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Meet Josh
Kid
Infantry
Teen
Growing up as an Army Brat (Dad was in the Army), at seven years old, I was in my fifth location, and second country. I ended up living in Saginaw, Texas. I was an average kid doing average things. My Mom told me a story of the time I jumped off the second story roof. The only thing I really remember from the story was my answer to why I
Growing up as an Army Brat (Dad was in the Army), at seven years old, I was in my fifth location, and second country. I ended up living in Saginaw, Texas. I was an average kid doing average things. My Mom told me a story of the time I jumped off the second story roof. The only thing I really remember from the story was my answer to why I did it. My answer was simple. "I don't think I am afraid of heights anymore".
Teen
Infantry
Teen
Here is where life got interesting. My sister had a slew of mental health issues that created a toxic home life for me. Truth is, I quit. I ended up in alternative school and at the end of my ninth grade year, I had all of the first half of English I completed. In alternative school I only had to attend for 4 hours a day or 20 hours a wee
Here is where life got interesting. My sister had a slew of mental health issues that created a toxic home life for me. Truth is, I quit. I ended up in alternative school and at the end of my ninth grade year, I had all of the first half of English I completed. In alternative school I only had to attend for 4 hours a day or 20 hours a week. I showed up, but not to do school work. I gave up on myself, and slept the time away. Let’s face it, at that point I felt everyone gave up on me too. Tenth grade year starts and the most amazing teacher I ever had, Mrs. Mellott, got it through my thick skull that no person has the power to truly control me. That my choices were my own, and every choice would lead to a better or worse version of me. So, I put that lesson into action and I graduated Watson High School a few months early at the age of 17. I also became the Assistant Manager of the local Dairy Queen (the building exists as an Arby’s now) right after I graduated.
Infantry
Infantry
Infantry
I joined the Army in 2001 to be an Airborne Infantryman. I had two powerful motivators to join:
- I was making bad decisions again and knew this was a way out.
- I had something to prove to everyone.
My Mom was in the first platoon of women soldiers when they transitioned away from the Women's Army Corps and became a finance clerk. I tell you
I joined the Army in 2001 to be an Airborne Infantryman. I had two powerful motivators to join:
- I was making bad decisions again and knew this was a way out.
- I had something to prove to everyone.
My Mom was in the first platoon of women soldiers when they transitioned away from the Women's Army Corps and became a finance clerk. I tell you this so you can better understand the impact of her words.
When I told my Mom that I joined the Infantry she was very upset and told me I would never make it because I was not tough or strong enough to be infantry. I did very well in the Infantry. I've had three combat deployments from 2003-04 with the 82nd (spearhead invasion of Iraq), 2005-06 with the 101st (present for their first free election), and 2011-12 with the Big Red One (beginning steps of the close out and departure of combat forces in Iraq). I even made it to become a Senior Noncommissioned Officer in the infantry as a Sergeant First Class prior to becoming a Recruiter. This is where I learned the value of true leadership, and that every situation has value.
Recruiting
Recruiting
Recruiting
To use my beautiful wife's words, "I became the person she only saw glimpses of before". With the position of special trust in the community, my job was to be the Ambassador of the Army. That means I had to interact with educators, company owners, CEO's, and people from every walk of life. I could no longer be standoffish. I needed to be
To use my beautiful wife's words, "I became the person she only saw glimpses of before". With the position of special trust in the community, my job was to be the Ambassador of the Army. That means I had to interact with educators, company owners, CEO's, and people from every walk of life. I could no longer be standoffish. I needed to be more extroverted to accomplish my goals for the Army. What I found while working in high schools and colleges, helped grow me into the extrovert I am today. I worked with guidance counselors and local colleges to ensure students had the greatest chance to succeed at their goals. I was able to volunteer my time which the Army paid me to do. I was a sports conditioning coach, working with all sports to develop fitness plans for students. I worked in alternative schools to tell my story and help motivate students to graduate. I used the Army's counseling methods to lead students both in high school and college. This is where I found my passion to help youths.
Buisness
Recruiting
Recruiting
I fell into a job with Conversion Monster when I retired from the Army. I applied to be their sales manager. They saw value in me (I did not know was there) and offered me the position of Leadership and Development Manager. I found myself working directly with the CEO early on in the company. He took me under his wing, mentored me, and gr
I fell into a job with Conversion Monster when I retired from the Army. I applied to be their sales manager. They saw value in me (I did not know was there) and offered me the position of Leadership and Development Manager. I found myself working directly with the CEO early on in the company. He took me under his wing, mentored me, and grew me swiftly. I was promoted quickly to my current position of Leadership and Development Director. I enjoy the job, but my focus shifted away from the original responsibilities. Working more in sales, marketing, and client services, I found my happiness and enthusiasm draining away. This became the topic of conversation with a good friend, Denis Guerin who stated, "You're like me, you have to help people, and you're not right now". Talk about a light bulb moment! This is where I find my happiness. It lies with helping others.
Now
Recruiting
Now
This is the story we write together...