Welcome to another episode of the PCS to Corporate America Podcast. This is a special episode for me. I recently completed my MA in Organizational Leadership at Gonzaga University. I significantly changed as a leader and person as a result of this program.

The Leadership and Hardiness class co-taught by Dr. Adrian Popa and Kelsey Solberg, which I took this past summer, particularly impacted me. Dr. Popa and Kelsey graciously allowed me to interview them for this podcast.

In a world of constant change and challenges, resilience, and hardiness are critical qualities for leaders navigating transitions. Dr. Popa, Kelsey, and I dive deep into these themes.

This episode is packed with insights for those transitioning from military service to civilian careers or simply seeking greater purpose in their work. Below are key highlights from this enlightening conversation.

Exploring the Foundations of Resilience

Dr. Popa opens the podcast with a personal reflection on his childhood in Eastern Europe under a communist government. He shares how witnessing resilience in his family and community shaped his understanding of hardiness. Dr. Popa explains that hardiness is more than mere toughness; it involves the ability to adapt, grow, and find meaning despite life’s challenges.

Kelsey adds her perspective on resilience, which was shaped by her journey from student to leadership educator. Through her work at Gonzaga University and co-teaching the Leadership and Hardiness course, Kelsey emphasizes curiosity and connection as pathways to resilience. She discusses the transformative power of engaging with the world and fostering growth, even in the face of obstacles.

Finding Meaning in Transitions

One of the podcast’s most poignant moments came when I posed a common question faced by transitioning military leaders: “How do I find meaning in a career after leaving the service?” Dr. Popa and Kelsey reference Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning in their responses.

Dr. Popa explains that meaning is not found but created, often in the context of challenges. He emphasizes the importance of embracing agency and choice, even in moments of uncertainty. Kelsey adds that individuals coming from the military may already possess a unique ability to transcend themselves for a greater cause—an invaluable asset in any new role.

Practical Tools for Resilience and Growth

Together, we address the framework commitment, control, and challenge as a way to build hardiness. We encourage listeners to identify what they’re committed to, recognize their capacity to influence outcomes and view challenges as opportunities for growth. Dr. Popa reinforces this by sharing how these principles are operationalized during the mountain leadership immersions.

To learn more about commitment, control, and challenge, I encourage you to read Hardiness: Making Stress Work for You to Achieve Your Life Goals by Steven Stein and Paul Bartone.

Conclusion: Thriving Beyond the Uniform

This episode offers a roadmap for finding purpose and cultivating resilience in any stage of life. Dr. Popa and Kelsey remind us that the search for meaning is dynamic, evolving with each phase of our journey. Whether you’re transitioning careers, climbing mountains, or simply navigating life’s complexities, their insights provide guidance and inspiration.

Tune in to the full episode to explore how resilience and hardiness can help you thrive, no matter the challenge ahead.

Thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoy the podcast!

To stay connected, we encourage you to check out our website and YouTube Channel and follow us on LinkedIn.

If you want to learn more about your transition options, please get in touch with us.

You can also check out our Transition Guide on “3 Game-Changing Strategies for JMOs Making the Jump to Business” for additional transition tips.

To stay connected, I recommend subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following us on LinkedIn.

Joel

Happy Holidays from the Cameron-Brooks Team!

In this podcast, Cameron-Brooks team members from our company’s candidate and client sides share lessons from 2024 and what we look forward to in 2025. As usual, you will hear from Transition Coaches Brock Dudley and me (Joel Junker), as well as two new voices from our client side, Lauren Kordzik and Megan Miller. We will feature them more in our 2025 podcasts.

Below are some highlights from the podcast.

One of the key takeaways from the discussion is the importance of preparation—not just for the interviews but for the entire journey. We emphasize that understanding the business landscape is just as crucial as understanding your strengths and interests. Your path might have been clearly defined in the military, but in business, you need to proactively shape your career. This shift requires continuous learning and growth, and we provide practical tips to help you to do so.

