Welcome to Your Next Mission®, the nation's number one video podcast on military transition and leadership! Hosted by the 12th Sergeant Major of the Army, Jack L. Tilley, we cover the real issues facing Veterans, Active Military, and their Families—from transition and financial wellness to VA benefits and mental health and much more.

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Sergeant Major (R) Alan E. Thomas Jr., a 25-year Army Veteran who proves it is never too late to invest in your education. After serving as a Combat Engineer, Infantry, and strategic operations across multiple deployments, SGM Thomas realized he needed to bridge the gap between tactical and strategic leadership. He shares his incredible journey of earning his degree through Purdue Global while juggling the demands of his family, emergency operations, and overseas deployments.

Now thriving as a Regional Program Manager at the Department of Homeland Security, SGM (R) Thomas shares invaluable advice on translating military experience into federal service, leveraging the "Principles of Flight" in daily leadership, and setting a lasting legacy for your family.

Don't let your past dictate your future. Start your next chapter today!🔔 Subscribe for more insights on military transition and leadership!💼 Looking for your next career?

Check out our job board in partnership with @RecruitMilitary and OPLIGN at YourNextMission.orgA special thank you to our presenting sponsors: Navy Federal Credit Union, Purdue Global, and USAA, with additional support from Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision.

1. What is the best video podcast for military transition and leadership?

2. How can Veterans translate military experience into civilian college credits?

3. What is it like going back to school as an adult military learner?

4. How do you balance Active Duty military deployments and online college?

5. Is Purdue Global a good university for Active Duty Military and Veterans?

6. How do retired Sergeant Majors transition into federal government jobs?

7. What skills help Veterans succeed at the Department of Homeland Security?

8. How can military leaders move from tactical to strategic leadership roles?

9. Does military training count toward a bachelor’s degree?

10. What advice is there for Veterans starting a second career later in life?

#MilitaryTransition #Veterans #ArmyVet #MilitaryLife #LifeAfterMilitary #VeteranSupport #Education

"No matter what happens in your life... you're still the same person and everybody still loves you and you're worthy of being loved."

In this powerful episode of Your Next Mission®, SMA (R) Tilley sits down with U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, two-time world champion, and Paralympic silver medalist, Dennis Connors. Dennis opens up about his nine years of service as a cryptologic linguist and counter-intelligence Marine, enduring three combat tours in Iraq, and the hidden struggles of severe PTSD and TBIs.

The conversation chronicles Dennis's incredible path to the world stage, detailing how he survived a severe second stroke in 2020 that left his left side paralyzed, only to fight through nine months of physical therapy and learn to race on a tricycle. Dennis also breaks down his "Four Pillars of Perseverance"—Vulnerability, Self-Love, Disciplined Action, and Community—a framework he uses to conquer adversity and set his sights on a gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.

How do Military Veterans overcome undiagnosed PTSD and TBI?

Who is Paralympic silver medalist Dennis Connors?

What are the Four Pillars of Perseverance by Dennis Connors?

How can Disabled Veterans transition into competitive adaptive sports?

What is the process for a Disabled Veteran to join the Paralympics?

How does endurance cycling help stroke survivors recover mobility?

What is it like racing a tricycle in the Paralympic games?

How did Marine Veteran Dennis Connors win a silver medal in Paris?

What resources are available for Veterans struggling with mental health crises?

How to qualify for Team USA adaptive sports programs?

Support Your Next Mission® & The American Freedom Foundation: Website: yournextmission.org Explore our Job Board in partnership with  ⁨  @recruitmilitary   and OPLIGN to build your profile and match with careers in real-time.

Follow SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Don't forget to click the SUBSCRIBE button and hit the BELL icon to receive notifications for all upcoming video podcasts, #1 Video Podcast for Military Transition and Leadership.

#YourNextMission #DennisConnors #TeamUSA #Paralympics #MarineCorps #StrokeSurvivor #AdaptiveCycling #Perseverance 

"We always say that we want to become the mentor that we wish we had."

In this episode of Your Next Mission® video podcast, SMA (R) Tilley sits down with Verenice Castillo, the inspirational Founder and CEO of the Military Spouse Advocacy Network (MSAN). Verenice shares her powerful journey from arriving in the U.S. as a 16-year-old immigrant to navigating 27 years of military life, facing profound isolation, and ultimately building a global 24/7 support network that serves over 4,000 active mentees.

Discover how MSAN is transforming younger generations of Military Families through secure peer-to-peer mentorship, mental health ally training, and crisis leadership programs. SMA (R) Tilley also reflects on his own 36 years of service, offering a heartfelt tribute to his wife and explaining why Military Spouses are truly the cornerstone of our military and an indispensable asset to national security.

CAN VETERANS ACTUALLY RECOVER FROM PTSD? 

