EP49: Major General Jeffrey Milhorn - Moving Mountains and Making Waves

My first reaction was - holy cow, I have a General on my #MakeYourMark podcast! Even better was getting to know today’s guest, Major General Jeffrey Milhorn, Commanding General of the US Army Corps of Engineers for the Northeast, Europe and Africa. The MG brings 29 years of military experience to bear as he oversees a critical group of military and civilians. He is an avid environmentalist, and yes, an impressive surfer!

 

Oftentimes when people join the military, it’s never about ‘me’ or ‘I’, it often is service. The word service itself is indicative of joining something bigger than one’s self. You’re serving with and for others.

 

Jeff and I share a passion for helping veterans once they leave the service and make the often challenging transition into civilian life, and in this episode you will hear him not only describe the great work that the Army Corps of Engineers is doing, but also the importance of service to our country and how we need to educate and encourage men and women from all backgrounds on the far-reaching benefits of joining the military, and the 150+ functions and roles that can be pursued.

 

“As a young lieutenant at 22 or 23 years of age you’re now responsible for 30 other soldiers in this case, and their families, and so you grow up pretty quickly because now you realize it isn’t about you, it’s about the team and how you build that team and move down towards whatever objectives are set before you.”

 

Make sure you give this one a listen - Jeff’s nearly 30 years of service to our country has truly  made an indelible mark wherever he has served, and his focus on partnering with Mother Nature to help save our environment through his work with the Army Corps of Engineers is inspiring!

 

“I know what we need to do to continue to prepare ourselves and protect lives and property as best we can, and we’re doing those things but still, we’re just scratching the surface.”

Some Topics we talk about in this episode: 

 

2:50 “You get less focused on yourself and start thinking, ‘how do I contribute to something much bigger than myself?’” [Initial interest in the military]

 

4:45 “I was kind of supplementing gas and pizza money on the side” [University of Florida and early military experience]

 

6:10 “You raise your right hand and pledge the oath to support and defend the Constitution of The United States and then you’re off and running” [Transitioning after graduation]

 

7:21 “Now, you’re not only responsible for yourself, but everyone else around you” [Challenges of a young leader]

 

9:38 “You’re constantly assessing people in terms of their ability to accomplish what they’ve been tasked to do” [Moving up the ranks]

 

10:35 “You still do have an opportunity to express your desire in terms of what you want to do”  [Individual freedom within the military]

 

12:58 “Bollywood to Hollywood, polar bears to penguins” [Being stationed in Hawaii]

 

15:03 “Everybody’s gotta give way together… if the majority do, and others don’t, you’re going to still have problems” [Capability of sustainability efforts]

 

19:15 “It is real, and just look at the last couple of years...” [Climate change and recent natural disasters]

 

26:50 “It’s really about meeting people wherever you go, and that’s what I enjoy most about what I’m doing” [Favorite military station]

 

28:56 “How do you protect them as they transition from your organization into the world again?”

[Life after the military]

 

35:18 “You see the opportunity to give back and thank this nation”

[Passion for military service]

 

42:29 Hit Your Mark

How to get involved

 

• Be sure to connect with me on Social Media @MarkMoyerCoach and go to my website, www.markmoyer.com to get access to the tips and strategies that my coaching clients get directly.

 

• If you would like to be a guest on the Make Your Mark podcast and/or know someone else who has either been an athlete, in a role within the sports industry, or a military veteran, and have made a successful transition into a new role, I’d love to hear from you! Just send me an email [email protected] and we’ll discuss!

 

• If you would like more information on how I can get you unstuck and moving forward with your transition, let’s talk. We can see whether it makes sense to work directly with me, or I can give you other options, but don’t let your transition wait another day, let’s connect!

 

Be sure to subscribe and leave me a quick review on iTunes. Your reviews and ratings will help me reach more people with ways to make their mark in life, business and career!

 

How are YOU going to Make Your Mark today? Go get ‘em!