These tips include:

We brought our authentic selves and experiences to the conversation during our dialogue. We also share how it is important to be true to yourself. While adapting to the business world is important, you don’t need to change who you are at your core. The discipline, integrity, and work ethic you’ve developed in the military are assets that will set you apart and help you thrive in your new role.

Our goal with the podcast was to inspire and empower you to take control of your career and prepare for the transition. We want to assure you that while the transition to a business career may seem daunting, it is absolutely achievable with the right mindset, preparation, and support. Their insights serve as a reminder that the skills and values you bring from your military service are relevant and provide a strong foundation for a successful business career.

Thank you for listening to our , and I hope you enjoy the podcast!

To stay connected, we encourage you to check out our website and YouTube Channel and follow us on LinkedIn.

If you want to learn more about your transition options, please get in touch with us.

You can also check out our Transition Guide on “3 Game-Changing Strategies for JMOs Making the Jump to Business” for additional transition tips.

To stay connected, I recommend subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following us on LinkedIn.

Joel

In July of this year, I climbed Mount Adams in southern Washington, just across the Columbia River from Hood River, OR. I did this climb as a part of my Leadership and Hardiness class at Gonzaga University for a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership. I complete my degree four days after this podcast publishes!

I learned much from my classmates, Team Denali, whom I prepared and climbed with, and my instructors. While climbing posed a significant physical challenge, I discovered the most profound life and leadership lessons during this climb. My colleague Brock Dudley interviewed me to draw out those lessons and share them in this podcast.

We cover the following lessons:

Beyond Goal Setting: The Value of Presence

We often get caught up in pursuing goals, striving to reach the next milestone or achievement. I struggle with this tendency, prioritizing tasks and objectives over personal connections. However, my experience at Mount Adams and my studies in Organizational Leadership at Gonzaga University revealed a critical shift in my leadership approach.

I learned the importance of being present in the moment and with the people before me rather than constantly looking toward the next goal. I learned to listen to others, find ways to transcend myself, and serve others, and results will take care of themselves as a byproduct of doing the right things. I learned that when we slow down, truly engage with others, and appreciate the journey, we find meaning and purpose.

The Mountain as Metaphor: Resilience, Hardiness, and Support

My experience climbing Mount Adams provided a powerful metaphor for life’s challenges. Just as navigating difficult terrain requires strength and perseverance, we also need resilience and hardiness to overcome obstacles and setbacks in our personal and professional lives.

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, and hardiness is the capacity to handle the stress those setbacks create. The hardier we are, the more resilient we become. I reference the book Hardiness: Making Stress Work for You to Achieve Your Life Goals by Steven Stein and Paul Bartone to learn more about the three characteristics of hardiness: challenge, commitment, and control.

Thinking about these attitudes in the context of climbing a mountain is helpful. There’s the challenge of the climb itself, the commitment required to prepare, serve the other team members, and attempt the climb, and the need to maintain some sense of control over the situation despite unpredictable circumstances. These same principles apply to navigating the challenges of life.

The Crucial Role of Relationships in Building Resilience

While individual strength is important, I learned we don’t achieve anything worthwhile alone. Relationships are critical to building hardiness and resilience. Giving and receiving love and support from others creates a solid foundation for thriving, especially when facing adversity.

During the climb, I observed several examples of his fellow climbers/classmates serving one another: carrying each other’s packs, sharing gear, tending to injuries, and simply offering a listening ear and a warm meal at the end of a long day. These acts of kindness demonstrate that love isn’t always about “butterflies and roses” but about speaking the truth, offering support, and showing care even when difficult.

The Joy of Connection and Continuous Growth

One of my most poignant experiences on the climb involved connecting with a fellow climber/student, Kamryn. While taking a break during our ascent, we shared a conversation that transcended our age difference and formed a bond that encouraged us through the rest of the climb.