June is National PTSD Awareness Month, and we are tackling the invisible wounds of war head-on. In this powerful episode of Your Next Mission® video podcast, host 12th Sergeant Major of the Army (R) Jack L. Tilley, engages in a raw, transparent dialogue with Dr. MaryBeth Goodman and BG (R) Michael P. Fleming from the Cohen Veterans Network (CVN).

Celebrating their 10th Year Anniversary, discover how Cohen Veterans Network is helping Veterans smash the mental health stigma and get "Back to Better" using targeted, fast-acting and evidenced based care models. From real success stories of overcoming moral injury to groundbreaking expansions on overseas U.S. military bases, this is the honest conversation about trauma, leadership, and family resilience the military community desperately needs.

Welcome to Your Next Mission®, the nation's number one video podcast on military transition and leadership. Hosted by 12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley, we tell the stories of those who served in the past and those serving today. From transition and financial wellness to VA benefits and mental health, we cover the real issues facing Veterans, Active Military, and their Families.

We want to hear from you! If you have a question, comment, or topic suggestion for a future episode, email us at[email protected] or call our hotline at844-241-1343.

 PTSD Care & Evidenced-Based Recovery

1. What does "Getting Back to Better" mean for Veterans with PTSD?

2. How long does short-term targeted PTSD therapy take for Soldiers?

3. What is the difference between EMDR and Prolonged Exposure for military trauma?

4. Can a Veteran experience complete remission from PTSD symptoms?

Cohen Veterans Network (CVN) Operations5. What is the Cohen Veterans Network and who qualifies for care?

6. Are there Cohen Veteran Network clinics on overseas military bases?

7. What is military cultural competency in mental health counseling?

Transition, Stigma, & Family Readiness8. Will seeking mental health treatment hurt my military career or promotion?

9. How does Veteran PTSD affect Military families and marriages after service?

10. What resources are available for transitioning Veterans facing moral injury?

The U.S. is celebrating their 251st Birthday, making it older than the very nation it defends! In this powerful episode of Your Next Mission® video podcast, host SMA (R) Tilley sits down with the Command Team of the legendary Eighth Army from Camp Humphreys, South Korea.LTG Joseph "Joe" E. Hilbert and CSM Jeffery D. Weaver discuss the "Ready to Fight Tonight" reality on the Korean Peninsula and how the U.S. Army is evolving for the next 251 years.In this episode, we also dive into:⭐ The 3-2-1 Model: How "Tour Normalization" is allowing Army families to thrive in Korea.⭐ Backbone University: A revolutionary joint-service NCO program including ROK partners and the U.S. Space Force.⭐ Shared Readiness: Why U.S. Soldiers are now attending ROK Ranger and Drone schools.⭐ A Historic Celebration: A ceremonial cake cutting honoring the Army’s 251st and America’s 250th milestones.⭐ The Tip of the Spear: What it really looks like to defend two homelands side-by-side.Welcome to Your Next Mission®, the nation's number one video podcast on military transition and leadership. 1. What is the mission of the U.S. Eighth Army in South Korea?2. What does "Ready to Fight Tonight" mean for Soldiers in Korea?3. What is the 3-2-1 assignment model for the U.S. Army?4. Is South Korea a good duty station for Army Families?5. What is Backbone University in Eighth Army?6. Can U.S. Soldiers go to the Republic of Korea (ROK) Ranger School?7. How do KATUSA Soldiers train with the U.S. Army?8. Is the U.S. Army older than the United States?9. How old is the U.S. Army on its birthday in 2026?10. How do forward-deployed troops celebrate the Army Birthday?⚡ SUBSCRIBE for more elite leadership insight 🌎 LEARN MORE: yournextmission.org#USArmy251 #8thArmy #KatchiKapshida #MilitaryLeadership #YourNextMission #JackTilley #Korea #ReadyToFightTonight #Veterans #NCOBackbone Video Chapters00:00 – Welcome to Your Next Mission®00:37 – SMA Tilley Introduces 8th Army Command02:08 – Meet LTG Joe Hilbert & CSM Jeffery Weaver04:15 – The Storied History of the "Amphibious Eighth"06:25 – Real-World Mission: Ready to Fight Tonight08:06 – Why Serving in Korea is Unlike Any Other Assignment11:13 – The New 3-2-1 Assignment Model (Tour Normalization)14:53 – Why Army Families Love the New Korea Model18:05 – The 70-Year U.S. and ROK Alliance20:25 – Backbone University: Joint NCO Excellence21:15 – U.S. Soldiers in ROK Ranger & Drone Schools25:57 – The Veteran and Retiree Community in Korea30:49 – Celebrating the U.S. Army’s 251st Birthday32:12 – Standing on the Shoulders of Giants34:56 – The Oath of Enlistment & The Constitution36:10 – 251st Birthday Cake Cutting Ceremony #KatchiKapshida!39:29 – Final Thoughts: Tip of the SpearHow to Join the CelebrationThe Army is encouraging units and individuals to get involved by downloading the official logos, sharing their personal Army stories, and participating in local events. You can find resources and download official materials at www.army.mil.

