Return to Honor: a Soldier Story: Never Ever Give Up!

Return To Honor:

A Soldier Story

Never Ever Give Up!

John (The U-Can! Man) Isom Written

with Lorraine Thomas

AuthorHouse™

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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© 2009 John (The U-Can! Man) Isom Written with Lorraine Thomas. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 6/10/2009

ISBN: 978-1-4389-7676-1 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4389-7674-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4389-7675-4 (hc)

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

Con]tents

Chapter 1

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Dedication: 1

Dedication to My Bride of 19 Years

A homemade Mother’s Day card for my darling wife, Karen Isom, the mother of Joshua and Caleb Isom, on May 9, 1999

We Love You

A thank you from John through the Word of God this Mother’s Day in 1999. When I think about how to begin to describe you as a mother and wife, I think that God’s Word states it better than I ever could. Karen, you are best described in the book of Proverbs, chapter 31, verses 10-31. When God gave you to me, after much prayer, I got more of a blessing than I deserved.

You are my love. The following verses are God’s standard for a good woman, and they describe you as a wife and as a mother.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (KJV)

10: Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11: The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12: She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13: She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14: She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15: She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16: She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17: She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18: She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19: She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20: She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21: She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22: She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23: Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24: She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25: Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26: She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27: She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28: Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29: Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30: Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31: Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her.

Karen, I praise you and thank the Lord Jesus for you. Karen, my sweetheart, I made you this card to let you know that my heart is filled with love for you. I also want you to know that you are the woman God meant for me. I thank Him for granting me such a super blessing. Let 1999 be the year that you remember John crying out, proclaiming the simple fact that he loves you. When I look back on the past 10 years that I’ve known you, I see your love has gotten better and better! 

From, Your Thank God He Gave You to Me Husband, John

Dedication: 2 The United States Army Recruiting Command

Dedication to Military Recruiters

After hearing about Some Army Recruiters Death in 2008-2009 some doing the writing of this book, Having spent 20 Years of my over 25 Years in The United States Army Recruiting Command I have been inspired to share with all Past, Present and Future Army Warrior/Soldiers who have been assigned the task of working as a Army/Army Reserve Recruiter 10 Personal BE’s that were share with me at the end of my Career. These 10 BE’s So impacted me once they were share with that I decided to take them and add them to my Instilled Army Values. My heart goes out to the Family members of those who lost there love ones. The Army Recruiter is a special Warrior/Soldier because most of the time we are on a minimum of 3 Years of Recruiting Duty. I call this 36 Months of being on the Battle Field. Our Mission is the Mission Our Commander in Chief allows us to Put in each Year. These are not Numbers but Young Americans who have decided for one reason are another to serve their Country. They come from many different Backgrounds, and all have one thing in common Serving our Great United States of America. But at the Same time my Fellow Recruiters are some of these same Americans, They are doing a Job that the to me is the most important Job in the Military. For if there was no Recruiter then no Need of Drill Sergeants, No need of Squad Leaders, No need of many Jobs in the Military. For the Army Recruiter this Is one of The most Challenging Jobs in The Military. And It takes a Warrior/ Soldier to the limit in challenge sometime. Now To all Sales Persons in America U-CAN! The 10 Personal B’s are being shared only to help us all. It is my desire that all The People I come in contact with know how to at least View these 10 Personal BE’s and that they help us alone the way.

10 Personal BE’s To Team Success

Given To SFC John Wallace Isom Jr, Army Retired

The U-Can! Man LLC, CEO

1. Be driven – Never say, I don’t know. Say I’ll find out.

2. Be positive – Express a positive attitude about yourself and your work.

3. Be helpful – Reach out. Be ready and willing to assist co-workers.

4. Be responsible – Learn what is expected; deliver what is promised.

5. Be thorough – When speaking with customers, end every conversation by asking, Is there anything else I can do for you?

6. Be knowledgeable – Ask questions, get answers, find a better way.

7. Be accountable – Take ownership of customer’s problem and make sure they are satisfied.

8. Be committed – Make a personal commitment to excellence.

9. Be available- Your accessibility matters most

10. Be Yourself- Sometimes people will disappoint you and things won’t always go right; but keep smiling anyway and don’t lose yourself and Your- cool

Dedication: 3

Dedication to Army Chaplain Corps

Thank God for the United States Army Chaplain Corps! If you’re picking this book up for the first time, I suggest you read chapter 14 first, then go back and start from the beginning. Throughout all the character training, as I call it, that I received between October 1997 and February 2001, I can honestly say that the United States Army Chaplain Corps was the one consistently helpful force in my life. From 1982 to 1994, the Army Chaplain would frequently come around and ask how we were doing, hand out items, and tell us to have a nice day.

