In this episode of the Military Retirement Podcast, John and Vic discuss various aspects of transitioning from military to civilian life, including personal reflections, community engagement, and resources available for veterans. The conversation delves into the importance of healthcare and life insurance during the transition, insights on book publishing, and an interview with David, who shares his positive retirement experience. The episode emphasizes the significance of preparation and community support for veterans navigating their post-military lives. They share insights on accessing benefits through Military OneSource, navigating vocational rehabilitation, and the transition from DOD contractor to GS positions. The conversation emphasizes the need for community engagement and support for veterans, as well as the importance of flexibility and mobility as one ages.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Morning Reflections

02:51 Community Engagement and Resources

06:14 Deep Dive into Project 2025

12:49 Interview with David: Retirement Experience

19:59 Healthcare and Life Insurance Transition

26:31 Book Publishing Insights

33:19 Final Thoughts and Reflections

42:29 Podcast Length and Engagement

44:47 Accessing the Olympics for Free

46:49 Physical Fitness and Mental Blocks Post-Retirement

52:05 Flexibility and Mobility in Aging

56:25 Importance of Continuous Activity After Retirement

01:01:19 Utilizing Military OneSource for Benefits

01:07:09 Navigating Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment

01:12:24 Transitioning from DOD Contractor to GS Positions

01:16:37 Community Engagement and Podcast Goals

Answering questions live in the chat. Talking military retirement and transition. Counting down to 1K subscribers on Youtube so we can head to Military Influencer Conference end of Sept 2024!!

Taking live questions and answers, and talking a bit about our new Retirement and Transition guide for military members and their families. Get our book on Kindle https://amzn.to/407yHZQ

How do you raise awareness for a serious cause like Veteran Mental Health? https://al2la.org You start at Step 1. That's exactly what retired Chief Petty Officer Robert Luna did when he began his walk across the United States, connecting with communities, veterans, servicemembers and giving out free hugs to anyone that wanted one.

AmaYes, Military Pensions are worth Millions over a lifetime! In this video, I calculate Military Retirement for an E6, E7, E8, CWO2, CWO3, O4 and O5 and reveal the lifetime value of the pension for each of these ranks.

38 CFR discussion with some guest hosts. Really trying something experimental for this episode but I think it will bring some value to all of you.

This is a discussion based on the entire 38 CFR, crafted with some help from AI. If you find anything that sounds crazy let us know, but I reviewed it and everything sounds spot on.

Enjoy

Chapters

(00:00) Understanding VA Disability Ratings

(02:47) The Importance of Functional Impairment

(05:57) Total Disability Ratings Explained

(08:50) Evaluating Specific Conditions: Tuberculosis and Beyond

(12:11) Mental Health and Its Impact on Ratings

(14:50) Complexities of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

(18:10) Muscle and Circulatory Injuries

(21:04) Respiratory Conditions and Their Ratings

Our Book is out now on Amazon! https://amzn.to/3NpLsYw

In this episode of the Military Retirement Podcast, hosts John McConnell and Victor De La Flor discuss the challenges veterans face during their transition to civilian life. They emphasize the importance of support systems, the mental health impacts of military life, and the significance of mindfulness practices like meditation and writing. The conversation also touches on the decision-making process regarding military retirement and the reflections on life after service. In this conversation, John and Vic discuss various aspects of life after military service, including the cost of living, the importance of volunteering, and the transition to civilian life. They share personal anecdotes about friends and mentors, highlight the significance of community support for veterans, and emphasize the need for resources and preparation for retirement. The discussion also touches on healthcare options and the blended retirement system, providing insights for those navigating life after military service. In this conversation, John and Vic discuss various aspects of transitioning from military to civilian life, focusing on the Blended Retirement System (BRS), survivor benefits, and the importance of accessing VA resources. They emphasize the need for proper planning, understanding financial implications, and the significance of community support for veterans. The discussion also touches on practical steps to take before and after retirement, including managing medical records and engaging with veteran organizations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Military Retirement Podcast

02:59 The Importance of Veteran Support

05:53 Navigating Work Stress After Vacation

09:13 The Impact of Military Life on Mental Health

12:06 Meditation and Mindfulness Practices

19:01 The Role of Writing in Mental Clarity

23:47 Deciding Between Military and Civilian Life

29:53 Reflections on Retirement Decisions

34:22 Cost of Living and Lifestyle Choices

38:10 Volunteering and Community Support

41:41 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life

46:31 Resources for Veterans

54:56 Preparing for Retirement

01:07:21 Understanding the Blended Retirement System (BRS) and Survivor Benefits

01:14:05 Navigating Post-Retirement Changes and Responsibilities

01:21:19 Accessing VA Benefits and Resources After Retirement

01:29:32 Engaging with the Veteran Community and Support Networks

01:36:45 Final Thoughts on Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life

