EP 17: Former US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. Shares His Service Life & Military Advocacy (Part 1)

Summary: <p>What role does foreign service play in aiding the families of deployed military personnel?</p> <p>What are some of the ways society can assist and support military service members, veterans, and their families?</p> <p>What are the differences between military service and foreign service careers?</p> <p>In this episode, Former US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. discusses how he got started in the foreign service and why he chose the foreign service despite coming from a military family background. He also shared why some of his acquaintances feel a sense of longing and incompleteness despite their success in life and the importance of giving assistance to military veterans and their families.</p> <p><strong>About the Guest:</strong></p> <p>Harry K. Thomas Jr. is a former US Ambassador to the Philippines. <br> <br> He is a retired head of US mission service in the Philippines for 3 years, the senior strategic engagement leader at special operations command, and a VetCoin HQ board member with the advocacy to help military veterans and military families.</p> <p><strong>Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode:</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Get a chance to visit other countries and meet its people when you pick foreign service as a career.</strong></li> <li><strong>Get to understand the feelings of a person who has not met or are yearning for their parents.</strong></li> <li><strong>Be inspired by success stories from people who had served in the military and a person's advocacy to help military veterans</strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>Check out these episode highlights:</strong></p> <ul> <li>(04:51) - Reminiscing our Foreign Service days</li> <li>(07:31) - Military influence in the family</li> <li>(09:55) - His thoughts about joining the service</li> <li>(10:58) - Who influenced him to join the foreign service</li> <li>(12:11) - First overseas post as a foreign service officer</li> <li>(12:26) - Foreign Service: Traveling Perks</li> <li>(13:27) - Encounters with military families</li> <li>(14:10) - American Citizen Services applicants</li> <li>(15:02) - Sense of Longing; Irresponsible Fathers</li> <li>(20:12) - Roy Archer's father, Lee and Reginald Lewis Stories</li> <li>(21:40) - Afterthought of the Military Family Podcast (AMFP) goal</li> <li>(22:54) - Assisting military families of deployed service members</li> <li>(25:59) - Importance of society's participation</li> <li>(29:07) - Military &amp; Foreign Service: similarities &amp; differences</li> </ul> <p><strong>Support VetCoin HQ Foundation:</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/vetcoinhq"><u><strong>https://www.facebook.com/vetcoinhq</strong></u></a></li> <li><a href="https://vetcoinhq.com/"><u><strong>https://vetcoinhq.com/</strong></u></a></li> </ul> <p><strong>Connect with Mami Redj:</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://facebook.com/mamiredjpodcast/"><u><strong>https://facebook.com/mamiredjpodcast/</strong></u></a></li> </ul> <p>Do you want to hear more stories about military families? This is the podcast for you. You can listen to it wherever you are, and it’s completely free. Subscribe to our podcast on <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5nKmf9A5aXQRAEUeTBFQKN"><u><strong>Spotify</strong></u></a> today.</p> <p><strong>DISCLAIMER:</strong></p> <p>The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are those of the host and guests, and do not reflect the views, positions, and opinions of the U.S. Military, its Foreign Counterparts, and/or other entities they represent.</p>