Intro/Outro (00:02):
Welcome to Veteran Voices where we amplify the stories of those who’ve served in the US Armed Forces. Presented by supply chain now and the Guam Human Rights Initiative, we dive deep into the journeys of veterans and their advocates, exploring their insights, challenges, impact, and the vital issues facing veterans and their families. Here’s your host, US Army veteran, Mary Kate Saliva.
Mary Kate Soliva (00:34):
Hello everyone. Thank you for joining us on Veteran Voices. I’m your host, Mary Kate Soliva. Veteran Voices is a podcast part of the supply chain now family, wherever you can get your podcast from. We are a podcast that loves to interview veterans who are serving beyond the uniform, and I’m so excited about our special guest who’s going to be mentioning some great things about Best Defense Warrior Alliance four Block and Vet Atlanta. As we say, it takes some time, the whole village to take care of us complex creatures, but Veteran Voices is also part only the supply chain now family, but in proud partnership with the Guam Human Rights Initiative and organization. Near and dear to my heart, that is helping to advance research in Guam and Micronesia. You can check them out@guamhri.org. And without further ado, we’d like to welcome our guest, Kurt Robinson Air Force veteran, and also a long time, a proud employee at Delta. So thank you so much for joining me today, Kurt
Kurt Robinson (01:35):
Ane thank you for having me.
Mary Kate Soliva (01:37):
I’m super excited to have you on because I know we had a chance to speak and I know you have stories for days that we could talk about today, and I know we only have a limited time, but I want to dive right in and would love if you would share your favorite motivational quote with all of us to pump us up and get started.
Kurt Robinson (01:54):
Oh, absolutely. I would say it’s from Winston Churchill attitude is the little thing that makes a big difference.
Mary Kate Soliva (02:19):
No, I love that. You
Kurt Robinson (02:20):
Believe that attitude no matter what happens, shows where you can go, changes you can make, and how you can survive.
Mary Kate Soliva (02:28):
I think that’s so important too, the attitude that we go into it. I think oftentimes when we’re serving, we say it’s about going through the suck together because we’re all wet, we’re all tired, we’re all hungry, but it’s about the attitude and you could probably think of that one individual, that one airman. And I know for me that soldier that was the comedian or the one that was really amped up and motivated to get us through that, but I think that helps that it aligns really well in the outside world as well.
Kurt Robinson (03:02):
Thank you for sharing. It does, and if someone’s having a hard day, you can tell their attitude changes. Things tend to get better
Mary Kate Soliva (03:09):
And having the right attitude. So thank you for sharing that. That’s a great way to kick off the episode and I would love to dive in about where you grew up. I think this is one of the parts of the show that I love that I think makes it unique from other shows. I think it tells a lot about who we are, where we came from. So I’d love to if you could share a bit about where you grew up.
Kurt Robinson (03:31):
Absolutely. So I grew up actually in Austin, New York. It’s about 45 minutes north of the city on the Hudson River, and that was kind of where I stayed all the way in until I went into the Air Force. So I was in New York all the time and then the Air Force actually put me back in New York, upstate New York, in Rome, New York. So I guess I kind get that New York piece. I just can’t kick out.
Mary Kate Soliva (03:53):
Yeah. Do you still say when people ask where you’re from that you’re from New York or has Georgia taken you by the rains?
Kurt Robinson (04:02):
I think there’s certain words that they know I’m from New York, I guess it’s that Especi. She like water when you say water, a little different in different areas. So when I do say it, he’s definitely from New York but from New York. They come from Georgia now. So I kind of lost a little bit of the deep language with them.
Mary Kate Soliva (04:22):
Oh gosh, you’re the chameleon, so you kind of get blend in either way. No, I love that. And did you grow up in a big family? Did you have that military influence at all growing up from anybody in your own family or friends, teachers?
Kurt Robinson (04:39):
I did grow up in big family. We had five of us from a military perspective, I had four uncles that in World War II and a grandfather in World War, but it was a little bit different growing up. My dad left us at a young age and left my mom with five kids. So you grow up quick that way. And at that point, no, there wasn’t a military person I would say until my stepfather came into the picture years later and he was actually an Air Force veteran. He worked on B third and avionics mechanic.
Mary Kate Soliva (05:13):
Oh wow. I was wondering too, we’re in the line of the five, are you?
Kurt Robinson (05:18):
So I’m in the middle, kind of the one that your two brothers did what they did and you were in the middle, got to do whatever you wanted to do and then the youngest, but when my dad left us Mom, amazing lady and she is my hero, she was left with five kids at a very young age to make it work. So she laid out the rules, we followed them. It’s kind of like being in the military structure. I get back enjoyed it.
Mary Kate Soliva (05:46):
I love that. And is it all boys, because I know you mentioned two
Kurt Robinson (05:50):
Brothers. No, it’s actually one girl and four boys.
Mary Kate Soliva (05:53):
Oh my goodness. She’s the youngest.
