VET S.O.S. Podcast

Beau talks to us about his organization Oplign and their cutting edge to approach to assisting service members with the job search. Beau also shares about his ties to the Travis Manion Foundation and how personal the organization is to him.

Beau is a retired Marine that served for 25 years as an intelligence officer with the Marine Corps. He had the privilege to command 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. Following his retirement in 2014, Beau served as a senior manager on Amazon’s Military Affairs team, responsible for creating scalable veteran programs, developing policies and strategic planning for military recruiting and outreach efforts. Beau left Amazon in April of 2023 and focused his career on helping companies find Veteran talent. He is currently serving as the VP for talent acquisition with the Arcadia Group. He is dedicated to supporting leaders, businesses and organizations in developing and executing comprehensive talent acquisition strategies, executive searches and services using an integrative, relationship-centered and strategic lens.

Deny talks with us about his struggles that led him to take control his life. His journey to helping others was based on his journey to work on his mental health, his family, and his faith.

Deny Caballero is a retired CW2, Mental Health Advocate, Blogger, Podcaster, and Mentor. Dedicated servant leader that served our Nation honorably for 18 years. He proudly served the entirety of his SOF career at the Tactical level. However, this came at a significant cost to his mental and physical health. The damage that his mind, body, and spirit were forced to take on eventually became too much. Deny found himself with no choice but to end his career and prioritize his wife and his life.

Jeremy sits down with VET S.O.S. to talk about his struggles through transition, his path into ministry, and his journey to Mighty Oaks Foundation. Jeremy’s journey has helped him develop a program through Mighty Oaks to help service members deal with their struggles using peer-to-peer support, mentorship, and comradery.

Jeremy Stalnecker, CEO of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, aids America’s military and families battling combat-related wounds like PTSD. A Marine Corps veteran, he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, acquiring leadership skills. As a USMC Infantry Officer, Jeremy received a Veteran Navy Commendation Medal with “V” for Combat Valor. Transitioning to ministry after the military, he counseled at Coastline Baptist, then served as Senior Pastor at Bay Area Baptist Church. Feeling the calling, Jeremy merged his ministry and military background, leading Mighty Oaks Foundation full-time where today he strives to provide healing for veterans and their families through Christ.

Angel tells about his organization Soldier on a Mission and how he used his own struggles to develop a program to help service members with their transition. Angel also talks about work-life balance and how he learned to prioritize family.

Angel L. Alvarez is a veteran coach and mentor dedicated to guiding former military personnel toward a fulfilling life beyond their service. With over 21 years of devoted service in the Army and 22 years in the U.S. Postal Service, he’s witnessed countless veteran's challenges during their transition to civilian life. Drawing from his journey of personal growth, he founded Soldier on a Mission with a clear vision – to empower fellow veterans on their path to success.

12th Sergeant Major of the Army Jack Tilley sits down to talk about transition, veteran suicide, and how he’s still giving back to the veteran community. Learn the importance of “preparing” when it comes to transition and post military life.

Jack L. Tilley served as the 12th Sergeant Major of the Army from June 2000 – January 2004. A Vietnam War Veteran, SMA Tilley has held a variety of important leadership positions throughout his 36-year career. Now retired, SMA Tilley continues to serve as advisor, leader, and supporter of all Servicemembers, Veterans and their Families as co-founder of the American Freedom Foundation. As the host of the Your Next Mission podcast, he continues to impart his experience and advice to those transitioning from military to civilian life.

Cheryl Cross is a leading advocate for military-to-civilian career transitions, leveraging over two decades of HR experience as a corporate recruiter and workforce development specialist. As the author of "Civilian Mission: The Three-Year Guide for Military Professionals Planning Civilian Careers" and host of the "Military to Civilian Career Transition Power Hour" podcast, Cheryl provides invaluable insights and support to veterans and military spouses. Her work focuses on reshaping career trajectories, offering strategic advice, and championing the integration of military talent into the civilian workforce. She is also a Workforce Development Councilwoman for the State of Hawaii for the term 2022-2026.

Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Michael Hall is an active-duty member of Naval Special Warfare of 19 years. During his time in service, Michael has experienced and witnessed close friends endure the extreme challenges SEAL, SWCC, and EOD operators face during their careers. These challenges are not restricted to the battlefield and often impact the operator's home life. Hold the Reins is designed to provide tools that aid in adjusting to the extreme pressures they face throughout their careers; alleviating any trauma that interferes with their ability to lead normal and happy lives.

Michael joined GratitudeAmerica in June 2016 to serve as Executive Director. Prior to joining the team he worked at Publix Supermarkets where he oversaw all corporate education for Publix’s managers. After 20 years of service to Publix, Michael wanted to serve his fellow combat veterans.

Michael’s background is in education, he holds degrees in education and advanced degrees in training and performance improvement.

Jeremy Wahlberg, a retired military veteran with 27 years of service, including a 18 month deployment for Operation Iraqi Freedom. His journey, anchored by his family—wife Kaelyn (21yr retired military veteran), sons Devin and London, and recently adopted daughter Bella—centers on their shared love for water sports. Together, they've founded Our Heroes Tour, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing healing and joy to First Responders, Military personnel, and their families. Additionally, they operate the Minnesota Wakesurf Championship (MNWSC), now a nonprofit event, drawing thousands annually and offering diverse activities.

Michael Cortina, a Trauma Resolution Expert, is the Founder & Creator of The Cortina Method© - a brain-based methodology to resolve trauma and other disturbing emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC), he is a healer, national keynote speaker, and trainer on PTSD treatment, brain healing and mindset transformation work.

People across the U.S. and around the world hire Michael for his services. Throughout his career, he has transformed the lives of thousands of people who have gone on to live an optimal life free of PTSD, guilt, anger, shame, anxiety, addiction, blame, fear, limiting beliefs, phobias, physical pain, and more. Michael provides The Cortina Method Master Classes & Trainings throughout the country, and has been featured in ABC, FOX, NBC, CBS, THE CW, & Yahoo!finance along with 400+ publications and media outlets.