Posted on Apr 23, 2018
COL Whitehurst, Director of the Army's Soldier for Life Office, here for a live Q&A on 4/25 at 2pm ET to discuss Soldier for Life. Questions?
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COL Whitehurst will be here to discuss what it means to be a Soldier for Life, how the Army invests in our soldiers, veterans, and family, and the value of a veteran.
Colonel Sam Whitehurst has served as an infantry officer for 28 years in various command and staff positions both within the U.S. and overseas. His command experience culminated with brigade command in the 10th Mountain Division and his most recent staff experience was as the 18th Airborne Corps Chief of Staff. His deployments include Bosnia- Herzegovina and multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
His education includes University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Louisiana State University, the School of Advanced Military Studies, and National War College. Colonel Whitehurst has been the director of the Army Soldier for Life Program since October 2017. He and his wife, Sallie, have been married for 27 years and they have four children, Olivia, Audrey, Matt and Ben.
Colonel Sam Whitehurst has served as an infantry officer for 28 years in various command and staff positions both within the U.S. and overseas. His command experience culminated with brigade command in the 10th Mountain Division and his most recent staff experience was as the 18th Airborne Corps Chief of Staff. His deployments include Bosnia- Herzegovina and multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
His education includes University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Louisiana State University, the School of Advanced Military Studies, and National War College. Colonel Whitehurst has been the director of the Army Soldier for Life Program since October 2017. He and his wife, Sallie, have been married for 27 years and they have four children, Olivia, Audrey, Matt and Ben.
11A: Infantry Officer
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COL
Government Administration
Q&A
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 19
Thanks for letting us know COL Sam Whitehurst that you are available on RallyPoint to discuss what it means to be a Soldier for Life, how the Army invests in our soldiers, veterans, and family, and the value of a veteran on April 25.
1. What are the implications of being a Soldier for Life and how would you recommend those of us who are retired to invest in future soldiers?
Background, I am the father of an infantry soldier and a retired infantry soldier.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs SrA Christopher B. SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SGT Philip Roncari SGT (Join to see) LTC Stephen C. LTC Stephen Conway CPT Jack Durish CW5 Jack Cardwell MSG Dan Walther
1. What are the implications of being a Soldier for Life and how would you recommend those of us who are retired to invest in future soldiers?
Background, I am the father of an infantry soldier and a retired infantry soldier.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs SrA Christopher B. SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SGT Philip Roncari SGT (Join to see) LTC Stephen C. LTC Stephen Conway CPT Jack Durish CW5 Jack Cardwell MSG Dan Walther
Thank you COL for asking, I have no questions, just thanking you for your service to our great nation.
COL (Join to see)
SGT Groth, thanks for your service to the country and connecting with us today. I ask that you continue to stay connected to the Army and seek opportunities to tell your Army story in your community. We find that the majority of today’s Soldiers make the decision to serve after speaking with a veteran. The most positive impact you can have with your Army today is to help inspire the next generation of Soldiers.
Greetings.
I do have passing familiarity with SFL, and when I review the public website, I note that much of Soldier For Life's mission focuses more it seems around the transitioning--or recently transitioned--soldier (jobs, benefits, etc.); laudable, no doubt. Not to say that retirees and vets out of service for some time won't find value there.
If its fair to attribute a quick and dirty summation of SFL's current mission as providing support and information, with particular focus on those recently separated or soon to separate soldiers, where do you foresee the program being in terms of new directions/goals/milestones/etc in the future?
Related sidebar: I would commend you on a well organized aggregation of information with regard to assistance and benefits. I would go so far as to say its one of the better user friendly Army or governmental sites I have seen.
Thanks
I do have passing familiarity with SFL, and when I review the public website, I note that much of Soldier For Life's mission focuses more it seems around the transitioning--or recently transitioned--soldier (jobs, benefits, etc.); laudable, no doubt. Not to say that retirees and vets out of service for some time won't find value there.
