Episode 006: A Talent Management System for Veterans with Matthew P. Donovan
Release Date: 11/13/2020
Episode 28: Seeking Innovative Approaches to Veteran Mental Health and Wellness: A conversation with Adam Marr, co-host of the Tango Alpha Lima Podcast
Service Before Self Podcast
Episode 28 is a conversation with Adam Marr, co-host of The American Legion's podcast, Tango Alpha Lima, (https://tangoalphalima.fireside.fm/episodes) and Director of Operations for the Veteran Mental Health Leadership Coalition (https://vmhlc.org/). Adam will share his personal journey of transition and reintegration and his work in promoting research and increasing access to innovative approaches to enhancing the mental health and wellness of veterans.
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Episode 27: Driven by Equity: Maximizing Opportunities for Veterans in New Jersey
Service Before Self Podcast
As we look toward Veterans' Day, this is an opportunity to showcase the work of Dixon Center and our partners in creating opportunities for veterans and their families. We are also introducing the newest member of Dixon Center's team and highlighting how, on this Veterans' Day, you can go beyond just thanking veterans for their service.
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Episode 26, A Conversation with Danielle Applegate from National Coalition of Homeless Veterans
Service Before Self Podcast
Today we tackle the challenges of veteran homelessness with our guest, Danielle Applegate, chairperson of National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV). Danielle will share a personal story of how homelessness impacts both veterans and non-veterans alike but also how there are resources and strategies available that can provide a way out. She will also share the work of NCHV and if you are part of an organization that may be tackling homelessness in your community, how NCHV can help. You can connect with NCHV at their website, NCHV.ORG.
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Episode 25, A Conversation with Jennifer Grubb
Service Before Self Podcast
Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services hosts a conversation with Jennifer Grubb--combat veteran, veteran advocate, registered nurse, wife, and mother. Jennifer shares her candid, raw, and thought-provoking experience of reintegration following military service. She pulls no punches but also demonstrates her resiliency and the potential of our military-connected community. Listen more than once and encourage others to listen as well.
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A Conversation with Secretary Patrick J. Murphy
Service Before Self Podcast
A conversation with Secretary Patrick J. Murphy, former Under Secretary of the Army and a leading advocate for veterans and their families. Secretary Murphy is the Chairman of Task Force Movement, www.taskforcemovement.org, an organization that is creating successful careers for the military-connected community in transportation, cybersecurity, and healthcare.
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Episode 23, A Conversation with Robin Kelleher, CEO of HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS
Service Before Self Podcast
A conversation with Robin Kelleher, Co-Founder and CEO of HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS, recipient of the 2023 Eugene and Ruth Freedman Leadership Award.
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Episode 022: Connecting to the Military and Veteran Community
Service Before Self Podcast
Psych/Armor educates and trains organizations on how to better understand and connect with military-connected individuals: transitioning service members, military spouses, veterans, and their families. Listen to Tina explain how her family’s history of military service and her experiences as a military spouse created opportunities to ensure that veterans and their families reach their full potential. Key Takeaways: [3:30] Tina shares what motivated her to assist and support veterans and their families. [9:51] Tina explains how she started Psych/Armor, a nonprofit organization. [11:17]...
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Episode 021: K9 for Warriors with Carl Cricco and John Tappan
Service Before Self Podcast
In today’s episode, Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.), your host, is joined by , the CEO of , and , a Navy veteran who has directly felt the impact of K9 for Warriors in supporting veterans and their families. K9 for Warriors is the largest provider of service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, or military sexual trauma. Carl shares K9’s history, approach, and impact, and John, as someone who has a service dog from K9s for warriors, shares his inspiring story and how his dog, Henry, made all the difference in the world for him on his journey of healing...
