Life After The Military

“Use your last job in the military to prepare for your next job after you get out of the military” is one piece of advice Colonel (Retired) Jeff Worthington shares in this week’s episode of Life After the Military. Jeff, a 30-year Army veteran who recently retired in May of 2021, thoughtfully planned, prepared for and executed his transition which included use of the DoD SkillBridge Program.  Jeff also talks very powerfully, candidly and courageously about how he overcame suicidal thoughts, depression and how he now manages and strengthens his mental fitness by telling others about his story.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-worthington

CrowdStrike: https://www.crowdstrike.com/

Show notes:

0:00 Lee opens the podcast

00:26 Lee introduces Jeff Worthington

02:00 Jeff describes how his military service shaped him

06:02 Jeff shares great advice about how he thoughtfully prepared for and executed his transition to the private sector

21:31 Jeff talks about how he used the DoD SkillBridge Program to help him prepare for his successful transition

26:30 Howie reinforces some of the things that Jeff did to prepare for his transition like developing his network and profile on LinkedIn

29:01 Jeff describes the screening criteria and decision-making process he used to make his post military employment decision

34:28 Jeff shares the “dirty secret” about the DoD SkillBridge Program – he describes how he set up his own program with CrowdStrike

41:08 Jeff describes his role at CrowdStrike (formerly McAfee)

44:35 Jeff talks about the strategy behind setting up his own limited liability company (LLC)

48:00 Lee gives Jeff his book title

51:07 Jeff talks very candidly and transparently about how he overcame suicidal thoughts and how he now manages and strengthens his mental fitness

58:04 Lee and Howie thank Jeff for being so thoughtful and vulnerable by sharing his story

1:11:38 Lee closes out the episode

In the latest episode of Life After the Military, COL (Ret) Fran Trentley provides spot-on guidance and advice for transitioning veterans. Listen to Fran describe his challenges with the transition process and upgrading the communications infrastructure at the White House Communications Agency in support of the President of the United States.

You’ll also learn about the techniques he used to decide to work for Akamai Technologies for over 15 years – he did his homework and made a great decision! Listen and learn from Fran.

Fran’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frantrentley/

Show notes:

0:00 Lee opens the podcast

00:31 Lee introduces Fran Trentley

02:51 Fran describes how his military service shaped him

26:35 Fran talks about upgrading the communications capabilities of the White House Communications Agency in support of the President of the United States

43:40 Fran shares his transition experience, creating evaluative criteria, gives examples of risk and reward, and provides great perspective for others going through the process

54:00 Fran reinforces the need to evaluate an organization’s leadership team and culture before you decide to join them

58:22 Fran describes why and how he worked for Akamai Technologies for 15 years

1:06:22 Fran shares how he applied the leadership and team building skills he honed while in the military to create success at Akamai

1:17:55 Fran provides insight into the corporate advisory work he does with Squirrel Compliancy Solutions

1:22:20 Lee gives Fran his book titles

1:24:10 Fran talks about how he manages and strengthen his mental fitness

1:32:00 Lee closes out the episode

In the latest episode of Life After the Military, Dr. Stacey Dixon talks about her service in the United States Marine Corps as a Meteorology and Oceanography Officer, her challenging transition after an unforeseen medical retirement, and the passionate and fulfilling work she does in the education field. As the Director, Veterans and Military Program with National Louis University, Dr. Dixon helps student veterans adjust to the campus environment to build and execute their plan for their future.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-stacey-dixon-6a097a156/

National Defense University Veteran and Military Program: https://nl.edu/student-services/veterans-and-military-support/

Student Veterans of America: https://studentveterans.org/

Show notes:

0:00 Lee opens the podcast

00:50 Lee introduces Stacey Dixon

01:50 Stacey describes how her military service shaped her

09:32 Stacey talks about her transition experience and provides great perspective for others going through the process

20:11 Stacey shares her challenge with being medically discharged from the Marine Corps

25:35 Stacey talks about her decision to pursue a financial advisory career with Edward Jones

30:40 Stacey explains why she made a career change to go into the educational field with the Noble Network of Charter Schools and Junior ROTC in the greater Chicago area

36:58 Stacey describes why she pursued a career as a certified professional coach

47:00 Stacey shares some stories about young men and women that she coached and mentored

55:19 Stacey talks about her role and shares some stories as the Director, Veterans and Military Program with the National Louis University (NLU) system

1:04:50 Stacey describes how the NLU staff handles student veterans and their specific needs and challenges

1:12:02 Lee gives Stacey her book titles

1:14:00 Stacey talks about her challenges with mental fitness, being a woman in the Marine Corps, and how she handled them

1:27:34 Lee closes out the episode

Retired Army Signal Corps CSM, Gerald Tyce speaks candidly and transparently shares his challenges with transition to the private sector, overcoming the stress of multiple combat deployments, and how he sought help and mentorship consistently throughout his life to overcome obstacles and achieve success in his military and government contracting career.