I remember the services we’d have in the field. One moment I shall never forget occurred on Easter, during what I call my prodigal son days. I was a young infantry soldier stationed in Friedburg, Germany, and it was cold. I remember my sergeant saying the chaplain was here for church service, and I thought to myself, Heat, plus hot food—yes, I want to go! As I walked to the meeting, I looked forward so much to getting inside that tent so I could warm myself, eat some hot food, and enjoy a little time feeling cozy and comforted. My feet felt like ice cubes, and my hands were numb and balled up inside my gloves. To my surprise, when I got there, I didn’t see a tent. I thought maybe a truck would take us somewhere warm. Here came the Chaplain, smiling and asking how we were doing. Inside, I was saying, Cold as… I’d come here for this? We were offered some soup, and I had a hard time even holding the cup to drink the soup and the coffee.

After that, the Chaplain announced that we’d have service over here in about five minutes. I looked over here and I saw no fire, no tent, no way to get warm, just some papers with the hymn Amazing Grace printed on them. I was silently furious, wondering why in the world I was there. I may have sung Amazing Grace that day, but I secretly felt amazingly mad! I did see, however, that the chaplain was out there in the field with us, living like us, living among us. I thought that would be my last experience with the Chaplains.

In 1987, I was assigned as an Army recruiter, and between 1988 and 1992 I was assigned at the Valdosta, GA Army Recruiting Station. Then, in 1992, I was assigned as the Station Commander of the Tifton Army Recruiting Station. After being in the United States Army Recruiting Command for a while, I found myself rushing back to the church. This was a month-to-month job, and I had to find 2 to 4 people per month to join the Army.

One day, after meeting the Tifton High School staff, I was invited by Assistant Principal Thedcraft to visit his church. Times were challenging, and I took him up on his request. He told me that they had a new pastor, Trenton Lewis, who was super and could preach the Word. This church, Shiloh Baptist, was the church I ended up joining. I grew close to the pastor and would hang on his every word. Pastor Trenton Lewis counseled me and gave me sound advice concerning my marriage. I would often share my fears that I’d be fired, and he’d tell me not to worry, just to do my job. The Army has a good soldier in you, he assured me. Little did I know that one day, Pastor Trenton Lewis would shock me. Come here, John, he said, I want to share something with you. He then took out an ID card and said, What do you think this means, Sergeant? First of all, when he said Sergeant, it threw me for a loop. Then, I looked at the ID card and read, 2nd LT Trenton Lewis. He also gave me some paperwork to look over that revealed he was a Chaplain candidate. I was shocked—I’d come into contact with another Army Chaplain.

Chaplain Candidate Trenton Lewis was a seminary student at the Interdenominational Seminary in Atlanta, GA. He would drive down on the weekends and, if needed, throughout the week. Being a soldier, and knowing that he was a Chaplain, led me to rethink the relationship between us. That very day, he told me, Sergeant Isom, stop saying ‘They’re going to fire me’ and start saying ‘We are going to make our Mission.’ The Army needs and expects you to do your job. You can, and, as a matter of fact, you are doing this. Your station made its goals for the first time in years under your leadership. Do your job, and let the results speak for themselves.

In December 1993, I was hospitalized with bleeding ulcers, and the doctors told my wife that it wasn’t looking good. I remember lying there when out of nowhere appeared my Pastor, Chaplain Candidate Trenton Lewis. He said, John, what are you doing here? I told you to stop worrying about being fired, and now you’ve worried yourself almost to death! He laughed with me, prayed with me, and encouraged me, saying, We need you! I asked who the we was, and he replied, The United States Army! Now, get well and take care of Karen, and once you’re back in the office again, pray for God to give you the wisdom and strength you need to do your job. I thanked him, and he smiled and told me I was going to be all right.

Later that day, the hospital chaplain from the South Georgia Medical Hospital came by my room and asked how I was doing. I said, Fine, sir. And then—it happened. The hospital Chaplain spoke a Word into my life that I cling to even to this day. He said, John, let me ask you a question. If you have a special car, one of the best-looking cars of all time, but on the inside the engine doesn’t work, what good is that car? I said the car might look good, but it wouldn’t be any good. He continued, SFC Isom, that is exactly right. You’re a sharp-looking person, probably a sharp-looking soldier, and a good-looking husband, but if the inside is not working, then you are not where God wants you to be. Get the inside right, and it will shine through to the outside. He told me that when I got home I was to take some sick days to focus on being my best, inside and out, and I would see the difference. I took the hospital Chaplain’s advice, and it worked! People would come up and ask me if I were a believer, if I were a Christian. I would say yes, and they would say, I can see it all over you. That advice was given in December 1993, and it is still with me today—keeping the inside right and letting the outside speak for itself.