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Episode 020: A Story of Healing Emotional and Physical Trauma
Service Before Self Podcast
In today’s episode, Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.), your host, is joined by and . Joshua and Stephen are the director and writer of the new film . Joshua and Stephen discuss their new movie, which will be launched in theaters on June 9th, 2023. Mending the Line is the story of a marine who’s been wounded in Afghanistan and has now been sent to a VA facility in Montana, where he meets a Vietnam veteran who teaches him how to fly fish to deal with his emotional and physical trauma. Key Takeaways: [5:23] What brought Stephen to this particular subject? [7:42] Joshua shares his motivation...
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Episode 19: Veterans helping Veterans become Entrepreneurs with Colonel Scott Jensen, National Veteran Small Business Coalition
Service Before Self Podcast
In today’s episode, Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.), your host, is continuing a conversation that was started several months ago regarding the opportunities that are available for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses who want to become entrepreneurs and small businesses owners. This time, Col. Sam welcomes to talk about the opportunities for Federal Contracting, which has the amount of $30 billion a year set aside in contracting for veterans to own small businesses. Key Takeaways: [3:45] Col. Scott shares his story. [7:07] Col. Scott talks about who he...
info_outlineAlong with the many programs and organizations that are dedicated to serving veterans and their families, there are also several federal agencies that are instrumental in ensuring that veterans successfully reintegrate back into their communities. The VA is the first agency that everyone thinks about, but there is also the Department of Labor, Department of Agriculture, and Housing and Urban Development, just to name a few. The Department of Defense is often overlooked since it is considered to function only to currently serving military members, and then the focus usually goes to VA when it is a matter related to veterans. The future success of veterans and their families actually starts when they are still serving, that is the reason why this success is rooted in the Department of Defense, with its various personnel programs, including education, training, and health care.
Sam Whitehurst, your host, welcomes Matthew P. Donovan to today’s episode Mr. Donovan is the person in charge of the seamless transition between the DoD and the VA. Mr. Donovan is the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and he serves as the principal staff assistant and advisor to the Secretary of Defense for force readiness; force management; health affairs; National Guard and Reserve component affairs; education and training; and military and civilian personnel requirements and management, including equal opportunity, morale, welfare, recreation, and quality of life matters.
In this episode, Mr. Donovan acknowledges how DoD manages his personnel is sometimes an imperfect system and he also shares their strategy to address these imperfections as well as some recent successes in keeping pace with the evolving needs of military members, veterans, and their families.
Key Takeaways:
[4:18] Mr. Donovan shares how he started in the air force and what brought him into the role he has in the present.
[11:25] The importance of talent management.
[12:33] Mr. Donavan shares how they develop a vision and a strategy to meet it.
[16:20] Mr. Donovan talks about the idea of granting serving members with on- and off-ramps in order to adjust to different life circumstances.
[20:03] Mr. Donovan shares his thoughts and ideas about the initiatives and policies to support veterans transitioning into the civilian workforce.
[21:56] The Federal Electronic Health record.
[23:57] The Personnel records.
[25:34] DoD SkillBridge is one of the most impactful programs to ensure a successful transition.
[26:30] SkillBridge partners with private industries to help veterans find jobs but also for companies to find the workforce that they need for their industries.
[27:40] Mr. Donovan shares an example of what has been learned this year during the pandemic: the matter of teleworking.
Mentioned in this episode:
Dixon Center: Reaching America
At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, we believe our veterans and military families can succeed where they live.
Dixon Center is named after Staff Sergeant Donnie Dixon, who was killed in action on September 29, 2007, in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Dixon was a father, husband, and Soldier who always placed the mission first and the safety of his fellow Soldiers above his own. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services stands as a testament to his example and leadership.
Learn more about Matthew P. Donovan
Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness
Tweetables and quotes:
“A talent management system takes more into account in regards to people’s own expectations and control over their own careers.”
“In SkillBridge, serving members are approached before they retire to give them skills that they would apply in the fields they desire to work in, skills that will translate directly into jobs.”
“DoD SkillBridge is one of the most impactful programs in assuring a successful transition from active duty service to becoming a productive member of the civilian workforce.”