Overberg, Director of Army Retirement Services, for a deep dive into

the critical resources and strategies that support soldiers

transitioning from military service to retirement. Mark highlights how

retired soldiers continue to play a vital role in the Army's mission,

embodying the Soldier for Life mindset to "hire and inspire" in their

communities and beyond.
Key Discussion Points:
- Preparing for

Retirement: Mark explains the role of Retirement Services Officers

stationed at installations, National Guard headquarters, and reserve

readiness divisions to assist soldiers in planning their post-retirement

journey.
- The "Change of Mission" Newsletter: Learn how this

newsletter equips soldiers with the knowledge and tools to stay

connected to the Army's mission after retirement.
- Retired Soldiers

as Advocates: Discover how retired soldiers can inspire the next

generation of service members by educating communities about the

military and bridging the gap in public understanding.
- Community

Engagement: Mark and Shawn discuss creative ways retired soldiers can

engage locally, from attending high school football games to building

relationships with educators and community leaders.
- Voluntary

Recall in Emergencies: Mark shares insights on how retired medical

professionals were recalled to support healthcare efforts during the

COVID-19 pandemic and the Army's plans to implement a targeted recall

system for specialized skill sets.
- Cost-of-Living Adjustments

(COLA): Explore how COLA helps retired soldiers cope with inflation,

including its current rate of 9.1%, and how it impacts benefits like VA

disability compensation and Survivor Benefit Plan payments.
-

Employment Support through the Soldier for Life Office: Learn about the

Office’s mission to connect retired soldiers with job opportunities,

reducing unemployment compensation from $515 million to $90 million.
-

LinkedIn & Senior Leader Accessibility: Mark emphasizes the

importance of senior leaders engaging directly with the retired soldier

community through platforms like LinkedIn and attending retiree

appreciation events.

🎯 Action Items for Listeners:
1️⃣ Engage with the Soldier for Life Office to discover employment opportunities for veterans and retired soldiers.
2️⃣ Promote the Soldier for Life mindset across all military branches, fostering lifelong connections to service.
3️⃣

Advocate for the development of a targeted recall system to quickly

mobilize retired soldiers with specialized skills during emergencies.
4️⃣

Stay informed about cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) to ensure retired

soldiers receive appropriate benefits that counteract inflation.
🌟 Why This Episode Matters:
Retirement

from military service doesn’t mark the end of a soldier’s mission—it’s a

new chapter of lifelong impact and advocacy. Mark Overberg highlights

how retired soldiers can inspire communities, support recruiting

efforts, and remain invaluable assets to the Army and the nation.

Whether you're currently serving, a veteran, or part of the retired

soldier community, this episode is packed with actionable insights to

empower you on your journey.
📢 Connect with us:

https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Retirement
https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/Retirement-Services-Program

💬 Share your thoughts in the comments below!

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for updates on future episodes.
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