First-Time Listener?

Be sure to listen to Part One of this interview by clicking HERE.

At US VetWealth, we often talk about exploring alternative solutions to the Survivor Benefit Plan. Today, we’re taking that same mindset and applying it to healthcare.

Meet Kris and Larry, the partners behind PatriotCare — an organization offering an alternative to TRICARE and traditional health insurance.

While PatriotCare’s website highlights “Healthcare Benefits for Small Businesses & Independent Contractors,” this conversation reveals so much more: the heart and mission behind their work for the military community.

In this second and final part of our interview, you’ll hear:

* More real-life scenarios on how available, affordable, and accessible PatriotCare is

* The term “medical cost sharing company” and how it’s different from a traditional health insurance company

* What Kris’ late father impressed upon him, working in life insurance for 65 years

* …and more!

If you’re ready to explore new opportunities and ideas beyond the military and make more confident choices for your next chapter, this episode is for you.

This concludes our conversation with Kris & Larry from PatriotCare — thanks for listening!

Resources Mentioned

* PatriotCare - https://www.patriotcarehealth.us/

* The Rosie Network - https://therosienetwork.org/

* Stephanie Brown - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thestephaniebrown/

* Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce - https://milspousechamber.org

* Military Family Appreciation Month - https://www.military.com/military-family-appreciation-month

* Josh Hager’s Hero WOD with CrossFit - https://www.crossfit.com/workout/2007/02/26#/comments

At US VetWealth, we often talk about exploring alternative solutions to the Survivor Benefit Plan. Today, we’re taking that same mindset and applying it to healthcare.

Meet Kris and Larry, the partners behind PatriotCare — an organization offering an alternative to TRICARE and traditional health insurance.

While PatriotCare’s website highlights “Healthcare Benefits for Small Businesses & Independent Contractors,” this conversation reveals so much more: the heart and mission behind their work for the military community.

In this first part of our interview, you’ll hear:

* How Larry met Stephanie Brown and became involved with The Rosie Network

* Kris’ journey as a Gold Star Dad to Army Ranger Josh Hager, who was killed in Iraq in 2007

* The story of how PatriotCare came to be

* How PatriotCare provides healthcare that’s available, affordable, and accessible — with real-life examples

* A discussion on the lost art of “asking for the sale” and the power of face-to-face connection

If you’re ready to explore new opportunities and ideas beyond the military and make more confident choices for your next chapter, this episode is for you.

Stay tuned for Part 2!

Resources Mentioned

* PatriotCare - https://www.patriotcarehealth.us/

* The Rosie Network - https://therosienetwork.org/

* Stephanie Brown - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thestephaniebrown/

* Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce - https://milspousechamber.org

* Military Family Appreciation Month - https://www.military.com/military-family-appreciation-month

* Josh Hager’s Hero WOD with CrossFit - https://www.crossfit.com/workout/2007/02/26#/comments

Chapters 1, 2, and 3 of The Military Spouse Benefit Plan are now available! Jen introduces the main character of our story: Susan the Seasoned Spouse.

Let me introduce you to the main character of our story. Her name is Susan. She’s not new to military life, nor is she bitter about it. If anything, she’s mastered it—three kids, a system for everything, from packing boxes to organizing the family’s important documents. She’s the woman who knows where the birth certificates are at a moment’s notice and has the emergency contact forms pre-filled before anyone asks.

Tonight, Susan is sitting at the kitchen table in her twelfth home. The refrigerator is lined with magnets from past duty stations. Her husband, Dave, just returned from a transition briefing. He’s retiring O-6 with 26 years of service, still in uniform, scrolling through emails as Susan tries to make sense of a stack of papers and an open laptop.

“It was… a lot,” Dave mutters.

Susan looks up. “Yeah? What do I need to know?”

“There’s this thing called the SBP. Survivor Benefit Plan,” he explains. “Basically, when I die, you’d still get some of my pension.”

Susan raises an eyebrow. “Sounds… morbid. And vague.”

He shrugs. “Comes out of retirement pay, my pension. I think we have to sign something.”

The way he said “we” unsettles her. He doesn’t sound certain, but something tied directly to Dave’s pension, something that him and their family will be rewarded with after the decades of his service, seemed important to understand. No matter what happens in the early years of post-military, Dave’s pension is the steady income they’ll need to get settled.

Later that night, with the dishwasher humming and the kids finally asleep, Susan decides to reopen her laptop. She visits the DoD site, scrolls, and stumbles on an unfamiliar truth: The decision to choose the SBP isn’t automatic. But how it’s chosen is hers to make.