66% of Veterans struggling with thoughts of suicide have never spoken to anyone about it in their entire lives. In this powerful, full-length episode, SMA (R) Tilley sits down for an unforgettable, raw conversation with Keith Hotle, the CEO of  @StopSoldierSuicide   

Together, they dismantle the dangerous myths surrounding Veteran mental health, unpack the heavy psychological toll of transition isolation and share a heartbreaking lesson from the Sergeant Major’s own military career that every Leader and Family Member needs to hear.

Military Spouses make massive sacrifices, but how do you build a powerhouse career when you’re constantly relocating? In this episode of Your Next Mission® video podcast, SMA Tilley sits down with Nicole Leth—a resilient Military Spouse, public health expert, and current instructor at the U.S. Secret Service Health and Resilience Training Section.

Nicole shares her raw, "un-sugarcoated" journey navigating 27 years of military moves, handling the "bumpy" transition to civilian retirement with her Servicemember spouse, and how she went from directing Armed Forces Wellness Centers to training Federal Secret Service agents. If you are a Veteran, Military Spouse, or Servicemember preparing to transition, this episode is packed with essential advice on resilience, marriage communication, and maintaining your health under extreme stress.

In this special Memorial Day episode, on the number #1 video podcast on military transition and leadership, host 12th SMA(R) Jack L. Tilley sits down with fellow Vietnam Veteran Esteban Valenzuela, founder of the Law Offices of Esteban L. Valenzuela & Associates. 

In this deeply moving conversation, Esteban opens up about the darkness that swallowed him upon returning from war—from carrying weapons on the streets of California and battling severe addiction to a moment where he nearly took his own life. Discover how a brotherhood of Marines, a dedicated VA counselor, and a life-changing return trip to Vietnam hosted saved his life, transforming his perspective on Memorial Day from a dark, isolated nightmare into a beautiful celebration of family, gratitude, and remembrance.

Military retirement sounds like the finish line, but the next battle begins after you take off the uniform. Welcome to Your Next Mission®, the nation's #1 video podcast on military transition and leadership.

In this episode, host and the 12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley sits down with Stacy Holt,  @usaa   Military Affairs Director Spouse Engagement & 30+ year Marine spouse and the 15th MCPON (R) Russell L. Smith to pull back the curtain on the intense, unexpected, and often unsettling challenges of military retirement.

From the reality of financial readiness under the Blended Retirement System (BRS) to personal mental health battles post-command, this raw and honest conversation gives Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families the blueprint to survive and conquer their "second act."

On the second half of the episode where Master Chief Smith shares a jaw-dropping story about how USAA proactively hunts down active-duty Servicemembers to refund them thousands of dollars using the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) , and Stacy shares a raw, heart-wrenching account of how a single community event literally saved a military spouse's life.If you are Servicemembers, a Veteran, or a Military Spouse navigating life after service, this raw, honest, and vulnerable conversation will give you the blueprint to find your "second act" and remind you that you are never alone.👉 Looking for Your Next Career? Check out our Veteran job board in partnership with RecruitMilitary: https://yournextmission.org👉 Support our Veterans: Donate property or a used vehicle to support our work at the American Freedom Foundation: https://americanfreedomfoundation.org/donate

On this episode of the Your Next Mission® video podcast,SMA Tilley welcomes Jessica Manfre, LCSW — Military Events Manager at Recurrent Military, Director of MilSpouseFest, licensed therapist, author of Never Alone, and proud Coast Guard spouse of 21+ years. Jessica oversees 8+ MilSpouseFest events a year (presented by USAA) on bases across the country and now internationally and works alongside founder Curtez Riggs on the Military Influencer Conference (MIC).  

In this episode, Jessica and SMA Tilley dig into:  The biggest challenges facing Military spouses today (community, child care, mental health, employment). Why the Military Spouse is the ultimate force multiplier. How MilSpouseFest brings free, family-friendly programming to bases nationwide. Upcoming 2026 stops: Norfolk Naval Base May 12, Osan AB & Camp Humphreys South Korea Oct 20–21, and Puerto Rico in December. What MIC 2026 in Tampa really is (hint: "influencer" means LEADER, not TikTok dancer). Real talk on PCS, deployment, isolation, and finding your people. This year the MIC 2026, is September 23–26 at the JW Marriott in Tampa, FL, where nearly 4,000 attendees are expected. Whether you're a Servicemember, Veteran, Milspouse, Milpreneur, content creator, or military-connected brand, this is THE event of the year. 

Eligible to attend MilSpouseFest? Active, Guard, Reserve, AND Veteran Spouses — all welcome, kids included.

milspousefest.com | militaryinfluencer.com | yournextmission.org