1. Travis’s Military Background and Transition Out of the Marine Corps

Duration in the Marine Corps (13 years)

Reasons for leaving: changes in times, God’s plan, instructor role, need to move on

Positive outlook on his service and reasons for not criticizing the Marine Corps

2. Transitioning to Civilian Life: Initial Experiences

Early transition jobs: working at Don Corp and Lockheed Martin

Surrounded by other prior military members

Similar structure and culture to military life

Work on military bases in similar environments

The shift to a true civilian job with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA)

Differences in civilian work culture and structure

Feeling of disconnection upon returning to Oklahoma and Wagner

3. Challenges Faced By Veterans (and First Responders) in Transition

Lack of effective support programs for transitioning

Existing programs seen as insufficient, unwelcoming, or too basic

The unique struggle of losing structure and camaraderie

The gap in support for both veterans and their spouses/families

The role of pride and stigma in accessing available resources

Problems specific to those with longer service versus shorter-term veterans

4. Recommendations and Ideas for Improved Transition Programs

Need for state-funded, all-encompassing programs, including for law enforcement and ex-offenders

Centralized places for job interviews and resources, consideration for pride and ease of access

Critique of profit-focused veteran "nonprofits"

Suggested improvements:

Multi-week, hands-on outboarding training (rather than insufficient week-long classes)

Resume writing, interview coaching, translation of military to civilian skills

Connecting military technical training directly to civilian jobs (e.g., CDLs, aviation maintenance)

Focus on practical education and trade skills over formal degrees

5. The Value of Military and Law Enforcement Skills in Civilian Life

Emphasis on skills learned in military/service that are valuable (leadership, discipline, technical expertise)

Discussion about trade school vs. college versus on-the-job learning

Importance of belief in oneself and overcoming imposter syndrome

Advantages and success stories of veteran-owned businesses

6. The Importance of Camaraderie, Structure, and Support Networks

Personal experience of missing camaraderie when working non-law enforcement jobs (insurance agent example)

Need for continued support, routines, structure, and belonging

Difficulty of functioning in unstructured “civilian” roles after military/first responder service

7. Mental Health, Compassion, and Crisis Intervention

Lack of tailored, scenario-based mental health support and training (especially for law enforcement)

Veterans’ and first responders’ unique needs and struggles regarding mental health

The importance of compassion, understanding, and de-escalation in law enforcement

Shortcomings in current mental health training (minimal continuing education requirements, lack of practical value)

The impact of mental health struggles for those in service and their transition to civilian life

Peer support, debriefing, and coaching: proposed improvements for agencies

8. Leadership, Supervision, and Organizational Culture

Problems with “old school” authoritarian leadership styles

The significance of genuinely caring for and connecting with people under your supervision

Importance of evaluations and feedback (frequency, depth, handling corrective criticism)

Value of supervisors/coaches who help with goal-setting, debriefs, and personal growth

Examples of good and bad supervisory relationships and their lasting impacts

9. Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

The importance of humility and forgiveness in leadership

Recognizing individual differences and adapting leadership approaches accordingly

Encouraging a culture of positive reinforcement, support, and continuous improvement

10. Practical Resources and Offers for Help

Travis’s expertise and willingness to help with navigating the VA system

Offer to collaborate on mental health and crisis intervention training for law enforcement

Encouragement to reach out for guidance, drawing on Travis’s network and experience