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Brigadier General Lori Sutton shares her journey from military service to retirement, focusing on her experiences with PTSD, the importance of mental health, and the influence of her family on her career. "The Bottom Line Up Front - What You Need To Know Before You Leave The Military" https://amzn.to/3zfMxip

Sutton reflects on her leadership roles, the impact of her work, and the lessons learned throughout her career, emphasizing the need for change and support within the military community. Loree shares her journey from military service to advocating for veterans' mental health. She discusses her transition to Brooklyn, her role in the Veterans Affairs office, and the importance of understanding the unique needs of veterans. The discussion also delves into the emerging field of psychedelics in mental health treatment and the urgent need for change in veteran care.

(04:28) Holistic Approaches to Mental Health Treatment

(05:43) Expectations and Meeting Them in the Army

(07:43) Influences and Passion Projects

(10:22) Finding Passion in Work

(13:49) The Influence of Parents and Grandparents

(18:18) Work Ethic and Dedication

(19:17) The Potential of Psychedelic Therapies for PTSD

(20:31) Family Stories and Lessons Learned

(21:58) The Influence of Loree Sutton's Father

(25:34) Enlisting in the Army and Serving in the Korean War

(28:11) Becoming the Director of the Center of Excellence

(33:59) Policy Changes Needed for Improved Access to Innovative Treatments

(36:31) Brain Health and the Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury

(40:36) Becoming the Commissioner for the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs

(47:08) Understanding Mobbing in the Military

(48:31) Finding Support and Purpose in Post-Military Life

(55:46) Celebrating Service: Retirement Ceremony Reflections

(01:03:06) Continued Dialogue and Collaboration for Advancing Mental Health Care

(1:07:11) Finding Sanctuary in New Mexico Post-Retirement

(1:14:16) Reflections on Becoming Whole and Finding Wisdom

(1:23:22) Book Recommendations for Veterans and Personal Growth

(1:33:15) Exploring Psychedelic Therapies and the VA's Role

(1:40:40) Discussing the Invisible War and Advocacy for Sexual Assault Survivors

(1:51:30) Closing Thoughts: Vet Centers and Community Connection

#Links#

📚Here I Am: The Story of Tim Hetherington, War Photographer - https://amzn.to/4ewcOaW

📚The Denial of Death - Earnest Becker - https://amzn.to/3ZsIE47

📚Odysseus in America: Combat Trauma and the Trials of Homecoming - Jonathan Shay - https://amzn.to/4eujKp1

To all the brave men and women out there still protecting our freedom 🇺🇸 🫡 Thank you for your service!

"Scan everything, man. Make copies of everything."

Mike McDonald, CEO of Truevana, shares his insights on transitioning out of the military on medical retirement and finding purpose in life. https://www.truevana.com/

Mike emphasizes the importance of taking the time to process the changes and set new patterns and habits. He talks about the surprises and challenges he faced during his military career as an Army Special Forces operator and how he adapted to unexpected circumstances. He also highlights the significance of authentic relationships and networking in both personal and professional life. Mike provides advice on navigating the med board process and the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for a successful transition. Truvana is a relocation marketplace that connects service members to the products and services they need during PCS. They aim to make the frequent and disjointed moves easier for service members and help them discover how to build wealth during their time in service. Truvana offers services such as packing and shipping household goods, coordinating with housing requirements, property management, and connecting service members with job opportunities. They provide personalized support based on each service member's needs and offer resources for education and networking. Truvana's goal is to become the first service member support network.

00:00 Processing Changes and Setting New Patterns

18:27 The Power of Authentic Relationships and Networking

30:51 Navigating the Med Board Process and Planning for the Transition

35:06 Making the Most of the Transition Assistance Program (TAP)

37:02 Surrounding Yourself with People Who Are Better Than You

39:37 Setting Yourself Up for Success in Any Situation

44:06 Identifying and Solving Unresolved Problems

49:36 Reflecting on Past Experiences and Providing Advice to Younger Self

57:01 Delivering a TED Talk to Military Members in Transition

01:05:03 Introducing Truvana and its Services

01:09:49 Understanding the Nuances of Property Management

01:15:39 Wrapping Up the Conversation and Contacting Truvana

############Links###############

🔗 All of my recording/editing equipment can be found here: https://kit.co/Chief_McConnell/john-mcconnell

🔗 @riversidefm - https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_2&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=john-mcconnell

🔗 Truevana FB page - https://www.facebook.com/truevana/

############Books###############

📚 The Bottom Line Up Front - Preorder 4 Oct release - https://amzn.to/3yWSH6Z

To all the brave men and women out there still protecting our freedom 🇺🇸 🫡 Thank you for your service!

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