Military transition is not the only transition the military community faces. We have many transitions through out our life time. Sometimes these transitions happen at the same time.

In this episode, Laurie shares her transition journey from married mom to single mom. This transition occurred in the middle of her military transition.

We discussed:
1:19 Laurie introduces herself
1:45 military transition overview
3:50 starting a family and relocation to Texas
5:05 the start of the family dynamic change
7:20 “I gotta get a job”
7:50 new contractor cuts position
9:50 decided to return to school
11:15 money got tight
11:40 there are a lot of transitions in life
12:00 seeking mental health support
12:30 now 100% only parent
12:55 “the life I was supposed to have”
13:55 influence of military experience
14:38 making the best of things
15:24 why wait to seek mental health support
16:44 moms can be hard on themselves
20:00 I wish I had more help
21:26 biggest challenge “everything was on my shoulders”
22:40 comparing yourself to other families
24:15 COVID challenges
24:55 what’s me time?
25:40 advice: research and focus on the future

Guest Bio:
Laurie Pimentel-Johnson is an Army veteran who remains active in the military community through her role at Texas Veterans Commission and volunteerism.

Resources:

• DOL Coach offers training and certifications to enhance anyone resume. www.dolcoach.com
• Centurion Military Alliance is a comprehensive force multiplier for transition from military service. www.cmawarrior.org
• Grand Canyon University www.gdu.edu
• Texas Veterans Commission advocates for and provides service to veterans in Texas www.tvc.texas.gov

I had a great conversation with Barry Zworestine, a clinical psychologist that works with service members and veterans.
We talked about:
🎧 military transition
🎧 trauma
🎧 mental health services
🎧 service and purpose
🎧 tribe 

Barry was born and raised in Rhodesia and served in the Rhodesian Bush War. He understands the trauma service members carry with them. Barry became a trained clinical psychologist and works with Australian service members and veterans and veterans of the Rhodesian Bush War all over the world. He is also an author of two books:
📖 Which Way is Your Claymore Facing
📖 Which Way is Your Warrior Facing
You can check out his books here: https://www.barryzworestine.com/the-books/

Dan Horgan is an Air Force Retiree, former member of the Baltimore Police Department, and former Exec to CEO and now Marketing Director at Black Rifle Coffee Company. He shares his experience of moving through many career transitions and how to market yourself when you were a member of a combat career field.

Sandy Lawrence is a project manager and a veteran success advocate who has authored or co-authored 5 books focused on providing guidance on how a service member can develop a roadmap to success, post service. Her latest book focuses on the stories of transitioned veterans. 

Not only has Sandy immersed herself in the journey of transitioning servicemembers, but she has also dedicated her time to improving representation of veterans in the project management community. 

You can find the transition series books on www.gr8transitions4u.com and Amazon
Titles include:
The Transitioned Military Project Manager
The Transitioning Military Logistician
The Transitioning Military IT Professional
The Transitioning Military Cybersecurity Professional
The Transitioned Veteran: Success Beyond Service
[Her collogues also wrote: The Transitioning Combat Arms Professional]

I am joined by Crismaldy (AD USAF), Laurie (USA Veteran), & Michelle (USA Veteran). One of the things that we have all learned from serving is "how do we get to 'yes'?" I had to get to yes to record this special edition episode. I also could not have done it alone. Laurie and Michelle are my friends and Michelle brought along Crismaldy. So, my initial plan had to adjust...this is all a part of mission accomplishment-and WE made it happen.

The purpose of this podcast was in celebration of Veteran's Day. I wanted to have an episode with female veterans sharing their challenges post service and also what makes them special since serving in the military. We had a great conversation about being bossy, not accepted, finding our tribe, oddly the three veterans are former military spouses, and little nuances about being a woman, a veteran, and career oriented. 

We have our first military spouse on Transition Tales!

Franchette is a mom, military spouse, and entrepreneur. In this episode she talks about having to leave the opportunity of a life time to marry her husband and move to Germany. She has a lot of experience with the hiring processes and talks about how she used it to keep herself employed and now help other military spouses and veterans. 

In this episode, I mention how I think she is a part of the elder spouse group. These men and women are important because they have been through it and almost mastered the life of a military spouse. They learned how to maintain their own identity while also being supportive of their spouse's career. They are also passionate about mentoring other spouses. 

AJ is an Air Force veteran, former city fire fighter, and currently a civilian fire fighter for the Air Force. She separated in 2006 and her story shows some differences in how transition is today in comparison with transitions almost 15 years later.

In this episode we hear from Geronimo on how he had to advocate for himself so he could prepare to transition out of the military. That tough road paved the way to his current success as the Director of Sales for Dynamic Advancement, a growing professional development and entry level training company.

Episode 3 has arrived! Angel Waymer is an Air Force Retiree. She talks about how her transition is not a normal one, but in the end she finds out it is more normal than she thinks. 

Qunicy Harper is now the military recruiting liaison for Accenture Federal Services, but it took many roles and some self-discovery to get him there. 

He is also a founding member of #LinkedInMilCity where they create an opportunity for veterans, military spouses, and influencers to come together and network-creating those important relationships.

Quincy has not only been a mentor but also a great friend. He is the professional relationship guru at my table and my support when I waver in this often tough world we live in. He has been a consistent supporter of my endeavors.

Finally, Quincy makes the transition look easy. He never complains and always has nice things to say. This is the quiet professional in him. But, as his story will show he has had his own challenges with military transition.