Military Retirement Podcast Podcast By w/ John McConnell and Victor De La Flor cover art

Military Retirement Podcast

Military Retirement Podcast

By: w/ John McConnell and Victor De La Flor
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Highlighting military retirement journeys from all walks of the military. Wide ranging long form conversations with Veterans. We discuss the retirement process, life starting in the military, and life after the military. Also talk to former military members who transitioned before reaching retirement and started their own businesses.w/ John McConnell and Victor De La Flor Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • #96 - Military To Civilian Success After 1 Enlistment
    Jul 25 2025

    In this impactful episode, we introduce Transition Tribe 2045, a visionary new program founded by retired E9 Master Gunnery Sergeant Wayne Terronez. Discover how this initiative aims to bridge the critical gap in military transition, providing a much-needed "tribe" and comprehensive support for service members, especially first-termers, as they navigate the complex journey to civilian life. Wayne highlights the shortcomings of current transition programs and outlines how Transition Tribe 2045 will foster essential communication skills, help translate military experience, and build vital peer support.


    Key Topics with Timestamps

    Below are the key discussions from the episode, marked with timestamps for easy navigation:


    0:44 Introducing Transition Tribe 2045 and its Founder, Wayne Terrone

    1:07 Who is Transition Tribe 2045 For? (All Ranks, Branches, Genders)

    2:28 The Problem with Current Military Transition Programs

    5:31 The Critical Need for a "Tribe" and Camaraderie in Transition

    6:14 Structure of Transition Tribe 2045: Small Groups and Mentorship

    6:31 Core Curriculum: Communication Skills, Translating Military Experience, Interview Practice

    10:33 Addressing Mental Health in the Transition Process

    12:08 The Meaning Behind "2045"

    13:21 How to Get Involved: Seeking Mentors and Participants

    13:35 Building the Program: Social Media Presence (Instagram, TikTok, Linktree)

    15:29 Program Duration and Structure (Two-Month Weekly Meetings)

    15:53 Future Plans: For-Profit vs. Non-Profit Considerations

    22:41 Vision for In-Person Meetups and Partnerships

    30:49 Connecting with Transition Tribe 2045 on Social Media


    Resources Mentioned

    Here is a list of the organizations and platforms discussed in this episode, complete with direct links where available:


    Transition Tribe 2045:


    Linktree: https://linktr.ee/transitiontribe2045


    Wounded Warrior Project: A well-known organization supporting wounded veterans – https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/


    TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors): Provides compassionate care to those grieving the loss of a military loved one – https://www.taps.org/


    Combined Arms (Texas): A collaborative impact organization that aims to accelerate the transition of veterans into civilian life – https://www.combinedarms.us/

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    34 mins
  • #95 - Navigating Military to Civilian Life: Interviews, Leadership, and the 80% Solution
    Jul 18 2025

    In this episode, join hosts Nick and John as they share candid insights into the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from military to civilian life. From the frustrating realities of job interviews and government applications to the nuanced art of de-escalation and the pursuit of personal growth, this conversation offers invaluable perspectives for anyone navigating new chapters. Dive deep into discussions on letting go of perfectionism, the power of asking questions, and the enduring importance of being a good human being.


    Key Topics with Timestamps

    Below are the key discussions from the episode, marked with timestamps for easy navigation:


    0:01 Job Interviews and Unexpected Technical Difficulties

    6:12 Mastering USAJobs and OPM Website Applications

    7:15 Tailoring Resumes for Government Jobs

    16:32 Supporting Veteran Well-being Through Creative Arts

    19:22 Insights into Government Contracting and SAM.gov

    22:42 Civilian Life and Personal Growth: De-escalation Insights

    26:29 The Enduring Importance of Being a Good Human Being

    38:26 Navigating Content Creation and Personal Channels

    41:46 Embracing the "80% Solution" and Letting Go of Perfectionism

    58:48 The Value of Asking Questions in a New Role

    1:06:20 Connecting with the Military Retirement Community


    Books and Resources Discussed

    Here is a list of all the organizations, tools, and resources mentioned in this episode, complete with direct links:


