🎙️ Leadership After the Uniform | Command 2 Corporate w/ Special Guest: SFC Vernon Gales (Ret.)

About Our Guest:

Vernon (Always Got A Smile) Gales was a professional Soldier in the United States Army for 22 years, during which time he held myriad positions and rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC). It was Junior ROTC that inspired him to join the United States Army six months after his twin brother, Vincent. He completed Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. His first assignment was in Nurnberg, Germany from 1983 - 1987, and his last assignment was at Fort Hood, Texas, where he served with the Central Material Management Command (CMMC). In between his first and last assignment, he served in places such as Fort Polk, LA; Operation Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia, Fort Sill, OK; Camp Casey, Korea, and Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq. SFC Gales was the recipient of numerous military awards and decorations.

🎖️ In this episode of Command 2 Corporate, we sit down with SFC Gales (Ret.), diving deep into the journey from military service to civilian leadership.

We explore their personal leadership evolution—from defining moments in uniform to the values and traits that continue to guide them in civilian life. He share who shaped his leadership style, what surprised him during his transition, and how he adapted his approach to thrive in new professional environments.

💬 Topics We Cover:

🔹 His leadership journey and key turning points in the military

🔹  Influences that shaped his leadership style

🔹 Which military values still guide him in civilian life

🔹 The hardest parts of transitioning into a civilian workplace

🔹 How he adjusted his leadership style (and whether he needed to)

🔹 Common misconceptions civilians have about veterans and military leadership

🔹 Advice for veterans preparing to step into corporate leadership

🔹 The one piece of advice they’d give themselves at the start of their transition

Whether you're a transitioning service member, a veteran leader, or someone who wants to better understand the value veterans bring to the corporate world, this conversation offers candid insights, practical wisdom, and inspiration for your own leadership path.

🗣️ If this episode resonates with you, be sure to subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts to stay updated on our latest conversations. Share it with someone stepping into their first leadership role, and let’s empower the next generation together! We’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment and help shape our future episodes!

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#VeteranLeadership #Leadership #RetiredMilitary #USArmy #Command2Corporate #GuestSpeaker #MyFirstLeader