Beyond The Frontline

It’s time we start highlighting some of our outstanding Veterans! Donna and Jay bring on Mike Clark, a 26 year Army helicopter pilot and 28 years educator to discuss his life over the decades, how the military has changed since his days, and why he continues to support his community and veterans.

Originally from Iowa, the Clark family moved from Arizona to Spring Branch, TX in September 2015. Mike enlisted in the Army in 1966 eventually retiring in 1992 in the grade of Lieutenant Colonel. He served in various command and staff positions in many U. S. and overseas locations including two combat tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. He was also a Phoenix Police Officer/Helicopter Pilot and a member of the Arizona Army National Guard for 2 years during a short break in active military service. 

Mike began a 2nd career in education in 1992 as a high school teacher with Dysart Unified School District, El Mirage, AZ; a high school teacher, high school Dean of Students, high school Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent of Schools at Piñon Unified School District. Mike retired from education in 2013 as Principal/Superintendent of Pine Strawberry Elementary School and Pine Strawberry Elementary School District. He also served as an educational consultant for one year specializing in leadership training and grant writing among other responsibilities. Mike has served on multiple boards for various community volunteer organizations, is an active Kiwanian with the Texas Hill Country Kiwanis Club and a member of the Alamo Chapter of Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association.

Mike’s formal civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Master of Arts Degree in Management and Supervision from Central Michigan University, an Educational Administration Certification from the University of Phoenix plus many post graduate hours in Educational Leadership from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He currently holds an Arizona Principal and Superintendent’s Teaching/Administrator’s Certificate. His military education includes the U.S. Army Aviation School where he received his pilot’s training and wings, the Field Artillery Officers Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff College, and the Command, Control, Communications Staff Officers Course at the Armed Forces Staff College.

Donna’s Links

Website: www.rebel-llc.com

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com

Download on Apple Play and Google Play

Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

Donna’s Links

Website: www.rebel-llc.com Consulting/Coaching

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

IG: @thetransitioningwarrior

Twitter: @wtpc

FB: The Transitioning Warrior

Jay’s Links

Website: https://j2servantleadership.com/

Book: Breaking Average (2020)

Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

It is incredible to realize there are over 40,000 veteran focused non-profits. The heartbreaking part is the majority of them have a lifespan of 1 year! So many people have altruistic intentions, only to find themselves overwhelmed with the business side needed to keep the nonprofit running.

Donna and Jay bring in guest host Michelle Lang - veteran spouse, mom, and founder of the nonprofit, Veteran Help Point. They discuss why Veteran Help Point was launched, what it took to start it, and tips to think about before starting a nonprofit.

Michelle Lang has been a military spouse for about 6 years. She graduated college with a bachelor’s degree in Business/Sports Management and went on to work in the wellness field as a Community Health and Wellness Coordinator. Here, she helped assess the needs of the community and fill them by finding programs to implement. She left that job in 2015 to join her now husband in Fort Drum and began struggling to find meaningful work again. 

Shortly after her husband transitioned from the military in 2019, they were made aware of the severe gap of finding local veteran resources to help her husband and family. Through this struggle, Michelle began to think about a big picture solution to this issue. Their family moved down to Fort Bragg after her husband rejoined Active Duty and that is where Veteran Help Point began in November 2021. 

Today Michelle advocates for military spouses and veterans by connecting them to local resources they need while building the database of local resources through Veteran Help Point. 

Contact Information

Website: www.veteranhelppoint.com

Facebook- Veteran Help Point

Instagram- @veteranhelppoint

Twitter- @vethelppoint

TikTok- @veteranhelppoint

Pinterest- Veteran Help Point

Donna’s Links

Website: www.rebel-llc.com

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

IG: @thetransitioningwarrior

Twitter: @wtpc

FB: The Transitioning Warrior

Jay’s Links

Website: https://j2servantleadership.com/ 

Book: Breaking Average (2020)

Stay up to date and gain early access to new podcasts and upcoming events by signing up for our newsletter at Coming Home Well N

Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com

Download on Apple Play and Google Play

Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

Donna’s Links

Website: www.rebel-llc.com Consulting/Coaching

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

IG: @thetransitioningwarrior

Twitter: @wtpc

FB: The Transitioning Warrior

Jay’s Links

Website: https://j2servantleadership.com/

Book: Breaking Average (2020)

Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

Federal resumes can be confusing, intimidating, and frustrating. However, knowing how to write a solid federal resume can open the door to amazing opportunities. 

If you are interested in applying for a government job, but unsure how to put together a Federal resume this podcast is for you! Donna and Jay bring back Alisha Brown, a Career Consultant and specialist in federal resume writing, to discuss how federal resumes differ from other resumes, the nuances of federal resumes, and tips on how to write a rocking one.

