88th RSC Yellow Ribbon, Stedman Graham work together to teach mastery in you ~ By Staff Sgt. Carrie A. Castillo, 416th Theater Engineer Command, Public Affairs Office

Photo By Carrie Castillo | Dr. Stedman Graham, chairman and CEO of the Chicago-based S. Graham & Associates, takes time to pose for pictures with Reserve and Guard members and their families, at the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program event in Schaumburg, Illinois, June 18. Graham was the key-note speaker of the YRRP event; he spoke to service members and their families about the importance of mastering yourself. The transition between serving on active duty and civilian life can be challenging. The YRRP is a Department of Defense-wide effort to promote the well-being of service members, their families and communities by connecting them with resources and support throughout the deployment cycle. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Carrie A. Castillo, 416th Theater Engineer Command Public Affairs/released)  

SCHAUMBURG, IL, UNITED STATES

06.21.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Carrie Castillo 

88th Readiness Division

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. – The steps to success aren’t always clearly laid out or easy to reach. The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program helps service members find their path and plan for success before, during and after deployment.
The 88th Regional Support Command hosted a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Event in Schaumburg, Illinois, for more than 400 National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers and their families, June 17-19.
The transition between serving on active duty and civilian life can be challenging. The YRRP is a Department of Defense-wide effort to promote the well-being of service members, their families and communities by connecting them with resources and support throughout the deployment cycle.
The 88th RSC had many support systems on hand during the event, from banking assistance to education information. Army Reserve career counselors were also available to assist Soldiers wanting to further their Army careers.
The Soldiers and family members also attended workshops and training classes over the three-day weekend; a guest keynote speaker was the highlight of the event.
Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Reinert, 88th RSC commanding general, introduced Dr. Stedman Graham, chairman and CEO of the Chicago-based S. Graham & Associates, to the audience of Reserve and Guard members and their families. Graham spoke about the importance mastering yourself.
Graham is an Army veteran, who served from 1974 to 1979. He, in large part, credits his experience as a Soldier for his desire to help corporations, organizations and individuals succeed.
“At the end of the day all you have is you,” said Graham. “But nobody teaches you how to create the mastery in you.”
Graham volunteered his time to speak to the Yellow Ribbon attendees. Many took notes, others listened in order to absorb the message he was sharing.
He led an interactive lecture, starting familiar phrases and sentences then pausing to let the audience finish the thought. In the middle of the session he invited six service members to the front of the room to conduct an exercise. Each person had 30 seconds to blurt out as many things they loved as possible.
The Soldier with the highest number had 25 items ranging from human to material to nondescript. The purpose of this exercise, according to Graham, was to realize what is important to you. This aids in helping define your happiness because you focus on things in which you excel.
“We have to organize this information around what you love,” said Graham. “What are you passionate about? What are your talents? What are your skills? What do you do well? Because the value that you give yourself is the value the world gives you. This is why self-mastery is so powerful.”
Graham continued to speak about the remaining 8-steps of his 9-step plan for success, the first step being passion for what you do. Each step ties itself to the next, just like the journey each service member must take when transitioning through the deployment cycle.
Graham concluded by tying in the poem “The Race” by D.H. Groberg. He noted there are blocks and obstacles in all aspects of life that must be overcome, and are each person’s individual race.
“The world is a collection of unlimited wealth and resources”, said Graham. “Often, we limit our potential by moving in our own small circles because of our fears. If we change the way we view the world, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.”

• Date Taken: 06.21.2016
• Date Posted: 06.28.2016 12:04
• Story ID: 202636
• Location: SCHAUMBURG, IL, US