Her written consent is necessary.

Susan can’t help but wonder: What if she didn’t discover this on her own? Who would’ve told her? Of course, she shrugs her shoulders and raises a brow, thinking that seeking out important information isn’t new to her.

As she continues to stare at the screen, a new thought begins to form. “Wait… do I actually get to decide this?”

To be continued… Listen to the episode now!

If you’ve already downloaded the Introduction, you’ll be emailed the new chapters soon.

If you haven’t downloaded the Introduction yet, then what are you waiting for? It’s free (and I won’t take it personally if you unsubscribe from future emails—yes, I do that, too, lol)! Download now by visiting: https://jenusvetwealth.gumroad.com/l/msbp/SUBSTACK

The Rosie Network’s Founder and CEO, Stephanie Brown, shares her experience with the Survivor Benefit Plan after the passing of her late husband, Tom, who served over 30 years of active duty in the Navy as an officer, retiring as a Rear Admiral.

Check out Stephanie’s last interview, Ep. 200:

About The Rosie Network:

The Rosie Network is a non-profit organization founded by military spouse Stephanie Brown after spending hours searching online for a contractor to do repair work on her home. Preferring to hire a veteran, a vision was born to promote military family-owned businesses to the American public. Shortly after, Rosie’s List was launched, the first-of-its-kind search tool featuring verified veteran- and military-spouse-owned businesses. Understanding the complex needs of small businesses, the Service2CEO Program was developed to educate and empower the next generation of military-connected entrepreneurs!

Connect with Stephanie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thestephaniebrown/

Jen shares candid updates and reflections since late summer about online networking events, what’s next for the podcast, progress on her upcoming book, and more!

For military-connected online networking events, you can check out Episode 216.

As of now, Jen’s objective for this podcast season is to offer education, resources, and perspectives from the private and nonprofit sectors to encourage our seasoned spouses and retirees to expand their choices and options beyond the military for their next chapter as civilians.

If you’re interested in networking with Jen because this message resonates with you, please reach out! Connect with Jen on LinkedIn http://linkedin.com/in/jenamos or send an email. (It’s highly encouraged that you read the preview of my upcoming book before reaching out!)

The first chapter of The Military Spouse Benefit Plan is available now!

If you’ve already downloaded the Introduction, you’ll be emailed the first chapter soon. If you haven’t downloaded the Introduction yet, then what are you waiting for? It’s free (and I won’t take it personally if you unsubscribe from future emails—yes, I do that, too, lol)! Download now by visiting: https://jenusvetwealth.gumroad.com/l/msbp/SUBSTACK

Jen shares a snippet from Scott R. Tucker’s book, Don’t Forget Your War Chest, for military retirees seeking an alternative solution to the Survivor Benefit Plan.

Jen’s upcoming book, The Military Spouse Benefit Plan, addresses the same topic for military spouses seeking a confident and informed decision about the Survivor Benefit Plan.

The Introduction of The Military Spouse Benefit Plan and a free PDF of Don’t Forget Your Chest (for ranks E9, O5, and O6) is now available at: https://jenusvetwealth.gumroad.com/l/msbp/SUBSTACK

Free Download to the Introduction to Jen’s upcoming book, The Military Spouse Benefit Plan — https://jenusvetwealth.gumroad.com/l/msbp/SUBSTACK

Whether you're a long-time or first-time listener, this episode brings you up to date on Jen’s journey from a Gold Star daughter to veteran spouse, podcaster, and soon-to-be author of a book about military spouses making a confident and informed decision about the Survivor Benefit Plan.

Resources Mentioned

* National Military Podcast Day (OCT 05) — https://nationaltoday.com/national-military-podcast-day/

* Veteran Podcast Awards — https://veteranpodcastawards.com/

* Important Update on Veteran Podcast Awards — https://www.linkedin.com/posts/parade-deck_activity-7379983896769167361-neDy/

* Subscribe to Scott R. Tucker’s live show, Military Retirement Blueprint by US VetWealth, with co-host and CEO of Blue Water Advisors Mike Wallace — https://www.youtube.com/@USVWTV/streams

* Blue Water Advisors — https://bluewater-advisors.com/

Holding Down the Fort by US VetWealth is back, and we answer the big question, “Jen, where have you been???”

This upcoming fall season is dedicated to seasoned spouses preparing for military transition.

Together, we’ll explore what happens when we stop following orders and start choosing what comes next. Because you, too, are retiring — and now, it’s your turn to own what’s next.

