SGM Wilder from Soldier for Life was by on 5/9/17 for a live Q&A.

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 May 2017 15:56:55 -0400

From RP Staff: We're honored to be hosting SGM Wilder for a live Q&A on 5/9. Ask your questions below!

About SGM Wilder:

SGM Wilder serves as the senior enlisted advisor of the Soldier for Life Program. He enlisted as an Infantryman in 1989 and has served in every leadership position from Team Leader to Battalion Command Sergeant Major. He served on Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson’s personal staff and was the congressional advisor for both the 14th and 15th Sergeant Major of the Army. He has two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and holds a Master’s Degree from George Washington University.

About Soldier for Life:

Soldier for Life has connected over 1,000 private and public organizations resulting in over 1.2 million jobs filled by Army Family members. Soldier for Life helped establish over 100 primary apprenticeship programs on 24 installations, providing Soldiers and Spouses viable, lifelong skills they can use in both Army and civilian careers. Soldier for Life efforts have assisted in reducing the Veteran unemployment rates to a eight year low, remaining lower than the national average.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 2 at 2017 4:22 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 May 2017 16:22:45 -0400

Was there ever a moment you regretted having re-upped for another four years?

Response by CPT David Gowel made May 2 at 2017 5:12 PM

CPT David Gowel — Tue, 02 May 2017 17:12:18 -0400

SGM Private RallyPoint Member thanks for joining us and I look forward to seeing your responses on 5/7. My question is around the Career Skills Program: can Soldiers really go work at a civilian company while they are still on active duty and how do they get into this program?

Response by LTC Stephen C. made May 2 at 2017 7:57 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Tue, 02 May 2017 19:57:20 -0400

No questions from me, SGM Private RallyPoint Member. I just wish to thank you for your service to our country.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made May 3 at 2017 2:01 PM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Wed, 03 May 2017 14:01:19 -0400

SGM Wilder, Hello, Since I have been on Rally Point I have addressed this comment to most senior Enlisted and senior officers its like no one wants to take the time to read my question or answer my question so let me get right to the point, I've notice a lot of Senior NCO and Officer who have been transitioning out of the military can not write a resume or produce a cover letter? I been watching and reading Rally Point and talking with my Senior Enlisted friends who are still severing and seems to me that, NCOES is not teaching anything on resume writing skills or cover letter development because ACAP and TAPS is not a place to teach a soldiers who has done 15 to 20 to 30 years in the military who want to start a real civilian career in a 3 day or week long course. All depends on where your at. The Army spends all this money on equipment why wont it spend money on trying to help the soldiers transition out because our leaders have to go back to their units to face the soldiers leaving the force and a lot of these soldiers look up to these leaders. Some leaders can't write resumes or covers letters for themselves how to we expect them to show the younger soldiers to do the same. NCOES is the same thing over and over, LEADERSHIP, COUNSELING, OPERATIONS and ETC. It needs to change and where you work you can make that change. THANK YOU for you time.

RET SFC WILLIAM STEPHENS

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made May 6 at 2017 12:33 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Sat, 06 May 2017 00:33:40 -0400

SGM Wilder . the most telling question I could ask you is...
Where did we go wrong in helping the separating SM know what this program offers them?
What have you found works to get the word out?

"Soldier for Life".. I had to Google it to know what it was... I retired as the 1st CAV G3 SGM Dec 2013, and "Soldier for Life" was a program I knew little about.
If the program was fully implemented then, and the senior NCO in a Div Ops staff was unaware of it, have you considered the awesome program you represent and help provide is not commonly known or understood what it offers the separating SM? Perhaps some marketing is in order?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 6 at 2017 7:51 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sat, 06 May 2017 07:51:29 -0400

Tank you for serving your country. Keep up the good work helping other veterans.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made May 6 at 2017 8:12 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Sat, 06 May 2017 08:12:13 -0400

Thank you SGM for coming. My question is; with Soldier for Life, what guarantees are there this program will not face the chopping block like many other programs designed to assist Soldiers in their transition to the other side? I'm looking at this and also wondering how will it affect Vocational Rehabilitation chapter 31 with the VA? It would seem there are two programs that are doing the same thing, just add the spouse with yours, and sooner or later someone will ask why are there two of the same thing? How does this affect the GI Bill? It might be too late for some of us, but we would be remiss in our titles of Non Commissioned Officers if we don't look past ourselves and see how can we prevent the future from repeating our mistakes from today.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made May 6 at 2017 10:20 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sat, 06 May 2017 10:20:47 -0400

SGM Private RallyPoint Member First off I want to say thanks for what you are doing.
My entire career as been Army Reserve. Yes I have had a civilian career during this time, but when I retired I felt it as well. I was empty, lost, missing my unit, soldiers, Brothers-in-Arms. I never knew how how much time I spent in doing "Reserve Business". I remember the first month I didn't go to drill, or a meeting, or on the computer doing Power Point, doing NCOERs, Reviewing Tng Schedules and such. What I am trying to say is many of us Reserve Guys are in the "limbo" as well. When I came back from deployments (3), it would take me an average of 2-3 years to get my business back on track. I hope in your program there is some advice, assistance to give to Reserve / Guard service members assistance in getting a business back on track, furthering a career.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made May 8 at 2017 2:32 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Mon, 08 May 2017 14:32:52 -0400

Hi SGM,

Thanks for your time. What happens if a transitioning service member finds a job placement in a place like Boston or the Bay area but there is no military installation in the area to house them (or the ones in the area don't have space)? Also, what is the process to get soldiers with families to these job placements. It it handled through TDY or does the soldier have to PCS?

