Veteran Voices

Some barriers are harder to break than others – at least until the right person comes along. Vernice “Flygirl” had to fight to get into the Marine Corps, but once she got in, she was determined to rise to the top and seize every opportunity.

Vernice is a retired United States Marine Corps Officer and holds the distinction of being the first black female combat pilot in the U.S. military. She is also a bestselling author, an in-demand keynote speaker, a successful coach and entrepreneur, and served two tours of duty in Iraq.

Veteran Voices co-hosts Scott Luton and Kevin L. Jackson, host of Digital Transformers, were thrilled to have the opportunity to interview Vernice about:

• Overcoming the fear of following your passion through conventional thinking and artificial barriers

• Why providing people with access to information and exposure to ideas can be a solution and a “gutsy move”

• Her key for successful networking – which involved asking people how she could be of service instead of asking what they did for a living

Additional Links & Resources:

Learn more about Veteran Voices here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/veteran-voices

Subscribe to Veteran Voices and other Supply Chain Now programs here: https://supplychainnow.com/subscribe

Learn more about Vets2Industry: https://vets2industry.org/

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Kevin L. Jackson. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/veteran-voices-classic-reimagine-reassess-reinvigorate-vv68

Having the right to speak up and feeling an obligation to speak out are two very different things. For many women in the military, standing out because of their gender makes them want to ‘go with the flow’ to fit in. But not all women – some view it as an opportunity to be the voice that speaks on behalf of everyone.

In this interview, Mary Kate Soliva welcomes Katheryn Basso, Founder and CEO of KADRI Clothing and a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, to talk about finding her voice in the military. It took her an entire year to tell her parents she had joined the Marines, but once she was in and had their full support, she was off on an entirely unplanned life journey.

Katheryn talks about:

• The opportunity she saw to design active clothes for women that not only fit but met the storage needs associated with rugged outdoor activities

• The important role that male officers and servicemembers play in ensuring women are treated and regarded fairly

• What it was like transitioning from Marine officer to civilian entrepreneur

Additional Links & Resources:

Learn more about Veteran Voices here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/veteran-voices

Subscribe to Veteran Voices and other Supply Chain Now programs here: https://supplychainnow.com/subscribe

Learn more about Vets2Industry: https://vets2industry.org/

This episode was hosted by Mary Kate Soliva. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/speaking-loud-clear-marine-corps-veteran-vv67

In this classic Veteran Voices episode, host Mary Kate Soliva welcomes Marina Rabinek, President and founder of the Military Women's Collective and a Veteran of the United States Navy, to the show. While still in the Navy, Marina faced the unwanted advances of a fellow service member, and although she reported it up the chain of command, no action was taken until much later, when others had come forward as well. That experience became part of her drive to start the Military Women's Collective, a 501c3 dedicated to ensuring that women veterans (past, present & future) do not feel INVISIBLE and UNHEARD.

Mary Kate and Marina take this opportunity to discuss:

• The surprising benefits of speaking French in the U.S. Navy

• When servicemembers should start thinking about the process of transitioning out

• Her work to support military diversity inclusion today and in the future

Additional Links & Resources:

Learn more about Veteran Voices here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/veteran-voices

Subscribe to Veteran Voices and other Supply Chain Now programs here: https://supplychainnow.com/subscribe

Learn more about Vets2Industry: https://vets2industry.org/

This episode was hosted by Mary Kate Soliva. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/veteran-voices-classic-women-military-vv66

Service members are often faced with lines to cross: enlistment, tactical decisions, transitioning out of the military, and deciding what to do next. The decision they make at each crossroads not only determines the path of the journey they are on, it also plays a role in shaping the person they will become.

Mark Ormrod is a former Royal Marine, Invictus Games athlete, author, and motivational speaker. He joined the Marines for adventure and found direction, although not immediately. He completed his minimum service in 2006, but re-enlisted in 2007 and was deployed to Afghanistan where he found himself patrolling on foot, protecting local villages and disrupting enemy positions.

On Christmas Eve, he was on patrol with his unit when he stepped on an IED, losing both legs and his right arm and only keeping his life thanks to a risky new procedure that had just been approved for use in the field.

In this classic episode of Veteran Voices, co-hosted by Kim Winter, Founder of Logistics Executive Group, and Scott Luton, Mark is open and honest about:

• The journey with the Royal Marines that took him into Helmand Province in Afghanistan and changed his life forever

• His fight back from triple amputation and how found a new plan for the future

• The power and opportunity he has found in sharing his story with others

Additional Links & Resources:

Learn more about Veteran Voices here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/veteran-voices

Subscribe to Veteran Voices and other Supply Chain Now programs here: https://supplychainnow.com/subscribe

Learn more about Vets2Industry: https://vets2industry.org/

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton and Kim Winter. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/veteran-voices-classic-identity-pride-purpose-vv65

Additional Links & Resources:

Learn more about Veteran Voices here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/veteran-voices

Subscribe to Veteran Voices and other Supply Chain Now programs here: https://supplychainnow.com/subscribe

Learn more about Vets2Industry: https://vets2industry.org/

This episode was hosted by Scott Luton. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/finding-bigger-purpose-support-marine-veteran-vv64

Some people want to do something bigger right from the very beginning of their lives. Once they get the opportunity to begin on that journey, they don’t look back. Fortunately for all of us, many people with that drive make the decision to do so by spending time in military service.

In this interview, Mary Kate Soliva welcomes Jennifer Foxworthy, U.S. Navy Veteran and the Founder and CEO of Inspirationally Speaking, LLC and Unstoppable You Ministries, Inc.