Kurt Robinson (05:57):
No, she’s right under me. A younger brother I had under that. Oh goodness. So we call her the queen because she was the only girl in the group.
Mary Kate Soliva (06:07):
Oh my goodness. I was like, imagine having all those older brothers. Are all the brothers in school? No. So I love what you mentioned about your stepdad being the Air Force as well because I always think it’s interesting about why people ended up choosing the branch that they did because you have other options, but sometimes it is influencing the family and sometimes it’s just a fancy catch saying on a billboard in the town, but would love to hear about why the Air force for you.
Kurt Robinson (06:39):
Well, that is an interesting story. I actually initially took the test to go into the Navy. So what I did was I was in college finishing my two year degree, had that in the aerospace side of the house and for some reason when I got out I was going to college for trying to finish up and school’s not for everybody at that point in your life. So I made a turn and decided to go into the military. At that point I actually went to the Navy recruiter and with the education, he goes, Hey, you can come in at this level of rank and air traffic control was what they targeted. And I said, okay. So as I walked out the door, I wasn’t too sure I wanted air traffic control, the air. And he goes, well, we have air traffic controllers, we got all sorts of stuff. And he transferred my test stuff over to them. And then from that point it was heavy maintenance on aircraft, which is really what I love doing. So I just stayed with the Air Force at that point and continued down the journey
Mary Kate Soliva (07:50):
And didn’t look back,
Kurt Robinson (07:52):
Never looked back. I
Mary Kate Soliva (07:53):
Have to say, Kurt, I feel like you’re the first one that Air Force wasn’t the first pick and usually it’s that the Air Force was on a long lunch break and they tried to go and nobody was in the office and so they had to go down the hall and the Army’s like come to us where the Marines,
Kurt Robinson (08:09):
We’ll, he might’ve just been coming back from lunch.
Mary Kate Soliva (08:13):
That sounds like the Air Force is they already got the line down the hallway so they don’t even have to worry about trying to pull people in the Marines are like, you come do a pull up challenge with us. No, I think that, yeah, just love that little tidbit.
Kurt Robinson (08:31):
And they did get nervous because when we were leaving New York supposed to get on their fight and it was canceled and they didn’t want us to leave. So what they did was there’s an old army barracks right before you go over Staten Island Bridge. They opened that up and cleared the dust out to keep us there for the night. So then we’re a late day late getting down to Texas. But it was kind of interesting like we can’t let you go at this point. You got to stay with us.
Mary Kate Soliva (09:03):
Yeah, it’s like you’re stuck now.
(09:08):
And that’s how it happens sometimes It’s like we think we are going in and that might be the one and only choice that we end up making is by which branch we want. And then after that it’s sort of not really your choice to be like, give us your top five and you’ll get the one we want. I love that piece of it too. Like I said, I think everybody else is trying to go Air Force and they were on a long lunch. So I’d love to go straight into your time in the Air Force and I know you said you ended up loving what you do, which is awesome. I know it’s not the same for everybody, but were there sort of any mentors that took you under your wing at that time? No pun intended at that time that
Kurt Robinson (09:56):
Shout out to, there was Master Sergeant Robert Walker still talked to him today. Great. So when I got in and went through all training, I was up at Cash Store in the upper peninsula for a little bit and then I was over at Rome, New York base closed now, but at that time we had KC one 30 fives and B 50 twos, so I was preaching and then we cross trained over to the B 50 twos, whatever they needed. We could work either aircraft at the end of the day, but Mass Sergeant Walker took me under his wing and he goes, his theory was to give you more than he ever had as an opportunity. So a year to two into the Air Force working for him, I realized he goes, Hey, what do you want to do next? And I never had anyone ask me that question.
(10:46):
And he goes, I’m here to help, whatever you need. So at that time, Anne Marie Riddle was on campus at the base. So he goes, you need to go back and finish up your education. I said, okay, I’m going. And I said, but I’m working afternoon shifts because you work what you had to. He goes, that’s fine, go to class and then just stay late. We had that opportunity. I know a lot of folks did not in the military, but he did everything and he was kind of the boss you’d do anything for. So it wasn’t about the rank, it was about the person that’s sitting there. And then after that I was getting towards the end of it and he goes, go back. And now I went back and got, because I didn’t know if I was going to stay in or not, but he made sure I was set up to make that decision whether I would stay or whether I would leave the military after my first. So I always look back at him, I always thank him every year because time I talk about a leader, he’s the number one even after all these years that I give him credit for what he did and he did it for of us.
Mary Kate Soliva (11:55):
And I love the piece that you said about him just asking, he asked your thoughts and sometimes even at such a young age that we don’t think about that and planning for the future, we’re just looking at what’s in front of us and how can we make it through today without getting yelled at or falling short of what needs to happen for the mission or even the annual evaluations. We’re just looking for that maybe a year ahead or to the next PCS, but we’re not looking at the future future. So I love that he encouraged your higher education and just seeking out that next step, but really taking it into what do you want to do and fostering that instead of forcing a different agenda on you I think is fantastic and unfortunately sometimes rare and few and far between. So thank you for sharing that about him.
