Rob Campbell

"A practical, inspirational, fun, must-read book ..." -- Lawson W. Magruder, III, Lieutenant General, U.S. Army Retired "The Defense Department ought to make this standard issue for transitioning veterans " -- James T. Hill, General, U.S. Army Retired For all who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, there will come a day when it's time to separate -- to "retire" or otherwise hang up your uniform, and to transition to a civilian world you may know little about (despite having spent decades fighting to protect its freedoms and liberties). When it's time for you to walk away proudly, DD-214 in hand, you may find yourself unprepared and overwhelmed. If you're like most senior servicemembers, you'll find that the transition to your encore life and career is a transition you have given insufficient thought to. You've been busy leading and giving selflessly to your unit and your mission; it was your only focus and your sole concern. So now what? Join Colonel Rob Campbell, United States Army, Retired, on a journey to post-military life -- the ups and downs, the sleepless nights and complex decision-making, and the arduous weighing of the "what ifs" and choices before you. At Ease: Enjoying the Freedom You Fought For is a servicemember's guide to an authentic transition. This remarkable book is part memoir, part "how to" guide to help senior servicemembers explore the nuances of the military/civilian transition. Hear Rob discuss, candidly and vulnerably, everything from what surprised him about the "big, hard civilian world" and the challenges of "the job swamp" to the role of spouses and children on the transition decision and how to celebrate your service before putting it behind you. Learn how to reapply your values (like duty, commitment and selfless service) in new ways and to a new mission. Discover a new compass for your life and career, where job passion and geography (i.e., "What do I WANT to do and where do I really WANT to live?") point the way, and where seeking the next rank or finishing an assignment or deployment are no longer the guideposts for living. If you're looking to find income, fulfillment, relevance and a comfortable lifestyle in the wake of your military service, this book is a must-read. After 27 years of service to the Army, where he achieved the distinct honor and responsibility of Brigade Command, Colonel Rob Campbell -- with his wife Leslie by his side -- chose to retire and to pursue an encore life and career -- one in which he enjoys applying his military experience and his people-first leadership philosophies to speaking, consulting and writing. Author of the acclaimed leadership book, It's Personal, Not Personnel: Leadership Lessons for the Battlefield and the Boardroom and founder of Investing in People Consulting and Coaching LLC, Rob has pushed his way through the initial phases of the military/civilian transition but admits that the journey continues and that the learning is forever. Jump into his very personal but almost universally applicable story to discover insights about post-military physical fitness, staying connected to your military "tribe," exploring the foreign zone of entrepreneurship, approaching the topic of disability pay, establishing a new relationship with money, downsizing and simplifying your life, and immersing yourself in a society you had left behind during your time in service. "A book unlike any other, and a must-read primer for every servicemember considering transition." -- Scott "Topper" Farr, Captain, U.S. Navy Retired With a special contribution on assessing where you are now, knowing yourself authentically and fully, uncovering your mission, and defining your customer -- by Jim Hughes, founder of Untamed Entrepreneurs Ltd.

