Noah Currier
Military Entrepreneurs
In 2003, 21 year old Marine Corporal Noah Currier from Poplar Grove, IL, was deployed to Iraq with Charlie Co 1st LAR as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Three days after arriving home from combat Noah and a fellow Marine were in a vehicle headed back toward Camp Pendleton when the driver fell asleep at the wheel sending their vehicle rolling down an embankment. Noah suffered a severe paralyzing spinal cord injury from the accident. Seeking a way to afford the necessary physical therapy for himself and a fellow injured Marine, Noah came up with the concept of using a t-shirt inspired by his...
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Justin Constantine
Military Entrepreneurs
As a Marine officer, Justin Constantine volunteered for deployment to Iraq in 2006, and served as a Civil Affairs Team Leader while attached to an infantry battalion. While on a routine combat patrol, Justin was shot in the head by a sniper. Although the original prognosis was that he had been killed in action, Justin survived. Through teamwork and a positive mental attitude, he has had quite a successful recovery. Justin now speaks to audiences large and small about personal leadership, the critical role of teamwork in facing life’s challenges, and the upside of change. He applies his...
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Justin Constantine
Military Entrepreneurs
As a Marine officer, Justin Constantine volunteered for deployment to Iraq in 2006, and served as a Civil Affairs Team Leader while attached to an infantry battalion. While on a routine combat patrol, Justin was shot in the head by a sniper. Although the original prognosis was that he had been killed in action, Justin survived. Through teamwork and a positive mental attitude, he has had quite a successful recovery. Justin now speaks to audiences large and small about personal leadership, the critical role of teamwork in facing life’s challenges, and the upside of change. He applies his...
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Anthony Garcia
Military Entrepreneurs
Anthony Garcia is the CEO & co-founder of . GuideOn’s Mission – Pioneering technology solutions for the transitioning Veteran. Prior to founding GuideOn, Anthony worked in operations at SRI International where he later left to start his first business – GuideOn is his third. He served in the U.S. Army for eight years as an officer and Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) helicopter pilot. He served two back to back, combat deployments to Iraq (May 03 to April 04/Dec 04 to Nov 05), where he managed 21 Blackhawk helicopters, led over 90 pilots - flight engineers - and medics, while directing...
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Ryan Michler
Military Entrepreneurs
Ryan Michler served in the National Guard and founder of Order of Man. He's dedicated to taking back what it means to be a man. His podcast focuses on learning from the best men our world has to offer, and return to roots of masculinity. Ryan says: "I am not an expert. I am learning! And, the only thing that qualifies me to do this work is that I have a passion for self-improvement. My goal is to take my shortcomings in life and make them my strengths" Listen to this episode of the Military Entrepreneur show
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Michael Zacchea
Military Entrepreneurs
Mike Zacchea was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1990. He served at Camp Lejeune as a forward observer and platoon commander, deploying to Somalia for OPERATION RESTORE HOPE and to Haiti for OPERATION SUPPORT DEMOCRACY. He served as operations officer and executive officer of a Marine recruiting station. He was selected for advanced artillery school, and went on to command two artillery batteries and serve as a battalion assistant operations officer. He served another tour on recruiting duty in the northeastern US. In March 2004, as a major, he deployed to Iraq for...
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Raphael Hernandez
Military Entrepreneurs
Raphael Hernandez served as the Chief Marketing Officer for the Marine Corps Recruiting Command, United States Marine Corps and in coordination with J. Walter Thompson Atlanta, the Marine Corps’ advertising agency, led a strategically aligned, multi-million dollar, national level, research driven integrated marketing program designed to support 3,700 plus U.S. Marine Corps enlisted and officer recruiters, located across the United States. Raphael recently retired from the United States Marine Corps after 22 years of service and has extensive experience in marketing, customer...
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AJ Richards
Military Entrepreneurs
AJ Richards was born in southern Utah and spent his childhood with his cousins playing at the family cattle ranch. He dropped out of high school his senior year because it was boring and decided to join the military. From the age of 16 until he deployed, AJ went through a new job every three months. He deployed with his field artillery unit to Ramadi, Iraq where they were tasked with three objectives. Field artillery, entry control point security, and patrolling route mobile and route Michigan preventing IED placements. After returning from Iraq AJ found himself miserable...
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Mika Cross Workplace Transformation Strategist
Military Entrepreneurs
Mika J. Cross is a seasoned Workplace Transformation Strategist specializing in innovative global workplace initiatives, culture change, strategic communications, knowledge management, next generation/future workplace predictions, mobility and flexible work policy, diversity, inclusion and employee engagement. Her 18-year career in public service includes assignments throughout the United States Intelligence Community and across the Federal government. She is a veteran of the Unites States Army, having served as both an enlisted soldier and commissioned officer. Mika is...
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Garth Massey
Military Entrepreneurs
LtCol. Garth Massey is the Chief Leadership Officer for MLMethods, a learning and development firm based out of Los Angeles, CA. Building on his military experiences, Garth is currently serving as an infantry battalion commander in the reserves. Since leaving active duty, Garth has held several executive level leadership positions in corporate America. He has created a leadership development program that brings measurable results to industries, he specializes in accelerating leadership growth while building a pipeline for the future of their company. His approach combines the best of two...
info_outlineTravis has spent his career immersed in the Coast Guard’s military training system. He holds a Master’s in Instructional & Performance Technology from Boise State University, has trained over 650 foreign nationals in 19 nations, led three of the US Coast Guard’s apprentice training programs (including the culinary training program), and helped develop small boat engineering and coxswain training programs for the Republic of Georgia Coast Guard.
Travis recently returned from deployment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he developed a comprehensive training system to help the Kingdom train a new 5,000 soldier, critical infrastructure protection force.
Travis is currently serving as a commercial vessel inspector and port state control officer, assigned in the Port of New Orleans. He has been awarded three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, with Operational Distinguishing Device. He is applying for early retirement, to transition in 2017.
The Command Your Transition Story
I made a “Year 9” Decision at Year 11.
In the current, soon to be replaced, retirement system, military members got a defined pension at 20 years of service. Therefore, 20 years was the gateway to the golden carrot, nothing sooner. And while military members don’t like to say we’re in it for the money, money is a huge motivation for the dearth of people who don't leave during their second decade of service.
It's a precipice: between getting a defined pension, or walking away with nothing.
There are four years-of-service “gates” where members most often get out: Years 5, 10, 20, & 25. And we’re always reminded of our date of entry with every paycheck stub.Years of service drive manpower size and strength. Promotion, advancement, assignment—they’re all based on seniority of time. And while it can take a company a decade or two to mature, military careers must mature by 10-12 years to be viable. If you haven’t made a “terminal” rank by 12 years, or put yourself on the path to ensure a terminal promotion by 15 years, you’re out.
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