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The Nuclear Posture Review – A New Strategy for the United States! DoD Roundtable
I have seen the effects of a nuclear explosion! First hand, on the spot, over ground zero as they went off! Ever throw a big rock into a still pond and seen the ripple of waves? Imagine that with solid granite in the Nevada desert many years ago! I flew security, radiation monitoring and safety aircraft on my first assignment after pilot training as the Air Force supported the Atomic Energy Commission (later the Department of Energy) Underground Nuclear Test program. I was awed by these weapons’ power and the destruction they could provide. I flew low over the fake towns set up (with trenches for real soldiers) for the…
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National Geographic’s “Adventurer of the Year” and a wounded warrior
Part 1 of 2Part 1 – The Strength of LTC Marc HoffmeisterPart 2 – The Strength of the Military Spouse My interview with LTC Marc Hoffmeister, one of National Geographic’s “Adventurer of the Year” recipients. In April 2007, LTC Hoffmeister was severely injured while serving in Iraq when an IED destroyed his Humvee. Hoffmeister was evacuated to Germany and then back to the U.S. on a 29-hour “hell flight” home, where he had eight surgeries on his arm and endured many months of painful rehabilitation. The military community is full of amazing stories and personnel that have worked and struggled through unbelievable feats. I had the opportunity to interview LTC…
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Stand up and notice this: “Salute Soldiers with the Spirit of America” from Jim Beam and Operation Homefront
Are you ready to tell the story of your hero? Or heroine? The “Salute Soldiers with the Spirit of America” contest is sponsored by Jim Beam and partnered with Operation Homefront and has some great prizes! Read below to find out more and get ready to tell them about your friend or family member! The goal of this contest is to recognize and salute the men and women of our armed services and recognize their sacrifices with four special packages for their entertainment and pleasure at very special events! The selected essay winners will receive a Jim Beam® VIP Experience Package for both the winner and the service member described…
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My Passions
What a great week it has been! Have I ever mentioned what a great company I work for? I don’t want to make that statement lightly but MilitaryAvenue is TRULY my passion. I have a few passions in life … my husband, my children, my God, my extended-family, my friends and MilitaryAvenue falls right in rank. What a privilege to work for the military-families each and every day, knowing what they go through, because I’ve been there… done that. (Although, I do believe strongly that we EACH have our own struggles and no one can truly say “I understand” but we should all at least say “I’ll be there for…
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USAA supports Wounded Warriors
Last week when I interviewed Brian Neuman and Mike Kelly from USAA, I wanted to make the interview a series of blogs. Brian is a Wounded Warrior and I told some of his story in a previous blog. He recently became a USAA talent manager and assists other Wounded Warriors with their transition into the civilian work force at USAA. Today I will tell you more about this program since it provides a great opportunity for employment and shows what one corporation with military ties is doing to help those so deserving of our appreciation and support. Brian maintains contact with injured troops returning to medical facilities in San Antonio…
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Networking is Important! Your Next Job Could Depend On It!
Maintaining contact with friends and associates has always been a challenge for military personnel and their families due to their frequent relocations and changes to their address, phone numbers, etc! But…the internet has changed all of that with a worldwide resource for maintaining relationships! Add in Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Plaxo and other social and professional networking tools and the opportunities for maintaining a network of friends and employer contacts continues to expand! How important is networking? When was the last time you heard of a great assignment opportunity in the unit, or talked on the phone, emailed or responded to a friend on your Facebook accounts? All are networking opportunities…
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Purple Heart
It is Friday morning, which means the Kocsis crew was up an at ’em early. I always have my step-son Thursday afternoon through Friday morning and so we trek across town, about a 30 minute drive, to get him to high school. It can be a long drive … but I pack a breakfast the night before for the two younger ones in the backseats and usually we sit there fairly quietly, still waking up and listening to the radio. Today though I was a little quieter as a very sobering interview of Lt Col (Ret) Brian Birdwell came on. Lt Col. Birdwell was in the Pentagon on 9/11/2001. “After…
