Veterans Be Real

Chris McPhee is a Retired U.S. Army Veteran, and Green Beret turned professional photographer and project manager. He now helps businesses and organizations promote their message/story through photo and video production. He has 21 years of experience leading teams in challenging work environments; including over 10 years of video and photography knowledge.

Chris is a project management professional (PMP) exam preparation instructor, which he had helped 100+ aspiring project management professionals develop their knowledge and understanding of the Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) best practices for managing projects.

Chris is also a mentor that helps transitioning military veterans cross the bridge from active duty service to finding a fulfilling career in the corporate workspace. He has 18 months of creditable mentorship with American Corporate Partners (ACP), which he had directly mentored, and coach two transitioning Air Force Veterans.

His leadership and management skills were developed during his 21 years of service in the U.S. Army Special Forces Regiment, and vigorously tested during 24 months of conducting direct combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) – Afghanistan, and during various military and civilian deployments to Kuwait, Mauritania, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Oman.

In this episode, Sgt. BeReal talks to Chris about his life experiences, from Military duty to becoming who he is now. According to them, the transition is not easy and will take time, especially in the mental aspect. They also pointed out that if you don't know what to do, go find some help because things will get easier once you get the pride out of the way.

Let's listen to them and get valuable ideas from the experiences of Chris so we'll know how to transition out of the Military properly. Let's also find out how we can help Chris with what he's doing now and how Chris can also be of assistance to us.

Connect With Chris:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/greenberetmedia/

Email Address:

[email protected]

Phone Number:

(571) 427-1721

Chris McPhee:

https://linktr.ee/ChrisMcPhee

Groups:

ACP

https://www.acp-usa.org/

Podcast:

http://www.teamroomtalkpodcast.com/

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

https://veteransbereal.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.

Army Veteran Andrew Nelson is a former Weapons Squad Leader at 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He studied Political Science and History at the University of Washington and Intellectual Property at McGeorge School of Law. He is a Partner at Fortis LLP.

A legacy of his service as an infantryman and paratrooper, he knows the challenges of veterans, including the things that keep them up at night.

Andrew helps business owners with the trademarks that they want to use are available and protectable, both of which are instrumental in building a valuable brand that stands out in the marketplace.

He has been helping businesses thrive in several industries, including apparel/footwear/accessories, health & beauty, marketing & consulting, technology staffing, construction, and alcoholic beverages.

In this episode, Sgt. BeReal talks with Andrew about his experiences as an army and his journey to becoming a lawyer. They also discussed why having a plan is essential whatever your plan is – staying in the Military or getting out of the Military.

Let's listen to them and get golden nuggets on how you can transition out of the Military smoothly. We’ll also learn how Andrew can help veterans protect their brand.

Key Notes:

Experience as an Army

His journey to becoming a Lawyer

Got a double Major in Political Science

Graduated Cum Laude

Was motivated and directed well

Had a plan before joining the Military

Find a business mentor or life mentor

If you have a plan, the smoother your transition will be

Connect with Andrew:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/arnelson

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/anelson100/

Group:

Facebook:

Vetpreneur Tribe (Veteran Business Owners)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/vetpreneur/

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

https://veteransbereal.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.

Jared Ledbetter is the CEO and Web Developer of Carbon Digital.

He is a highly motivated Marine Veteran and front-end web developer with more than a decade of experience. He has worked with several large and small brands and is always up for a good challenge.

For every web project that he has done, his focus has been on creating the best user experience possible, his portfolio can back it up.

In this episode, Sgt. BeReal talks to Jared about his transition from the Military to a civilian. Jared went from nothing to something, to having a business.

Let's hear Jared's story and be inspired by what he's about to share. We will also learn how he can help our business take off to a whole new level.

Key Points:

Dropped off by parents to a homeless shelter after 2 months out from duty

Alcohol will take you down a dark path

Going from nothing to something

Helping business take off to a whole new level

Automation and Website guy

SEO and conversion rate optimization

Connect With Jared:

Phone Number:

(980) 269-0126

Website:

https://carbondigital.us/

Email Address:

[email protected]

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

https://veteransbereal.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.

Army Veteran Timothy Stroud is the CEO of Stroud Marketing Group.

Learning from his mentor, Paul J. Meyer, he set specific GOALS in his life. Paul helped him focus his energy and showed him the values of being a Servant Leader.

After his honorable service as a Combat Medic in the United States Army, he quickly learned that others were not able to transition into a civilian workforce and that a better system needed to be created.

By networking and learning about the 40,000+ Veteran Service Organizations in the U.S., he has been blessed to work with some amazing people. Alongside them, he gets to teach veterans how to connect with each other and find the resources available in their areas. This includes finding training, education, jobs, and careers.

He has been laser-focused on helping Veterans, their families, and supporters replace the benefits that they had while in the military. This includes SGLI (life insurance), TSP (saving/investments), and health coverage.

Specialties: Personal networking, professional speaking, keynote addresses, leadership, sales, marketing, team building, motivation, veteran networks, keeping my finger on the political pulse, and volunteering!