Upon returning to Tifton, I continued to lead the Tifton Recruiting Station. Pastor Trenton Lewis encouraged me to trust God and walk by faith, not by sight. He told me, Isom, you can do this, you are doing this. Give yourself some credit. Pastor Lewis departed after a year to go back to school, but he was very instrumental in helping me believe in myself. He was also a key person in helping me accept the call from God to preach His Word. Chaplain Candidate Lewis was excited to hear that I’d preached my first sermon, entitled, Fight the Good Fight (2nd Timothy 4:1-9) on the fourth Sunday of February, 1994 The following week, my family left Tifton, having been blessed with two consecutive years of making the assigned Mission. Chaplain Candidate Lewis was right—I could do the job.

From February 1994-October 1997, I was stationed at the United States Army Recruiting and Retention School (RRS). It was there that I met Chaplain Whiteside, who was assigned as the RRS Chaplain. At this point, I was a licensed Baptist minister, and I was interested in getting to know more about the Chaplaincy. Chaplain Whiteside was always walking around, asking us with a smile how things were going, and he’d often give me little books or other items to read that helped me be a better soldier and a better husband. I learned a lot about the Chaplain Corps, and I benefited a lot from Chaplain Whiteside’s words of encouragement. Chaplain Whiteside didn’t know it, but I had become a fan of the Army Chaplain Corps. I saw now that they were there when we needed them, and they were out there in the trenches with us, sharing an encouraging word and providing a listening ear. WOW! I would often walk by the office to get some candy and, more importantly, to hear the Chaplain tell me, You can do this job, no matter how hard it gets, you can do it. Our nation is depending on you. Every Chaplain I’d met had a Chaplain Assistant, and they let me know that they were a Unit Military Team (UMT).

The Chaplain Assistant would always reinforce the Chaplain’s words and help lead people to him. I salute every Chaplain Assistant in the United States Army… Sergeant Major (ret) James Wiess, Sergeant Major James Peters, Sergeant Major Malcolm Wolfe, Master Sergeant Anthony Pamplin, Master Sergeant Ruthie Cain, just to name a few. Thank you for being an excellent team member! In October 1997, I arrived in Charleston and was blessed with an almost entirely new team. I named us The Attack! I told the team to always attack forward, and prayed that God would send some kind of incentive I could use to motivate our new Attack team.

One day, the 2nd Recruiting Brigade Chaplain came to visit our station. This is another example of the Chaplain and Chaplain Assistant being in the trenches. He asked me how things were going, and I said, Sir, we had a challenging 1997-98, but 1998-99 is going to be our year. We will be the top large station in the Charleston Company and Columbia, SC Recruiting Battalion in FY ’99. The Chaplain said that was a good goal to have and asked if there was anything he could do for me. I replied, Yes, pray! And pray! And pray! He said that that was what he always did—pray for our Brigade, that we’d all be safe and do our best. I said, Sir, we have a new team of excited recruiters and they want to win and be successful. Our name is the Attack Team because we will always attack forward, then attack again. I have been praying for God to show me a way to help motivate the team throughout the year using our new ‘attack’ motto. The Brigade Chaplain asked if I’d ever heard of golfer Greg Norman, and I said yes, he was the one they called the Shark. The Chaplain said, Well, he has some golf balls that have on them, ATTACK! If I could make a suggestion, why not make these golf balls an award incentive to motivate the team? He said I might find some at the Charleston Air Force Base store or maybe Wal-Mart. I could get together with the entire team to come up with the game-winning rules. This would help the entire team envision the solution, and would increase the chance of everyone willfully and joyfully participating. This was a direct answer to my prayer, and, WOW! I took all of his advice, and the rest is history. We were moving toward the top before March 11, 1999.

You can read in chapter 14 how the 2nd Brigade Chaplain was helpful in getting our family back on track. I was offered a job recruiting Chaplains in April 2004 by Chaplain Assistant Master James Peters at the United States Army Headquarters. The Chaplain who fought tooth-and-nail for me to get the job was Chaplain (COL) James Armistead. He told me, Isom, I will fight for you to join our team, and he did just that. He went on to be with the Lord in 2006, but I feel that he is looking down at me from the great cloud of witnesses now, saying, John, good job. Chaplain (COL) Kenneth Beale arrived in May 2004 to become the new leader of the Army Recruiting Chaplain team. His first day, he said that we would do great things, and we did, making our Mission of recruiting Chaplains 3 consecutive years. He and Sergeant Major James Peters led us with grace and wisdom that I shall never forget.

