Hello Bill Rausch here from Got Your 6. I am coming by on Tuesday for a live Q&A. What questions do you have for me?

MAJ Bill Rausch — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 12:47:54 -0400

*RallyPoint Staff will be monitoring this discussion*

From RP Staff:
We are honored to welcome Bill Rausch to a live Q&A here n RallyPoint. Bill is the Executive Director at Got Your 6. He is a former Army Major with over ten years of service including 17 months in Iraq serving under Generals Casey and Petraeus while assigned to the Information Operations Task Force. Before joining GY6, Bill was Political Director at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America where he oversaw policy and advocacy campaigns.

Prior to his veteran advocacy work, he was a Senior Consultant providing products and services to the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense while assigned to the Pentagon. Bill regularly testifies in front of Congress and has appeared on NBC Nightly News, C-SPAN’s Washington Journal and MSNBC’s coverage of Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Bill is also an active community leader and volunteer serving as Chapter Captain for Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB) in his local community in Alexandria, VA. He serves on the Board of Directors at Volunteer Alexandria, an organization promoting volunteerism across all charity sectors. Bill received his Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Information Science from the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 4 at 2017 2:03 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 14:03:38 -0400

First, welcome to RallyPoint MAJ Bill Rausch and thank you for taking the time to review and respond to questions posed.
Background: I am a service-connected VA disabled veteran as well as a USMA graduate and retired Army officer.
How would you advise those who are transitioning from military service to post-military service who are interested in getting more involved in volunteer and/or advocacy "work including lobby local/state or federal government legislators or executives?"

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 4 at 2017 2:18 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 14:18:04 -0400

So I decided to review your public website and I found it interesting that one of your stated missions is to work with Hollywood in an attempt to de-Hollywoodize (my word) portrayals of veterans and service members in entertainment--good luck with all that by the way--but just how do you gage success in that regard? And as a follow on, just how receptive are those partners to such efforts? All too often "support" is more slogan than action.

Lastly, you had me at the Penguins!

Thanks for your time.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Oct 4 at 2017 3:04 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 15:04:57 -0400

MAJ Bill Rausch: I WOULD JUST LIKE TO WELCOME YOU, SIR, TO RALLY POINT.
IT IS QUITE AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU WITH US!
-Most Sincerely, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Oct 6 at 2017 6:23 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 06:23:42 -0400

Thank you MAJ Rausch for being on Rally Point, and your continuing work with military personnel .

Response by CPT David Gowel made Oct 6 at 2017 7:31 AM

CPT David Gowel — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 07:31:35 -0400

MAJ Bill Rausch, thanks for spending time with us today. Can you talk a bit about the times you've testified in front of Congress and your overall takeaways from those sessions? Veterans issues are numerous and complex so I'm curious to get your sense of the progress stimulated by such governmental interactions.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2017 9:59 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 09:59:20 -0400

I noticed you served on an IO Task Force. What was your branch when you did so, and how did you find the task of integrating your branch capabilities into the IO mission?

Response by Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM made Oct 6 at 2017 10:07 AM

Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 10:07:31 -0400

Thank you for all that you are doing for your fellow brothers and sisters. Thank you for coming to RP, the finest group of people I have ever had the honor to play and work with.

Response by SGT Jim Ramge, MBA made Oct 6 at 2017 11:03 AM

SGT Jim Ramge, MBA — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:03:38 -0400

Bill,

First and foremost, thank you for your service, and continued service to this country as an advocate to our troops in the various ways you see fit to do so. It seems no matter your path, you burn a trail for others to follow - a true leader!

As a medically retired NCO almost 20 years ago after a solid 10 years of service, I had a hard time with my transition. What can I do on the outside? How do my job skills translate? How does my NCO leadership skills translate to management skills? How did my ELINT training equate to educational training for job experience? The various experiences I had with equipment and such, I truly had no idea how to word-smith any of this for a resume. Back then, we had ACAP, I believe of recent, it is now TAP. Since I have been on RP, I see folks with some very similar questions, though not exactly stated the same, as times have changed and software, additionally the mentoring of personnel offering guidance. What can we do to continue to better prepare our personnel for that transition? We spend billions of dollars every year to bring them in and train them, but only a few million to say goodbye. We then leave it to the VA. And now that I am dealing with the VA, I have gone through the VOC/REHAB program and achieved a BS, Graduate Cert., and MBA since. In dealing with the VA, I find that the process is worse, than the process is with ACAP/TAP because it is stretched out over weeks and months to get folks in, where as folks should have that same readied assist as if they were in TAP on Active Duty - it’s not a medical appointment and most jobs don’t change that often! We have so many veterans without jobs now, that the discouragement continues to rise for many to even try to go back to work and I want to say it begins with before they even leave out of the service!
With that, what can we do differently to mold these folks back into civilians, and give them the proper start with the good resume’s, the good leads, better than we are now? To me, folks that are networking are beating the system, because they are not having to go through the hardships. I know, because believe it or not, for the past 18 years - that was me, I always had a lead. Today, well, today I don’t! Not complaining, I just slid through the system. But I’ve seen a lot with folks over the past 25 years and am humbled by the experiences I’ve seen in action and wonder, what can “we” do better legislatively? Why haven’t we? We have Vets dropping left and right and we are blaming suicide. Well everything stems from a beginning. Some from the experiences they had in the military, some from the experiences they could not achieve on the outside... Folks often move to the drugs and alcohol to alleviate their current frames of mind, not just because of pain and suffering, but due to the depressive states. Causes and effects. Just an example, if I had a job, I wouldn’t be drinking so much or taking so many of my pills to taking the pains away... We leave entirely too much up to the VA at times and I feel some of the burden is still on the military service elements!
In closing, I appreciate the feedback, as does anyone that is still transitioning, or those that may have already transitioned! Everyone on here has had help from someone, to guide them through that process!