This experience taught me that the journey is more important than the destination. Summiting Mount Adams wasn’t the highlight of the experience. The most significant were the shared struggles, moments of connection, and acts of love and support along the way.

Thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoy the podcast!

To stay connected, we encourage you to check out our website and YouTube Channel and follow us on LinkedIn.

If you want to learn more about your transition options, please get in touch with us.

You can also check out our Transition Guide on “3 Game-Changing Strategies for JMOs Making the Jump to Business” for additional transition tips.

To stay connected, we’d recommend subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following us on LinkedIn.

We’re grateful for the dedication of our team. At Cameron-Brooks, every role is crucial, and the commitment our team members bring to empowering leaders is nothing short of inspiring. From preparing candidates for their transition to connecting companies with top-tier talent, your efforts make an immeasurable impact.

We’re grateful for the trust and partnership of our candidates. Transitioning from the military to the corporate world is a significant journey, and we’re honored to guide each individual through this process. Your courage, ambition, and openness to growth are what make our work so meaningful.

We’re grateful for the companies with whom we partner. Your confidence in our ability to provide exceptional talent and your dedication to fostering leadership in your organizations exemplify the values we hold dear.

We’re grateful for the legacy we share. At Cameron-Brooks, we are not just helping leaders take their next step; we’re shaping futures and building a stronger business community. The shared vision, teamwork, and belief in excellence across our organization fuel everything we do.

To everyone who is part of the Cameron-Brooks journey—our team, candidates, and corporate partners—thank you. Your trust, collaboration, and dedication inspire us every day. Gratitude isn’t just a sentiment; it’s the driving force behind our mission to bridge leadership potential with opportunity, building a brighter future for all. Together, we’re making an extraordinary impact, and for that, we are profoundly grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving,

The Cameron-Brooks Team

What does a post-military career in Operations look like? In today’s fast-paced and competitive business landscape, companies must find ways to optimize their operations, minimize costs, and meet customer expectations more effectively. The competitive advantage for any company is getting the right product, to the right customer, for the right price, at the right time by using the most cost-effective means. In this episode, we’re fortunate to enough to bring back four former JMO’s and Cameron-Brooks Alumni who are leading in the Operations and Supply Chain Management Career Fields to discuss their experiences, common misconceptions, and concepts like the integrated supply chain and why it is essential for sustainable growth and gaining the competitive advantage.

The Operations Career Field encompasses all activities in Supply Chain Management and involves leading teams of people in: Inventory Management, Warehousing, Distribution Management, Logistics, Transportation, Procurement, and customer service.

Supply Chain Management is the management of the flow of goods and services and includes all processes that transform raw materials into final products. It involves the active streamlining of a business’s supply-side activities to maximize customer value and earn the edge in the marketplace. Companies are always looking to become more efficient and economical by analyzing data, conducting trend analysis, finding ways to improving and extend their asset’s (i.e. their fleets of vehicles: maintenance, etc.).

An integrated supply chain is the cohesive network that links all components of the supply chain—from raw material suppliers and manufacturers to warehouses, distributors, and retailers—into a single, streamlined system. Whether a company’s supply chain is vertically integrated, or horizontally integrated, the goal remains the same: create a more unified, agile, and efficient supply chain that can respond swiftly to market demands and disruptions.

You’ll hear four Cameron-Brooks alumni talk about their post-military careers in Operations, some common misconceptions, and what a day in the life is like. You will meet:

Danny Baker, Army Captain, launched his career with Catalent Biopharmaceutical.

Staci Lynch, Army Major, launch her career with Love’s Travel Stops.

Beau Hughes, Army Captain, launched his career with HF Sinclair Corporation.

Bobby Burns, Army Captain, launched his career with Excelitas Technologies Corporation.