DoD SkillBridge Program: https://skillbridge.osd.mil/

Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families: https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/apply/our-programs/

Show notes:

0:00 Lee opens the podcast

00:35 Lee introduces Gerald Tyce

01:46 Gerald describes how his military service shaped him

09:23 Gerald shares his challenges, advice and stories about transition from the military to defense contracting  16:02 Gerald describes how he was able to take two years to recharge himself and plan for his post military career after retiring from the Army

19:12 Gerald, Howie and Lee reinforce for veterans the need to plan for their transition at least 2 years out and never fear to ask for help

21:06 Gerald talks about his decision to join the Camber Corporation as a government contractor

23:37 Lee and Gerald explain the need to assess and interview the companies you are seeking employment with

28:13 Gerald shares how he prepared himself to succeed in a government contracting business development position and leveraged Camber’s training programs

34:15 Gerald describes how he leveraged free training and certifications with the Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families

40:32 Howie encourages transitioning military members to take the time to plan for their transition and highlights the value of the DoD SkillBridge Program

44:05 Gerald describes his experience as a Program Director with IAP Worldwide Services

50:40 Gerald talks about his current responsibilities as the Operations Manager for the Enterprise IT as a Service Contract for the Peraton Corporation

55:37 Lee gives Gerald his book title

57:02 Gerald defines what mental fitness means to him, personal and professional challenges he had and what he does to strengthen his own mental fitness

1:05:35 Lee compares the need for mental fitness and recovery to physical fitness and recovery

1:10:29 Lee closes out the episodes

Listen to retired Navy SEAL officer, Mark Greene talk candidly and transparently about his challenges with transition, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress, and how he sought help consistently throughout his life to overcome obstacles and achieve success in everything he did.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-greene-mba-mpa-2aaa2a9/

Dominion Energy: https://www.dominionenergy.com/

Show Notes:

0:00 Lee opens the podcast

00:42 Lee introduces Mark Greene

01:54 Matt describes how his service as a Navy SEAL shaped him

10:26 Howie and Mark reinforce the value of military service and overcoming adversity

17:40 Mark shares his challenges and stories about transition from the military and his experience at the University of Southern California

40:40 Mark expands on his work at USC and helping their student veteran community and their families

47:40 Mark, Howie and Lee reinforce for veterans the need to plan for their transition at least 2 years out and never fear to ask for help

57:47 Mark describes his concept of being a life coach for student athletes

1:14:50 Mark explains how he learned about Dominion Energy and chose to work for their corporate security team

1:22:40 Lee gives Mark his book title

1:25:18 Mark shares a story about a public speaking engagement at the Smithsonian

1:30:15 Mark defines what mental fitness means to him, personal challenges he had and what he does to strengthen his own mental fitness

1:35:00 Lee and Mark discuss the difference between fearing failure and hating to fail

1:43:50 Lee closes out the episode

In this exceptionally powerful and informative episode of Life After the Military, Lee and Howie talk with former Marine, Matt Kellam. Matt serves as the Dominion Energy Military and Recruitment Program Coordinator. Dominion Energy, a veteran friendly company, historically hires 1 of every 5 employees with a veteran background. Dominion Energy has been in the top 10 of veteran friendly employers since 2008. Matt talks eloquently and with vulnerability about how he strengthens his mental fitness and how committed he is to help Dominion Energy take great care of veterans, their families, and create partnerships with the communities they serve.

Matt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kellam-178013b/

Dominion Energy: https://www.dominionenergy.com/

Troops to Energy Jobs: https://www.troopstoenergyjobs.com/

Show notes:

0:00 Lee opens the podcast

00:42 Lee introduces Matt Kellam

02:22  Matt describes how his service in the Marine Corps shaped him

10:26 Lee reinforces the value of military service

15:12  Matt shares his experiences and stories about transition from the military and his experiences and struggles as a student veteran

26:55 Matt describes how he began to work with Dominion Energy and his family’s history with the company

32:24 Matt explains how Dominion Energy created strategic partnerships with the communities they serve

40:17 Howie and Matt talk about the Dominion Energy leadership team’s commitment to helping veterans

1:00:44 Matt describes the Troop to Energy Jobs Program which helps other employers build a military veteran friendly transition and hiring program

1:03:40 Matt shares Dominion Energy’s charitable commitment to veterans with a partnership to host an annual senior PGA tournament in the Richmond area

