But over weekend i read articles that Afghanistan War Veterans joined EuroMaidan and are effectively acting like shield between police and protesters. Also Iraq War veteran, as part of multi-national force in Iraq, built effective strategy "Warm Ocean" to peacefully confront current corrupt regime in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Army Veterans at EuroMaidan brought to memory personal story with US Army Veterans.
At summer 2008 i was at risk to loose health insurance with 8 month pregnant wife, former employer requested to leave US or face deportation, family friend turned his back, plus i got served for court dispute over contract terms violation. In midst of all these problems i got call from Ukraine. It was my Mom who with joy in her voice said that she found solution. Somewhere in local newspaper she read that USA grants greencard (permanent residency) to those who join US Army. I was skeptical, but did look around for US Army Veteran for consultation. The only person that we knew was US Army Veteran and agreed to help was Ramona Carpenter. My problems slowly got resolved after i got new consulting engagement, so we didn't even tried to join US Army. But I did get out of it new family friends.
Years later i got opportunity to return favor to US Army Veteran. Colleague voiced to me complaint on coworker, who happened to be US Veteran. Matter of complaint was not a big deal, just emotionally triggered incorrect words. So i asked colleague to let it go. It just didn't feel right to escalate. But what i learned from complaint was that US Veteran was in somewhat similar position that i was in 2005 when first arrived to USA with H1B visa. So in addition to letting go of complaint i decided to help US Veteran with job "upgrade". Long story short - goosefraba (see "Anger Management" movie for word definition).
Last month on Veteran's Day i read interesting article in Washington Post called "To Honor Veterans, Hire Them!", where there was estimate that close to 800 Veterans will be transitioning from military to civilian life style and quote "valuable skills and experience, such as leadership, teamwork, self-discipline, problem solving, quick thinking and experience working in a mission-focused environment".
Interestingly enough recently after joining Rotary Club of Knoxville i was assigned to Mainstream Committee, where one of possible Service Project can be to help US Veterans after active duty to adopt to civilian lifestyle, find job, etc.
But this time I want to try different approach. This year, in late January, as part of Tech2020 i had privilege to listen presentation from Lisa Skinner from Ackerman PR about their trip to learn StartUp climate in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Biggest takeaways from that presentation were:
If employers care about Army Veterans they should hire them, but if Politicians care about Army Veterans they should empower them with permission to solicit or hustle, as it is defined in StartUp world - ability to persuade for investment or sale. StartUp team in software world has been sometimes defined as Hacker, Hustler, and Designer.
And once SEC, under pressure of politician, removes general solicitation ban for US Veterans completely and therefore allow full functionality of JOBS Act then alloy of US Veterans & Young Geeks may start what can be known in future as next Gold Rush - Equity based Crowd-Funding of StartUps!
best regards,
Roman Havrylyak
12/8/2013
Ukrainian Army Veterans at EuroMaidan brought to memory personal story with US Army Veterans.
At summer 2008 i was at risk to loose health insurance with 8 month pregnant wife, former employer requested to leave US or face deportation, family friend turned his back, plus i got served for court dispute over contract terms violation. In midst of all these problems i got call from Ukraine. It was my Mom who with joy in her voice said that she found solution. Somewhere in local newspaper she read that USA grants greencard (permanent residency) to those who join US Army. I was skeptical, but did look around for US Army Veteran for consultation. The only person that we knew was US Army Veteran and agreed to help was Ramona Carpenter. My problems slowly got resolved after i got new consulting engagement, so we didn't even tried to join US Army. But I did get out of it new family friends.
Years later i got opportunity to return favor to US Army Veteran. Colleague voiced to me complaint on coworker, who happened to be US Veteran. Matter of complaint was not a big deal, just emotionally triggered incorrect words. So i asked colleague to let it go. It just didn't feel right to escalate. But what i learned from complaint was that US Veteran was in somewhat similar position that i was in 2005 when first arrived to USA with H1B visa. So in addition to letting go of complaint i decided to help US Veteran with job "upgrade". Long story short - goosefraba (see "Anger Management" movie for word definition).
Last month on Veteran's Day i read interesting article in Washington Post called "To Honor Veterans, Hire Them!", where there was estimate that close to 800 Veterans will be transitioning from military to civilian life style and quote "valuable skills and experience, such as leadership, teamwork, self-discipline, problem solving, quick thinking and experience working in a mission-focused environment".
Interestingly enough recently after joining Rotary Club of Knoxville i was assigned to Mainstream Committee, where one of possible Service Project can be to help US Veterans after active duty to adopt to civilian lifestyle, find job, etc.
Biggest takeaways from that presentation were:
- Bomb shelter - as “special” room to work out disagreements before anybody leaves shelter.
- Next was lack of established authority or entitlement. The fact that all have to prove over and over their expertise means significantly reduced lifespan of technical skills.
- Next was staff redundancy forced by 20-30% of staff being on temporary military service. It must force knowledge transfer to level almost impossible to achieve today at US companies.
- And last one - not surprising at all - that innovation in military warfare drives innovation in public sector.
If employers care about Army Veterans they should hire them, but if Politicians care about Army Veterans they should empower them with permission to solicit or hustle, as it is defined in StartUp world - ability to persuade for investment or sale. StartUp team in software world has been sometimes defined as Hacker, Hustler, and Designer.
And once SEC, under pressure of politician, removes general solicitation ban for US Veterans completely and therefore allow full functionality of JOBS Act then alloy of US Veterans & Young Geeks may start what can be known in future as next Gold Rush - Equity based Crowd-Funding of StartUps!
best regards,
Roman Havrylyak
12/8/2013
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