Kurt Robinson (12:48):
And also in the military, you have below the zone and he came to me one day, he said, come on, we have to go talk to the commander. So I was a sergeant at the time and he goes, you just got it and here’s your staff Sergeant Stripes if you’d like him. But the base commander goes, there’s a hitch on this one, which I wasn’t expecting, but he said, you need to reenlist to get the stretch right. I said, ah. So we were walking out and I remember the conversation with Sergeant Walker about making choices, what you want to do. And he knew I was leading more towards an officer role if I stayed. So the next weekend the base commander gave me three days to make the decision, walked in his office and I said, I think I’m going to go. And then he handed me a recommendation letter for OTS. He said, all right. He said, I heard you, Michael left or right, so whichever direction you want, best of luck, here you go. So it made it tough to leave at the time, but he was backing me a hundred percent through those decisions.
Mary Kate Soliva (13:53):
And I love that you had somebody there to make that decision with. Sometimes it’s quick, fast, and in a hurry. And I had love to hear a bit more about what made you some of the things that you were thinking about at that time for transition and what made you decide this was it, especially with something like a promotion. Because when I was transitioning during the pandemic, I had some buddies that were going to transition with me and then they dangled a bonus in front of them. It’s like if you reenlist when you get all this money and they’re like, oh, that kind of looks kind of good, Mary Kay, no guarantee about what our employment is, but we can guarantee we’re going to get the carrot. So some of them stayed and I just, I’d love to hear your story about that. What made you choose to get out?
Kurt Robinson (14:42):
Well, when I was looking at it always like everyone in aviation I think always wanted to fly. So when I was working on my, I was going to go work on the outside, the Arrow Club on the base really couldn’t pay us, so we swapped flight hours for working on the planes and you don’t have a lot of money back then. So at that point we’d work on the planes and then get free flight hours. So I started flying and I always wanted to do that. And then what happened was once I got the degree in the military, what you needed to start, I took the test and there was no pilot slots available at the time. So I was back and forth. My chief wanted me to stay. He was funny. He goes, last day when I was getting ready to go, he took me out in his two 40 Z. He did some donuts in the parking lot and he goes, Hey, if you stay with us, you can do this when you’re a chief. So I was kind of laughing, but I said at that point,
Mary Kate Soliva (15:34):
Make a decision on a donut.
Kurt Robinson (15:36):
Yeah, it was funny. He was having a blast, but he is like as a chief, I could do what I want on the base. So he was enjoying it, trying to say this is where you could be down the road. But since I set up to go try something, I told them I’m going to go out and if it doesn’t work, I’m going to come back. But I felt like at that time it was the right time to make the move and I felt like I was prepared to do it.
Mary Kate Soliva (16:02):
And I think that that piece that you just said about you felt you were prepared for it, I think there’s a lot of come from peace in knowing that you made the decision for you and not for anybody else. And that’s important. And I think sometimes with the transition, people aren’t ready for the transition, whether it was like a medical discharge, they just weren’t ready for it. So you had a vision in mind about getting into aviation. And how many years did you end up serving total?
Kurt Robinson (16:36):
So I served four years and I did my one E Liston. A lot of folks were getting out early at that point, but I stayed the whole time. I wasn’t in the bucket and I was good with that. I had plans going if things would’ve changed if they asked me a year earlier, but timing for me was working out again.
Mary Kate Soliva (16:55):
That’s great. And the transition piece for you, what was available at that time, if anything? What was it like you said a piece of paper and have good luck to you.
Kurt Robinson (17:07):
That’s about what it was back then. I mean there was not a lot of help on anything. So if you didn’t have a plan on where you wanted to go and what you needed to get there and you were just walking out the door, you were kind of out there. I remember Pratting when you came into our hangers one day towards, it was probably about halfway into it and there was a lot of folks that had it in our phase doc area we were in that were just about to get out and they had no plans. And Pratt came in and offered ’em all a job immediately because of their experience. So they walked out with a job, but at that point I’m like, if you’re not ready, you’re going to walk out into the unknown and there was no one to help you. You had to chart your course and make a thing. There wasn’t great organizations like Four Block Today we see and a bunch of the other ones that, and I do coach at four Block to help them and also connect them with Delta. And we do a lot with them too to help the veterans transition to get their resumes correct, to get their LinkedIn profiles correct. We didn’t have all of that. I mean I’ll date myself. I got out back in 89. So back then we did not have a lot to help. So you kind of charted your own course?