Alisha Brown is a self-proclaimed Career Development Consultant specializing in Federal careers and resumes. She educates transitioning military and veterans on developing marketable resumes through resume writing workshops and individual consultations. Owner of Alisha D. Brown Career Consulting, LLC, she is making strides to motivate individuals to see their full potential and articulate their worth to result in sustainable lifestyles. Alisha has assisted a total of 45 individuals secure federal careers or gain their next promotion within the last 2 years. As a Keynote Speaker, Panelist and Philanthropist, Alisha has spoken to the audiences of Active Veterans with Answers, Military OneSource, Alpha Gamma Xi Military Sorority, INC, Camouflaged Beauty Podcast and The Female Veterans Podcast. Alisha has been recognized by the National Resume Writers Association as an Expert Resume Tip Contributor for the knowledge she has rendered to complicated career and resume concerns. A wife of 15-years to a fellow shipmate, mother of 3 wonderful young men, native of Troy, Alabama, Founder of Naturals in Troy – an annual natural hair event in her hometown to celebrate and influence the men and women who wear their hair in its natural state – Alisha leads a busy life and enjoys every minute of it. She firmly believes in living in the moment and that with God anything and everything is possible. 

Website: www.alishadbrown.com

Email: [email protected]

FB: Alisha D. Brown, ER Consultant

FB - adbrownconsults/naturalsintroy

IG - adbrownconsults/naturalsintroy

Linked In - Alisha D. Brown Career Consulting, LLC

Donna’s Links

Website: www.rebel-llc.com

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

IG: @thetransitioningwarrior

Twitter: @wtpc

FB: The Transitioning Warrior

Jay’s Links

Website: https://

Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com

Download on Apple Play and Google Play

Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

Donna’s Links

Website: www.rebel-llc.com Consulting/Coaching

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

IG: @thetransitioningwarrior

Twitter: @wtpc

FB: The Transitioning Warrior

Jay’s Links

Website: https://j2servantleadership.com/

Book: Breaking Average (2020)

Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

Resumes. Many of us groan and give a little eye roll when we hear the word. Hard skills, soft skills, skill set, one page, too many pages, too wordy, not enough detail…it is enough to make the sane go mad. We hate writing them, but we love them in helping us to get our foot in the door. 

In this episode, Donna and Jay bring in guest host Alisha Brown, a Career Development Consultant, to get into the weeds and breakdown resumes. Alisha touches on various types of resumes, their importance and how to adjust resumes to suit the job. She also dives into hard skills versus soft skills and why it is important to understand your soft skills to open up more career opportunities. 

Alisha Brown is a self-proclaimed Career Development Consultant specializing in Federal careers and resumes. She educates transitioning military and veterans on developing marketable resumes through resume writing workshops and individual consultations. Owner of Alisha D. Brown Career Consulting, LLC, she is making strides to motivate individuals to see their full potential and articulate their worth to result in sustainable lifestyles. Alisha has assisted a total of 45 individuals secure federal careers or gain their next promotion within the last 2 years. As a Keynote Speaker, Panelist and Philanthropist, Alisha has spoken to the audiences of Active Veterans with Answers, Military OneSource, Alpha Gamma Xi Military Sorority, INC, Camouflaged Beauty Podcast and The Female Veterans Podcast. Alisha has been recognized by the National Resume Writers Association as an Expert Resume Tip Contributor for the knowledge she has rendered to complicated career and resume concerns. A wife of 15-years to a fellow shipmate, mother of 3 wonderful young men, native of Troy, Alabama, Founder of Naturals in Troy – an annual natural hair event in her hometown to celebrate and influence the men and women who wear their hair in its natural state – Alisha leads a busy life and enjoys every minute of it. She firmly believes in living in the moment and that with God anything and everything is possible. ] 

Website: www.alishadbrown.com

Email: [email protected]

FB: Alisha D. Brown, ER Consultant

FB - adbrownconsults/naturalsintroy

IG - adbrownconsults/naturalsintroy

Linked In - Alisha D. Brown Career Consulting, LLC

Donna’s Links

Website: www.rebel-llc.com

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

IG: @thetransitionin

Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com

Download on Apple Play and Google Play

Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

Donna’s Links

Website: www.rebel-llc.com Consulting/Coaching

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

IG: @thetransitioningwarrior

Twitter: @wtpc

FB: The Transitioning Warrior

Jay’s Links

Website: https://j2servantleadership.com/

Book: Breaking Average (2020)

Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

Growth plans. What are they? Who uses them? Why are they important? How can they improve our lives? 