Key Points:

Did not served right after high school

Father was killed while on duty as a policeman when he was 5 years old

He left the Casinos at the age of 27 to join the Military as a Combat Medic

He was a great Medic with "magical" hands

Joined the local Chamber of Commerce when he got out

Surrounded himself with good people

Learn a lot of new processes in your life

You got to find your place

Calling all veterans to get involved, find a cause that you absolutely believe in

Do Delegate Delete Delay

Connect with Timothy:

Website:

stroudmarketing.com

https://veterans.vcbdone.com/

Group:

https://www.phantomsupport.org/

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

https://veteransbereal.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.

Navy Veteran Bryan Jacobs learned many of his kitchen skills growing up cooking alongside his grandfather, a former chef in World War II. They spent most of their summers together and in the mornings over coffee, hot chocolate, and cornflakes, they pondered the most important question of the day, which was what to make for dinner. They were practicing farm-to-table well before it became a modern-day trend.

During high school he took busboy and dishwasher positions. One day the sauté chef didn’t show up for work and Jacobs was asked to step in. The head chef was astonished by his talents and promoted him almost immediately.

Coming from a lineage of military veterans—his grandfather, father, uncles, and brother all served in different capacities—Jacobs’ interest was to go a different route and attend college. His grandfather urged him to enlist for just two years before continuing his formal education. Seven days after high school graduation, his grandfather passed away.

Jacobs excelled and ranked high in the military and was even cited for bravery in combat. The military teaches common sense, staying alive, working as a team, and brotherhood. What it doesn’t teach is how to get by in the real world. Jacobs explained that after serving the country, once veterans are back in the real world they often are unable to find work.

In 2014, Vets-2-Chefs was established as a non-profit. It falls under the umbrella of Vets- 2-Success, which are food and brew-focused programs, Jacobs created to help rehabilitate displaced veterans. The program is designed to inspire, mentor, educate, and acclimate vets who are homeless, giving them a life purpose while creating a positive impact in their local communities. (Credits to Edible Sarasota)

In this episode, Sgt. BeReal and Bryan Jacobs talks about the in-depth overview of a Navy Corpsman and a Marine. They also talked about Bryan's experience before his Service, during the Navy, and after the Navy.

Let's listen to them and know how Jacobs help veterans and at the same time provide service to people as a Chef.

Key Points:

Doesn't want to go to the Military because he wanted to go to college

Grew up with his grandfather who passed away 7 days after his High School Graduation

You can't have emotions in some situations when you are in Military duty

Combat trauma still affects us during our civilian life

Had about 34 different jobs before figuring it out

Became homeless because he was not ready to become a civilian

Failed because he doesn't know who he is

Lost his younger brother to veteran suicide

Connect with Bryan Jacobs:

Bryan Jacobs

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/chefbryanjacobs/

Vets 2 Success

https://www.facebook.com/Vets2success.org/

Website:

Reveille Meals

https://www.reveillemeals.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Reveillemeals/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/reveillemeals/

Non-Profit Organization:

Vets 2 Chefs

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

https://veteransbereal.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.

Air Force Veteran Dr. Rob Garcia is a Warrior Strategist. He is also a champion undeterred by circumstance, station in life, or obstacles.

He grew up up in a low-income family and failed out of high school and college. He set out on a path to inspire and lead from the front. He loves helping people to realize their purpose and to achieve far past what they thought possible.

After 8 books, 135+ interviews, starting a magazine, and winning a business award, he realized that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

In this episode, Sgt. BeReal talks to Rob about his transition out of the Military. Rob also suggests to get a job for a year and decide if you want to move on the entrepreneurial world.

Let's listen to them and get valuable information on how you can transition from the Military to civilian life the easy way.

Key Points:

Start your transition a year out

Get a job for a year and decide if you want to or can move on the entrepreneurial world

Build a revenue

Connect with Dr. Rob Garcia:

Website:

http://www.yournextlevelofsuccess.com/

Twitter:

@bluedragonrob

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/bluedragonrob/

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

https://veteransbereal.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.

Navy Veteran Michael Rannigan is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the human resources industry. He's a strong business development professional skilled in Negotiation, Business Planning, Operations Management, Coaching, and Sales.

In this episode, Sgt. BeReal talks to Michael about his experiences during and after Military life. Michael almost lost his wife and kids to divorce but bounced back. He found his first moment of clarity on his first PTSD networking thing, has been clean and sober for the last 5 years and it's the pinnacle of the greatest growth that he ever had in his life.

Let's listen to them and get valuable information on how to be successful after Military duty.

Key Points:

Had a little bit of animosity to Uncle Sam after he got out

Went into a large battle with himself

Drowned his sorrows in alcohol, really focused on drinking for 5 or 10 years

Almost lost his wife and kids to divorce

Renewed his faith with Jesus

Went on a marriage boot camp

Got sick and tired of being sick and tired

Been at war at an urban city, been at war at himself, been at war fighting for our country, been at war with addiction, been at war with alcohol

Found his first moment of clarity on his first PTSD networking thing

Whatever it takes, he won't go back to the way he used to live

5 years clean and sober and it was the pinnacle of the greatest growth that he ever had in his life

Connect with Michael:

Website:

Doc's Roofing

https://www.docsroofing.net/

Facebook:

Doc’s Roofing:

https://www.facebook.com/docsresidentialroofing/?ref=br_rs

USA Mobile Drug Testing of Dallas:

https://www.facebook.com/usamdtdallas/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/docs_roofing/

Groups:

Band of Brothers

The Rockwell Veterans Business Alliance

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

https://veteransbereal.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.