Thank you for your time kind Sir!

V/R,

Jim Ramge

P.S. Thought just crossed my mind for those active duty members... NCO/Officer’s time (or whatever it’s called these days) what would be wrong with using some year-end budget and bringing in an HR professional resume writer for training?)

Response by CW3 Susan Burkholder made Oct 6 at 2017 3:20 PM

CW3 Susan Burkholder — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 15:20:00 -0400

Sounds a lot like my cousin's company that he founded for Hollywood to better influence mental health portrayals. And, I see EIC is indeed one of your collaborative partners. Just a shout out to my cousin Brian! Best of luck to you and your company.

Response by SGT Tim Falletti made Oct 6 at 2017 4:08 PM

SGT Tim Falletti — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 16:08:46 -0400

Bill, been a fan of GY6 for awhile now, how are you dealing with the aftermath of the WWP scandal as many veteran non-profits (and non-veteran non-profits for that matter) are under intense scrutiny and trust has been lost amongst the veteran community?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 6 at 2017 9:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 21:46:12 -0400

Sir,
I have no questions...but I would like to thank you for your service!

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Oct 7 at 2017 9:05 AM

Capt Brandon Charters — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 09:05:05 -0400

Thanks for joining us, Bill! It would be great to hear about your transition out of the Army and how you ended up at GY6. With your deep understanding of the film industry, where would you say there is the highest demand, or potentially best fit for veteran backgrounds?

Response by MSgt James Black made Oct 7 at 2017 9:25 AM

MSgt James Black — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 09:25:08 -0400

What if you were born before 1939 can't join? Age doesn't go any lower.

Response by SPC John E. Osman III made Oct 9 at 2017 2:38 AM

SPC John E. Osman III — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 02:38:22 -0400

Trying to input the data for verifying my service, the year for the active service date will not go lower than 1985, wtf? I entered into the service Feb 10th, 1972, RA, North Ft.Polk for BCT

Response by SPC Steve Meservy made Oct 9 at 2017 3:28 AM

SPC Steve Meservy — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 03:28:20 -0400

The year of entry only goes back to 1985. Mine was 1975

Response by SPC Dan Petsch made Oct 9 at 2017 5:23 PM

SPC Dan Petsch — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 17:23:26 -0400

I tried to enter my active service date which is June 12, 1972 but it wouldn't allow me to.

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Oct 9 at 2017 8:33 PM

SSG Eddye Royal — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 20:33:03 -0400

Maj Bill Rauschenberg, I would like to welcome you to Rp, and I will check out your C-Span interviews.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2017 8:49 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 20:49:42 -0400

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Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2017 11:30 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 23:30:56 -0400

Hello Major Bill Rausch, thanks for coming by on RallyPoint to discuss on what’s actually happening with our Congress folks. First let me Thank you for your services to the US Army and to the VA. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Veterans and their families for over 16 years before I finally retired due to my disabilities. Our Veterans laws and their regulations are so antiquated and out of touch with reality of today’s issues. I keep hearing about Veterans homelessness, Veterans suicide and backlogged of claims. My question to you, as an officer and someone who worked with the VA and other volunteer organizations, How would you describe the atmosphere at our highest level of Government and in your opinion could we do as Veterans who walk the line before? Again, thanks for dropping by and especially sharing your time with us here on RallyPoint. Semper Fidelis

Response by MAJ Bill Rausch made Oct 10 at 2017 3:00 PM

MAJ Bill Rausch — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 15:00:39 -0400

Hi Everyone! Bill Rausch here kicking things off with our live Q&A. For those who have already asked questions, look for answers soon and for those who haven't asked a question yet, let's get to it! #boom

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Oct 10 at 2017 3:29 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 15:29:42 -0400

Hi Sir,

Thanks for your time. What motivated you you start Got Your 6? And how have your skills from the military helped along the way?

Response by MAJ David Brand made Oct 10 at 2017 3:36 PM

MAJ David Brand — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 15:36:30 -0400

Thanks for sharing!

Response by MAJ Bill Rausch made Oct 10 at 2017 4:04 PM

MAJ Bill Rausch — Tue, 10 Oct 2017 16:04:57 -0400

Alright folks, I'm signing off for the day. Thanks to everyone who asked a question and for those who had words of support! I continue to be impressed by the people on RP and I'm proud to be part of this community. As I sign off I'll ask folks to do two things: 1) check out our website at http://www.gotyour6.org and 2) invite at least six friends to join the Rally Point community to connect more and more brothers and sisters in arms. Oh, and thirdly, BEAT NAVY! #BOOM

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