Transition Drill

Thom Tran enlisted in the Army after graduating high school and spent 6 years as a Communications Sergeant as well as a Civil Affairs Sergeant within the Special Operations Community. In 2003, Thom was wounded during a firefight when a sniper’s bullet found its way to the back of his skull. He bandaged himself up and finished his 12-month tour in Iraq. His wounds eventually brought an end to his military career; he was medically retired in 2005. After leaving the military and returning to his hometown of Buffalo, NY comedy saved his life. Thom moved to Los Angeles and in 2010 created The GIs of Comedy, a comedic troupe of veterans and active military that has toured all over the United States and to nearly two dozen different countries, performing to audiences both military and civilian, bringing the healing power of laughter to those who need it the most. The group has raised over $30,000 for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a charity that raises college scholarship funds for the children of fallen US Special Operations personnel. Thom, when he’s not on the road, also works as the mid-day traffic anchor for a Southern California news radio station and occasionally does some acting, having co-starred on Black-ish on ABC and SEAL Team & NCIS: Los Angeles on CBS. Thom also has a life-long love of rock music and performs as the lead guitarist of The Thom Tran Band, a heavy metal and cover band.

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CONNECT WITH THOM

https://thomtran.com/

https://www.gisofcomedy.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomtran/

Jeff Takeda served in the Marine Corps as a member of Security Force Regiment. After ending his enlistment, he was hired as a police officer in California in 1998. His assignments have included patrol officer, field training officer, SWAT team member, major crimes detective, and task force officer with a federal counter terrorism task force. While assigned to JTTF, Jeff’s Commander encouraged him to try meditation to address stressors from work and issues in his personal life; Jeff was hooked. In 2020 Jeff started Takeda Training Concepts, which provides meditation training to first responders and veterans. Jeff is a trained mindfulness facilitator through the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center and a member of the International Mindfulness Teachers Association. He co-founded a mindfulness program at his police department.

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https://takedatrainingconcepts.com/

https://www.instagram.com/takeda_training_concepts/

Matthew Tarutis served 4 years in the Navy. He enlisted with a special forces contract but suffered a collapsed lung during Hell Week and was dropped from the training. Matthew served the remainder of his enlistment onboard the John C. Stennis as an Aviation Boatswain's Mate - Fuels, which included two deployments to the Persian Gulf. Upon getting out of the military, Matthew, who has been writing since he was 10, decided to pursue an education in screenwriting and graduated from Loyola Marymount University in 2019 with degrees in screenwriting and film production. While at LMU Matthew was the president of the Student Veterans Organization. After graduation he got a job working for Tyra Banks leading the creative development of her series, ModelLand. Then COVID hit and the whole company was let go in 2020. Today, Matthew continues to work as a writer, producer, and entertainer under his own production company, Instarutis Entertainment, where he writes books, blogs, articles, movies, and shows, for his clients. 

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CONNECT WITH MATTHEW

https://www.matthewbtarutis.com/

https://www.instagram.com/instarutis/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbtarutis/

Marc Hildebrand has been a police officer with LAPD for 19 years and is currently a Sergeant.  He is a husband, father, and international best-selling author of the book Mastering Your Life Through Self Coaching. Marc struggled through self-sabotage for decades, but after discovering what was truly holding him back, he was able to take his life back by navigating a 100-pound weight loss journey, creating better connection with his wife and kids, and showing up as a more confident leader in all areas of his life. From his own journey he became a certified MASTER PUSH Coach Instructor, then creating a 6-figure PUSH coaching business to help others do the same. He now coaches other on how to master their mindset and actions, so they can reach their full potential at home, at work, and in business.

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CONNECT WITH MARC

https://www.instagram.com/marc_hildebrand_official/

https://www.mindsetwithmarc.com/

MASTERING YOUR LIFE THROUGH SELF COACHING BOOK

https://www.amazon.com/Marc-Hildebrand/e/B09NXF3Q2J%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Philip McGinty served in the Marine Corps as a Force Reconnaissance Marine. He had deployments to Afghanistan and Southeast Asia. After discharging from active duty in 2017, Phil received his degree in Economics from UC Davis and took a job with a Consulting firm focusing on the Public Safety industry. However, his post-military path was full of ups and downs. He experienced many of the challenges many veterans face transitioning out of the service, which almost claimed him as a victim. Today, Phil also serves as Vice President of the Recon and Sniper Foundation (RSF). RSF is a non-profit organization founded by veterans who are giving back and helping veterans of all military branches overcome transition challenges. RSF is hosting its annual event for 2022 at Rawah Ranch in Colorado from May 22 through May 28. See the contact information below for their website.

