Your ATA Advocate
Michael is well versed in veterans affairs and hurdles the process can entail. As the founder of ATA, he is here to help navigate any situation from claims, mental health, wellness, and a variety of situations veterans and their families encounter.
Sergeant Major Laughery at his retirement - 2017 -
From the plan to a path - Your Path
Transition and post service can be a difficult process. Our family encountered many challenges along the year before retirement as well as those just after we made the separation.
We failed, succeed, mostly frustrated, but ultimately through networking and mentoring:
We made plans and found a path, then a branch from that path…and that path.
We know others struggle with this process. Our goal is to give back and use our network to mentor those thinking about retirement or who have already joined the old blue ID card .
So in 2022, after four years into retirement, we decided to provide a resource to assist others by highlighting our path. We seek to make the process easier for service members and their families to look at their plan and develop their path. From information to employment opportunities, benefits, to education and beyond…we stand behind veterans.
Sergeant Major (Retired) R. Michael Laughery was born in Columbus, Ohio and raised in Meigs County where he enlisted in the United States Army in 1996.
During his 21-year career, SGM Laughery deployed to EUCOM, CENTCOM, and AFRICOM participating in multiple operations and numerous contingency missions directed by the National Command Authority. In February 2006, SGM Laughery was recruited for his final assignment in the military. After completing the assessment and selection and operations training course, SGM Laughery served as a Team Leader, Detachment Sergeant Major, Recruiting Sergeant Major, Assistant Operations Sergeant Major, and finally as a Troop Sergeant Major.
His schools and training include: Basic Airborne Course, Military Free-Fall Course, United Stated Army Sergeants Major Academy, and the Joint Special Operations Senior Enlisted Academy. SGM Laughery is also a distinguished graduate from Norwich University receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree in Defense Analysis and his Masters in Business Administration.
SGM Laughery is happily married to the former Katie Alline Farrow for over 20 years and they currently reside near the Wilderness Battlefield in Spotsylvania, Virginia.