MILCOM Founders Podcast -- Episode 17: From Immigrant Teen to Special Operations Hero and Mental Health Advocate with Pasha PalankerJoin host Rod Loges and guest Pasha Palanker as he shares his remarkable journey from arriving in America as a 15-year-old refugee from Soviet Moldova to becoming a decorated Army Special Operations Master Sergeant and successful entrepreneur. Pasha is the founder and CEO of Deliverance Solutions Corp, a service-disabled veteran-owned business specializing in data analytics and AI solutions for government agencies.In this episode:Pasha's immigration story from Soviet Moldova to Los Angeles as a teenagerHis path from grateful refugee to Army Special Operations, serving 17 years (2003-2020)Earning the Bronze Star for Valor and two Purple Hearts, including a face-to-face confrontation with a suicide bomber that saved 15 soldiersHis candid discussion about mental health struggles and the journey to recoveryHow vulnerability and character building led to unexpected entrepreneurshipBuilding Deliverance Solutions Corp with partner Dennis, focusing on government contractingHis work as a mental health advocate and professional parachute demonstratorKey takeaways:Character and trust are the most valuable assets in business and lifeShowing up consistently opens doors, even when you feel behindMental health recovery requires taking responsibility and building yourself up step by stepBeing interested in others is more important than being interestingVulnerability and authenticity can become your greatest strengthsSuccess means constant growth and positively impacting those around youGuest: Pasha Palanker, Founder and CEO of Deliverance Solutions Corp, Army Special Operations Master Sergeant (Retired), Bronze Star for Valor and Purple Heart (2x) recipientLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pasha-palanker-89141a13a/Business Website: https://www.deliverancecorp.com/Pasha Palanker immigrated to America from Soviet Moldova at age 15 and enlisted in the Army in 2003 out of gratitude for his new country. During his 17-year career in Army Special Operations, he served multiple deployments in Iraq and Africa, earning the Bronze Star for Valor for confronting a suicide bomber and saving 15 soldiers' lives, along with two Purple Hearts.After struggling with mental health challenges that led to medical retirement in 2020, Pasha transformed his recovery journey into advocacy work and entrepreneurship. His vulnerability in sharing his mental health story on LinkedIn went viral and established him as a trusted voice in the veteran community. This authenticity and character led friends to encourage him to start Deliverance Solutions Corp, where he now helps government agencies with data analytics and AI solutions.Beyond business, Pasha works as a mental health advocate and professional parachute demonstrator, jumping 1,100-square-foot American flags into major sporting events and ceremonies across the country.Looking ahead: Pasha focuses on growing Deliverance Solutions Corp while continuing his mission to help other veterans through mental health advocacy and sharing lessons learned from his journey.The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs.Sponsored by One Degree Financial: www.onedegreefinancial.comWant to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at: https://www.milcomfounders.com/

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