1:07:00 Lee gives Matt his book title

1:08:03 Matt defines what mental fitness means to him, personal challenges he had and what he does to strengthen his own mental fitness

1:20:02 Lee closes out the episode

In this episode of Life After the Military, Lee and Howie talk with former Marine, Tony Crescenzo. Tony currently serves as the CEO of Intelligent Waves and is highly engaged with the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s Veteran Employment Initiative which has helped over 18,000 veterans find employment in the last eight years. Tony provides sage advice, guidance, and entertaining stories about his time in the Marines, providing leadership in corporate America, and how he wrestled with and strengthened his own mental fitness.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrescenzo/

Intelligent Waves: https://intelligentwaves.com/

Northern Virginia Technology Council Veterans Employment Initiative: https://www.nvtc.org/NVTC/Insights/Veterans_Employment_Initiative.aspx

Show notes:

0:00 Lee opens the podcast

00:42 Lee introduces Tony Crescenzo

02:15 Tony describes how his service in the Marine Corps shaped him

29:34 Tony shares his experiences and stories about transition from the military and between several corporate positions

43:19 Tony talks about the need for business leaders to teach, coach, and mentor their teammates

50:06 Tony describes his experience as a strategy consultant with Achievance, LLC

59:50 Tony talks about leadership and the four pillars of his leadership philosophy

1:03:28 Tony talks extensively about the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s Veterans Employment Initiative which has put over 18,000 veterans to work in 8 years

1:12:43 Tony provides insights for business owners into the value of hiring veterans

1:25:22 Lee gives Tony his book titles

1:33:05 Tony defines what mental fitness means to him, personal challenges he had and what he does to strengthen his own mental fitness

1:51:21 Lee closes out the episode

In this episode of Life After the Military, Lee and Howie talk with former Air Force Officer, David Tenenbaum. David currently serves as a Director for Heroes Linked, a nonprofit that connects those serving, veterans, their spouses and Gold Star families with a national network of volunteer Advisors for professional and career development, as well as educational, employment and VSO resources. David is also the Founder and CEO of Honor Media, a nonprofit media production organization and publishing platform for and about the veteran community.

Heroes Linked: https://heroeslinked.org/

Honor Media: https://www.honormedia.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidtenenbaumla/

Show notes:

0:00 Lee opens the podcast

00:40 Lee introduces David Tenenbaum

2:30 David shares how his military career impacted him

8:53 David describes his experiences and challenges with transitioning from the military

25:44 David talks about his experience working with a Department of the Veteran Affairs Federal Advisory Board located in Los Angeles, California

31:09 David talks about veteran suicide and his personal experience with suicide

32:00 David shares his perspective about the challenges that non-profit Veteran Service Organizations face

41:16 Lee tells a story about his personal perception on suicide changed

47:00 David talks about how he helped veterans and their families when working with Bunker Labs to foster entrepreneurship

51:57 David describes his work with HeroesLinked – a veteran version of LinkedIn

1:03:41 David talks about his vision behind his non-profit organization, Honor Media

1:09:34 Lee gives David his book title

1:11:39 David talks with vulnerability about his challenges with mental fitness and what he does to strengthen his own mental fitness

1:21:18 Lee closes out the episode

In this episode of Life After the Military, Lee and Howie talk with US Army Command Sergeant Major (Retired) James Jordan. James served for over 31 years as a noncommissioned officer and leader in the US Army Signal Corps. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for the Charlotte Hornets. James shares insights about transitioning from the military; the need to develop and maintain strong effective teams in a corporate setting; and his commitment to teach, coach, mentor, and give back to those around him.

James’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-jordan-90010743/

Show notes:

0:00 Lee opens the podcast

0:37 Lee introduces James Jordan

2:35 James talks about his military career and how his experiences shaped him

12:20 James talks about how he prepared for and executed his transition from the military and his position with EPS as a government contractor

28:17 James describes how he applied his military leadership experience to develop a strong team in a corporate setting

33:43 Lee and Howie provides tips to veterans who are interviewing for a job

37:50 James describes the importance of having a plan when transitioning from the military

42:43 James talks about his experience running operations for the Charlotte Spectrum Center and the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets

49:27 Howie talks about the quality of James’ family

53:42 Howie and James talk about Howie’s parting gifts to the 35^th Signal Brigade – the Lion Brigade

1:00:24 James talks about how he teaches, coaches, mentors and gives back to others around him

1:08:57 Lee gives James his book title

1:09:50 James defines mental fitness and shares ways that he strengthens his own mental fitness

1:18:07 Lee closes out the episode