If its fair to attribute a quick and dirty summation of SFL's current mission as providing support and information, with particular focus on those recently separated or soon to separate soldiers, where do you foresee the program being in terms of new directions/goals/milestones/etc in the future?
Related sidebar: I would commend you on a well organized aggregation of information with regard to assistance and benefits. I would go so far as to say its one of the better user friendly Army or governmental sites I have seen.
Thanks
COL (Join to see)
Thank you for your service and for your great feedback! For many years we have been focused on transition, but we are now looking at how we can support Soldiers across the Soldier lifecycle - from recruitment to service and to well after they take off the uniform. For example, we promote programs focused on education, credentialing, and licensing that Soldiers can participate in while they serve, and we are looking at ways we can connect veterans (after transition) to the mulitple resources that are available in communities across the country.
SGT Dave Tracy
COL (Join to see) - Thank you for the response. To meet those ends, what current and future resources can you leverage (I thinking private sector generally, but not exclusively) to achieve those?
COL (Join to see)
There are thousands of programs in the private and public space, but let me highlight a few specific organizations that provide mentorship services to transitioning military members, veterans, and their families: American Corporate Partners, Veterati, eMentor, and FourBlock.
Good afternoon, sir. I looked up the Soldier for Life Program. And, I noted that it appears to be a modified version of the Transition Assistance Program -- focused on retaining soldiers in the National Guard or Reserves upon leaving active duty? I have worked with the Transition Assistance Program -- as a federal employee at the U.S. Small Business Administration through Boots to Business and I had a few questions:
(1) There seem to be a lot of programs for people to attain college degrees. And, those degrees no longer have the same guarantee of a place in the middle class. Has there been any talk of modifying the GI Bill as an entrepreneurial training benefit -- to help veterans start their own small businesses?
(2) The current GI Bill is also limited to 48 months for masters and lower degrees -- then, only if you are entitled to it through more than one mechanism. It is also likely that soldiers who have been on active duty in some capacity "max out" their eligibility -- meaning that after serving a tour on active duty and a tour in the National Guard or Reserves, there are no further incentives for them to serve as a "soldier for life". Has there been any consideration of giving soldiers additional benefits -- toward an entrepreneurial training program or a PhD or professional program in excess of 48 months if they serve longer in the National Guard or Reserves?
(3) Veterans who serve on active duty and then transition to the National Guard or Reserves tend to be really good entrepreneurs. The business start success rates show that. However, the VA is the only department that offers a veterans first preference for veteran-owned small businesses. Has there been any talk at DoD of giving veterans that benefit? It seems like DoD ought to support veterans at least as much as 8(a) small businesses.
(4) Another issue is Tricare Reserve Select eligibility. There really is no way to beat that on the private side. And, it's a great incentive for people to serve in the National Guard or Reserves. However, federal employees aren't eligible for it -- even if its coverage is better than the federal employee health insurance program. Federal employment is one of the best places that veterans land after active duty because of the hiring preferences. Has there been any talk of allowing them to keep the Tricare Reserve Select benefit that they earn by serving in the National Guard or Reserves?
(1) There seem to be a lot of programs for people to attain college degrees. And, those degrees no longer have the same guarantee of a place in the middle class. Has there been any talk of modifying the GI Bill as an entrepreneurial training benefit -- to help veterans start their own small businesses?
(2) The current GI Bill is also limited to 48 months for masters and lower degrees -- then, only if you are entitled to it through more than one mechanism. It is also likely that soldiers who have been on active duty in some capacity "max out" their eligibility -- meaning that after serving a tour on active duty and a tour in the National Guard or Reserves, there are no further incentives for them to serve as a "soldier for life". Has there been any consideration of giving soldiers additional benefits -- toward an entrepreneurial training program or a PhD or professional program in excess of 48 months if they serve longer in the National Guard or Reserves?
