Free Cruise For Teachers, Military, Police, and First Responders. September 08 2022

If you're a veteran, educator, police officer or first responder you maybe eligible for a free cruise. 

Margaritaville at Sea and Gov-X have partnered together to offer veterans, educators, police officers and first responders to sail free on a 3-day, 2-night cruise to Grand Bahama Island.

 

Program Details

• Must be a verified member through the GovX ID platform

• Free Ocean View Upgrades through October 4, 2022

• Up to 2 Qualified Members per stateroom

To learn more visit: Margaritaville's Heros Sail Free

Please note that Lady Brigade is not affiliated with Gov-X or Margaritaville at Sea, and that there could be additional fees, terms, and conditions associated with this offer and all eligible persons must be verified through GovX ID platform. 

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 If you're a veteran and interested in some veteran swag visit our Vetshop.

The World War II Documentary about PTSD that you’ve never seen... June 04 2017

Let There Be Light (also known as PMF 5019 by the U.S. Army) is a documentary film directed by John Huston, an American filmmaker who served in World War II.

It was banned for more than 30 Years by the U.S Army and not released until the 1980’s.

This film was reported to be banned because it was deemed to be too demoralizing for future recruits. However, the military said it was actually banned to protect the privacy of those featured in the film. In 1981, the ban was lifted and released for public screenings, but the quality of the film had deteriorated and the audio was so distorted that it was nearly impossible to understand any of the film. Luckily, in 2010, it was selected by the Library of Congress to be preserved and restored and re-released in May 2012.

This film is a powerful reminder that the battle is not over after the war ends and that soldiers, in any era, in any conflict, carry lifelong scars with them.

It's Not the Next President Who's Going to Make Or Break This Country - It’s Us. September 27 2016

TRANSCRIPT:

(NADINE NOKY SPEAKING)

Like many of you, I watched the debates last night –

And at the end, I had this overwhelming feeling of sadness and disappointed

Did you feel the same way? Maybe you had some different feelings.

Not only is our county divided right now, but I think we’re kind of in a depression- and it’s not an economical one.

And it’s not because of these two candidates –

Or that we’re lacking leadership in D.C - No, it’s about us.

And on what we’re lacking leadership in.

And that’s in our cities, our schools, in our neighborhoods, on our streets,

And in EVEN our homes.

15 Years ago our country came together by the tragedy of 9/11. For once we were united, able to help and heal our nation and coming together with our friends our family and our neighbors for our country.

We shouldn't have to wait for  another tragedy or an act of violence  for it to be be the reason we come together

It can happen RIGHT now.

Ask yourself- When is the last time you helped a stranger, called a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while just to see how they’re doing, mentored a colleague, or volunteered at a local organization for a worthy cause?

Or even spent some one on one time with your children?

While we’re judging these candidates, reading and reacting to the comments on Facebook, complaining about things we have no control over

While we are complacently sitting by and watching our communities and our homes fall apart

Our country wasn’t founded on our similarities, but on being able to come together in spite of those differences and to take action when necessary.

And that what makes  our nation great. Thats what makes us stand out from the rest is the world 

At least it has up until now,

Right now- it’s about taking a long hard  look in the mirror and asking yourself

What  are you doing to contribute to or take away from this great country?

I don’t believe that this is what previous generations of Americans had in mind or what our military brothers and sisters sacrificed their lives for

No, I think they believed that this country was great, that it would ALWAYS be  great-

And if we stop believing that - we stop doing our part- and we are letting all previous and future generations of Americans down.

It’s time to make a difference - and it can only start with you and with me - not who is in the White House.

Please take a moment and see how can make difference.

If you found this video valuable - share - and let me know what your doing to make a difference in your community today.

A Few Additional Reasons Why Women Veterans Are the Fastest-Growing Group of Entrepreneurs November 10 2015 1 Comment

This evening I read an article on Inc. Magazine’s website titled, “Why Women Veterans Are the Fastest-Growing Group of Entrepreneurs.”  I was excited to see that Inc. (love them) was covering something that I could relate closely to-- as I am a woman, a veteran, and a business owner. However, upon reading this article, my excitement quickly turned into dismay. The author, Kimberly Weisul, states three main points on why women veteran businesses are growing. To summarize point 1: Women are more likely to be caretakers and less able to hold a steady job; point 2: There are more benefits to being a woman-owned and veteran-owned business; point 3: There are a number of growing educational programs and groups willing to help veteran businesses succeed (one of the points I do agree with). Although Weisul makes some great points, many of these are benefits that occur after you own a business and not a key motivator to starting one. 

Here are some ADDITIONAL REASONS why women veterans are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs: 

They can deal with diversity. Although we women are serving in record numbers (an obvious contributor to our entrepreneurial growth), on average, there are typically still only 15 women for every 85 men in the military and about 10 female veterans for every 90 male veterans. These women know what it’s like to work twice as hard to achieve the same amount of respect as their male counterparts. They are willing to go the extra mile to succeed. The same dedication and time they put into their military careers, they use to succeed in business.

They are used to trying new things. When you can join the military and leave everything you know for something new, you’re a natural risk-taker, an adventure seeker, and an optimist. These are the same adjectives that could be used to describe many successful entrepreneurs. This same adventurous mindset makes for an optimistic outlook when contemplating the start of a new business.

