Thank you to CBS 6 Albany for interviewing me and shedding light on some important issues.
http://cbs6albany.com/news/local/stillwater-veteran-helps-other-vets-return-to-civilian-life-find-jobs
Category: story
Metabolic Meltdown Podcast
“Courage is going forward when the outcome is uncertain.” I had a great time on the Metabolic Meltdown podcast talking about what courage means to me and the lessons I have learned from my long journey through the Special Forces, deployments, being wounded and the recovery process. Thank you! Matt Phelps Tyler Hammett Chris Fasano Drew Smith Lynsey Ciraulo
THE Metabolic Podcast- Episode 07: “Courage” ft. Kevin Flike
We Few Podcast
“During tough times I told my self this was a situation of my own making. No one made me join the Army and volunteer for the Special Forces… I would tell my self, ‘You wanted to be tested and now you are going to be tested…how are you going to perform?” Great time on the We Few Podcast with John Konya. We talked about the Special Forces, my injuries and where my Purple Heart is currently located. Tune in to hear the rest!
Albany Times Union – Stillwater Native Helping Veterans Survive
Thank you to the Albany Times Union for an incredible article detailing my journey, recent trip to Afghanistan and work I am doing for veterans.
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Stillwater-native-helping-veterans-survive-12042858.php
“Please Describe a Time When you had To Convince a Person or a Group of Your Idea.”
This is Essay #2 from my MIT Sloan MBA application. Between the two essays, the school threw me some softballs…probably the reason I got in.
- Essay 1: Please describe a time when you had to convince a person or a group of your idea. (500 words or fewer, limited to one page) December 27, 2012
The job of a United States Army Special Forces soldier (Green Beret) is to deploy to foreign countries, earn the trust of local soldiers or militias, live amongst them, train them, and conduct combat operations with them. Being a Green Beret did not give me instant credibility with the elite Afghan Commandos. In addition, outgoing American forces warned us that this particular unit sometimes took a lackadaisical approach to missions and training. To be successful in training and conducting combat operations with the Commandos I had to first win their respect. Gaining the trust of the Commandos was a difficult task due to cultural and language barriers.
Cultural misunderstandings are disastrous for a Green Beret. To build rapport, I spent my free time with the Commandos, learning their traditions and language. I learned that they love professional wrestling, so to help foster camaraderie, I dressed like the famous wrestler Hulk Hogan and staged mock wrestling matches. I showed the Commandos that I valued them not only as soldiers, but also as friends. Dancing is an important part of Afghan culture, so I asked the Commandos to teach me traditional Afghan dancing.
After graduating from Union College (BA), Kevin R. Flike served as a Special Forces Engineer assigned to the 1st Special Forces Group and deployed to the Philippines, Thailand and twice to Afghanistan.