    USAJobs: The official website for U.S. government job opportunities – https://www.usajobs.gov/


    OPM (Office of Personnel Management): Provides guidance on federal employment – https://www.opm.gov/


    Creative Arts for Vets: An organization dedicated to providing art supplies and promoting well-being for veterans and service members – https://rural.indiana.edu/focus/arts-culture/creative-arts-for-vets/index.html


    @sheenapreneur (Sheena): A resource for learning about government contracting and navigating sam.gov


    SAM.gov: The official U.S. government system for contract opportunities – https://sam.gov/


    @thegreenlogbook : Vic's YouTube channel, offering valuable content for veterans


    Military Retirement Group: A community for military retirees and veterans on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/groups/themilitaryretirementgroup


    "The Bottom Line Up Front" Book: Your co-authored book, available for purchase – https://amzn.to/4kFs9ZF


    Listen to the Full Episode

    Ready to gain valuable insights on navigating post-military life, career transitions, and personal development?


    Listen to the full episode here: https://youtube.com/live/69ePAEeGIfE

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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • #94 - Veteran AI simplifies the VA Claims process to help Veterans get better and faster results
    Jul 12 2025

    Simplifying VA Disability Claims with https://veteranai.co ⁨@VeteranAiOfficial⁩ In this episode, we sit down with Dennis Spawn, the innovative founder of Veteran AI, to explore how his groundbreaking tool is revolutionizing the often-complex process of VA disability claims. Discover how Veteran AI helps veterans efficiently manage their claims, generate crucial evidence, and navigate the bureaucratic landscape, ultimately aiming to save them time and money. Learn more about Veteran AI and its mission to empower veterans by visiting their official website: veteranai.co.Key Topics with TimestampsBelow are the key discussions from the episode, marked with timestamps to help you easily navigate the conversation:0:49 Personal Updates & Side Projects11:50 Veteran AI Introduction and Functionality13:55 Generating Evidence for VA Claims with AI14:29 Identifying Secondary Claims with Veteran AI16:26 Utilizing DSM-5 and NIH Articles for Claims12:23 Understanding Challenges with VA Claims23:15 The Role of VSOs (Veteran Service Officers) and Veteran AI's Complementary Nature37:23 The Future of Veteran AI37:49 Upcoming Features: Live Customer Service and Voice-to-AI38:31 Collaborating with VSOs and Potential VA Partnerships28:33 Discussion on 38 CFR and AI ToolsBooks and Resources DiscussedHere is a list of all the books, organizations, and tools mentioned in this episode, complete with direct links for your convenience:Veteran AI: The revolutionary tool for VA claims – https://veteranai.co"Freedom" by Sebastian Junger: A powerful book exploring themes of society and the military – https://amzn.to/4lscq1f"Tribe" by Sebastian Junger: Another insightful read from Junger on belonging and combat – https://amzn.to/4lSZ9yADSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition): A critical resource used in mental health diagnosis – https://amzn.to/3IGpeSXNIH (National Institutes of Health) Articles: Publicly available research articles for medical information – https://www.nih.gov/Restrepo Documentary: A compelling documentary by Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1559549/VetArt.org: An organization supporting veteran art communities – https://vetart.orgArmed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP): Empowering veterans through the arts – https://asapasap.org @TheCivDiv most comprehensive channel for Veteran Disability benefitsGoogle NotebookLM: Google's AI-powered research and note-taking tool – https://notebooklm.google/38 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 38): The body of regulations governing veterans' benefits – https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4Veterans Benefits Reddit: A vibrant online community for discussions and advice on VA benefits – Visit https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransBenefits/ on Reddit"The Bottom Line Up Front" (Your book): https://amzn.to/4eK6qhHWreaths Across America: Honoring fallen service members – https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.orgMilitary Retirement Group on Facebook: A community for military retirees and veterans – https://www.facebook.com/groups/themilitaryretirementgroup/The Green Logbook (YouTube Channel): A YouTube channel from one of your hosts – Visit The Green Logbook on YouTube @thegreenlogbook As an Amazon affiliate - some links may result in commissions for the site.

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    1 hr and 26 mins
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