In this episode of the Recruiting Solutions Podcast, Colonel (Retired) James Welch is joined by veteran recruiting leader Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Stephen Sibley to focus on what actually drives mission success. They discuss three timeless principles from the book, The Art of Military Recruiting: Lessons Learned from the Recruiting Battlefield.

• Taking care of people

• Consistent and effective prospecting

• World-class customer service

If you’re a military recruiter or leader feeling overwhelmed by competing priorities, this conversation will help you simplify, refocus, and keep the main thing the main thing.

The Art of Military Recruiting is available on Amazon in eBook, paperback, and audio.

This is the kickoff episode of The Recruiting Solutions Podcast for 2026. Host James Welch sits down with retired Army veteran Nelson Castillo—author of Bridge Builders—for a practical conversation on networking that actually works.

Nelson shares lessons from 32 years of service on how top performers build real relationships (not just collect business cards), create value before they ask for anything, and maintain trust through consistent follow-up. You’ll also hear actionable frameworks for intentional outreach, staying organized with contacts, using email and social media the right way, and engaging community partners to expand your influence.

Whether you’re a recruiter, sales professional, or leader, this episode delivers a clear message: your reputation and relationships are force multipliers—and the best time to build bridges is before you need to cross them.

In this episode of the Recruiting Solutions Podcast, James Welch discusses why high performers must evaluate the year before it ends. Drawing on goal-setting frameworks and the concept of the BHAG—Big Hairy Audacious Goal—this episode explores how to set clear short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals for both personal and professional success. If you want to start the new year with clarity, momentum, and purpose, this episode will show you how to get ahead of the calendar instead of chasing it.

A candid conversation with retired Command Sergeant Major Stephen Sibley on navigating the military-to-civilian transition. We discuss hard-earned lessons on medical documentation, finances, Tricare, life insurance, networking, and starting a business—so today’s soldiers and retirees can avoid common pitfalls and set themselves up for success after hanging up the uniform.

Every military recruiter knows the danger of the “J-Months.” When January rolls around Future Soldiers waver and ship losses spike. In this episode, James Welch breaks down how proactive leadership can prevent those losses before they happen.

You’ll learn why leadership in the Delayed Entry Program is mission-critical, how to recognize the seasonal trends that drive attrition, and what actionable steps you can take today to keep your Future Soldiers confident, committed, and ready to ship as scheduled.

From hosting holiday events to enforcing weekly training, this episode delivers a blueprint for reducing DEP losses below 5% and building a team culture that inspires loyalty and referrals.

Key takeaway: Don’t wait until January to lead. The time to act is now.

In this episode, James Welch sits down with LTC Andrew “Drew” Betson, Commander of the Kansas City Recruiting Battalion, to unpack how data, used wisely, drives consistent success in both military recruiting and civilian sales. They dig into market share analysis, conversion rates, flash-to-bang timelines, and the balance of leading vs. lagging indicators. You’ll hear practical ways leaders can enforce system discipline without creating “ghost data,” plus a “Moneyball” take on pairing analytics with human excellence. (Guest views are his own and do not represent official positions of the U.S. Army or USAREC.)

In this episode, host James Welch breaks down one of the most overlooked frontiers in military recruiting: college campuses. Drawing from his book The Art of Military Recruiting: Lessons Learned from the Recruiting Battlefield, Welch explains how universities, community colleges, and technical schools can become high-yield recruiting grounds with the right approach.

In this episode, James Welch breaks down why high schools are the key terrain for military recruiters. Drawing from his book, The Art of Military Recruiting, he explains how to engage faculty early and create programs that keep your message in front of students all year long.

You’ll learn practical strategies for table set-ups, classroom presentations, ASVAB testing, and how to approach private schools with professionalism. Whether you’re new to recruiting or a seasoned pro, this episode will give you actionable steps to turn the fall semester into your strongest prospecting season.

For more resources, visit recruitingsolutionsllc.com

In this episode, James Welch sits down with Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Stephen Sibley to talk about passion, purpose, and the realities of Army recruiting.

Topics Include:

Passion drives success 

Recruiting is sales 

Ask better questions 

Do routine things routinely 

Show, don’t just tell 

Tough love

Winning Mindset

This episode is a straight-talking playbook for recruiters and leaders across the military recruiting enterprise. Regardless of your experience level, this advice from CSM (R) Sibley will make you better at your craft. 

In this episode of the Recruiting Solutions Podcast, we explore leadership lessons for sales leaders drawn from the recruiting battlefield. From defining your leadership philosophy to creating a vision, motivating your team, and leading with radical transparency, this conversation delivers actionable strategies you can apply right now. Learn how to keep your team focused, train effectively, recognize excellence, and bring a personal touch to leadership—while building loyalty and performance in even the toughest environments.