Mary Kate Soliva (18:21):
No, and I think that there’s so much to say about that because I don’t know, some people, the Gen Z might think eighties was a long time ago, but I still feel like it wasn’t that long ago, the eighties. I’m like, that’s still within my lifetime. I’m an eighties baby. But to think that it wasn’t that long ago that there was nothing, I was so many my guests that served during that eighties, early nineties, they were like there was nothing. And to think now how far we have come as a veteran community and the veterans that were on the other side already that are reaching back to help out. So I’d love if you could share, because some of our listeners are transitioning service members maybe going through that period or maybe they may be on the fence right now. What advice would you give to them regarding their transition?
Kurt Robinson (19:15):
If you’re getting ready to transition? A few things is you have to have your plan on where you think you want to go and then whatever industry that is. And it’s hard a lot have a hard time taking their military career. And what does that mean? In the civilian world, mine was a little easier because I look at it from the perspective. I went from aircraft maintenance to a lucky to get into a major airline and aircraft maintenance. So different aircraft, but we’re doing a lot of the same stuff, easier transition. But if I didn’t go get my license, I never would’ve got hired by Delta back then because your license allows you to do it in the civilian world. So whatever it is, you’ve got to figure out that connection and you’ve got to look for company culture today that is military friendly. And I say that because I’ve had the pleasure of being here for over 34 years at Delta Arms.
(20:09):
And a lot of folks I work with we’re in the high thirties. We came out of the military and we’ve been here for over 30 years of the culture. Every company has their ups and downs and airline industry. We have a lot of ups and downs. What kept us at the airline is the culture of the people. So the day one, I walked into the hangers, boom, I knew all the military guys that were there, all came over, all our toolboxes had this branch of service you were in because we’d always kind of get after each other on that. And so we just started building that family piece. So looking back, target those companies and then don’t afraid to get in somewhere and work your way through. I tell everybody when I do the four block stuff and all the transition pieces is some people get so focused on a title and a position that you really lose focus. That’s just money at the end of the day. But if you get the right company and you stay there, you’ll build to those levels. I’ve had multiple jobs at the company over these years, never got bored. And at the end of the day, you can progress to wherever you want. Don’t get focused on my title. I have to be at this level. And I think a lot of folks struggle with that.
Mary Kate Soliva (21:21):
I think you’re right. And sometimes the current situation that we’re having in the military we’re so quick to want to go, especially if we get out before. That’s why I wanted to hear your story so much because there are service members who are getting out now before the 20 year retirement that was typical back then. And now they more often than not, they’re transitioning earlier. So they’re walking out the door without a retirement or maybe without that college degree. And so I think that key piece that you mentioned about that license that you got, and now there’s available resources for certifications for service members serving now to get after that. So you know what employers are looking for. But that company culture piece is huge. Still that statistic, I don’t know where that number is at now, but the transitioning service members even post active duty, active service end up in two or three jobs in their first few years. So the fact that you have stayed with Delta over 30 years I think is incredible and just a huge shout out to Delta for taking care of their people and especially their veterans. And you said there’s some others like you. So there’s other veterans that have been there over 30 years.
Kurt Robinson (22:35):
Oh, there’s a lot of us. There’s that. When I get hired into Delta, I would say 80% of our maintenance was pretty much military. It’s changed over the years of course, and our group is probably 90 plus percent. So because of what we’ve done in the military and all branches of the search, our jobs kind of transitioned very easy into the airline industry. And I say that from the perspective of you’ve got a mission, you’ve got a goal, you’ve got safety, the plane’s got to go. So 3000 plus flights a day are leaving today. So what better organization than a military background fits with that right goal or initiative? We know what we got to do, we move on to the next job. So I think it naturally bring folks to the area, but oh, there’s tons of, over the last eight years and I just stopped in February, my terms finally ran out.
(23:26):
I’ve had the honor of leading our veterans BRG. So three years as the vp, five years as the president turned it over, just voted in. Was Theresa Livingston, an amazing person and she’s actually also just retired from military lieutenant colonel. So she’s got a huge military background and done some amazing things. So she’s now our new president of the veterans BRG. And in that organization we have over 11,000, we have 11,000 at the company Belt Airlines and we have about 1500 members in there actively helping in their community. So it was you connect that way, which are other veterans and move through. So it’s kind of one of those pieces and a lot of that keeps you at the company. We joke around and we got some great guys doing volunteer work care packages, Mark Morris from the hangar, and then the company steps in a lot and we do for our Veterans Day event, we do a huge Veterans Day event. Mark actually started it years ago with a shadow box today. It’s a corporate event we all kick in and support and we have over 40 military aircraft days and the company stops and allows us to do this and recognizes it, right? That’s what keeps you out of company, right? It’s not just the billboard out there, it’s actually what happens when you’re internal.
Mary Kate Soliva (24:46):
No, gosh, the company culture, it definitely sounds like a second family to stay somewhere for that long. And as I mentioned, even for military 20 years, it’s like that’s the retirement. But to stay in over 30 and continue to love what you do and continue to do the work that you’re doing is amazing and the skills that you’re able to bring to the table. But the fact that you have a veteran community within Delta, and I love that you all have, do they refer to them their Is IT resource group?
