By Kevin Horgan
VBC Marine veteran from Atlanta, Kevin Horgan, is publishing his 6th book, CORPS TO CORPORATE, Your USMC Transition Made Simple, and it is available on Amazon November 1.
The book is based on the stories and advice from 35 Marines Kevin served with back in the 1970s and 1980s. It’s priced at $10, one penny above its costs to Kevin. He wants this book in as many hands as possible, especially Marines and other veterans. Kevin is now retired from UPS and dedicates the book to fellow Marines and UPS partners.
Below is the description and introduction to the book.
Horgan served as a USMC infantry officer from 1979-84. He deployed but was never down-range. “I am nothing special.” After working at UPS for 33 years he retired and writes novels and blogs. He and his wife, Maureen, reside in Georgia.
Introduction
This is not an encyclopedia or even an instruction manual. You already have the raw foundation: Marines are prized in the workplace because we require little supervision once trained and are always focused on the goal. Generally good looking, too.
About ten years ago I began writing short articles on the USMC Leadership traits. I published them intermittently on my domains and website in a series of blog posts. I also posted them individually on LinkedIn and sometimes Facebook, and on numerous occasions on Spotify audio, formerly known as Anchor.
All of these are still available online and out there (see postscript). I have used many anecdotes in VETLANTA Summit remarks.
I thought recently that putting these vignettes in a short anthology book form would have a benefit for transitioning Marines. To add heft, I believe a variety of perspectives would aid the casual reader.
I solicited a few dozen Marine friends, some recent, and many from over 40 years ago – all are successful and happy in their pursuits of life and career. Thirty-three were gracious to respond and give permission for my reprinting their articles here. The most valuable are in your hands now. There are 19 officers, and twelve enlisted Marines, a couple mustangs, no generals and one Sergeant Major, four females, one spouse, and four dads of Marines.
Each essay can stand on its own. Refer more than once to the ones that resonate.
On the road to Damascus Paul was given a revelation of the truth, and he converted and spent the rest of his life speaking that truth, to his martyrdom. Some of the writings here may seem both preachy and obvious, but it is still the truth. Caravaggio depicted this in a painting with Paul being knocked off his (high) horse. For the sake of your legacy as a Marine, and for the truth, don’t get knocked off yours. Then again, maybe you should.
This compilation is a record of blunders, of cautions on “Don’t make the same mistakes I made.” Perhaps you will smile at the silliness of it all. You may grind your teeth and laugh out loud. You’ll nod when you see yourself.
There is sage advice and bright neon detour signs. You will find admission, avowal, apology, and contrition. I suggest the reader just read one passage a day and drink it in, or cherry-pick a title, or an author. The chapters are grouped in a self-explanatory manner.
Any profits/royalties will be donated to veteran associations. All product herein has been donated to Corps to Corporate (C2C) and correctly attributed.
Being an officer of Marines was the great privilege of my life. Working at UPS for 33 years has been a magnificent gift to my family and me, a happy accident, and I still marvel at the good and decent people I stood shoulder to shoulder with for all that time all over the country.
In both regards, whether the Marines or UPS, any modest success I had was because honorable people, true friends all, had my back, helped me when I fell, slapped me silly when I gave less than my best, and carried me across more than one finish line. I pray you, the reader, have friends like mine.
Great memories, noble warriors, solid partners.
