It’s hard to overstate just how dramatic a shift it can be going from enlisted military service to civilian life. From the moment they enlist, veterans live a highly regimented life with a clear purpose, direction, and specific orders from day to day. Then, suddenly, they face the very real challenge of finding jobs and building lives outside of the service — often while dealing with the lasting impacts that military service can have on one’s physical and mental health. For many, building meaningful connections with veterans who have already lived that transitional journey can be critical to navigating their post-enlistment identity, career, and purpose.
In this episode of Sustainability @ Work, we look at how organizations such as GallantFew are helping newly discharged veterans get crucial support during their transition into civilian life, and how we as individuals and organizations can do the same.
Key Quotes
00:20: “You have all these skill sets, you’re ready to take on the world, and then, all of a sudden, life steers you in a different direction.”
03:06: “Now that I’m out of the service, what am I all about? What do I stand for?”
04:30: “The military very clearly lays out what your purpose and mission is… when you leave the military and go out in the civilian world, nobody lays out a clear path to retirement for you.”
08:45: “Going from the military to trying to find a job in the civilian world was a blow to my self-esteem, and it caused me to not engage with people in the community I’d just come from.”
10:35: “I decided to set up a network of other ranger veterans… over time, that network grew to over 1,000 members.”
12:26: “[GallantFew] has adopted what we call the Three Cs methodology: Connecting, Coaching, and Counseling.”
16:45: “I could name at least 50 veterans now who are alive who would not be alive otherwise. That’s very rewarding. Stressful in the moment but rewarding long term.”
19:50: “Veterans have a lot to bring to the table. Some of the skills companies need to grow from the ground up, veterans already have.”
Guest Bios
Karl Monger, Executive Director, GallantFew
Karl Monger is a retired United States Army Major with 10 years active and 10 years reserve service prior to becoming the Executive Director of GallantFew. In his current role, he works to coach and mentor veterans across the country as they make the transition out of enlistment and into civilian life.
Willy Carrion, Business Analyst, Gerent
Willy’s career spans over 23 years of military experience, including 16 years in the infantry and eight active-duty deployments. A graduate of Gerent’s Launchpad program, Willy has successfully transitioned into the Salesforce ecosystem and his new role as a Business Analyst.
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It’s hard to overstate just how dramatic a shift it can be going from enlisted military service to civilian life. From the moment they enlist, veterans live a highly regimented life with a clear purpose, direction, and specific orders from day to day. Then, suddenly, they face the very real challenge of finding jobs and building lives outside of the service — often while dealing with the lasting impacts that military service can have on one’s physical and mental health. For many, building meaningful connections with veterans who have already lived that transitional journey can be critical to navigating their post-enlistment identity, career, and purpose.
In this episode of Sustainability @ Work, we look at how organizations such as GallantFew are helping newly discharged veterans get crucial support during their transition into civilian life, and how we as individuals and organizations can do the same.
Key Quotes
00:20: “You have all these skill sets, you’re ready to take on the world, and then, all of a sudden, life steers you in a different direction.”
03:06: “Now that I’m out of the service, what am I all about? What do I stand for?”
04:30: “The military very clearly lays out what your purpose and mission is… when you leave the military and go out in the civilian world, nobody lays out a clear path to retirement for you.”
08:45: “Going from the military to trying to find a job in the civilian world was a blow to my self-esteem, and it caused me to not engage with people in the community I’d just come from.”
10:35: “I decided to set up a network of other ranger veterans… over time, that network grew to over 1,000 members.”
12:26: “[GallantFew] has adopted what we call the Three Cs methodology: Connecting, Coaching, and Counseling.”
16:45: “I could name at least 50 veterans now who are alive who would not be alive otherwise. That’s very rewarding. Stressful in the moment but rewarding long term.”
19:50: “Veterans have a lot to bring to the table. Some of the skills companies need to grow from the ground up, veterans already have.”
Guest Bios
Karl Monger, Executive Director, GallantFew
Karl Monger is a retired United States Army Major with 10 years active and 10 years reserve service prior to becoming the Executive Director of GallantFew. In his current role, he works to coach and mentor veterans across the country as they make the transition out of enlistment and into civilian life.
Willy Carrion, Business Analyst, Gerent
Willy’s career spans over 23 years of military experience, including 16 years in the infantry and eight active-duty deployments. A graduate of Gerent’s Launchpad program, Willy has successfully transitioned into the Salesforce ecosystem and his new role as a Business Analyst.
S@W Episode 4: Contemplating Giving on the National Day of Service: What Does It Mean to Serve?
Sustainability @ Work
22 minutes 21 seconds
2 years ago
S@W Episode 4: Contemplating Giving on the National Day of Service: What Does It Mean to Serve?
