reader of the popular advice column called He Said She Said in the Guidon at Ft. Leonard Wood.

In Part 1 Shaun Collins said his piece. Now, Pam Collins shares her point of view on gun control and key information leading up to it. Both opinions represent the advice column duo’s personal views, based on their work expertise and life experiences.

Question period

Question period

Part 2 touches on:

Sandy Hook……..Slippery slopes and lobbyists ……Volstead Act…..  Latent function…..type of gun permissible debate….facts on firearms

[Read more…]

Mar
25

Advice column reader asks about gun control – part 1 of 2

March 25, 2013 By

March 25, 2013 By

“Is it gun control or constitutional infringement?“, asks a reader of the popular advice column called He Said She Said in the Guidon at Ft. Leonard Wood.

Questions you might have

Questions you might have

Here, the expanded version of the question includes the reader’s discovery that the He Said She Said columnist duo also guest blog for MilSuccessNet. Formerly known as Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Shaun and Pam Collins are now fully retired and out of the closet where columnists with pseudonyms are kept working, under cover.

Shaun Collins responds today and next time we’ll read Pam’s point of view. It should be noted that what they write, represents their own personal opinion based on their work and life experiences.

But first, the question! [Read more…]

Mar
21

James and the job-notes on Cpt. Caggy’s return Part 2 of 2

March 21, 2013 By

March 21, 2013 By

Through Jonathan Raab’s interview, part 1, we were there when James Caggy landed and lined up at Syracuse. He stood with his battle buddies and others anxious to officially end their deployment in Afghanistan.

We met his girlfriend who was there for him, just as she had been at his return from his previous deployment and in the years of service before and after. Caggy let us come along on an important home visit. And then we were back to his New York apartment where he left us with this thought:

“I was kind of debating what the hell I was going to do over the next three months – if I was gonna sit on my ass, or try and find a job,” he said.

So, now on to find out from James Caggy, via Jonathan Raab:

  • what he decided to do
  • how this transition was different
  • the challenge of his choice
  • should he stay or should he go, back to the army?
    [Read more…]
Mar
20

Col. Ted Spain shares his motivation to write “Breaking Iraq”

March 20, 2013 By

March 20, 2013 By

Breaking Iraq the book is depictedIn the weeks prior to the launch of Breaking Iraq, MilSuccessNet entered into conversations with its co-author, Ted Spain, Retired Colonel,  US Army. Our ongoing exchanges dealt with transition from military life and finding perspective on what happened in the decade covered by the book. The book launched on the 19th day of March, the 10th anniversary of the war in Iraq.

Today’s Wow-Words on Wednesdays, features:

  • How he came to write the book Breaking Iraq
  • Why it couldn’t have been written before
  • Quest for leadership and ethics

Col. Spain responded to our question: How did you come to write the book. [Read more…]

Mar
19

10 reasons revealed for failure in Col. (Ret) Spain’s book: Breaking Iraq

March 19, 2013 By

March 19, 2013 By

In his book, Breaking Iraq – The Ten Mistakes That Broke Iraq, Colonel (Ret) Ted Spain writes it like it is. The book’s release on March 19 coincides with the 10th anniversary of the war in Iraq.

Col. (Ret.) Ted Spain

Col. (Ret.) Ted Spain

The top 10 reasons America ‘broke Iraq’ are expanded in the book substantially, including the personal involvement of its co-author. 

This listing by Colonel (Ret) Ted Spain for Military Success Network readers as a strong summary of its content.

Advance reviewer comment: “Breaking Iraq is essential material for everyone. If you haven’t read it, you must. And if you’ve read it already…read it again.” Colonel Jack Jacobs (Ret), Medal of Honor Recipient, and author of “If Not Now, When?”

The book’s foreword is written by Tom Ricks.

Transitions come and impact, people, campaigns, entire countries and the their future outcomes…Below, an excerpt from the interview with MilSuccessNet and Colonel Spain and his summary.. in his own words…..
[Read more…]

Mar
18

Retired Colonel Ted Spain talks transition to corporate life

March 18, 2013 By

March 18, 2013 By

Col. (Ret.) Ted Spain (photo provided)

Col. (Ret.) Ted Spain (photo provided)

Col. (Ret.) Ted Spain, weighs in with words on Military Success Network’s prime topic: resilient and successful transition.

On this site, we view transition as opportunity for mindset shifts, application of skills and re-purposing of the qualities that military personnel come out of service with into civilian society. Posts here support the transition process with resources such as the people, information and programs that facilitate resilience at each of the various stages and in life’s different ‘departments,’ positively.

Now, Colonel Ted Spain’s comments on one aspect of his personal process of transition from military life to civilian roles in an exclusive interview with Military Success Network …...In his own words….
[Read more…]

Mar
15

Captain Caggy comes home …part 1 of 2

March 15, 2013 By

March 15, 2013 By

Jonathan Raab

Jonathan Raab

Writer Jonathan Raab’s interview with Captain James Caggy on his experience of returning home after his 2nd of two deployments overseas follows. This excerpt is presented in two parts.

  •  His first steps out of the taped “corrals’ that sectioned off army turf and civilian space
  • Next steps in which his new work, family and life reality is fully understood    Now……  to the two veterans’ own words……

On a windy, cold Christmas Eve, Army Captain James Caggy, commander of Alpha Company, waited with his fellow soldiers inside the Syracuse armory for the Army to release them after a year-long deployment.

He stood with bags stuffed full with gear, clothing, and what few personal items he still had with him. All around him were his fellow soldiers, tired from a full day of flying. [Read more…]

Mar
12

Truths and tips for spouses mid military transition

March 12, 2013 By

March 12, 2013 By

Jocelyn Green

Jocelyn Green

MilSuccessNet Welcome Jocelyn Green, accomplished author and new guest blogger, on help for military spouses when their life partners return permanently to the ‘home front.’ She shares valuable lessons learned in the transition of her Coast Guard husband back to full time family and civilian life…..in her own words….  [Read more…]

Mar
08

Home fire friends when buddies deploy – advice

March 8, 2013 By

March 8, 2013 By

He Said and She Said their advice on – an ethical choice a man makes on how to ‘be’ with the family of a buddy who deploys:

Questions you might have

Questions you might have

I’m a single guy stationed here with a long-distance girlfriend. That’s not the problem and that relationship works very well for both of us. My problem is that my sponsor here has become a great friend. He and his Family have gone out of their way to make me feel comfortable.

When I was here at Thanksgiving a year ago and couldn’t go home because of work, they took me in and fed me. They invite me to Family night activities; their kids’ soccer games and just about anytime when I am not traveling back to Iowa to see my girlfriend. It’s been a standing invite and I know that I can always bow out. However, my buddy is getting ready to deploy. He’ll be gone for a year and I know that his Family will probably still invite me to events, meals and movie night, but I really would feel weird hanging out with his wife without him around. [Read more…]

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