(3) Veterans who serve on active duty and then transition to the National Guard or Reserves tend to be really good entrepreneurs. The business start success rates show that. However, the VA is the only department that offers a veterans first preference for veteran-owned small businesses. Has there been any talk at DoD of giving veterans that benefit? It seems like DoD ought to support veterans at least as much as 8(a) small businesses.
(4) Another issue is Tricare Reserve Select eligibility. There really is no way to beat that on the private side. And, it's a great incentive for people to serve in the National Guard or Reserves. However, federal employees aren't eligible for it -- even if its coverage is better than the federal employee health insurance program. Federal employment is one of the best places that veterans land after active duty because of the hiring preferences. Has there been any talk of allowing them to keep the Tricare Reserve Select benefit that they earn by serving in the National Guard or Reserves?
COL (Join to see)
Thanks for your questions. At Soldier for Life, we do look at transition since it is part of the Soldier lifecycle. But the experts in the Army on transition are the team at SFL-TAP https://www.sfl-tap.army.mil/
1. The Army has been increasing the number of credentials earned by Soldiers while in training. Last year, over 37,000 Soldiers earned a credential related to their MOS. Congress has authorized the services to pursue credentialing opportunities not related to a Soldier's MOS.
2. There are some great programs availabe for Soldiers or transitioning service members looking to be entreprenuers. Programs such as Boots to Business through the Small Business Administration; non-profit organizations such as Bunker Labs; Dog Tag Bakery, which is partnered with Georgetown University's Business school; and the Institue for Veterans and Military Families out of Syracuse University, to name a few.
3 and 4. You make some great points. We will post something later in response to these questions.
1. The Army has been increasing the number of credentials earned by Soldiers while in training. Last year, over 37,000 Soldiers earned a credential related to their MOS. Congress has authorized the services to pursue credentialing opportunities not related to a Soldier's MOS.
2. There are some great programs availabe for Soldiers or transitioning service members looking to be entreprenuers. Programs such as Boots to Business through the Small Business Administration; non-profit organizations such as Bunker Labs; Dog Tag Bakery, which is partnered with Georgetown University's Business school; and the Institue for Veterans and Military Families out of Syracuse University, to name a few.
3 and 4. You make some great points. We will post something later in response to these questions.
COL (Join to see): Good Day, Colonel!
I am not a part of Soldier for Life; but I would certainly like to be.
Sir, if I may, how do I become a member of Soldier for Life?
I'd like to add, Colonel Whitehurst, WELCOME TO RALLY POINT!
IT IS BEYOND AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU WITH US, COLONEL.
Most Sincerely, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer
I am not a part of Soldier for Life; but I would certainly like to be.
Sir, if I may, how do I become a member of Soldier for Life?
I'd like to add, Colonel Whitehurst, WELCOME TO RALLY POINT!
IT IS BEYOND AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU WITH US, COLONEL.
Most Sincerely, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer
COL (Join to see)
Thanks for your service to our country. The day you became a Soldier you became a Soldier for Life. I think the most important things that you can do are to stay connected to the Army and tell your Army story to inspire the next generation of Soldiers.
SPC Margaret Higgins
COL (Join to see) - I would be more than happy to share my experiences in the U.S. Army with the next generation of Soldiers. Be well, Colonel.
My question is, with our continued budget deficiencies, I don’t see how we need an additional program, and we need a full bird colonel in charge of it?
COL (Join to see), thanks for joining us on RallyPoint. What programs or activities does Soldier for Life execute to go "upstream" to the active duty force before folks decide to exit the military (other than your engagement with service members on RP) to help those who are still in uniform prepare for separation / retirement / transition?
COL (Join to see)
Thanks for asking and giving us this opportunity to connect with the Rallypoint community. I think our strongest effort to “go upstream” is in our aggressive outreach to the active force, through social media and also by visiting almost all Army installations. But it’s not just us; the Army Training and Doctrine Command has done a great job of starting to weave the Soldier for Life concept into the Army’s education system. At every stage of NCO training the Army is including curriculum to help Soldiers think about their eventual transition from active duty. Almost every Soldier will be presented with the opportunity to prepare for transition before the first time they walk in the door at their local TAP center.