Strong leadership is essential for companies managing operations and integrated supply chains due to the complex, dynamic nature of these systems. These four individuals and many other Cameron-Brooks alumni are thriving in this career field. Their ability to drive the strategic vision, make decisions, collaborate and communicate effectively, motivate and empower teams, navigate uncertainty and manage risks, all while maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction has allowed them to establish a solid resume block(s) and be successful in their first couple years in Business.

Companies are always evaluating their leadership depth and who is at the helm of their operations as they know they are better equipped to enhance efficiency, foster resilience, and achieve long-term success in competitive markets.

Of course, if you want to know more about how Cameron-Brooks can help you reach your personal and professional goals, or if a post-military career in Operations might be the right fit for you, give me a call or email me directly below. If you want to learn more on your own time, you can visit our website, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Best of success,

Brock Dudley || [email protected] || (210) 874-1495

Roughly half of the military officers who attend a Cameron-Brooks Career Conference are married when they are PCS’ing to Corporate America. Though we do not measure it, my guess is another 25% of the unmarried officers are in a serious relationship where their significant other plays a major role in the transition. Making the move is a team effort and a big deal. We know that firsthand because every former military officer who works at Cameron-Brook was married when we made the move from the military to the business world.  That is why Cameron-Brooks puts a significant premium on inviting spouses and significant others to participate in the process and create pathways to ensure that can happen.

In this episode, you will meet Richard and Shelby Snyder. Richard is a former Army Field Artillery officer. He graduated from West Point in 2014 and spent 10 years in the Army. He recently attended the June 2024 Cameron-Brooks Career Conference and launched his career at Corning, Inc. I really enjoyed working with Richard as he prepared for his transition. One of the things I remember most about working with Richard was Shelby was always by his side. As a matter of fact, the first time I met Richard, I also met Shelby. She participated in our program alongside Richard and was there throughout the entire process.

This episode is fun because you’ll hear how Richard and Shelby worked through their decision-making process in order to ultimately choose a leadership role at Corning in Saginaw, Michigan. A few highlights that you’ll hear from the conversation are:

Richard and Shelby worked together in the interview preparation process. From reading business books together to working through interview practice, Richard said that Shelby’s participation in the process was a key to his success. As a point of note, at the Career Conference, each of the 12 companies that Richard interviewed with expressed interest in pursing him. Needless to say, Richard was very prepared to interview, and Shelby played a big part in that.

The Cameron-Brooks Career Conference is an action-packed 4-day event. During the first two days of the Conference, officers are preparing to interview. They attending a 30-minute briefing for each of the specific companies for which they will interview, they are studying company literature and they are building a game plan for each interview. It is a busy two days, and some have likened it to drinking from a firehose. Having your spouse with you to take in, process and discuss the information that is coming at you can be a real win for your overall preparation.

There are so many unique aspects to the location discussion; the bottom line is location is really important to most military officers with whom we partner. We know it. We get it. We sweat it. As a matter of fact, during the matching process when Conference interview schedules are built, location is one of the preeminent factors we consider during the process. The advantage of having your spouse or significant other as part of the process is they get a say. Their voice is heard, and they get to be a part of the conversation. If you want to read more on this topic, we’ve generated a ton of content over the years. You can find some of our most recent podcasts and blog posts here, here, and here.

I am grateful that Richard and Shelby carved out time to meet with me and share their story. If you want to know more about Cameron-Brooks, you can find more information on LinkedIn and YouTube.

If you (and your spouse) want to meet over the phone to discuss your options, please let me know. I am glad to set up some time for us to meet.

Best,

Pete Van Epps || [email protected] || (210) 874-1519

Welcome back to another Post-Conference Review. For the August 2024 Career Conference, we had three of our most recent alumni on a webcast to share their experiences about the Cameron-Brook process and where they chose to launch their careers.

Marina Muenster – LT, Navy Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer

Ryan De Franco  – LT, Naval Aviator

David Lara – CPT, Army Air Defense Artillery

I started the webcast by asking one question, then went for the questions that the attendees on the webcast asked of the panelists. My question to the group was, “What was your biggest surprise from the Career Conference?” They each offered great advice and perspective to other military officers who are preparing to transition.