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-mcginty-588216115/

https://www.reconsniperfoundation.org/

Rick Massa was a police officer with LAPD for 35 years, 25 of those were as a member of SWAT, in addition to a short stint in their mounted unit. As a member of SWAT a noteworthy incident Rick responded to was the North Hollywood bank robbery shootout in 1997. Rick was one of the 3 SWAT members who rolled up and engaged one of the suspects in a car-to-car gun battle. Also, he regularly provided security at the Oscar Awards where he got the opportunity to meet celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck and was offered the opportunity to learn to cook and work with him. When Rick retired in 2006, he went to culinary school, and continued working with Puck. Rick has also competed and won a cooking competition on Food Network and today he teaches children to cook. But in 2008 law enforcement was not out of his system and he went back to being a police officer with the Burbank Airport Police, where he still currently

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[email protected]

Matt Pech served in the Army for 15 years, 12 of which were on a Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA). His specialties were advanced demolitions, breaching, sniper, and technical intelligence specialist. He had 4 combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and 9 rotations in total. Because of the strain these rotations put on Matt, he chose to leave the military early to be home for his family. In 2015 he became a police officer in Southern California. After leaving the Army Matt founded the non-profit, Ruck for Vets. An organization aimed at raising awareness for Veterans issues and mental health. Through his non-profit he brings the brotherhood he loves so much back to my community and giving back to those who gave more than enough. If all of this wasn’t enough, Matt provides fitness training through his company Operational Athlete, he also serves as the Lead Advisor for Hard to Kill Fitness, and is in the process of opening a boxing gym in Southern California, which will combing the boxing community with the military mindset of training. 

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CONNECT WITH MATT

https://operationalathlete.us/

https://www.instagram.com/theoperationalathlete/

https://www.ruckforveterans.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ruckforvets/

MAY 21, 2022 – Ruck for Vets Event – Redondo Beach, CA

https://www.ruckforveterans.com/register-here

https://hardtokillfitness.co/

https://www.instagram.com/hardtokill_fitness/

Fred Heim is a Navy veteran, having served 5 years as an aircrew member aboard an SH60 helicopter conducting anti-submarine warfare (AW) and search and rescue (SAR). As a SAR rescue swimmer Fred was part of the special operations community. Fred deployed to the middle east during Operation Desert Storm. Fred discharged from the military in 1994 and today is the co-founder of VERT Fitness Product Accelerators. Fred has established himself as an award-winning brand strategist with experience in the sports, fitness/wellness, medical, and nutrition. Fred has managed the creation of numerous products including several as a global PLM for Nike. With specialties in business development, consumer narrative and positioning, some of his previous partners include The Food Network, Red Bull, Johnson & Johnson, LensCrafters, and Rollerblade.

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CONNECT WITH FRED

https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederickheim/

https://vert.fit/

https://www.instagram.com/househeim/

https://www.instagram.com/battledinner/

Rob Blanton’s journey from high school underachiever to decorated Force Recon Marine is raw, real, and unforgettable. In this episode of the Transition Drill Podcast, Rob opens up about his 21-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, surviving a suicide bomber attack, grappling with PTSD and TBI, and his near-suicide after retiring in 2014.

Rob doesn’t hold back. He shares:

• How he joined the Marine Corps on a whim—because his friends did

• His relentless path into Force Recon and earning his place through failure
• A harrowing mission in Iraq that earned him the Silver Star
• The mental breakdown that nearly cost him his life—and how his wife saved him

• Starting the nonprofit Warfighter Made to help fellow veterans heal through off-road therapy

This episode is more than a story—it's a lesson in post-traumatic growth, vulnerability, and using pain as purpose.

The go-to podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and first responders preparing for life after service. Hosted by Paul Pantani—a retired law enforcement leader with 30+ years of experience—Transition Drill features candid conversations with veterans from every military branch, as well as law enforcement professionals navigating career change, retirement, and the transition to civilian life. Guests share stories of mental health, post-traumatic growth, job search strategies, and what it really takes to succeed after the uniform. Whether you're transitioning from policing, firefighting, or military service, this podcast will help you lead the next chapter with clarity and confidence.

Subscribe and share this episode with someone who’s battling silently.

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CONNECT WITH ROB

Rob Blanton’s journey from high school underachiever to decorated Force Recon Marine is raw, real, and unforgettable. In this episode of the Transition Drill Podcast, Rob opens up about his 21-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, surviving a suicide bomber attack, grappling with PTSD and TBI, and his near-suicide after retiring in 2014.

Rob doesn’t hold back. He shares:

• How he joined the Marine Corps on a whim—because his friends did
• His relentless path into Force Recon and earning his place through failure
• A harrowing mission in Iraq that earned him the Silver Star
• The mental breakdown that nearly cost him his life—and how his wife saved him
• Starting the nonprofit Warfighter Made to help fellow veterans heal through off-road therapy

This episode is more than a story—it's a lesson in post-traumatic growth, vulnerability, and using pain as purpose.

The go-to podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and first responders preparing for life after service. Hosted by Paul Pantani—a retired law enforcement leader with 30+ years of experience—Transition Drill features candid conversations with veterans from every military branch, as well as law enforcement professionals navigating career change, retirement, and the transition to civilian life. Guests share stories of mental health, post-traumatic growth, job search strategies, and what it really takes to succeed after the uniform. Whether you're transitioning from policing, firefighting, or military service, this podcast will help you lead the next chapter with clarity and confidence.      

Subscribe and share this episode with someone who’s battling silently.

CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:

IG:

WEBSITE:

LinkedIn:

SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS: