VETLANTA: Post-9/11 Leaders
Wanted
If Veterans Support Organizations (VSO) are to remain
the only growing segment of the veteran’s population, the
post-9/11 veteran. One of the most effective ways that they can
do that is to actively pursue young leaders to bring onto their
leadership teams. While many organizations state that obtaining
funding is their largest challenge, what I believe to be the true
services in a convincing enough fashion to justify funding their
efforts. Placing more post-9/11 veterans in leadership positions
at these organizations can help solve this challenge. By having
their boots on the ground, young leaders are better able to
the organizations they serve to better address the needs of the
veterans who are aided by the organizations.
Today’s post-9/11 veteran leader is looking for an organization
that aligns with their values. I know because that’s what I did
Summit in 2017. I was looking for an organization that
recognized the value of younger veterans and that was willing
summits as a club member, becoming a pillar director shortly
thereafter. Most recently, I took on the role of Chief Marketing
then recognized some areas that I could impact. Most importantly,
I then took steps to be the change I wanted to see. It’s imperative
that other post-9/11 veterans understand that the process is just as
challenging as it is rewarding, and providing ideas isn’t enough;
they have to step up and make their ideas become reality.
The questions below can help get the conversation started
between legacy leaders and the next generation of organizational
leadership.
For legacy leaders:
would be a great addition to your leadership team and have
8 | December 2018 | Real Hero Report
have you set the stage for new leaders to experience success
For post-9/11 veterans:
relationship with that organization to better understand its
At VETLANTA, rule #1 is “Help veterans.” We remind
ourselves of that at the beginning of each meeting. For
VETLANTA and for every other VSO, we must stay focused
on the execution of our missions by remembering why we got
are to impact the changing veterans’ landscape, we must change
with it. Through the active promotion of diversity of thought and
experience, VSOs can thrive, not just survive, in the post-9/11 era.