Vanguard Veteran – Kathy Gallowitz pt 2

Vanguard Veteran Kathy Gallowitz pt 2 For those of you who have followed this program for a while, you’ve heard some of my stories from the military. In fact, just two and half years after leaving my military career, is when I came the decision to end my life. I had not meaning. I had not money. I was in a dead end job, etc. etc. etc. If it had not been for that act if Divine intervention that night on January 29, 1992 at 11:35pm ET in that little empty apartment in Columbus, GA – on January 30th 1992, I would not have been here on this earth. Leaving service is hard. A lot harder than I had imagined. I left service thinking, “I’m former Army Officer, I’ll find somebody that wants to hire me pretty quick.”  There were almost NO systems in place back in July 1989 for transitioning veterans. None. Even with the systems and resources that are in place today, we are still failing to help the many veterans who are transitioning from a life of meaning, order and familiarity – to one of uncertainty. More than 2.6 million Americans have served in the Armed Forces since that tragic day of 9/11. Almost 240 thousand military members leave active duty each and every year, ready to help companies and communities with their skill sets. Retired Air Force Lt. Colonel Kathy Gallowitz has formed an absolutely essential organization called, “Vanguard Veterans.” She served 29 years in the Air Force as a nurse and also as a Public Affairs Officer. Through “Vanguard Veteran,” she equips civilians to become Veteran Champions as the “Veteran-Hiring Concierge,” a “Military Ministry Builder” and a “Fallen Comrades Ceremony Producer.” She is also the author of “Beyond Thank You for Your Service: The Veteran Champion Handbook for Civilians.” Most veterans are used to showing up on time, accomplishing assigned tasks in a timely manner, working over-time if necessary, among other things. Most veterans maintain these job skills even many years after they leave service.  How do you help make companies aware of the positive job skills veterans bring with them to the job site? Tell us about you “Military Ministry Builder” program… Can you share about the importance of the “Fallen Comrades Ceremony?” I know we are taught that, “It happens, say a prayer, pick and move out – the mission doesn’t stop.” Now, in a combat situation, yes, that makes sense. But this grief continues to affect people for many, many years after the event, correct? How difficult is it for former military members to grieve properly? Share with us about your book, “Beyond Thank You for Your Service: The Veteran Champion Handbook for Civilians.”Why did you write this book and why did you believe it was needful for such a time as this? How can someone obtain a copy of this book? Is it on Amazon? If someone wanted to get in touch with you, to ask a question, obtain more information on becoming a “Veteran Champion,” how can they do that? How can someone get more information? I’ll put links to all this in the show notes below.