On the National Day of Service on January 16th, 2023, millions of people nationwide will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by volunteering their time and energy to any number of worthy causes. But taking that first step towards making the world a better place can be profoundly intimidating. Where do you start? What does it mean to serve? How do we decide how we can give back?
In this episode of Sustainability @ Work, we’re sitting down with Gerent employees for four different reflections on what it means to serve and how our lived experiences can shape the ways we choose to give our time, energy, and effort to others.. From food and clothing drives to home repairs to comforting people in their time of need, we’re looking at real stories of doing good — and the impact that small gestures can have on those around us.
Key Highlights
00:00: Intro: What does it mean to serve?
02:26: Lisa French: Delivering 32 turkeys to hungry families during Thanksgiving
06:48: Curtis Nicewaner: Stepping up to build a house for friends in need
10:56: La Keisha Riley Burton: Providing support to grieving parents through the Levi J. Burton Foundation
15:32: Inspiring the next generation to give back through donating to clothing drives
19:27: Conclusion: The importance of taking the first step
Guest Bios
Leanne Benoist
Sales Director, Education, Gerent
Leanne’s current position as Sales Director for Gerent’s Education practice is the culmination of a career heavily focused on all things learning and giving back. That experience exposed her to a variety of ways to give back and model charity and giving for the next generation.
Lisa French
Senior Business Analyst and CPQ Practice Lead, Gerent
In addition to her role as Gerent’s Senior Business Analyst, Solution Architect, and CPQ Practice Lead, Lisa is a proud participant in the company’s VTO program. She was inspired to give many years ago, when a stranger paid for her childrens’ Christmas gifts on layaway, sight unseen. Now, she regularly donates food, toys, and clothing to families in need whenever possible.
La Keisha Riley Burton
Senior Project Manager, Gerent
La Keisha brings over six years of consulting experience to her current role as Senior Project Manager at Gerent. When she’s not working, she runs the Levi J. Burton Foundation, which shares messages of support and handmade keepsakes with grieving parents who have lost children. The foundation also facilitates group forums, remembrance ceremonies, and meet-ups for parents to connect and support one another in times of need.
Curtis Nicewaner
Business Analyst, Gerent
On top of his work as a Business Analyst for Gerent, Curtis is involved in a variety of charitable activities within his community. He runs 5Ks for fundraising, builds beds for children in need through Sleep in Heavenly Peace, donates food and clothing to families through his church, and over the past year, helped his friends build their house when supply chain disruptions led to a delay in the construction process.
Sustainability @ Work
It’s hard to overstate just how dramatic a shift it can be going from enlisted military service to civilian life. From the moment they enlist, veterans live a highly regimented life with a clear purpose, direction, and specific orders from day to day. Then, suddenly, they face the very real challenge of finding jobs and building lives outside of the service — often while dealing with the lasting impacts that military service can have on one’s physical and mental health. For many, building meaningful connections with veterans who have already lived that transitional journey can be critical to navigating their post-enlistment identity, career, and purpose.
In this episode of Sustainability @ Work, we look at how organizations such as GallantFew are helping newly discharged veterans get crucial support during their transition into civilian life, and how we as individuals and organizations can do the same.
Key Quotes
00:20: “You have all these skill sets, you’re ready to take on the world, and then, all of a sudden, life steers you in a different direction.”
03:06: “Now that I’m out of the service, what am I all about? What do I stand for?”
04:30: “The military very clearly lays out what your purpose and mission is… when you leave the military and go out in the civilian world, nobody lays out a clear path to retirement for you.”
08:45: “Going from the military to trying to find a job in the civilian world was a blow to my self-esteem, and it caused me to not engage with people in the community I’d just come from.”
10:35: “I decided to set up a network of other ranger veterans… over time, that network grew to over 1,000 members.”
12:26: “[GallantFew] has adopted what we call the Three Cs methodology: Connecting, Coaching, and Counseling.”
16:45: “I could name at least 50 veterans now who are alive who would not be alive otherwise. That’s very rewarding. Stressful in the moment but rewarding long term.”
19:50: “Veterans have a lot to bring to the table. Some of the skills companies need to grow from the ground up, veterans already have.”
Guest Bios
Karl Monger, Executive Director, GallantFew
Karl Monger is a retired United States Army Major with 10 years active and 10 years reserve service prior to becoming the Executive Director of GallantFew. In his current role, he works to coach and mentor veterans across the country as they make the transition out of enlistment and into civilian life.
Willy Carrion, Business Analyst, Gerent
Willy’s career spans over 23 years of military experience, including 16 years in the infantry and eight active-duty deployments. A graduate of Gerent’s Launchpad program, Willy has successfully transitioned into the Salesforce ecosystem and his new role as a Business Analyst.
