Greg Keeley wanted a serving to hand to attain success each within the navy and after his service ended. Now, via his personal bourbon making enterprise, Keeley is paying it ahead, offering alternatives to different veterans.
Keeley had a novel and unconventional navy life. He was born and grew up in Australia, spending greater than 10 years within the Royal Australian Navy. He fought with U.S. allies in Iraq and Afghanistan and served in nationwide safety and counterterrorism positions within the preliminary years of the post-911 wars.
After a decade within the Royal Australian Navy, Keeley was planning for his subsequent chapter in life as a civilian. However his service impressed navy brass, a lot in order that Keeley obtained a suggestion he couldn’t move up immediately from a three-star admiral – American citizenship, together with turning into a commissioned officer within the U.S. Navy. The transfer was even supported by members of Congress.
It was a uncommon promotion and a chance that seldom comes alongside for a non-U.S. servicemember.
Overcoming Publish-Army Transition
Of all of the obstacles he confronted within the navy, surviving two wars zones chief amongst them, Keeley’s hardest hurdle got here after he left the service.
He couldn’t modify to civilian life.
Battling post-traumatic stress dysfunction, Keeley leaned on his spouse, Katie, a Navy nurse, for assist. Katie steered him towards veteran assist packages, and it pulled Keeley out of his melancholy.
Since then, Keeley has advocated for different veterans to hunt assist in the event that they want it. He advised FOX 56 in Kentucky the psychological well being assets out there not solely assist struggling veterans, but additionally their pals and households.
From the Navy to Making Bourbon
For Keeley, a quick work journey to Kentucky led him to a everlasting keep. He fell in love with the Bluegrass State and determined to plant roots there.
He based a enterprise, Larrikin Bourbon Co. in Lawrenceburg, one of many few veteran-owned distilleries in Kentucky. Keeley found a rising bourbon ambiance in Kentucky and a way of camaraderie amongst distillers that reminded him of the navy.
The Navy veteran stated the bourbon group is a tightknit group of people that move alongside data, strategies and present real care for his or her fellow distillers – a sense of assist he recollects fondly from the service.
Regardless of the assist, starting his enterprise was difficult. “Consultants” warned Keeley that beginning a bourbon distillery from scratch was silly. Nonetheless, he caught to his dream and, leaning on his navy background, accomplished his mission regardless of the circumstances.
Keeley stated “Larrikin” derives from Australian navy slang, a time period used for a “maverick” or one who might bend the foundations however by no means compromises the mission, which Keeley feels is the best description for his bourbon and the veterans he hires.
Years after leaving the service – a navy profession with two totally different nations – Keeley is constant to serve, simply in one other capability. And he by no means strays far-off from the service. Katie is at present on a deployment with the Navy.
