How Jason Mazzoni Used the PMP to Translate His Military Experience

When Jason Mazzoni left the Navy in 2016, he wasn’t sure how his experience translated to the civilian world. A Naval Academy graduate with a naval architecture degree, he assumed his options were limited to shipyards until a job fair pushed him to interview outside that lane.

That decision changed everything.

In this episode, Jason Mazzoni shares how earning his PMP helped him translate military leadership into language civilian employers understood. The certification helped him communicate his unique value add to those he worked with and for.

Jason walks through breaking into tech, developing as a project manager and eventually launching his own technology firm. Today, he intentionally hires veterans as project managers, knowing the value they bring when their experience is properly translated.

This conversation is for veterans who feel boxed in by their background and want to understand how the PMP can help open doors without starting over.

Connect with Jason: linkedin.com/in/jasonmazzoni

Earn your PMP: www.vets2pm.com/training

Episode 165: How Project Management Shows Up in the Security Profession

Project management is embedded in the security profession — from planning and risk mitigation to execution and stakeholder coordination.

In this episode, we sit down with Eric Kready, U.S. Army (Retired), corporate security professional, and ASIS member, to explore how project management shows up across the security field and why understanding this lens matters for career growth.

We also deep dive into Operation Career Change (OCC), an initiative Eric created to support current and future security professionals, particularly those transitioning from military and law enforcement roles.

In this episode, we cover:

• How core project management principles show up in day-to-day security work

• Why security professionals are already operating as project managers

• Common gaps professionals face when translating experience into civilian roles

• A walkthrough of Operation Career Change (OCC) and how it supports security careers

Why this is best watched, not just listened to (Watch on YouTube):

• We visually walk through the Operation Career Change platform

• You’ll see where to find resources and how to use them

• The visual context makes it easier to understand how OCC supports security professionals at different career stages

This episode serves as a practical resource for security professionals, whether you are already working in the field or exploring how to grow, pivot, or transition within it.

Connect with Eric: Eric Kready, CPP | LinkedInCheck out our resources: www.vets2pm.com/training

In this episode, we spotlight Juniper Communities, a DoD SkillBridge provider offering meaningful career pathways for service members transitioning to civilian life. Juniper operates hospitality-focused retirement communities where teamwork, structure, and service remain central to the mission, making it a natural fit for veterans.

We break down what it’s really like to work in senior living, why Juniper actively seeks veteran talent, and how military skills translate directly into roles across operations, wellness, dining, business management, sales, and community engagement.

You’ll also hear a clear explanation of the DoD SkillBridge opportunities at Juniper, including what interns can expect and how the program supports career transition.

Topics Covered:

• What Juniper Communities does and how their communities operate

• Why Juniper is a strong fit for veterans and military spouses

• DoD SkillBridge internships and career pathways

• Pay, benefits, and professional development

• Common myths about senior living

• Why Juniper invests in people, culture, and long-term careers

Learn more about Juniper Communities and current SkillBridge opportunities by visiting vets2pm.com/skillbridge and exploring available internships today.

Episode 163 | Interview Insights from Recruiters and Hiring Managers

What actually matters in an interview?
In Episode 163 of the Military Transition Academy Podcast, we share short, real-world interview insights from recruiters, hiring managers, and career professionals who are directly involved in hiring and career transitions.

This episode features expert snippets from:

• Bobby Aragon – Global Talent Acquisition

• Tiffany Bradbury – Talent Strategist

• Garry Steensgard – People & Culture Manager

• William E. “Bill” Kieffer – Career Transition Coach

• Cathy Miclat – Director, Career Services at Vets2PM

• Misty Moreno – Human Resources Professional

These insights focus on what hiring decision-makers actually listen for, where candidates commonly miss the mark, and how professionals can explain their experience in a way that translates clearly to the civilian workforce.

If you’re preparing for interviews, navigating a career transition, or trying to better understand how recruiters and hiring managers evaluate candidates, this episode is for you!

🎧 Listen now and apply these insights to your next interview.

- If you are a Vets2PM student, you have access to the full Interview Preparation Workshop in your Student Portal.

- Want to become a student? Start here: www.vets2pm.com/training

Inside the Army-Approved CSP: The Master Project Leadership Workshop

In this episode, we take a closer look at the Master Project Leadership Workshop (MPLW), an Army-approved Career Skills Program designed for service members preparing for life after the uniform.

If you have heard about MPLW but were not fully sure what actually happens inside the program, this conversation breaks it down. We talk through how the workshop combines real project leadership experience, structured instruction, and mentorship to help participants translate military experience into civilian project management roles.

This episode also explains how MPLW fits into the military transition timeline, who the program is designed for, and what makes it different from traditional classroom-only training or certification prep. You will hear how participants gain hands-on experience while still on active duty and how that experience supports both certification goals and post-service employment.

Whether you are exploring Career Skills Programs, considering SkillBridge options, or simply trying to understand how to prepare earlier and with less stress, this episode provides clarity on how MPLW supports a smoother transition.

Topics covered
• What an Army-approved CSP is and how MPLW qualifies
• What participants actually do inside the program
• How project leadership experience is built before separation
• Who MPLW is a good fit for and when to apply

If you want to prepare for your civilian career while still serving, this episode walks you through what that path can look like.

www.vets2pm.com/mplw

Episode 161 marks the start of Season 4 of the Military Transition Academy Podcast.