When I retired in 2007, Chaplain Kenneth Beale preached at my retirement ceremony and announced to the guests that former Chief of Chaplains Chaplain MG-Ret GT Gunhus had offered me a job recruiting Chaplains as a civilian. I joined the APC Solutions team in October 2007, and I can say that our team members Chaplain (COL-Ret) Paul Howe and Chaplain (COL-Ret) Hugh Dukes are the best team I have ever worked with. I get to give back to the U. S. Army Chaplain Corps by traveling around the world recruiting Chaplains to serve our warriors in uniform. I want to end this tribute by asking you, the reader, Who do you know? Have you ever been asked this question at the church you regularly attend? Has the pastor ever asked you to go out and invite people to church? You might not think of it that way, but the Army is a congregation filled with individuals of all races and religions, from families and communities like yours. These soldiers have the same needs as your local church, but are short on pastors who can supply these needs. Today, the Army asks you, Who do you know? Who do you know that would be willing to come forth and minister to these soldiers and to their families? The Army is one of the largest mission fields and provides a great experience for those willing to step forward. Who do you know? Have them contact me today.

Recruiting Spiritual Dynamics

Recruiting Spiritual Dynamics

I took the following notes during training in September 2007, my first month on terminal leave/vacation from the Army. The training was held in Colorado Springs, CO.

Chaplain (COL-Ret) Conrad Walker’s Nuggets of Wisdom

September 26-27, 2007

God’s Prayer Book: The Book of Psalms

Lord, speak to my heart, please. I ask and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

1. Read five Psalms and one Proverb every day.

2. The Word of God gives us our purpose and meaning.

3. If I have a reason WHY, I can put up with any HOW.

4. Hebrews 13:8: Jesus Christ is the SAME, yesterday, today, and forever.

5. Jesus has transportation—John, trust this Word in your Rehoboth.

6. Live life every day as a truth-teller.

7. Since God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, try to focus on His.

8. Since God’s ways are not our ways, try to live according to His.

9. Our mission is training and sustaining shepherds for our soldiers.

10. We will win, develop, disciple, guide, and mentor God’s laborers for His harvest.

11. Billy Graham and Dawson Troutman helped get this navigator’s home in Colorado.

12. We are truth-tellers: read Psalm 1 and Psalm 150 from the Message Bible.

13. Sometimes we need to kick back, breathe deep, and enjoy.

14. It’s okay to laugh and have fun just like we did in high school, even more than 50 years later.

15. Jack Vesey, at the age of 15 or 16, knew in his heart that he wanted to serve his nation, and at age 18 he joined the Minnesota National Guard.

16. He was the only man in U. S. history to go from Enlisted to 4-star General Battlefield promotions.

17. Wherever General Jack went, he mentored, and he still does now at the age of 80.

18. After one of those he mentored became Army Chief of Staff, he took the job of Vice Army Chief, to the surprise of many.

19. Then, President Reagan offered him the job of Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff.

20. God, here You are, saying, John, remember the General Jack story? I restored his career, and I will restore yours as well.

21. Chaplain (COL-Ret) Conrad Walker had Chaplain (COL-Ret) Paul Howe share his family’s story. He told us, We have been blessed by God.

22. Then, Chaplain (COL-Ret) Walker said that COL-Ret Paul Howe is one of the greatest Chaplains ever to have served in our Army.

23. Stew in the juices of the Word of God. Spend time in God’s Word. Feast in the mysteries of God’s Word.

24. Praise God on the inside and the outside.

25. God gave His Son Jesus the Name WORD.

26. God is in the business of calling us, enlightening us, preserving us, developing us, and sending us to be about His business.

27. You do not have to save anyone yourself. Tell your story, share your testimony, and God will do the saving.

28. I pray to You, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit…

29. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, amen. His four-count airborne jump verses: one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three, JUMP.

30. Prayer is the key. Pray without ceasing. John, keep asking and seeking and knocking for me, I AM.

31. Winston Churchill, when the World War had reached a low point, urged his countrymen to never quit.

32. It is also said that a woman said to Churchill at a dinner, Sir, out of respect I will listen to you, but I do not like to listen to you. If you were my husband, I would poison your drink. Churchill reportedly responded, Ma’am, if you were my wife, I would drink it.

33. Psalms 1, 19, 22, 23, 27, 46, 71, 103, 107, 136, 150

34. With such a busy world, it is so easy to become functionary.

35. Be packed with hope and humor.

36. Preach the Word in season and out of season.

37. (on black Chaplains) There are some persons and organizations that are unchangeable. Sonny Davis, Chaplain (MG-Ret) Hicks, Chaplain (MG-Ret) Zimmerman, Chaplain Wes Gary, and Chaplain George Alexander are all black and all served in Vietnam.

