Travis Wheat, Service Member to Civilian Life Coach

My journey...

My story shares similarities with many others, marked by challenges and hardships. As a young child, my parents separated, and my mother entered an unhealthy relationship marked by drug abuse. During those years, I endured physical and emotional abuse, leading to my removal from the home and several years in the foster care system. It was in foster care that I began to recognize a different world beyond the one I had known and realized I could shape the world around me.

At 17, I made the life-changing decision to join the U.S. Army. Discipline and structure were exactly what I needed. What I did not expect was to have a leader who genuinely cared about me, both professionally and personally. That inspired me to become a leader like him.

Early in my military career, I made another life-changing decision: marriage. After 25 years with my loving wife, I can confidently say that nothing I have accomplished would have been possible without her support. However, it hasn't always been easy. Five combat deployments can strain any relationship, but we navigated all the challenges and celebrated the triumphs together. The highlights of our journey include our two daughters, who are now forging their own paths toward bright futures.

During my 20 years of service, my proudest achievement was coaching, teaching, and mentoring hundreds of young men and women from diverse backgrounds. I also pursued something I had never imagined: a college degree. It was a long journey, but I earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice and an M.A. in Emergency and Disaster Management.

As my military career approached its end, transitioning to civilian life was daunting. Managing various emotions, navigating the Veterans Association system, and entering the civilian workforce was extremely stressful.I approached each of these challenges as individual hurdles to overcome and relied on the support network that had contributed to my past successes. By doing so, I conquered these obstacles and achieved my desired outcome.

In recent years, I have had opportunities to mentor other soldiers as they navigate the transition to civilian life, and I have found this time to be both rewarding and necessary. I look forward to continuing to assist others in making this transition less daunting and aim to expand my reach by offering this service to more people.

I am currently employed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, serving as the Team Lead for the Operations Office. In this role, I oversee a workforce of approximately 3,000 personnel dedicated to research and development. Our mission is to equip the U.S. Army with the tools necessary to maintain its position as the world’s premier military force.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, engaging in activities like exercising, paddleboarding, fishing, hiking, biking, and golfing.

How I can help...

My coaching goal is to help you achieve your professional and personal objectives. I believe in facing challenges head-on. My communication style is straightforward and efficient. I believe in being open and honest, which helps us quickly understand your situation and find the best path forward. This direct approach facilitates constructive discussions and allows us to tackle challenges head-on, making your journey toward your goals more focused and productive. Together, we will identify your goals and develop a realistic strategy to reach them.

Testimonial...

"Travis helped me tailor my resume for specific jobs, prepare for interviews, and provided life coaching as I transitioned from over 20+ years in the Army to civilian life. I learned not to undervalue my experiences and to recognize the value I can bring to my new career. He also helped me identify the traits that made me successful in the military, which will also make me successful in the corporate world."    -M. Gilbert