Ryan said he put so much time into preparing to interview that when the time came, he spent less time thinking about the tactical nature of answering interview questions and more time listening, reflecting and delivering specific answers. This allowed him to focus his answer on the unique aspects of the role and, therefore, better connect his military experience directly to the role.

Marina was surprised by how much time was afforded to her to ask questions in the interview. It is natural to think an interview is all about someone asking you questions and you responding. Often, JMOs don’t realize that an essential part of the interview is asking questions to demonstrate your interest in the company and position.  Our panelists give some great advice on how to navigate that part of the interview effectively.

David said the interview “is not a gotcha game.” Instead, the interview is a conversation. Hiring managers and decision-makers want to get to know you. They have an open position that brings value to their company, and they want to find the right person to fill that role. As David said, “They are not trying to trick you.”

After those questions, the officers who attended the webcast submitted the following questions:

I think these webcasts are so valuable because they give those who have not been to a Career Conference a “behind-the-scenes” view of what it’s like. In a sea of choices, it’s sometimes hard to know the right path to navigate in order to reach your end goal. These conversations help those planning to attend a future Conference have the confidence to continue preparing for transition success.

If you are a JMO and looking for answers, we are here to help. Cameron-Brooks has over 5 decades of experience guiding military officers as they transverse the challenges of transition from the military to the business world. I am glad to meet with you one-on-one to help better define your marketability and explore options. You can also find more information about Cameron-Brooks on our website, YouTube and LinkedIn.

It all starts with a conversation.

Best of success,

Pete Van Epps || [email protected] || (210) 874-1519

Joel and I teamed up to talk about one of our favorite topics: Leadership! As some may know, Joel is currently a graduate student in the Gonzaga Master of Organizational Leadership program. He’s taken a couple of classes in heartiness and resiliency and read the book Leading at the Edge by Dennis Perkins, so I gave it a read!

In this episode, we discuss a couple of key leadership strategies that Shackleton exemplified, and Perkins identifies in his book through extensive research and a life dedicated to learning about leadership.

Dennis Perkins has spent a major part of his life trying to understand what it really means to be a leader – particularly under conditions of adversity, ambiguity, and change. His passion to understand the art of leadership began at the United States Naval Academy. He went on to commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and serve as a Company Commander in Vietnam. His leadership “post-graduate” education continued well past the USMC. Perkins went onto attend Harvard Business School, then later obtain his doctorate in Psychology from the University of Michigan. Perkins proceeded to join the Yale School of Management as a faculty member and is now the CEO of The Syncretics Group, a consulting firm dedicated to effective leadership in demanding environments.

Joel and I picked a couple of strategies that resonated with us and how we felt they applied to the JMO leading in the military, and to leaders in business. Joel also recently climbed a Mountain in his Masters. While not in the Antarctic for 800 days, it was quite an experience. While a six-to-nine-month deployment may not equate to being stranded in the Antarctic for 800 days, it takes strong leaders to help their crew, their units, their organizations through challenging times.

Quick summary of the book below.

Leading at the Edge: Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition by Dennis Perkins uses the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 expedition as a framework for exploring leadership in extreme circumstances. Perkins draws leadership principles from Shackleton’s incredible ability to lead his crew through crisis and adversity. This book demonstrates how leadership lessons from the edge of survival can be applied to organizations confronting contemporary challenges such as competition; economic uncertainty; and the need for constant innovation, growth, and change.

Beset and trapped in solid ice packs, the crew was engaged in a fight for survival. The “Endurance” (Shackleton’s Ship) eventually was crushed by ice and sank. Through remarkable leadership, Shackleton managed to keep his men alive and motivated. He led a harrowing open-boat journey over 800 miles of treacherous seas to seek rescue, eventually saving all his men without a single loss of life. Lansing’s narrative highlights the courage, resilience, and teamwork that enabled them to survive this epic ordeal.

