As I look, some of the most important lessons I’ve learned, whether it’s been as a leader, family member, or educator, have been on how to communicate properly. Years ago, when I was a developing as a young leader, I remember looking at a problem and then issuing guidance with my soldiers in a raised […]

The final installment of our discussion on a successful transition from the military will focus on service. People join the military for many different reasons (benefits, security, service to nation, etc.), but the one thing we almost always leave with is serving something bigger than ourselves. That culture simply doesn’t dissolve because we leave the […]

The transition from military to civilian life can seem like stepping into a different world. If you’ve been a service member for decades, leaving the Armed Forces may raise a lot of questions – especially when it comes to your career. I know exactly how you’re feeling – I felt the same way when I decided to […]

After 21 years of service in the Army, I became a veteran in 1997. I chose to dedicate the next chapter of my life to service as well, teaching leadership to high school students. So, I wore my uniform for an additional eight years, motivating and educating these young men and women to be better […]

We’re all faced with challenges in life, some greater than others. For me, it was balancing duties as a single mother and serving in the the United States Army. While my children were my number one priority, my career could not take a backseat. As my children grew, so did my responsibilities in the Army. […]

The strict, top-down command management method seems to have fallen out of favorin today’s workplace. The idea of one person at the top who has all the answers doesn’t fit with the diverse abilities, perspectives, education, and experience of the current workforce in many organizations. A more modern approach is to utilize those with coaching […]

Once you’ve submitted your application, the waiting game begins. If you’ve done everything right up to this point, you have a good shot at advancing in the review process. This is what you can expect after you submit your application on USAJOBS. Good luck, and hopefully you make it through all four steps! 1. Application […]

Both military and civilian professionals have found that working for the federal government was the right choice to advance their careers. If you are considering this option for yourself, here are more tips to help you get your foot in the door for a federal government job. 1. Create a USAJOBS profile – First, you […]

Both military and civilian professionals have found that working for the federal government was the right choice to advance their careers. If you are considering this option for yourself, here are some tips to increase your chances of getting a federal government job. One of the best websites for finding federal government jobs is gov. […]

While I was on my third tour in Iraq, serving as the 1st Cavalry Division Command Sergeant Major (CSM) and the Multi National Division – Baghdad Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commanding General during the Iraq surge, I was involved in some of the toughest fighting in the war. There were 110,000 coalition soldiers, which […]