This episode sets the foundation for what Vets2PM does and why project management is one of the most practical career paths for military service members, veterans, and spouses.

If you’ve led people, managed timelines, coordinated resources, or delivered outcomes, you already have the core skill set of a project manager. Vets2PM helps translate that experience into civilian language and prepares professionals to step confidently into project management roles.

You’ll also learn about the Master Project Leadership Workshop, or MPLW, a structured 60-day program designed to strengthen leadership, prepare participants for certification, and support a smoother transition into civilian careers.

This episode features a firsthand testimonial from a participant who went through the process and shares what the experience looked like from the inside.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:
• How military experience directly aligns with project management
• What Vets2PM does to help professionals become project managers
• The purpose and structure of the Master Project Leadership Workshop
• A real transition story from a program participant

If you’re preparing for transition or already navigating the civilian workforce, this episode reinforces one key message. You already earned the skills. Now it’s time to use them.

www.vets2pm.com/mplw

As we close out Season 3 of the Military Transition Academy Podcast and wrap up 2025, we’re ending the year with a conversation many service members can relate to — transitions shaped by med boards, medical retirements, or unexpected discharges that leave little time to prepare.

In this episode, Craig Jones shares how a sudden medical retirement from the Marine Corps forced him to face the question, What now? His answer was simple: do what you can, when you can.

Craig walks through his path from Marine to Program Manager at USAA, including how he discovered project management, recognized his transferable skills, and used certifications to translate his experience into a language civilian employers understand. He also shares the mindset shifts that mattered most, why “no” is often redirection, and how steady forward motion builds momentum over time.

This episode is for veterans closing out the year feeling uncertain, behind, or unprepared. Craig’s story is a reminder that progress does not require a perfect plan, just a willingness to take the next step.

As we head into a new year, this conversation offers a simple way to prepare today for your post-service career tomorrow.

Connect with Craig: Craig Jones | LinkedInStart where you are with Vets2PM: www.vets2pm.com/training

Episode 159: How Veterans Should Evaluate and Negotiate a Job Offer
Guest: Dan McCall, Strategic Military Placement Recruiter

Getting a job offer is exciting. It’s also where a lot of veterans make decisions too quickly or without the full picture.

In this episode of the Military Transition Academy Podcast, Vets2PM is joined by Dan McCall, a Strategic Military Placement Recruiter who has coached hundreds of veterans through offer decisions across industries.

Dan breaks down what to do before, during, and after a job offer so you can evaluate it with clarity, negotiate with confidence, and close the loop professionally.

You’ll learn:

• What veterans should decide before an offer ever arrives

• How to evaluate total compensation, not just base pay

• The right questions to ask the moment an offer lands

• When and how to negotiate without damaging the relationship

• How to handle tradeoffs like title, pay, start date, and flexibility

• What it looks like to accept, decline, or pause an offer with integrity

• How to avoid burning bridges in a small hiring market

If you’re in the interview stage or expect an offer soon, this episode will help you slow down, think strategically, and make decisions that support your long-term career, not just your next paycheck.

Connect with Dan: linkedin.com/in/recruiterdanmccalldm.cohen-partners.com/partners/dan-mccall (Company)

Let Vets2PM help you get qualified to apply for future roles: www.vets2pm.com/training

You’ve identified your transferable skillset.
You’ve validated it with a certification.
Now comes the part most service members feel unprepared for, the job search.

In this episode of the Military Transition Academy Podcast, we sit down with Tiffany Bradbury, a former Air Force recruiter with 15 years of experience who has navigated two military transitions and now works as a recruiter with Reliant Critical Infrastructure. Tiffany offers a behind-the-curtain look at how recruiters actually evaluate candidates and what separates those who get interviews from those who don’t.

Tiffany walks us through how her first transition fell short, what she did differently the second time, and why preparation, clarity, and relationship-building made all the difference. She breaks down why saying “I’ll do anything” hurts your job search, how recruiters review resumes and LinkedIn profiles, and why “veteran” alone isn’t enough to stand out.

You’ll also learn what professionalism looks like from a recruiter’s perspective, how to manage your job search like a project, and what staffing agencies really do, including what to watch for and how to spot red flags.

This episode is a must-listen for service members and veterans who want to stop guessing, start competing, and approach their job search with confidence and intention.

Key takeaways include:
• How to think like a recruiter
• What makes a candidate competitive, not just qualified
• Common job search mistakes veterans make
• How networking drives real opportunities
• What recruiters look for before, during, and after interviews

🎧 Listen in and learn how to take ownership of your job search, the same way recruiters do.

Connect with Tiffany Bradbury to continue the conversation.Tiffany Bradbury | LinkedInJobs - Reliant Critical InfrastructureCheck out what Vets2PM offers at www.vets2pm.com/training.

In this episode, we talk with Robert Medlock, a civilian professional who has spent over 20 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, leading projects in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, and across the U.S.

Robert shares how project management shaped his career, why the PMP is essential for mega projects and GS-14 roles, and how earning his certification through Vets2PM helped him level up professionally.

He breaks down what the PMP actually opens up such as flexibility, leadership opportunities, and the ability to work on projects that directly impact military missions.

Robert also offers practical advice for veterans: your experience already counts. The PMP simply validates it and makes it “civilian-legit.”

🎧 Listen in to hear his journey, what he learned, and how the PMP can accelerate your own career.

Connect with Robert: Robert Medlock, PMP | LinkedInStart your PMP journey: www.vets2pm.com/training