What’s your military war cry? Today we’re screaming HOOAH. ClearanceJobs was joined by the 12th Sergeant Major of the US Army (SMA), Jack Tilley, and we chatted about a new initiative he is heading – Your Next Mission™. The podcast is a newer part of The American Freedom Foundation’s resources to provide content and support to veterans, transitioning service members, military spouses and military families as they transition from military to civilian life.
Your Next Mission™
SMA Tilley talks about the the thought process behind starting a podcast in a world with so much digital content – what it personally means to him starting an organization that was meant to provide concerts, transforming to a military-friendly ecosystem that connects employers with veterans, provides support, and engages them in conversation to serve as tools for future military that will to come knocking on the military transition door.
Military personnel and the issues they can experience through a transition are never siloed – Tilley tells us about some of the common themes he has found to be as the biggest pain points for members and their families. Drawing on the conversations he’s had with partners like Solider for Life, defense contractors, universities, and others, Your Next Mission™ provides insights from others who support military through their transition along with Tilley drawing on his own experience.
SOLDIER FOR LIFE
Tilley notes that he is still transitioning, and many other military members feel the same even after they have earned the title of veteran and hold it for a few years. Soldier for Life: Leader Lessons From The 12th Sergeant Major Of The Army , is more than just an autobiography of Tilley, and highlights how veterans really are soldiers for life.
The book is a compilation of leadership lessons based on selected stories from his more than 35-year career as a soldier. The last Vietnam veteran to serve in that position from 2000-2004, SMA Tilley was at the Pentagon when terrorists crashed a plane into the nation’s largest “office building” on September 11, 2001. He and his co-author, Dan Elder weave a story beginning with Tilley’s enlistment into the U.S. Army, his deployment to Vietnam, working up to positions of great responsibility, and some of the most influential events in his life.
He was even willing to share a few personal recounts from his background with ClearanceJobs, and we were honored to listen. Like Tilley’s book, Your Next Mission™ lets listeners in to explore lessons that they can use in their own journey.