Army Veteran Chris Ellenburg is a North Georgia native, born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains. He joined the Army directly out of high school and served until December 2012, when he left the military with one goal in mind: to continue serving his country, by supporting our Armed Forces.

This is how Over the Edge Outdoors was born. As someone who grew up surrounded by the outdoors, Chris took his passion for nature and turned it into a way for our servicemen and women to build relationships and communities with those who shared their experiences.

In this episode, Sgt. BeReal and Chris talk about lifestyle change when you get out of the Military. They also discussed the importance of camaraderie and how to preserve its existence even when you are already out of the Military. They also pointed out that there will be challenges when you transition from the Military to civilian life.

Let’s listen to them and pick golden nuggets that can help us become the person that we want to be when we transition from Military duty to a civilian.

Key Points:

The brotherhood that you have in the Military is different from your relationships in civilian life

The feeling that you don't need help but realized that there is a community for him

Don't be too proud

The only unanswered questions are questions not asked

Getting out of the Military is a lifestyle change

The difference between your relationship with Military friends and veterans vs civilians

Camaraderie is very important

Challenges during transition

No question is a stupid question

Connect with Chris:

Website:

https://www.overtheedgeoutdoors.org/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/OverTheEdgeOutdoors/

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq616ytSHdZsvF8t-2Zg0cw

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

https://veteransbereal.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.

Steven Kuhn is a global business adviser, political consultant, and decorated U.S. Military veteran with a proven track record of success. Influential business and military leader, he has worked with businesses, politicians, and celebrities across the U.S. and Europe to help them harness the power of their influence.

He believes in combining transformational business tactics with the powerful guiding principles of Honesty, Integrity, and Transparency (H.I.T.) to help people get more from what they already have. By connecting more deeply with others, harnessing the power of relational capital, and activating dormant relationships, Steven helps people and businesses earn more, grow more, and do more.

In this episode, Sgt. BeReal talks to Steven about his transition out of the Military and the challenges that he encountered along the way. They also pointed out that getting a mentor and coach is the key to be successful in anything because mentors are like your battle buddies that keep you on track.

Let’s listen to them as they chat about Military transition so we can get priceless information to help us with our transition.

Key Points:

A good friend died in his arms

He has extreme PTSD but it’s still not a big deal before

Started his own cocktail bar without any money

Came out of the army, became the head executive of 3,500 employees, running a corporation in 9 countries

Helped brought South African Health Club chain in Germany

Lost his job and 3,500 employees all in 1 day

Always dare yourself to do the things that you love to do

Surround yourself with people that are smarter than you

Had a lot of challenges after Military life and almost put a bullet in his head

Dropped by a friend in a Monastery

Found his wife on the first day of business in Budapest

Honesty, Transparency, and Integrity

Getting a mentor or coach is key to be successful anywhere

A mentor is like your battle buddy

Don’t expect the same structures that you’re used to when you transition out of the Military

Find your identity and crystallize your purpose

Connect with Steven:

Website:

https://steven-kuhn.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/VetpreneurTribe/

Book:

Unleash Your Humble Alpha

https://humblealphabook.com/

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

https://veteransbereal.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.

Navy veteran Jose Palacios served as a damage control man in the Navy which is the equivalent of firefighters in the civilian world. He served abroad, stationed overseas in Japan, used to pick up Marines from Okinawa then drop them off in jungles. He also did 1 tour in the Middle East for 9 months.

In this episode, Sgt BeReal and Jose talked about how challenging it is to transition from the Military duty to civilian life. They also discussed that when you work overseas or get deployed overseas, you will lose touch with your network in the civilian sector. Jose said that the Officer-in-charge for the transition assistance program was stationed in Japan for 20 years and never lived in the USA but luckily, older veterans helped him a lot with his transition and eventually became mentors.

Let’s listen to them as they tackle very important details when you are transitioning and how to use the skills you have from the Military and incorporate it into what is equivalent to the job you are applying as a civilian.

Key Points:

Making a transition from Military duty to Civilian life is very challenging

When working overseas/deployed overseas, You have lost touch with your network in the civilian sector so basically you're starting from zero

The Officer in-charge for transition assistance program was stationed in Japan for 20 years and never lived in the US.

Older veterans help him a lot with his transitions and became mentors

Transition became bad for him because he was drinking a lot and spending too much cash on stupid things

Military teaches us to be flexible, adapt, overcome and thrive

Labor educator - help companies whenever union come in and try to organize,

Use the skills you have from the Military and incorporate it to what is equivalent to the job you are applying as a civilian

Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:

Website:

https://veteransbereal.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755

Please don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a 5 star written review on iTunes.