ServeWell Podcast

In this week's podcast, I explore whether ROTC may be the perfect hedge for students who are not prepared for the rigors of a service academy but also don't want to be part of the chaos on traditional college campuses.

Is ROTC a viable compromise between these two extremes?

In this week's podcast, I juxtapose two very different views on life after high school.

The Case A student chooses the "pain later" path. This student wants college to be the best four years of their life - bar none. Immediate gratification and indulgence are at the core of their short-term goals.

The Case B student chooses "pain now". This student is willing to give up some conveniences, perks, and indulgences now for a more fulfilling life later.

Ask your child which camp they are in.

In this week's podcast, I share a story about my son and a small group of "Fellows" who are trying to land jobs with Palantir.

The scenario encapsulates a lot of what's happening in the real-world right now as it relates to technology, major choice, AI, and the job market.

In this week's podcast, I do my best to distinguish between a nomination and an appointment.

These terms are often used interchangeably despite having very different meanings.

Please listen to this episode to make sure you have them straight in your mind.

In this week's podcast, I walk through what it takes to get selected for one of the most sought-after jobs in the Navy and Air Force:

Fighter pilot

I will dig into these important dimensions:

If your child has toyed with the idea of flying fighter jets in the military, this would be a good episode to digest.

In this week's podcast, I suggest how to pick the branch of service that suits you best.

Part of the analysis has to do with what you are optimizing for:

Some students already have a good idea of which branch they are most interested in. Others are open-minded.

Which are you?

In this week's podcast, I encourage students to open up an individual brokerage account and a ROTH IRA.

For students who aspire to a service academy or ROTC program, this is the ultimate move.

I walk them through every step of the process.

Topics covered include:

Financial literacy is at an all-time low in this country. It's important that our children start to get more familiar with the language of money, investing, and returns. This episode is a great start...

In this week's podcast, I review what DoDMERB is and how to avoid the pitfalls it may present.

When your child applies to a service academy or ROTC program, they will eventually be prompted to complete an online medical questionnaire.

Do not let them do this alone.

One wrong click or misrepresentation could lead to a medical disqualification.

Please listen to this episode first.

For those with younger students, listen to this episode now to make sure that any injuries from here on out are handled appropriately.

In this week's podcast, I review the 5 biggest nothing-burger extracurricular activities that you should not include in your applications - unless you have no choice.

You might be surprised by the list.

Even though some of the activities/organizations sound legitimate, more often than not, they are a waste of time, energy, and money.

Don't get caught chasing the wrong cars.

In this week's episode, I compare the trajectory of two similar students as they transition into college. [Though inspired by real-world stories, these students are fictitious and the outcomes are for illustration purposes only.]

One student (Ethan) decided to take the more traditional pathway by attending a well-respected, liberal arts college where he would study economics.

The other student (Roman) decided to take a less traditional route and attended the United States Naval Academy to study mechanical engineering.

I tracked their progress from age 18 - 35.

If you're interested to see where their lives ended up, please tune into this week's show.