In this episode, Jay and Donna discuss the importance of developing a growth plan, examples of types of growth plans, how they are utilized, but most importantly why it can help lead you to an empowered path of growth.

Both Donna and Jay share examples of their growth plans and what has worked for them both past and present. 

Donna’s Links

Website: www.rebel-llc.org

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

Jay’s Links

Website: https://j2servantleadership.com/ 

Book: Breaking Average (2020)

Additional publications

Think and Grow Rich: The Original, an Official Publication of The Napoleon Hill Foundation

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Stay up to date and gain early access to new podcasts and upcoming events by signing up for our newsletter at Coming Home Well Newsletter

Follow us on IG @cominghomwell_bts and @behindtheservicepodcast

Facebook at Coming Home Well or Behind The Service

LinkedIn at Coming Home Well

Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com

Download on Apple Play and Google Play

Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

Donna’s Links

Website: www.rebel-llc.com Consulting/Coaching

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

IG: @thetransitioningwarrior

Twitter: @wtpc

FB: The Transitioning Warrior

Jay’s Links

Website: https://j2servantleadership.com/

Book: Breaking Average (2020)

Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

Coaching is an art. It is vastly different from mentoring and consulting. Donna and Jay talk with Jay’s Coach Cynthia Restivo, executive coach, entrepreneur and author, about what coaching is and is not, her discovery of coaching, the benefits of coaching, and when people should consider it. They even touch a little on how coaching impacted Jay in his professional and personal life.

"You have served, you have you put on your brave, you put on your courage and you served your country faithfully, and it was scary and you faced a lot of things, but as you transition out, it's time for you to honor yourself and put your brave and your courage on to invest in yourself so that you can live out the rest of your days with the honor and dignity. Fight for yourself, your life and for your personal legacy as well as you did for our country. Lay your life down for you." ~ Cynthia Restivo

Cynthia is an executive coach and the founder of Dynamic Perspectives, Inc., a professional coaching/consulting firm serving leaders seeking personal and professional growth. She is the author of her new book, Stuck in the Wrong Story--Step Out of Shame into the Life God Intended (Bold Vision Books). Cynthia holds two coaching certifications, certified by Dr. John C. Maxwell as an executive coach, teacher, and speaker and certified Professional Path Coach Training Institute. She is a member of the International Coaching Federation, ICF. Cynthia graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education and holds an Associate Degree in Theology. Cynthia takes people from point A to point B, facilitates building strong teams and effective leadership.Cynthia is also the mother of three adult children, a grandmother and makes her home on the Oregon Coast with Vince, her husband of 41 years.

Cynthia Restivo Contact Information

Website: www.dynamicprospectives.com 

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

Book: Stuck In The Wrong Story: Step Out Of Shame Into The Life God Intended (2022)

Donna’s Links

Website: www.rebel-llc.org

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

Jay’s Links

Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com

Download on Apple Play and Google Play

Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

Donna’s Links

Website: www.rebel-llc.com Consulting/Coaching

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

IG: @thetransitioningwarrior

Twitter: @wtpc

FB: The Transitioning Warrior

Jay’s Links

Website: https://j2servantleadership.com/

Book: Breaking Average (2020)

Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

Ahhh mentoring. When you hear the term do you grimace or think fondly of the term? We hear the word used all the time and in many environments. Corporations have mentoring programs, individuals seek mentors, there is formal mentoring and informally mentoring. 

According to MentorcliQ:

• 84% of US Fortune 500 companies have mentoring programs
• 100% of US Fortune 50 companies have mentoring programs
• On average, US Fortune 500 companies with mentoring programs had better profits during the 2020 Covid-19 economic downturn
• 94% of workers would stay longer and their employer offered more learning and career development opportunities. (LinkedIn)
• 90% of workers who have a mentor report being happy in their job. (CNBC/Survey Monkey)
• Employees who are involved in mentoring programs have a 50% higher retention rate than those not involved in mentoring and 93% of mentees believe their mentoring relationship was useful. (MentorcliQ)

The statistics show there are benefits in mentoring, and those that have a mentor would agree. However, not as many people are engaging. 

In this episode, Donna and Jay have an honest discussion about mentoring - what it looks like in the military versus civilian; informal vs formal mentoring; what successful mentoring looks like; and what their individual experiences were with military mentoring.