For example, if a solider from Ft. Hood wants to pursue a career in tech start ups and finds a company that will take them in San Francisco, where will they be housed and what will happen to their dependents during this time?

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made May 8 at 2017 10:51 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Mon, 08 May 2017 22:51:01 -0400

SGM Private RallyPoint Member thank you for joining all of us on RallyPoint. My question is whether participation in Soldier For Life skews older or younger. For example, do most members (and active participants in SFL activities) come from the senior enlisted and officer ranks? Or, is there is a good balance across all age groups and generations? What does SFL see as its biggest challenges with continuing to drive participation in this important organization?

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made May 9 at 2017 12:01 AM

Capt Brandon Charters — Tue, 09 May 2017 00:01:22 -0400

Thanks for being on with us, SGM Private RallyPoint Member.
I know a veteran Soldier in my area who transitioned several months ago and is still looking to find his next career path. Is SFL an option for him to connect with employers? If so, how can he get involved here in Sacramento?

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made May 9 at 2017 10:47 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Tue, 09 May 2017 10:47:31 -0400

SGM Private RallyPoint Member First of all thanks for being here on RallyPoint today and thank you for your service to this country. I believe the Commander/CSM Relatioship is paramont to great organization and culture for our soldiers. I posted this discussion question back on May 13, 2015 here on RallyPoint. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this important Relationship?

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/how-important-is-the-relationship-between-the-commander-and-csm

How Important is the Relationship between the Commander and CSM? | RallyPoint

How many Commanders and CSM teams knew when to lead from the front and knew when to lead from behind? What is your definition of the phrase "Know when to lead from the front and know when to lead from behind? Are we teaching our junior officers and non-commissioned officers "when to" and "when not to"? I would just like to hear the feedback and some of the great "war stories" of great command teams out there. I was blessed to have great CSMs...

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2017 3:00 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 May 2017 15:00:23 -0400

Good afternoon, and thank you for joining me in the Rally Point Town Hall. I am SGM William (Scott) Wilder, the Sergeants Major for the Soldier for Life office in Washington, D.C. Our office is the strategic outreach office for the Department of the Army. On behalf of the Chief of Staff of the Army, we travel out into communities and connect with various corporations and organizations, both public and private, to identify resources for our Soldiers and their families.

Our office was established by the former Chief of Staff of the Army GEN (R) Ray Odierno in 2012. Our office is not the Soldier for Life – Transition Assistance Program (SFL-TAP). The SFL-TAP is the installation transition program for Soldiers. Today, our focus for this Town Hall is Career Skills Programs (CSPs). In conjunction with IMCOM and HRC, the Army has approved over 100 different Career Skills Programs on 24 installations, providing Soldiers and Spouses viable, lifelong skills they can use in both Army and civilian careers.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2017 3:29 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 May 2017 15:29:23 -0400

Did you know that FDM has an IT training program in Reston, VA, that is a certified CSP with job placement worldwide? The new PTDY policy allows you to travel outside of your installation to attend an approved CSPs with your O-5 commanders approval.

http://www.fdmgroup.com/us/careers/academy-program/

Academy Program - FDM Group

The FDM Academy Program will provide you with essential training, invaluable commercial experience and the opportunity for fast-track career development.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2017 3:38 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 May 2017 15:38:35 -0400

Did you know that the US Chamber of Commerce Hiring our Heroes Foundation has an approved CSP? The Corporate Fellowship program is open to Soldiers seeking management positions in corporate America. They are on 10 installations (including Camp Pendleton) and expanding to JBSA and Atlanta this year. They've graduated over 400 Soldiers in the last 18 months with an 89% job placement rate. This program is also open to military spouses.

https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/corporate-fellowship-program-0

Corporate Fellowship Program

The Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program provides transitioning service members, student veterans, veterans, and military spouses with management training and hands-on experience in the civilian workforce, expanding corporate America's understanding of the veteran job market and preparing those individuals for smooth transitions into meaningful civilian careers.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2017 3:42 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 May 2017 15:42:45 -0400

Did you know that the first CSP was the Veterans in Piping? It was congressionally mandated in 2013 as a pilot program. They have now run 327 cohorts on 5 installations graduating over 675 Soldiers.

http://www.uavip.org/

Jobs for Veterans in Piping Free Veterans Job Training from the UA

The UA VIP Program finds active-duty military members a career pathway in civilian life through the piping trades. Training available on 8 bases.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2017 3:50 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 May 2017 15:50:45 -0400

Did you know that in December 2016, the HQDA G1, LTG McConville approved changes to the PTDY program for attendance a CSPs? He delegated authority to O6 commanders to approve PTDY up to 30 days and 120 days for commanders with general court martial authority (typically the first General Officer). Participation must be an approved CSP. These can both be further delegated down to an O5 and an O6 respectively.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2017 4:00 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 May 2017 16:00:05 -0400

Thank you for joining us today! You can reach us any time on the platforms below:

Twitter: @csaSoldier4Life
Facebook: CsaSoldierForLife
Instagram: @csasoldier4life
LinkedIn: Army Soldier for Life Network
http://www.soldierforlife.army.mil/

Soldier for Life

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2017 4:08 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 May 2017 16:08:23 -0400

We had this absolutely beautiful young woman coming through the training office. A few weeks later, she was on the golf course totally nude. A severe mental issue. Very sad and I hope that there was more to that, but I am sure there was. Nice girl too.

Response by PFC Jessi West made May 9 at 2017 9:32 PM

PFC Jessi West — Tue, 09 May 2017 21:32:32 -0400

How do I become a psychologist for the military as a civilian?