Guest Posts

Nov

America’s Military Heroes Come in Many Shapes and Sizes

November 11, 2012 By Melissa Russel

Throughout the wars and military campaigns of history, animal helpers devotedly executed their tasks. They had no choice in their service and many thousands perished in their duties.

In today’s guest post by Melissa Russel, we are reminded of the service animals honored for their role in conflict and war.

Picture of Sgt. Stubby a highly decorated military dog

Sergeant Stubby in military uniform, decorations

With his jowly mug and fireplug body, Stubby the pit bull mix wasn’t likely to win many beauty contests. But that was just fine – after all, “Sgt. Stubby” already had his paws full winning military honors. [Read more…]

Nov

Veterans remembered for military service and civilian support

November 11, 2012 By James E. Koutz

MilSuccessNet welcomes the words of James E. Koutz, of Boonville, Indiana, National Commander of The American Legion www.legion.org to mark this Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2012.

Commander Koutz heads the nation’s largest organization of wartime veterans with 2.4 million members. Below is his guest post entitled:

Every Day is Veterans Day

Commander James E. Koutz of The American Legion

When people think of veterans, they often think of warriors, but Hurricane Sandy offers just the latest reminder of the significant humanitarian and often times life-saving work performed by our veterans on a daily basis.

As Sandy was still wreaking devastation on the east coast, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard members mobilized on the opposite coast –at March Air Reserve Base in California to trek nearly 3,000 miles to assist their fellow Americans. [Read more…]

Nov

Military wives mark Veterans Day with free gift of their novels

November 10, 2012 By Helena Kaufman

Military Success Network continues with posts marking Veterans Day with this special tribute offer by three former military wives and novelists. Please share- we will all grow as we Hear, Understand and Acknowledge – our H.U.A. mission on Military Success Network. This triad of women writers has joined forces to honor Veterans Day by each sharing their books for FREE. The books are available on Amazon for one day only on Sunday, November 11, 2012, in Kindle format (see links below to download a free app to read it on your computer)

Links to each of these novels and the free ebook download are available on this author’s page. The titles are:

THE FINAL SALUTE by Kathleen M. Rodgers takes place among Air Force families during the 1991 Gulf War. Rodgers was an Air Force spouse for 12 years and is now a military mom of a son in the Army. [Read more…]

Nov

The code on Army-civilian-army-student life transition

November 5, 2012 By Jesse Hughes

Some feel there’s a cultural divide between Military and Civilian circles. Guest writer, Jesse Hughes, who served in the US Army Light Infantry until 2002, talks about some of this ‘anthropological’ experience facing members in transition.

His posts on the journey from soldier to civilian citizen in the workplace are excerpts from a current, larger writing project.

Jesse Hughes, MilSuccessNet guest blogger

See what YOU would do in these first scenarios. Would you let your inner voice shout out what you feel or like Jesse, apply polite polish of understanding to negotiate that long corridor between military moves and new habits in civilian life?

My Time among Civilians: An Introduction

I was raised an Army brat and knew that the Army was where I wanted to be from before I could remember. ROTC through college secured that plan and I headed into the Infantry. But plans change and life throws curves, sometimes just the right kind of curves. [Read more…]

Nov

From the Military to the Marketplace post #2

November 2, 2012 By Helena Kaufman

Following Will

Post #2 covers:

How the road reports happen
Will’s education choice
Introducing transition guides

Will Coulter is in the driver’s seat of his post military life story. Every two weeks we also find him in his vehicle where he reports on his personal experience in his transition from active military duty to civilian life.

Will Coulter reports in from his road to civilian work and study success

Will Coulter family man, student, business owner

He’s allowed Military Success Network to ‘shadow’ him for the past 11 weeks since our first “meeting” on the phone to talk about how this series we call FOLLOWING WILL, might help others. Will and I speak every two weeks. Our posts may slide back and forth in time depending on what we end up talking about. (Read our introductory post) [Read more…]

Oct

Healing our heroes at the Valhalla Project part 1

October 9, 2012 By Gordon Cucullu

Gordon Cucullu is co founder of the Valhalla Project

MilSuccessNet Guest Contributor
Gordon Cucullu

Transition takes on a new face and unexpected pace with the Valhalla Project . Guest contributor Lt. Col. (Ret.) Cucullu writes about the concept first voiced by his wife, Chris Fontana. The co-founders created this project to help active duty service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve forces as well as some specially selected civilian war zone workers in healthy transitions.

Participants are active in nature, community projects to maintain the unique setting and pick up skills while enjoying a respite from the individual challenges of their lives.

Genesis of the Valhalla Project

In summer of 2010, my wife and I were homeless. Not in the sense of
sleeping under the overpass in a Kenmore large appliance box, but we really didn’t have a home per se any longer. [Read more…]

Sep

From Navy service to civilian life..part 1

September 10, 2012 By Leon Scott

Leon Scott served in the Navy and is now a transition coach

Leon Scott’s journey from navy “polliwog’ to professional career coach was not known to me when I first heard him clearly boom his message across a crowded room. Then I saw him.

He stood out, even in a room of weekly business breakfast networkers. We were all gathered to share the allotted 20 second introductions to our service or product and request for appropriate referrals from others in the room. [Read more…]

Jul

Return to Civilian Life Helped By Mindset

July 2, 2012 By Phyllis Zimbler Miller

Military Success Network guest author Phyllis Zimbler Miller

Military life develops many life and operational skills. The transition from military to fulltime civilian family life combined with potential new occupations and daily community participation brings with it opportunities and challenges. Awareness, preparation and specific supports help military men and women return to civilian life. For starters, it requires an open mindset.

Military Success Network begins the guest posts from “people who have been there” and done and learned “that”. Posts and articles will cover the process and the people and resources to boost success for those in transitions. What’s YOUR story? Do you see your self in this one? [Read more…]

Jun

Daughter’s Account of D-Day Legacy Helps Modern Military Dad

June 6, 2012 By Nate Brookshire

Carol Schultz Vento in her book, “The Hidden Legacy of World War II: A Daughter’s Journey of Discovery” details the generational impact of war trauma. The author’s father, Arthur “Dutch” Schultz, had previously been immortalized in the film. “The Longest Day” and also by famed historian Stephen Ambrose in his book “Citizen Soldiers.” As noted in Carol’s work, the narrative of the “Good War” is dispelled when the families share the reality of being in the sphere of a combat veteran. [Read more…]

Jun

Military Success Network Recognizes and Reports on Transitions

June 2, 2012 By Helena Kaufman

The “Military Success Network” presents the many faces of the American military. Through writing for and by the men and women of the armed forces, the site addresses what is involved in the transition experience of returning veterans.

It serves not only as a forum but also as a resource and constructive news and networking hub. The aim is to positively support armed forces veterans, their families, colleagues and employers. Upcoming posts will share the issues, programs and services related to veterans as well as personal stories of individual transformations and adaptations of military experiences to civilian life.

[Read more…]