Connect with Donna:

Website: www.rebel-llc.com

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

Connect with Jay:

Website: j2servantleadership.com

Book: Breaking Average (2020)

Stay up to date and gain early access to new podcasts and upcoming events by signing up for our newsletter at Coming Home Well Newsletter

Follow us on IG @cominghomwell_bts and @behindtheservicepodcast

Facebook at Coming Home Well or Behind The Service

LinkedIn at Coming Home Well

Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com

Download on Apple Play and Google Play

Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

Donna’s Links

Website: www.rebel-llc.com Consulting/Coaching

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

IG: @thetransitioningwarrior

Twitter: @wtpc

FB: The Transitioning Warrior

Jay’s Links

Website: https://j2servantleadership.com/

Book: Breaking Average (2020)

Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

It is estimated there are 137,000 volunteers throughout the US. Interestingly, the average age is 42, very similar to the average age of those retiring from a full military career. The VA alone has 25,000 volunteers. Volunteering is a win-win and shows that a person is willing to roll up his or her sleeves and engage where there is a need. Volunteering provides personal gratification both to the person and the community.

In this episode, Donna and Jay share their experiences with volunteering both in and out of the military. They discuss the benefits of volunteering and how it can lead you to your next adventure.

What was your experience with volunteering when you were in the military? Did you volunteer in the military or were you “voluntold”? Did you currently volunteer now that you are transitioned? Send us an email and tell us about your volunteering experiences at [email protected]

Connect with Donna:

Website: www.rebel-llc.com

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

Connect with Jay:

Website: j2servantleadership.com

Book: Breaking Average (2020)

Stay up to date and gain early access to new podcasts and upcoming events by signing up for our newsletter at Coming Home Well Newsletter

Follow us on IG @cominghomwell_bts and @behindtheservicepodcast

Facebook at Coming Home Well or Behind The Service

LinkedIn at Coming Home Well

Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com

Download on Apple Play and Google Play

Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

Donna’s Links

Website: www.rebel-llc.com Consulting/Coaching

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

IG: @thetransitioningwarrior

Twitter: @wtpc

FB: The Transitioning Warrior

Jay’s Links

Website: https://j2servantleadership.com/

Book: Breaking Average (2020)

Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

New experiences, exploring different cultures, creating new connections. Several of the many opportunities while in service.

In this episode Jay and Donna lighten up things and talk best of the best! Donna and Jay reminisce about their time in the military and chat about their favorite bases, assignments, jobs, and mentors.

What was your best assignment? Unit? Team? Workmates? Reach out to Donna and Jay at [email protected] as they build a great episode of our listeners best of the best assignments, jobs or mentorships.

Connect with Donna:

Website: www.rebel-llc.com

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

Connect with Jay:

Website: j2servantleadership.com

Book: Breaking Average (2020)

Stay up to date and gain early access to new podcasts and upcoming events by signing up for our newsletter at Coming Home Well Newsletter

Follow us on IG @cominghomwell_bts and @behindtheservicepodcast

Facebook at Coming Home Well or Behind The Service

LinkedIn at Coming Home Well

Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com

Download on Apple Play and Google Play

Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

Donna’s Links

Website: www.rebel-llc.com Consulting/Coaching

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

IG: @thetransitioningwarrior

Twitter: @wtpc

FB: The Transitioning Warrior

Jay’s Links

Website: https://j2servantleadership.com/

Book: Breaking Average (2020)

Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!

Transitioning to the civilian world? We all have to do it and it is how we choose to transition that can make or break our success. 

In this episode Jay and Donna have a personal discussion on their transition. Jay retired 12 years ago and Donna is just over a year into her transiting from service. Both Jay and Donna talk about their retirement, how they handled the process and what they did (or didn’t do) when they left. They discuss how they have moved forward and where they are now.

We would love to hear your feedback or suggestions on topics you would like to hear more about? Reach out to Donna and Jay at [email protected].

Connect with Donna:

Website: www.rebel-llc.com

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

Connect with Jay:

Website: j2servantleadership.com

Book: Breaking Average (2020)

Stay up to date and gain early access to new podcasts and upcoming events by signing up for our newsletter at Coming Home Well Newsletter

Follow us on IG @cominghomwell_bts and @behindtheservicepodcast

Facebook at Coming Home Well or Behind The Service

LinkedIn at Coming Home Well

Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com

Download on Apple Play and Google Play

Online-Therapy.com ~ Life Changing Therapy Click here for a 20% discount on your first month.

Donna’s Links

Website: www.rebel-llc.com Consulting/Coaching

Book: Warrior to Patriot Citizen (2017)

Blog: Taking Off The Armor

IG: @thetransitioningwarrior

Twitter: @wtpc

FB: The Transitioning Warrior

Jay’s Links

Website: https://j2servantleadership.com/

Book: Breaking Average (2020)

Thank you for listening! Be sure to SHARE, LIKE and leave us a REVIEW!