Jennifer speaks with Mary Kate about:

• What it was like being one of a very few Black members of her Naval unit, and often the only Black woman

• Why her Christian faith is an important part of her personal relationships and professional drive

• The drive to become a substance abuse counsellor and how they changed her perspective on working with people

Some people want to do something bigger right from the very beginning of their lives. Once they get the opportunity to begin on that journey, they don’t look back. Fortunately for all of us, many people with that drive make the decision to do so by spending time in military service.

Additional Links & Resources:

Learn more about Veteran Voices here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/veteran-voices

Subscribe to Veteran Voices and other Supply Chain Now programs here: https://supplychainnow.com/subscribe

Learn more about Vets2Industry: https://vets2industry.org/

This episode was hosted by Mary Kate Soliva. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/feeding-desire-thrive-navy-veteran-vv63

Military transitions can be very difficult. There are so many unknowns, and it takes time. But if mentors are willing to educate those that come after them, to share what they have learned, and to provide advice, then it doesn’t have to be as hard.

In this interview, Mary Kate Soliva welcomes Matt Quick, a fifth-generation service member and Veteran of the both the Marine Corps and Army.

Matt speaks with Mary Kate about:

• Growing a thick skin as a kid growing up on an apple farm in New York

• What it was like getting an opportunity to work his dream job at the Pentagon

• How Veterans can solidify their networking and project management skills

Additional Links & Resources:

Learn more about Veteran Voices here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/veteran-voices

Subscribe to Veteran Voices and other Supply Chain Now programs here: https://supplychainnow.com/subscribe

Learn more about Vets2Industry: https://vets2industry.org/

This episode was hosted by Mary Kate Soliva. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/educating-those-come-after-marine-army-vv62

There is a reason that so many Veterans exit their military service with an abundance of consistency, determination, and discipline. They need those qualities to get through successfully.

In this episode of Veteran Voices, produced in partnership with Vets2Industry, Mary Kate Soliva welcomes Paul Peng, Founder and President of Sentri Institute, Inc. He was deployed to Iraq in 2003 and again in 2008. When the time came to reenlist in the Army, he made the decision not to because he was almost certainly going to be redeployed again (and again).

Not that escaping deployment made his transition any easier. Paul had difficulty finding a job because of the recession and turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms. After one particularly close call, he had an epiphany, accepted that he needed help, and went to graduate school so he could take his life in a new direction.

Paul Peng shares a raw and up close look at:

• His overseas deployments

• How Veterans should leverage their time in the military so that it resonates with hiring managers

• His unexpected ‘walk on’ movie role as a gangster thanks to his weapons training

Additional Links & Resources:

Learn more about Veteran Voices here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/veteran-voices

Subscribe to Veteran Voices and other Supply Chain Now programs here: https://supplychainnow.com/subscribe

Learn more about Vets2Industry: https://vets2industry.org/

This episode was hosted by Mary Kate Soliva. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/saving-lives-training-us-army-veteran-vv61

Each of us goes through life making choices, and some of those choices have a more significant impact than others. When your cumulative choices prevent you from fitting ‘the mold,’ especially in the Marine Corps, the path won’t be easy, but it will be truly unique.

In this interview, Mary Kate Soliva welcomes Josh Atkinson, a Marine Corps Veteran. Josh was fortunate enough to attend Annapolis, and because of the disciplined household he grew up in, he didn’t have to overcome the culture shock that many of his classmates did. He ultimately decided to join the Marines because of the wide range of options they could offer him. And, as he points out in this interview, once you are a Marine, you are never NOT a Marine.

John shares his unique story into, through, and out of the Marine Corps, including:

• Why each obstacle in life is an opportunity to get to know yourself better, and to know what you are capable of

• How he faced up to some of the most challenging times in his military career, when he made the choice to do what he felt was right even though he knew it would not be popular

• The impact that having his transition timing decided for him had on his professional journey

Additional Links & Resources:

Learn more about Veteran Voices here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/veteran-voices

Subscribe to Veteran Voices and other Supply Chain Now programs here: https://supplychainnow.com/subscribe

Learn more about Vets2Industry: https://vets2industry.org/

This episode was hosted by Mary Kate Soliva. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/bonds-create-without-adversity-josh-atkinson-marine-corps-veteran-vv60

For many people, the military functions as a big “leadership school.” Service members have contact with different types of leaders and learn to become leaders in their own right. From finding the right mentor to building a tribe of supportive people around you, who each person surrounds themselves with will often determine the path that they follow.

In this interview, Mary Kate Soliva welcomes Shirley Baez. Shirley started thinking about joining the Army as a way of paying for college, and then the Twin Towers fell on 9/11. In that moment, perspective changed and she went from “just being a girl that wanted to go into the military for college money” to someone who genuinely wanted to serve her country. She is now a veteran of the U.S. Army special operations community, but her service is not over.

Shirley shares her honest reflections with Mary Kate about:

• What it means to know you have the trust of leaders that you respect

• The role she played as a part of civil affairs, reestablishing essential services in parts of the world where the population is not connected to its government

• Why it was so important to have a ‘tribe’ when the time came to end her military service and enter private industry

Additional Links & Resources:

Learn more about Veteran Voices here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/veteran-voices

Subscribe to Veteran Voices and other Supply Chain Now programs here: https://supplychainnow.com/subscribe

Learn more about Vets2Industry: https://vets2industry.org/

This episode was hosted by Mary Kate Soliva. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/taking-road-less-traveled-army-special-operations-veteran-VV59