Identifying the right career path after the military can be challenging, but it’s possible to continue leading a service life even in the private sector.
For General Wesley K. Clark, former supreme allied commander in Europe for NATO, the end of his military service was an inflection point that also signified a new start. Clark, who now serves as founder and chairman of investment bank Enverra, reflects on his career transition in a new episode of Yahoo Finance’s Warrior Money, hosted by Patrick Murphy and Dan Kunze.
"It was really exciting because, in a way, it was going back to the beginning," he recalled. After his retirement, Clark initially took a role that allowed him to learn about business and investment banking. However, his professional journey took a turn when his outspoken criticism of the Iraq war led him to run for president in 2004.
Following his campaign, he returned to the private sector but found roles that served a greater purpose. "I thought, ‘What is it that you are interested in?,’" Clark said. In his case, the answer was energy. "It’s the closest thing I could get to national security and not be doing that," he explained.
General Clark served on various boards in the energy industry and then went on to work in economic development. "I was asked to participate in a group that was doing conferences that would bring together Eastern Europe, Africa, [and] the Middle East," he said. "Clearly, there was a role to play in trying to help East European countries develop economically." Clark remained purpose-driven in that role as well. "Economic development is the foundation for national security," he said. "If people don’t have jobs, if they’re not happy about their country, they’re not likely to be prepared to defend it."
In his full interview with Murphy and Kunze, Clark also discussed the leadership lessons he learned while serving in Vietnam, why political public service roles lack veterans, and his experience on the presidential campaign trail. Hosted by former Congressman Patrick Murphy and veteran investor Dan Kunze, Yahoo Finance’s Warrior Money is a weekly vodcast dedicated to uplifting military veterans transitioning into civilian life. Through insights from fellow veterans and high-ranking government officials, Murphy and Kunze are helping set vets up for success through financial education and inspiration.
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