Kurt Robinson (25:21):
Yeah, we used to be an employee network group and now it’s a business resource group, which is actually
Mary Kate Soliva (25:26):
Business resource group.
Kurt Robinson (25:28):
When we changed, originally I was in the employee who was called Employee Network. When you go to business resource group, but most corporations now you have a lot more support.
Mary Kate Soliva (25:38):
That’s great.
Kurt Robinson (25:40):
And we’re involved in decision. They’ll ask us some military stuff. A good example is years ago we sat with our town acquisition team and said, Hey, we sat down with ’em and asked them, Hey, why don’t we have a military hiring program? These are the benefits, these are the people you get. They’re flexible, they’re highly skilled, they can work through problems and initiatives. Everything we do in the military because plans don’t. Every morning we launch 3000 plus flights. Sometimes you’re going to have a hiccup. You need people that can make those adjustments and fix it and go. So today we actually from that conversation over probably six years ago now, we have a military recruiting team that goes to basis. So as we push this more through the company and now we’re actively recruiting, which is getting visibility through the whole company. Great thing to do.
(26:31):
And then one of the other things I do have to brag about, two things on the group is last year the veterans group for us won the Warrior Alliance Award for the Veterans Impact Award. Amazing opportunity to be recognized by your community. So you think you’re doing good inside and you hope you’re helping people because that’s what it’s about. And in an outside agency that does amazing things to support veterans, if you’re struggling at all, that’s a group you want to reach out to from housing to benefits, they’ll help you get connected. And then they recognized us for being one of the best in Atlanta area for helping areas. Right? Amazing group. And then three years ago we connected with the Best Defense Foundation on Delta, and this is the third year we’re going to take World War II folks back to Normandy. And it started as a grassroots virginity who’s in global sales, called me one day and she said, Hey, I’ve got Early War Freedom.
(27:25):
She knew that she met the director and it’s France, thank it’s a documentary of thanking our World War II veterans. So we turned around and looked at that. She sent it to me, we worked together, we got it on our flight, on our I system for people to see. And then that led to hooking up with the Best Defense Foundation. Another amazing organization, Donnie Edwards runs it. He’s actually Kansas City chief, NFL player retired. And his buddy seen him on the video and connected with him and said, Hey, how’d you get on the Delta flight? And then that talking and next thing you know, we went and we’re putting together, can we put a charter back to Normandy with these editor, right? Amazing folks. Donnie, Donnie, Catherine run that foundation, just amazing people. And then finally we got to that point, I sent an email to Ed and asked him our CEO because he’s a huge veteran supporter, which over the last eight years, I can’t thank him enough for all his support.
(28:23):
He shout it back to me and said, then we had the team on there that we worked up to that point, I just happened to be the one request at the end of the day. And he shouted back, get a plane, go to Normandy. So that turned into a three year, going on a third year venture and talking to these World War II guys is just amazing. This year I have the honor now that I’m not in the president spot, but I’m going to go back as one of their caregivers and I’ll be with one of the World War II guys the whole time. Tom Tom is busy guy attached to, he was in the Battle of the Bulge. I talked to him yesterday. The stories he’ll tell you are just amazing. And then the initial part, I hooked up with Neil and another World War II veteran. He was in the Pacific and all this great guy. We talk a lot, but just amazing stories and just stopped. And to them is just great.
Mary Kate Soliva (29:15):
Gosh, I already just congratulations on all fronts with that. And it takes individuals like yourself, veterans like yourself to really push and identify those gaps and speak up about them. And gosh, what a great thing that you’re doing for the World War II veterans. My family loves going to the World War II Air Show in Redding, Pennsylvania. And we love sitting down and you see the kids with their little autograph books because they really are that great generation. And to talk to them, and gosh, I wish it was with you having that chance to just one-on-one and speak for a long time to hear their stories. What a blessing that is to be able to do that. So thank you for doing that, Delta for doing that. It’s so needed. And gosh, I’m like, I don’t want to dive into that one, but I know the limited time of the episode, I was like, gosh, I want to hear more about what’s going on over there, what you do with them in Normandy, but we’ll have to stay tuned. Could you shout out the, you said there was a film out there?
Kurt Robinson (30:20):
Yeah, the Girl Who Wore Freedom.
Mary Kate Soliva (30:22):
Okay.
Kurt Robinson (30:23):
It’s a great documentary. And the trips we’ve been over is just amazing. The way the people of France and Normandy treat our World War II veterans, they’re like heroes and the parades, I mean they’re trying to get their signatures, they’re giving them signatures and it’s just amazing of that, how they appreciate them for the freedom they have today all the way to the students in the classrooms. So it’s just amazing when you go there and see all that, recommend everybody. It’s got to be on your bucket list. If you serve to get over to Normandy just to see it, even if it’s not during the big events, go over there and see, because it’s amazing place where they do recognize what our World War II heroes did for them. And then on the other side with that is just as you know, over the last 20 plus years, we’ve had a lot of our veterans in conflicts throughout that.