They know the importance of family. One of the main reasons I decided to leave the military in the first place was the lengthy deployments and spending time away from my son. I wanted to see him grow up and to make up for the time that I had lost while being deployed. Owning my own business gives me the flexibility and the opportunity to spend more time with my family, a reason shared by many other entrepreneurs from various backgrounds for starting their own businesses.

They live and work by military values. The first day you join the military, words like honor, duty, dedication, are quickly engrained. These aren’t just words to a veteran, they are values that they live by, during, and after service.

That is why women veteran entrepreneurship is growing, we have the courage, the dedication, and the values to try something new, something as crazy as joining the military or starting a business. 

-Nadine Noky, Army Veteran & Founder of Lady Brigade

What Would You Want the Public to Know About Veterans? November 07 2015

This November, Nadine Noky, the founder of Lady Brigade, will be speaking publicly about her military experience and what it means for her to be a veteran. However, she knows that she is only one person within a vast community of brave women and men, all of whom have varying degrees of experiences and thoughts that are equally, if not more, important than her own. Her goal during this November and moving forward is to share the voices of other veterans and to give every veteran an opportunity to be heard.

If there is one thing you could share about being a veteran, what would it be?

Email your response to: info@ladybrigade.com along with your name, branch of service, and years of service (feel free to submit a photo too!)-- (Example: Jane Smith, US Army 2002-2007). Ms. Noky will work to make all your comments heard this November.  

*** Please note, by submitting an email response, you are agreeing to share your comments publicly and Lady Brigade may use your email submission for future blogs, articles, and publications that relate to sharing veteran experiences.

I Never Thought I’d Say This, But I Miss the Military. May 28 2015 8 Comments

While I enjoyed being in the military, I disliked the feeling of being tied down--carrying the weight of one decision I had made that essentially affected my life, at least, for the next couple of years. I can’t think of many other jobs that require you to sign a contract to stay for X amount of years, except for something like signing a music contract (I wish) or, you know, playing for the Yankees. So, a few months before I got out I couldn’t wait--I was excited! I was looking forward to a new chapter in my life, and I recall thinking a number of times, “I will never, EVER miss the Army or this place.” As it turned out, I was wrong. I do miss it, and here are just a few reasons why:

(Image Source: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/303388/army-reserve-2010-best-warrior-competition-army-physical-fitness-test#.VWaGGFxVikrby SFC Mark Burrell, identified by DVIDS, is free of known copyright restrictions under U.S. copyright law.)

Fitness

Although I desperately try to stay in shape now, it was so much easier when someone else told me to exercise. Exercising at 6:30 am was tough, especially if I had a late night before.  However, I figured that if I was out of bed and on the field, I would get the most out of it.  I pushed myself every morning and many evenings to be in the best shape of my life. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy when it isn’t part of your workday.

(Image Source: https://flic.kr/p/6SWzFD Phillip Stewart identified by DVIDS, is free of known copyright restrictions under U.S. copyright law.)

Food

I don’t care what you say, even if the food wasn’t great, you pretty much always had access to a meal cooked for you. Even an MRE required little preparation: just heat and eat. And yes, I will still trade you my M&M’s for your peanut butter.

Uniforms

If you are lucky enough in the civilian sector to get a uniformed job, cherish it, don’t take it for granted! I always knew what to wear every day; no guesswork. No matching, no ironing, no color-coordinating, no high heels. You get the point. It was easier, and let’s face it, much more comfortable!

(Image Source:: https://flic.kr/p/8cG9uK By: DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Angelita M. Lawrence, U.S. Air Force. DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Angelita M. Lawrence, U.S. Air Force.)

Education

Although I took a handful of college courses while I was enlisted, I was an idiot for not taking more. Free. College. Classes. A perk provided while on active duty. Sure, it’s tough to balance work with school, but it’s worth it when you realize that the benefits far outweigh the negatives (especially when one is temporary and the other is permanent). I seriously miss this perk, and yes it is true, I used the G.I. Bill after leaving the service to earn a degree. I only imagine how much farther I could have gone, had I dedicated more time to my education while I was still serving.

(Image Source: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/148972/leadership-gives-holiday-gift-barracks-marines photo by: by Cpl Unique B. Roberts)

Free Housing

Before someone says it, yes, you were charged some crazy, minuscule food/housing fee when you first joined the military and stayed in the barracks, but in all seriousness, where else do you get a furnished place and three meals for just a few dollars a day? Some days when I’m paying my rent, food, utilities, and clothing, I miss those simple days--Minus the random G.I. parties.

Vacation Time / Leave

Since I have left the military, I have not had a civilian job that has ever provided me 30 days of paid vacation time a year. At my last corporate job, it was a luxury just to have 2 weeks of paid vacation time a year and most of those days I kept on reserve for if my son got sick. Having 30 days a year, plus additional 3-4 day weekends, made visiting friends and family a much more frequent and easier occurrence than now.

(Image Source:: https://flic.kr/p/8kxH4n Photographer: unknown)

Friendship

Friendship has to be at the top of my list of things that I miss the most. Let’s face it-- if and when you prepare to go to war with a group of strangers, you pretty much form an instant bond and a friendship that no one else in the civilian world can understand.  For most of us, these friendships literally meant laying your life on the line for someone else. Most of my closest friendships to this day are a result of my time in the military and I treasure them above all else.

-Nadine Noky, Army Veteran & Founder of LadyBrigade.com

Also, if you are a lady veteran, don't forget to shop the store!