1. Never lose sight of the ultimate goal and focus energy on short-term objectives.

Hope you enjoy the episode!

Brock Dudley || (210) 874-1495 || [email protected]

YouTube Channel

LinkedIn

When Cameron-Brooks partners with a military officer, we really do view our relationship as a partner. I know when many officers find Cameron-Brooks, whether through an internet search, on social media or just through word of mouth, they often approach us with an immediate and short-term need. Namely, they are getting out of the military and want to find meaningful work that will allow them to use their leadership to make contributions to their new organization and will allow them to continue to grow and develop professionally.

While certainly, that represents one of the ways we help military officers launch meaningful careers, that is not the only way we partner with military officers. Before they begin interviewing, we guide officers through a curriculum-based Development and Preparation Program (DPP)© Additionally, after an officer accepts a position and launches their career, we commit to walking alongside them throughout their career.

In this episode, Cameron-Brooks Principal Lauren Kordzik shares some best practices regarding walking alongside officers as they launch their careers and how to accelerate your career in the first year

You may remember Lauren from Episode 147. Lauren spends much of her time at Cameron-Brooks working with our client companies, so in that episode, she shared her experience with why companies hire military officers for high-potential leadership roles. Another important function that she does at Cameron-Brooks is she conducts “first-year check-ins” with officers who have launched their new business careers. In our conversation, Lauren explains the “upsides” and “watch-outs” of some of the most common themes that tend to surface during these conversations.

The three themes we discuss that will help accelerate your career in the first year:

In this episode, we also mention some great books that you will help explore some of the ideas discussed as you either continue to prepare to make the transition to the business world and as you already on your journey.

The Dip by Seth Godin

The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lincioni

Of course, if you are interested to see if Cameron-Brooks can help you reach your personal and professional goals, give me a call or shoot me an email. I’m glad to set up a quick meeting to explore the possibility of partnering with and being a guide of you on your journey. You call also learn more about Cameron-Brooks on our website, YouTube channel and LinkedIn.

Until next time, make it a great day!

Pete Van Epps || [email protected] || (210) 874-1519

When a military officer leaves the military in search of a high-potential leadership career in corporate America, there are many ways they can use their leadership experience to launch their business career.

One area where officers have launched their careers and accelerated is in the career field of business analysis. This is the career field where you will provide program, process, or project leadership and support for either an internal or external customer. This type of work focuses on building and maintaining key relationships with customers by developing an in-depth knowledge of their business needs to improve or optimize results. This can be done in a wide array of functional areas and industries, such as finance, marketing, data analytics, program/project management, consulting, and many more. As a matter of fact, functionally speaking, business analysis is the broadest of the career fields we represent. Many different types of roles and functions fit into this bucket. Essentially, if the primary function of the role isn’t team leadership, engineering management, or professional sales, it will fall into the business analysis category. That is not to imply the category is a “catch all” – it is to say that a post-military career in business analysis is a broad field. A common misconception about business analysis is the opposite. Often, at first glance, people assume the career field is mostly sitting behind a desk and crunching numbers all day, never interacting with others or leading. On the contrary, a post-military career in business analysis consists of leading important projects, programs, and/or processes, both inside and outside of the organization, that help the business move forward.

In this episode, Joel Junker interviews three Cameron-Brooks alumni from three different industries to hear more about their experience and careers within the business analysis career field. You will learn more about the common misconceptions associated with the career field, key attributes and interview connecting points, as well as what a day in the life may look like from each of our panelists’ perspective.

This episode is the fourth installment in our career field series. You can learn more about engineering management, professional sales, and manufacturing by clicking the links.

If you are new to Cameron-Brooks, you find more information about who we are, what we do, and how we can help on our website. You can also hear officer testimonials, interview tips, and other transition preparation guidance on our YouTube channel.