(31:12):
So in addition to that, we try to do a great job to recognize everyone that served. That is the greatest generation, but we have a lot of folks coming back that need some help and are struggling and we need to reach out there and make sure we’re helping them because they’ve done for the last 20 plus year, the average American, I would say is probably forgotten about that. They don’t realize what’s really going on and a lot of stuff. And these folks have been in harm’s way for over 20 plus years coming out. So they need our help too. So we need to make sure we’re doing everything we can in your local communities to help every veteran that’s coming out right now and their families.
Mary Kate Soliva (31:51):
That’s such a great point because I did learn that sort of the hard way. I was referring different organizations to veterans that I know, but they would come back to me and say, Mary Kate, they don’t help Cold War era or it’s only post nine 11 veteran. And just what you said, to be able to service all veterans or even to have that resource instead of just turning that veteran away to say like, oh, we don’t do that, but check out this other organization who does do that. And I think that that’s so powerful and what you said about making everybody should have that on their bucket list. I’m like, it should be on the bucket list right now. I noticed for me, but while we still have World War II veterans still with us such an honor, it’s going to come to a point where we are just going to the beach and we don’t have them here with us anymore.
(32:39):
And to be able to do it now, like you said, as a caregiver, thank you for stepping up to do that. I think that’s absolutely incredible. And I know you’re going to have the time of your life again this year. So I’d love to talk now is to segue into those organizations since we were just talking about them. I had mentioned earlier in the episode Best Defense Warrior Alliance four block in Vet Atlanta. There’s four incredible organizations that you have ties to would love for you to at least touch on four block for sure because I’m also a graduate of the four block program and you have to coach. But wherever you’d like to start, I’d love to hear about your service with these organizations.
Kurt Robinson (33:24):
Well, absolutely. So one thing you’ll realize when you’re supporting veterans and they all do a very special piece or some do all of it, you just don’t know. So I’ll start at the top where I had the worry alliance. We talked about, they recognized this when I first met the organization, Scott introduced me and called me up and said, Kirk, this is what we do. What we loved about it was we already supported the organizations they were sending veterans in to get help. And they just come up top and send you there and they track you, make sure you’re doing okay and anything from housing to legal to whatever you need. If we can help one veteran get better, that’s going to help him, their families come back to society and be okay. And then by that, that’s that piece. And we looked at that.
(34:14):
We’re still looking at everything they do and they’re connected to Atlanta Braves, right? Little more visibility, but they can get the veterans struggling and help ’em to be in a positive way, which is what we’re all here for. When you look at some organizations like the Best Defense Foundation, they do amazing job bringing the veterans back. That’s what they’re there. But they also have the section that they’re starting up to help the transitioning veteran, the one that’s going through some battle fatigue type stuff. So they’re just starting that. Another one branching out with great organizations, small organizations that we’re trying to just move through the piece. When you look at four block, I’ll use them as an example, back in Covid before the covid days, Roger called me up and he goes, Hey Kurt, we started talking about the different four blocks and what we could do. So I said, doc, let me go see. So I started coaching and the impact you can make talking to somebody and every company’s different. So you’ll hear my culture just because what I’ve done and another company’s totally different doesn’t mean it’s wrong for anybody. Your culture might align more the other way. So then we started coaching and now Delta lines, those sponsor their host nights and everything.
Mary Kate Soliva (35:27):
Oh really? That’s great.
Kurt Robinson (35:29):
Yeah, we do. We’ve done a bunch in the Atlanta area and some online stuff, different areas for the online, the West coast and East coast and just trying to help get ’em introduced and seeing what we can do to help. And I think it’s such an amazing, it’s the only organization we’ve found that actually has a solid structure to help somebody. And if you follow their program, it’s going to help you be successful on the other side and it’s going to give you the tools you need and you might not get it on the first job, but at the end it’ll give so a hundred percent supporter. I haven’t coached the last couple of semesters because my Delta, my workloads have been on the road too much. So I haven’t been able to do that back to in person, but I’ll be starting that back again now that some of my traveling has slowed down.
Mary Kate Soliva (36:15):
I love you mentioned Roger. I love how you mentioned Roger too. I remember my phone call with him. I actually remember where I was when I talked to him on the phone, but I ended up going through four block through their virtual cohort. So since I was at Fort Liberty at the time, and so I loved the experience that I had through there and the support that I had. But I do remember that call with Roger and I think it’s so important to have that touchpoint with folks who’ve already been there who are on the other side because it is scary it. And for some guys, they’d rather jump out of an airplane again and multiple times than to go through the transition piece. But to know that we’re going through transitions continuously in life. But that one coming off of active service, especially if you’ve made a career out of it, is really challenging. And sometimes the ones who need it the most are the ones that have stayed in for the long haul.