The Introduction to Jen’s upcoming book, The Military Spouse Benefit Plan, is now available — along with a free copy of Scott R. Tucker’s book, Don’t Forget Your War Chest. Simply visit: https://jenusvetwealth.gumroad.com/l/msbp/SUBSTACK

Shoutouts & Resources Mentioned:

Internet Marketing Training Center — IMTC is an approved participating provider of My Military (Spouse) Career Advancement Account (MyCAA), which is a component of the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Spouse Education and Career Opportunities Program (SECO). Learn more at https://imtcva.org/military-page/

Vets2Industry’s Monthly Networking Circuit — V2I is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting service members, veterans, and their families by connecting them with free educational resources, mentors, and career tools. Born from lived experience, our mission is to ensure no veteran ever feels alone during or after their transition. https://vets2industry.org/monthly-networking-circuit/

Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University — IVMF at Syracuse University is committed to supporting veterans and their families as they navigate their entrepreneurial journey. Arm yourself for entrepreneurship success with the IVMF’s arsenal of programs. https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/entrepreneurship/getting-started/

VETSOCIAL25 - This virtual conference is for you whether you are a still-serving military service member, veteran, military spouse, or a veteran. https://veteransocialsummit.com

Post-Veterati - Post-Veterati is the digital Military-Community mentorship platform that empowers transitioning service members, military spouses, and U.S. Veterans to choose unlimited mentors to talk about employment, education, entrepreneurship, and beyond. https://www.post-veterati.org.

Shout out to Kalen Cotto with KMC Digital for your mentorship! https://app.post-veterati.org/profile/kalen-cotto-2b64a5

Welcome to Holding Down the Fort by US VetWealth

I’m your host, Jen Amos, a Gold Star daughter, veteran spouse, and upcoming author.

This season is dedicated to our seasoned spouses preparing for military transition.

Together, we’ll explore what happens when we stop following orders and start choosing what comes next.

Because you, too, are retiring.

And now… It’s your turn.

Let’s get started.

214: Jen Amos wraps up Season 9 with gratitude

Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qeXZu6FrNys

And that's a wrap for Season 9 of Holding Down the Fort by US VetWealth! As Jen focuses on other business endeavors, she expresses how she found this short season very gratifying. She reflects on why she started the show in the summer of 2019 and how her motivations have evolved throughout the seasons. She addresses a commonly asked question about her personal story and association with the military. She expresses gratitude and invites the listener to stay in touch with "Inside the Fort by US VetWealth" at https://holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/portal

SEASON 10 AIRS FALL 2025! Until then, take care and happy holidays, all!

MENTIONED RESOURCES

• 027: Gold Star Daughter Jen Amos Returns to the Military Community 20+ Years Later After Losing Her Father https://holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/episode/027
• 047: Season 3 Trailer of Holding Down the Fort Podcast with Gold Star Daughter, Veteran Spouse and Host Jen Amos https://holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/episode/047
• BONUS: "The families of our fallen deserve to have their loved one's story told and preserved for future generations." Gold Star Family's Day with Dennis Schroader https://holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/episode/bonus-2021-09-26
• 109: "You can support someone, but ultimately, they have to want to get that help themselves." Gold Star Families and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month with Leslie McCaddon https://holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/episode/109
• Silent Soul: The MM1 Alfonso Apdal Amos Story (The Price of Freedom Chronicles - Cold War Era) https://priceoffreedomfoundation.org/alfonso-apdal-amos
• Public presentation MM1 Alfonso Apdal Amos' book https://www.facebook.com/share/p/e7S55XLYUt9Nw4js/

As of Fall 2025, we have revamped our site! So if any episodes or links seem to be missing, don't hesitate to contact Jen at [email protected]

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Our main sponsor, US VetWealth, proudly offers Life Insurance and Annuity Strategies for The High-Income Military Retiree. Let's help you capitalize on your above-average health and substantial income-earning potential for post-military life. Free military retirement calculator is available at https://usvetwealth.com/

SHOW'S HISTORY FROM SEP 2023 to NOV 2024:

For Season 8 and 9, we showcased our partnership with Blue Water Advisors who brings needed change to our Veteran Senior Leaders, One Career Progression at a Time. Learn more at https://www.bluewater-advisors.com/

For Seasons 7, 8, and 9 (from episodes 152 to 214), the show partnered with The Rosie Network to showcase Service2CEO Graduates. Read more at

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.holdingdownthefortpodcast.com/subscribe