A Grateful Nation

Transitioning out of military service and finding your place back in society after the trials of combat is a challenge that would seem too trivial to even mention. And yet this transition is often cited by veterans as the capstone stressor of military service. Military service-members spend years as selfless servants, being taught that “it’s not about you,” learning the power of acting as a unit, doing everything as a team, and doing no task alone. For years, with this mentality, we wake up every day and life’s purpose is serving our role in the broader mission of protecting and defending our nation. One day the music stops, our time is up, we must leave our fellow brothers & sisters, leave our culture & training, and forge a new path into the world - alone.

Or do we? That’s how it felt when I was leaving the Marine Corps in 2013. It’s been 5 years since, and with every passing day on the other side, I’ve found more and more members of a grateful nation working to ensure veterans find success after their service. On a personal level, there has been no shortage of supporters within PwC that have mentored, coached, taught, and guided me along the path. Charities have proven themselves time and again willing and wanting to support myself and fellow veterans. From this side, I see that there is a vast network supporting veterans in their transition out of service. Veterans Jobs Mission has over 200+ company members, with a goal of hiring a million veterans. FourBlock and American Corporate Partners (ACP) partners with 75+ companies throughout the country to teach and mentor transitioning veterans into gainful employment. Wounded Warrior Project, Hope for the Warriors, Semper Fi Fund, Fisher House, and many more charities support injured veterans, families and spouses, and those in need. This is just scratching the surface of the thousands of companies, nonprofits, and charities that support veterans and the hundreds of thousands if not millions of people that set aside a part of their lives to make personal connections with veterans to ensure they succeed.

I salute all Veterans for your service and sacrifice today. Five years after serving, I can not help but also reflect on how the life I have now is thanks to the continuous support of so many since leaving the Corps. For the life that I and so many Veterans have there are many that deserve to hear from Veterans today: thank you. We appreciate what each of you, as members of this grateful nation, do for us too. 

Never Forget.  

#military #veterans #LeadersServeHere #USMC #Marines

#FourBlock #ACP #FisherHouse #H4W #WWP #SemperFiFund #VeteransDay2018