Kurt Robinson (37:13):
And I agree with that. We see that a lot. Sometimes they’re the ones that they’ve done so much for their country and they’re used to the positions they’re in. And that transition’s kind of hard because they’re going to lose a lot of that in the commercial field that you do not gain rank by long-term, right? It’s all about what you did today, what you’re doing tomorrow, what you’re getting better, a little different twist than I’ve been in so long. So there’s opportunities that come commercial world, some of that opportunities don’t, do not come based on your seniority of the company. So you’ve got to actually be maneuvering. And if you’ve done it in the military, you have the skillset to do it in the commercial film.
Mary Kate Soliva (37:53):
Oh, that’s a great point.
Kurt Robinson (37:55):
Some folks just don’t know it.
Mary Kate Soliva (37:57):
Right. That’s a great, and I was saying with that film White Christmas, because that song that Bing Crosby sings, what do you do with the General when he Stops Being a general, I’ve watched that movie my whole life with my family and that song never made more sense to me than I was sitting there the year that I was transitioning off active duty. And I watched that movie with my dad and I was like, oh my gosh, this song’s about transition. It’s like, this is speaking to me right now. It’s like, what do you do? What do do with a general when he stops being a general, correct. Yeah. And I just thought that’s so powerful what you said and it’s so important. And I know you have another organization that you wanted to shout.
Kurt Robinson (38:37):
I got one.
Mary Kate Soliva (38:38):
Yeah, one more.
Kurt Robinson (38:39):
Atlanta, then Atlanta, we’ve been in and out with that Atlanta a little bit over the years. And Lloyd, I’ve known him for a long time. So he is like, well, Kurt, now that you’re not the president of the VBRG anymore, come join us and help us. So I’m a board member on their group to help. But what I love about Vet Atlanta, Lloyd and John, what they do is they connect companies and people together. They’re making Atlanta the best place for a veteran to live, but what they do is they connect the companies. And a veteran, it’s all about connection. So all their summits, if you haven’t gone to their summits, really you need to go, everyone needs to go check it out. Vet Atlanta. And that’s what they’re there for. They’re there just to support, but to connect people, so very different. So all three four of these organizations, we talked about very different goals, but they’re all excelling and helping veterans, which is what it’s all about actually.
(39:34):
So theres, I’d love to do the VE Atlanta piece and help them out all the time. Now we’re going to try to pull some, Gabe is on their board and he’s working on their veterans, be our gp, some supporting him to help them, whatever he needs to kind of educate, because I still think when you look at what corporate does, if you’re looking at A BRG and a veteran’s BRG, if you don’t have ’em at your company, reach out. We want you to have one, right? Help your veterans. And it’s not just a veteran supporting a veteran. I mean, just imagine who’s been made the transition successful, helps one more veteran make a successful transition. How good would that be?
Mary Kate Soliva (40:17):
Right? That’s what I said about this show. If we had everybody that did like what you did, I mean, I’m happy if they help one organization, but you’re helping out like a dozen. So I know even though I named only four, but you’ve done so much work and I was like, imagine Kurt, if other veterans did what you have been doing for years, but even if it’s just for one community event, the life-changing impact that we can have.
Kurt Robinson (40:43):
Absolutely. And that’s why I tell everybody, if you look at veterans, we want to support 365 days a year. We don’t want to support ’em just over the month of November and now the free haircuts on veterans, they’re nice, but some of us don’t need ’em anymore. Those are all nice. But for 365 days a year, if we could help a veteran and their family and just go through and thank them, I always say is it’s even to thank you. So if you’re going, I don’t know if I got time, everyone’s got a little bit of time volunteer for that one organization that’s in your heart. Or hey, next time you go to the gas station and the guy in front of you is in a car with a veteran tag on and a Vietnam hat on, buy his gas, do a little thing. That’s all you have to do. That goes a long way. So take those little pieces, buy ’em gas, buy ’em, grocery at the store, we see it. A lot of ’em are going to be shocked you did it. But at the end of the day, they’re going to thank you and tell you probably a few stores and then just stop and listen. Give them an answer and
Mary Kate Soliva (41:50):
They won’t forget it. And it sticks with you. And I know some of us, our memories aren’t as they used to be. I feel like mine’s really good, but I was like, I still a little fuzzy, but you don’t forget that that feeling that somebody had for you. I remember one time, even when I was out for lunch with my buddies, we were in uniform and I was the only female soldier sitting at the table. The waitress came over and was like, your meal was paid. And the guys were like, oh, who? And she’s pointing at these older ladies and she’s like, oh no, they only paid for her meal. And the guys were like, wait, what? We’re all in uniform. But it was so funny, the ladies came over and they were saying how one of them, her granddaughter had just joined the service and she just thought that was so great. And I just thought it was the funniest thing. I mean, I’ll never forget it. It totally made my day because I always felt like I was kind of in their shadow. I love brothers, but it was so nice to just speak
(42:51):
And have a little elbow jab at them. But you’re absolutely right. Something simple as paying for gas, you’re already there and it’s not taking up too much time out of your way. And then sharing these resources, I’m a lot about, especially the power of social media. We have the world at our fingertips. I continuously learn about new organizations that are out there. And then the piece that I wanted to highlight is about how you went to Delta. Because even though Delta had veterans since obviously hiring you day one over 30 years ago, there was still much that Delta could learn as an employer about hiring veterans and establishing an actual pipeline, streamlining that pipeline for veterans and going out to the bases. So I think that that’s a great point to make too, to employers out there as well about continuously looking at what they’re doing to be able to engage those communities and the spouses as well and caregivers.