"Linda's story is uniquely American - overcoming all odds to form a partnership between community and military that was unheard of in 1968 ... a partnership that today serves as the example for our entire Armed Forces."- Colonel Derek K. Thomson, U.S. ArmyA Story Unlike Any Other, But Relatable to MillionsWith the backdrop of the Vietnam conflict, A Dove Among Eagles is a powerful memoir about trauma, courage, devotion and love at a time when American society was tearing itself apart and blaming a military that was more victim than perpetrator of the violent forces wracking the nation. Indeed, Vietnam changed us all -- especially Linda Patterson.A story 52 years in the making, A Dove Among Eagles is set in San Mateo, California, in 1968. The author, then 26 years old, receives a letter from her 18-year-old brother Joe -- a cry for help from a paratrooper caught in the middle of an unpopular war. News of the antiwar protests has been plummeting the morale of Joe's combat company of 130 paratroopers. In desperation, he turns to Linda to find a way to let these young, courageous soldiers know that they've not been rejected by the country they love.Specifically, Joe asked Linda to enlist the city of San Mateo to "adopt" the 130 paratroopers of his combat company. On March 4, 1968, after Linda's dogged persistence, the city of San Mateo formally adopted A Co. of the 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. San Mateo was the only city in the nation to do such a thing during the Vietnam War. Three weeks later, SGT Artavia was killed in a firefight. Grief-stricken and distraught by the loss of her brother, Linda garnered her strength and passion to carry on with Joe's last wishes. What she did next was beyond imagination and straight from the heart.Into a War Zone and into Their HeartsIn December -- without government authorization and with only her grit to guide her -- Linda traveled to Vietnam to spend Christmas with her brother's unit. Met by her military escort at Tan Son Nhut airport outside of Saigon, she would fly to the northern part of South Vietnam, further north than civilians were allowed to travel. The potential dangers she would inevitably face did not phase her. She knew her "Screaming Eagles" would protect her. And they did.Her journey was life-changing. For eight days, she anxiously waited in the company's base camp while the men of the Company hacked their way through a mountainous jungle to get to her. And once they arrived, she spent three days with her brother's buddies, developing a true love for them all. She would also fall in love with her military escort, Steve Patterson, her brother's platoon leader who was also seriously wounded while leading the battle in which Joe was killed. Since then, Steve would be Linda's escort for life. The journey had just begun.America Supporting AmericansFor the past 50 years, Linda's passion in life has been a tribute to her brother, as she has enlisted more than 300 cities across the country in supporting and adopting tens of thousands of service men and women in all branches of our military. To be sure, Linda's remarkable and meaningful life journey is unique in American history. For her life's work, she has been recognized and honored by the highest levels of our country. Those original men of the 1968 unit simply call her "Sis."With a foreword by Colonel Rob Campbell, U.S. Army, Retired, 1st Brigade Commander, 101st Airborne Division.

There has never been a more important time -- in corporate America and in the American military -- for leaders, at all levels, to understand how to invest in people. This book teaches you to do just that. Written by a 27-year Army Colonel, veteran and leader of more than 5,000 troops in the 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division, It's Personal, Not Personnel: Leadership Lessons for the Battlefield and the Boardroom offers true stories and practical frameworks you can apply to the people in your organization and on your team. Whether from lack of will, experience or training, many leaders pay lip service to investing in people. Instead, they manage them on spreadsheets and in HR-focused software applications without personal consideration, failing to truly know them, care for them or establish healthy, fulfilling environments in which they can work and serve. Leaders focus on task completion, blind to the true effect it has on a person and his or her family. Those appointed to guide and delegate -- in business and in the armed forces -- often miss the opportunity to create a people-centric environment where productivity and efficiency will improve. It's less about making mechanics, IT managers or soldiers better at their trade, and it's more about making people better people. Explore the intricacies of personal connection in the workplace by following Rob Campbell through his own experiences leading large teams in high-stakes work, and then learn to apply those insights to your own work as a leader. It's all too easy for leaders to misplace their primary focus on customers and investors, and even on their own over-committed schedules, when the most important thing they could be doing is investing in their people. By understanding that leadership is personal, you will begin to understand that all workplace challenges -- productivity issues, efficiency issues, turnover problems, lack of employee engagement -- all come down to whether employees are being acknowledged, valued and understood. Through his own applications of people-first processes, Rob Campbell will instruct you in how to reinforce your team, identify weaknesses to be strengthened and expand your definition of conscious leadership. If you are a leader in any capacity, whether in the boardroom or on the battlefield, this book will teach you to embrace the soul of powerful leadership: guiding and empowering people to enable every teammate to play to their greatest strengths and aptitudes. It's time to understand what makes your people tick, and to lead them in new and better ways.

Los Angeles is a hiker's perfect playground: from enchanted canyons to bountiful beaches, the range of terrain provides an almost endless variety of trails, vistas, and even weather conditions. Organized by level of difficulty, beginning with the most forgiving trails and building up to the toughest, Ecstatic Trails emphasizes the experience of the hike, guiding you to romantic hikes, trails that are right for children, thrill hikes, day trips you can build around a picnic, or intense paths perfect for solitary exploration. Everything a novice hiker or experienced trailblazer needs is here, including: --detailed maps--driving directions--restrictions, including whether dogs are permitted--the amount of time each hike is likely to take--featured elements and trail descriptions From wildflower walks to dramatic waterfall treks, from sunset outings to trails that provide cool breezes in the midst of summer, Ecstatic Trails is packed with a year's worth of happy hiking.