38. Chaplain (COL-Ret) Conrad spoke extensively about black Chaplains.

39. We are going to find people who are out of step with love, but we have to love them back in step. Sometimes, we have to just let the Gospel of Jesus Christ do the work if it is to be done.

40. We are all equal at the foot of the Cross.

41. The ground is level at the foot of the Cross.

42. Have faith in God.

Ended on Psalm 27 from the Message Bible—read verses 1-4, and said to us, Revelation 3:20 is the one verse that prayer is wrapped up in.

The U-Can! Man

John Wallace Isom Jr.

As Always, Remember U-CAN!

Dedication: 4

Dedication to Wal-Mart Manager

Special Salute to the U-Can! Man Coach And Mentor (CAM), Coach Carla

She is a leader in management of one of the world’s leading successful business stories, Wal-Mart. She works at the Valdosta, GA Super Wal-Mart store by Interstate 75. In September 2004, I was assigned by the Army to lead the 1st Recruiting Brigade Chaplain Recruiting Team. I was going to be the station commander once again. After you read this book, you will see what this job meant to me. My wife Karen and I hoped that I would truly get to be a leader in this position, unlike in the positions I’d held between October 1997 and February 2001 in Charleston.

Karen’s aunt Mary had been working at Wal-Mart, and we talked about it while I was home on vacation that June. I asked Mary what she thought the key was to successful leadership at Wal-Mart. She replied, That’s easy, they lead with you, they are in the fight with you daily. You feel like they’re one of you, and they really are. I asked Mary who I could speak with to find out more, and she quickly replied, Carla! She’s in management, working at the Norman Drive Wal-Mart Super Center. Carla is the best, John, and I do mean the best!

That day I went to Wal-Mart (another love of my bride Karen’s life ) and as I entered the store a woman walked up to me and smiled. I told her I was looking for Carla, the store manager, and she said, Look no further, I’m here. I said, WOW! That was quick. She asked how she could help me, and I told her about Mary and our conversation. Carla smiled and said that Mary was a very nice person and an excellent team player for Wal-Mart. Then, I asked the big question. I said, I am going to go lead and manage an Army Chaplain station. What advice do you have, from your management perspective? Her response changed my life forever. Carla said, First of all, come with me. She then walked from employee to employee, speaking with them and asking them how they were doing. She would stop and offer some ideas and suggestions, always with a smile on her face. If something wasn’t right, she would take a few seconds to correct it, or to alert someone else. Carla spoke to the employees just as she would the customers. She said that this was her common procedure; she’d always go to the different departments to speak to the employees, or associates as Wal-Mart calls them.

When we finally ended up at the store’s front door and the greeters saw her, she asked how they were doing with that smile Mary had told me about. Having finished her rounds, Carla said, Hope that helps you out at your new job. But what about my question? I asked. I was hoping you could give me some advice on leadership from the perspective of someone in management. Carla replied, I thought you realized that I was answering your question. I can show you better than I can tell you. John, we call this ‘Coaching By Walking Around’ (CBWA). This is how we’ve been trained to lead. It keeps us in the KNOW and SHOW (KAS). My advice to you, when you meet your new team, is to have this kind of attitude from day one. You will be one of the best leaders the Chaplain Recruiting Team has ever seen. I believe you can and will do it. Now, I have to go. Let me guess, I said, you have more Coaching By Walking Around to do.Carla smiled. You got it. Now, remember, stay in the KAS by CBWA. Good luck, and I’ll see you next time. I took Coach Carla’s advice, and whenever I came home I would stop by to let her know that her style of leadership was my style too now, and I am a CBWA believer.

To date, that team made our assigned mission my last 11 quarters in the Army, 33 consecutive months. We were the first Chaplain Recruiting Team to make our assigned mission by the end of the 3rd quarter in 2006. I was blessed to earn the highest award in Recruiting Command, the coveted Glen E. Morrell Award. Army Chaplain Recruiting reached all kinds of new marks from 2004-2007, led by Chaplain (COL) Kenneth Beale and Chaplain Assistant Master James Peters. This success for me and our team can be traced back to that awesome day in September 2004 when Coach Carla from Wal-Mart took about 5 minutes to give life-changing advice to a customer. To this day, I still shop at that store, and whenever I see Coach Carla she is always in CBWA mode with a smile. And she is still my coach. Thank you, Coach Carla.

Forward:

Forward by Howard Williams

This story is about a dedicated soldier who fought his own battles, not on a field of combat against a