Kurt Robinson (43:48):
Correct. And we don’t want to forget about the families and a lot of us are just starting to branch off to the family side. And Four Block also has an amazing group that they do the veteran and they do the veterans family, the spouse. So there’s organizations like that that you can reach out and really get some help. And I always like to say too, and don’t, I don’t know if it’s something we get drawn into us when we serve, but it’s hard to reach out for help. But if you’re struggling, reach out for help. There’s enough veterans out there that are willing to help. There’s enough organizations, but sometimes you have to ask and get it started, have coffee with another veteran and just talk to them and then see if that leads to something where you can get more help. But don’t be afraid because it’s our honor to help. We just sometimes need to know.
Mary Kate Soliva (44:47):
No, it is an honor to help. And I know for me, one of the things that I love about serving now is to see the call ’em the pioneers. We’re at a time where we still have the World War II and all the veterans that have come through in the different wars of conflicts when our country was going through so much change. And I’m a big, I love history and I love the stories. And I think just even keeping, I had a Vietnam veteran that asked if I would just sit with him. He is a recent widow and he just wanted someone to sit there and keep him company. He didn’t want anything. He just wanted someone to sit there and just be present with him. And just to be able to give that to him at that time is amazing. And there’s so many veterans I’ve met since then. But thank you for shouting those out. Kurt, I would love to ask if you had any sort of tidbits. I know you have continuous advice, but I know that our listeners will likely want to reach out to you and was wondering if you could share a bit about how they can get in touch with you.
Kurt Robinson (45:48):
Sure, absolutely. So just reach out to me on LinkedIn, Kurt, KRT Robinson, you’ll see me out there. Just reach out, send me a note. Anything I can do to help or help you get in the right direction, please send it to us. We’ve got a good network and a lot of times I can’t do something I could get you hopefully to a person that can help. So just reach out. There’s a lot of us out there. And then on that note, if you see any companies on veterans, Adam ’em, reach out and talk to them too if you make that initial connection. And I always tell everybody on the LinkedIn side, I learned some support block because it was very interesting too as coaching is just don’t send me a LinkedIn request, add something to it. So kind of know what you’re looking for, what you want to do, and let’s meet versus just a LinkedIn generic request. So just a little intro and details. This way we kind of know who, when a LinkedIn request comes in, I’ll know who you’re talking to and why.
Mary Kate Soliva (46:48):
No, that’s so important. Sometimes it makes a person’s day. I love when I get notes from veterans to just say, I came across one of your episodes, or I heard that you’re the one to connect with regarding X, Y, Z. And so it means a lot just to adding that little one sentence or two to connect and put a real person behind the name. So thank you so much, Kurt, for joining today. I wanted to, do you have any last closing remarks before we close up and finish off our episode, even though I know we could go all day,
Kurt Robinson (47:24):
Just want to thank everybody that served in your family and then please, if we can help, let us help. General Hooper in Middle state, Tennessee runs a veteran center. And one of the things he told me one day when we were talking that really resonates is not every veteran is doing so bad, but if you do one little piece that prevents them from ever going down, that’s what we’re here for. So reach out, talk to us. And if you’re a veteran out there, ask yourself, I hung up my uniform. Am I doing anything for my brothers and sisters? And if you’re not looking at local community and find something for anything from putting Reese on Graves every year when everybody does it right. So just find something to help the other veterans and their families. Thank you.
Mary Kate Soliva (48:16):
Thank you, Kurt. And thank you all for joining us on Veteran Voices. Whether this is your first time or you’re returning, we hope to see you back again next time, right here. Veteran Voices, you can get wherever you get your podcast from. Again, we are part of the Supply Chain Now, family of podcasts, and we are a proud partnership with the Guam Human Rights Initiative. And you can check out more about them@guamhi.org. Thank you, Kurt, for the special shout out of Best Defense Warrior Alliance four Block and Vet Atlanta. Go check out those incredible organizations, and as Kurt said, send him a note, check him out on LinkedIn and connect. There is a wealth of knowledge. Take advantage of that. And as we love to say here on Veteran Voices, do good, pay it forward and be the change that’s needed. We’ll see you all next time. Take care.