More than that, we want to help every Soldier in the Army understand that their transition is a process, not an event. This is why it’s so critical that during your career you always have an eye towards how to improve your skills in a competitive marketplace while improving yourself as a Soldier. For instance, soldiers should be checking the Army’s Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) to find credentials relevant to their current position, or maybe a future career outside of the Army.
We also like to highlight opportunities to connect with networks outside of the military to build those skillsets that will make you competitive after transition. Seek those opportunities now and continue to seek them out throughout your career in the Army. Not only will they enable your eventual transition, but they will make you a better Soldier.
More than that, we want to help every Soldier in the Army understand that their transition is a process, not an event. This is why it’s so critical that during your career you always have an eye towards how to improve your skills in a competitive marketplace while improving yourself as a Soldier. For instance, soldiers should be checking the Army’s Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) to find credentials relevant to their current position, or maybe a future career outside of the Army.
We also like to highlight opportunities to connect with networks outside of the military to build those skillsets that will make you competitive after transition. Seek those opportunities now and continue to seek them out throughout your career in the Army. Not only will they enable your eventual transition, but they will make you a better Soldier.
Why does the Army love to preach about how important family is, but my buddy is currently mobilized in a non-combat Zone and they will not send him home for the birth of his first child.
PVT Robert Ceasar
He is 100% right, there are many factors that determine how vital someone is to a mission. There is a bigger picture to every operation. The CoC can catch a lot of flack for not letting him go, I want to believe they must have a very good reason for their choice.
CPL(P) (Join to see)
Yeah I remember not being allowed to go to a birthing as well. I remember the excuse of importance and whatever, but also remember all they had me do was mop floors and mats. Taliban would have slipped though had they charged that hangar.
COL (Join to see)
I don’t know the specifics of your buddy’s situation, but I can tell you that the Army does care about our families, and you can see that just by driving around your local installation. There are a wealth of amazing programs available to support our families. I can also tell you that after 28 years in the military, there were times that I placed the needs of my unit above those of my family. As a former commander, I can also tell you that this decision always weighs heavily on the minds of every commander when forced to make these decisions. Each one is unique and they are never easy.
CPL(P) (Join to see)
COL (Join to see) - Sir, I can tell you that finding good commanders is tough. They are a fleeting commodity and not so many care as you may. Right and wrong are easy. If it is right, the mission isn't compromised, and there isn't a drain of resources unduly manageable then it is pretty clear. The new, young Millennial, breed of officer is often flippant, more interested in their career progression and emotionally volatile towards their subordinates. The worst part is the best officers get promoted so high they only get a glimpse from their towers, or they get out because of all the politics that have ransacked the ranks and polarized too many. The good ones that stay in are outnumbered by the climbers in the bottom and middle. So I would have to challenge the claim that these things weigh heavily on the minds of every commander.
Thank you for joining us! We'd like to thank RallyPoint for giving us this platform to answer your questions on what it means to be a Soldier for Life!
COL Whitehurst, this is a new concept I wasn’t aware of, but I’m curious on how the Army invests in veterans. Are we speaking of benefits through the Veterans Administration, or perhaps some unknown avenue of current programs? During my service time 68-88, I never knew such a program existed. And while we’re on this subject, what is the value of a veteran?
COL (Join to see)
We meet with companies, universities, organizations, and community leaders across the country. Without a doubt, they all value the leadership, work ethic, teamwork, and sense of service that veterans bring to the workforce, to the classroom, and to their communities. You are correct, that the VA is the lead agency within the federal government to provide veteran services. But in support of that mission, at SFL, we work with the VA, Department of Labor, Small Business Administration, USDA, DHS, and non-profit organizations to help connect transitioning Soldiers and veterans and spouses to the local, state, and federal resources available to them.
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