Today, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, welcomes an outstanding Purple Heart Hero, WWIA Guide, and longstanding friend of the Foundation to the podcast, as Mr. Derek Duplisea joins us. Derek is originally from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada but was born in the USA.

Derek served a total of 5 years with the 1st Battalion, Royal New Brunswick Regiment (Carleton & York) as an infantryman, leaving the Canadian Armed Forces as a master corporal before enlisting in the U.S. Army.

During his second tour in Iraq, Derek was leading a patrol with 2nd platoon, Able Troop, 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, when his unit was hit by a female suicide bomber and heavy small arms fire. The blast detonated within feet of the dismounted members of the platoon, severely wounding Derek and three of his Soldiers. He spent two years recovering from his wounds before medically retiring from the Army.

Derek has been a WWIA Associate since 2010 and leads events all over the USA and Canada and graduated from the Inaugural WWIA Guide School in 2016. He is married to his Canadian sweetheart Andrea and has four wonderful children.

He loves to spend his free time traveling, hiking, camping, hunting & fishing with friends and family.

Derek holds a BS in Criminal Justice from Troy University and an MBA from University of Phoenix. He has worked in the mental health profession for several years and is a manager at Aroostook Mental Health Center on their adult crisis stabilization unit in Callus, Maine.

Takeaways:

• The WWIA Podcast aims to honor and support America's combat wounded Purple Heart heroes, fostering healing and connection through shared experiences.
• Derek Duplisea, a Purple Heart recipient, shares his harrowing story of surviving a suicide bombing during his military service in Iraq, highlighting the chaos and violence of war.
• The conversation emphasizes the importance of leadership and contingency planning, detailing how Derek's military training prepared him and his team to effectively respond to crises in combat situations.
• Derek's transition from military service to working in mental health illustrates his commitment to helping others, demonstrating resilience in the face of personal trauma and adversity.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• WWIA
• Troy University
• University of Phoenix
• Raytheon
• Aroostook Mental Health Center
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

On this week’s episode, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, is proud to welcome a great American Patriot, and one of his closest lifelong friends to the podcast. We are honored to have Colonel (Retired) Joel T. Suenkel join John for an engaging and timely conversation. Joel hails from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1988. He was commissioned as a 2LT in the Armor branch and went on to graduate from the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College Fellowship Program. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Behavior from the University of Phoenix, and during his 28+ year career in the Army, held a number of key positions to include:

• Strategic Plans Chief for Stabilization Force 11, Bosnia-Herzegovina (Operation Joint Forge).

• Joint Logistics Command Operations Officer, (CJTF 76), Afghanistan.

• Commander, 83rd Ordnance Battalion, Japan.

• (and) Chief of Logistics, 25th Infantry Division and Multi-National Division-North, Iraq.

Upon retirement from the Army, he accepted the position of Chief of Operations with the Logistics Data Analysis Center, Army Materiel Command, Redstone Arsenal, AL.

In 2020, Joel purchased 75 acres of land in Moulton, Alabama, and embarked on a journey to establish a working cattle ranch, driven by a need to build something lasting with his own two hands. His vision didn’t stop at personal fulfillment. He began to realize the profound therapeutic benefits of working the land, the grounding power of physical labor, and the sense of purpose that came from providing for oneself. It struck him that this experience could be incredibly valuable for others, especially those who had served our country and were navigating the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life. This realization led to Joe’s most meaningful venture: the establishment of Rally Point Veterans’ Ranch, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering veterans through comprehensive sustainable living skills training.

It is a high privilege to have Joel on the podcast, and we know you’re going to enjoy learning more about him and his story.

Takeaways:

• The WWIA Podcast serves to honor and support America's combat-wounded Veterans, fostering healing and connection.
• Colonel Joel T. Suenkel, a dedicated Veteran, shares his transformative journey into cattle ranching.
• The establishment of Rally Point Veterans Ranch emphasizes empowering veterans with sustainable living skills.
• The podcast highlights the challenges Veterans face during their transition to civilian life after military service.
• The conversation underscores the therapeutic benefits of engaging with the land and livestock for Veterans' mental health.
• Listeners are encouraged to support the WWIA Foundation and its mission to benefit Wounded Warriors.

June is designated as PTSD Awareness month, because mental health matters.

It’s no secret that our combat-wounded Veterans didn’t just leave what they experienced on the battlefield behind, they brought it home with them, often experiencing the life-altering effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

This, combined with the injuries they and their fellow service members sustained, or the loss of life they witnessed around them, can be devastating and debilitating. It not only affects them, but those within their circle of influence: their family, friends, and even co-workers. It can severely impact relationships, careers, and make day-to-day life difficult to manage.

There are no shortcuts on the journey to healing and well-being, and today’s special guest has dedicated her life to helping others find peace, wholeness, and healing in their own lives. Today, WWIA Founder and CEO, John McDaniel, is honored to welcome Dr. Stacey Scheckner to the podcast.

Dr. Scheckner is a Licensed Psychologist who has been providing therapeutic services in Florida for over 18 years. Through personal and professional practice and study, she has made it her mission to help people become the best version of themselves. She has successfully worked with clients to help them in a variety of ways: from achieving more in their career, working through difficult divorces, overcoming the effects of PTSD, or raising mentally and physically healthy children. Whatever the issue, her focus is to help people unlock their potential, overcome their challenges, have a positive mindset, and live wholistically better lives.

John and Dr. Scheckner discuss the causes and effects of PTSD, and how healing is possible. They also talk about the challenges of parenting for servicemembers and Veterans, and ways to improve those relationships at home. This is an important podcast and an outstanding interview that we’re excited for you to hear.

Takeaways:

• The podcast emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing PTSD among combat Veterans, highlighting that many Veterans bring their battlefield experiences home, affecting their daily lives.
• Dr. Stacy Scheckner of Happy Counseling in Tampa, Florida, discusses the profound impact of PTSD not only on Veterans but also on their families, as symptoms can strain relationships and hinder normal functioning.
• Listeners are encouraged to seek professional help for PTSD, as acknowledging the need for assistance is a sign of strength and a crucial step towards healing and recovery.
• The conversation explores practical strategies for Veterans to manage triggers and emotional dysregulation, particularly in parenting situations, emphasizing the need for self-awareness and coping mechanisms.
• John McDaniel and Dr. Scheckner advocate for open discussions about mental health and the necessity of addressing emotional trauma to foster resilience and well-being among Veterans and their families.
• The episode underlines the significance of love and support in parenting, suggesting that Veterans should prioritize quality time with their children to reinforce bonds and facilitate healing.

Happy Counseling (Dr. Stacey Scheckner): https://www.happycounseling.com/