How to thank a veteran with Shelly Rood

Have you ever struggled maybe in the airport when you see a military veteran getting early access on your flight, and you want to thank them for the sacrifices they make to keep our country safe?

Maybe you ran into an awkward conversation during Independence Day and wondered how to speak to someone who’s been in combat?

It’s a different life than being a civilian, and there are struggles that come along with being a veteran and the experiences that that life entails.

Regardless of the fact that according to 2019 statistics, 40% of service members do NOT see combat, and of the remaining 60%, only 10% to 20% are deployed into the combat premise, the lifestyle is dramatically different than the average American workforce.

And yet there’s still that haunting number: Every day an estimated 22 service members take their own life.

Mental Health buzzwords like PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and depression are thrown about like the pills often used to treat them, and yet until this conversation, even xI didn’t know of the term “Moral Injury” that regularly defines why these soldiers have the issues they face in the first place.

Shelly Rood is a mother, former Army Intelligence Officer, and creator of Others Over Self, a nonprofit designed to support veterans with the the belief that all people should be putting the needs of others over their own.

We discuss her history in the armed forces, the best way to thank a veteran for their service from the eyes of a veteran, and the ideas behind the philosophy of others over self that aims people to be a value add to everyone they interact with.

Shelly served in the United States Army Reserves for 16 years as an Intelligence Officer and now is a small business owner and ordained minister, advocating for selfless service in action.

Attaining the rank of Captain, Shelly served as an S2, a Company Commander and more, leading covert intelligence briefings and orchestrating security programs for nearly 4,000 Soldiers.

Her military awards include the Shield of Sparta and the St. Joan D’Arc.

A Distinguished Military Graduate from Western Michigan University, Shelly graduated in May 2022 with her M.A. in Ministry Studies at Moody Theological Seminary.

She is the creator of Others Over Self®, a leadership mindset serving people in positions of influence to make a lasting impact on others.

Shelly facilitates the Warriors With Warriors Program: Connecting Spiritual Warriors with Earthly Warriors.

She is happily married and is tackling the daily challenge of raising two boys in an increasingly self-focused society.

Find out more about Shelly and Other OVer Self at https://othersoverself.com/mh/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/othersoverself
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/othersoverself/
Find out more about The Misfit Heroes Podcast at www.misfit-heroes.com and www.beacons.ai/misfitheroes