Napoleon’s Formative Years

Robert P. Givens is a Louisville, Kentucky entrepreneur who guides RPG Consulting, LLC, and provides a host of solutions in areas such as corporate management and leadership. Passionate about history, Robert P. Givens has a particularly strong interest in events of the Napoleonic period.

Born into minor nobility in Corsica, Napoleon Bonaparte grew up in a family led by an entrepreneurial father who wound up deeply in debt when a silkworm mulberry plantation failed. One of eight children of an energetic and pious mother, Napoleon was sent from Corsica to attend military school in France at age nine and did not return to Corsica for nearly a decade.

Napoleon’s years at Brienne-le-Chateau studying political and military history were challenging, as he had status as an outsider who earned a scholarship to attend the school. Immersed in a spartan lifestyle, Napoleon was a loner who overcame intense bullying and had a passion for geography and history.

The first Corsican to graduate from Paris’ Military Academy, Napoleon was initially stationed as an artillery officer and was known for reading voraciously. He paid particular focus on understanding the concepts of a mobile army developed in the wake of France’s defeat in the Seven Years’ War.

Where Opportunity Knox and Its Critical Job Mentorship for Veterans

Robert P. Givens is the president of RPG Consulting LLC. Outside of work, Robert P. Givens remains actively involved in supporting veterans through organizations like Where Opportunity Knox.

Understanding the difficulties of transitioning back to civilian life after military service, Where Opportunity Knox seeks to connect veterans and their spouses to meaningful employment opportunities in the Greater Louisville, Kentucky, area.

The strength of the organization’s program lies in the strong mentorship that participants receive. Before even applying for a job, candidates meet with mentors to develop a resume that reflects their personal strengths and experiences. Then, mentors offer interview preparation complete with mock interview experiences.

Many of the organization’s mentors come from the community or from the many companies with which it has partnered to provide job opportunities. Veterans are invited to tour the companies and create important connections that will help them in their search for employment. 

Participants also have the opportunity to network with local community and business leaders, as well as fellow members of the Where Opportunity Knox program.

Veterans Community Alliance of Louisville’s Resource Guide

 

Robert P. Givens has built a solid career in the area of national security. As president of RPG Consulting, he uses his leadership and problem solving skills to coach clients on strategic planning and alternative futures. A Kentucky resident and veteran, Robert P. Givens is also a member of the Veterans Community Alliance of Louisville.

One of the services offered by the Veterans Community Alliance of Louisville (VCAL) is an extensive community resource guide made to assist veterans and their families. By providing an integrated support network of community members, businesses and services, initiatives, and organizations, VCAL hopes to make Louisville a welcoming place for veterans, ensuring they return to an optimal quality of life.

The community resource guide provides lists and contact information of organizations that provide services such as benefits assistance, employment, legal assistance, and housing. This effort also educates Louisville citizens on how best to help veterans, and gives veterans a better handle on their daily needs upon returning home and throughout their lives.