Military Retirement Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Emotional Intelligence is key - MAJ (RET) Cynthia Brasfield - Overcoming all obstacles Jan 02, 2023

Show notes

CHAPTERS
00:00 - intro
03:47 - Morning Routine
08:40 - First joining the military
19:38 - The last 18 months before retirement - Getting passed over for LTC
24:12 - Why SFL-TAP is critical at 24 months and Finding your Retirement Services Officer (Army Reserve)
25:42 - Breaking down the MEB process, PEBLOs, IDES, NARSUMs, DA-3947
34:56:30 - Breaking down the PEB - VA disability ratings, DRSAC, DOD vs VA ratings, Tricare for life, CRDP, Early Retirement Reduced Age Policy (ADOS, MOB, etc post 2008)
45:02 - why it is important to answer your phone - Helping a 10 year Veteran finally get his retirement pay
53:24 - Resume writing class was the most important part of SFL-TAP
59:24 - The dire need for teachers out in the civilian world - troops to teachers no longer a thing
01:03:41 - planning as if you are not getting promoted - paying off all the bills 5 years out
01:07:27 - Financial readiness is the key wether new Soldier or retiring
01:12:08 - How to see promotion trends - knowing when you are going to be passed over
01:15:00 - Missing the bond and family unity in the military - and the ability to mentor they youth - helping just one Soldier can make the difference
01:21:41 - Emotional Intelligence - what is it?
01:26:10 - Legacy - Just be yourself
01:27:35 - The importance of mentorship - it could save someones life
01:33:23 - advice to your 16 year old self
01:35:44 - what is one book that had the most impact on your life?
01:41:01 - A personal tragedy and how I made it back to stable ground
01:51:31 - You are shaped by your adversities
01:53:20 - some parting words of wisdom - Get your 20 year letter, Plan for your civilian life, Don’t do stupid crap!, Take advantage of each day!, Be humble, patient, develop emotional intelligence.
02:07:45 - securing a job through indeed
Thanks to the following companies who help make this possible for me: Riverside.fm #riversidefm for their amazing software https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_2&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=john-mcconnell Aston Element microphones 🎤#astonelement https://www.astonmics.com/EN/product/mics/element-bundle and Zoom audio recoding PodTrak P4 portable recording solution for the crispy sound https://zoomcorp.com/en/us/podtrak-recorders/podcast-recorders/podtrak-p4/ Davinci Resolve: https://www.blackmagicdesign.comCapCut: https://www.capcut.comand to all the brave men and women out there still protecting our freedom 🫡 some links may result in commissions for the site

Military Retirement - Space A - SMSG Tondalaya Takapu - USAF Nov 17, 2022

Show notes

In this video Tondalaya discusses her experience with taking space a hops. She also talks about how her and her husband flawlessly managed her first Space A flight with her children.

We also dig into her career experiences as a minority entrepreneur in the engineering and scientific fields, and how she started Club Lab Rascals to help children learn about STEM. Tondalaya also discusses her experiences with early introduction and representation in the field, and how Club Lab Rascals strives to provide a hands-on experience for all students.

The best retirement thank you EVER! https://www.facebook.com/100020253502828/videos/1471854703281958/

Find Tondalaya here:

https://www.facebook.com/tondalaya.takapu.31

tondalaya@clublabrascals.com or check out her youtube channel @Club Lab Rascals STEM

Travis AFB - SRA Hunter Plain - Best customer service!!!

BWI - Mindenhal rotator now available

One wish for AMC: A central place to look up all flights across all terminals

https://poppinsmoke.com

information blog about retirement, space a travel and military life

https://rtttravel.com

travel agency for inter european trips and excursions

https://clublabrascals.com

introductory pre-k - 5 STEM education based in the DC metro area, working with local schools and youth organizations to increase awareness about STEM

Retirement - MSG (RET) Stacey Muñoz - From Homeless to Honor Guard - Resilience | Sublime being Nov 14, 2022

Show notes

TAA - Transition administrative absence. Participation in pre-separation job search and house hunting activities that facilitate relocation or transition of the Soldier to civilian life is authorized under this paragraph only for Soldiers being involuntarily separated from active duty under honorable conditions and Soldiers retiring from active duty. AR 600-8-10, Chapter 5.
ISAA - Involuntary separation. Soldiers retiring from active duty, and Soldiers being involuntarily separated from active duty under honorable conditions per 10 USC 1141, may be granted an involuntary separation administrative absence (ISAA) to carry out necessary relocation activities such as job search or residence search activities, unless doing so would interfere with mission requirements. AR 600-8-10, Chapter 5.
meditation + intention
french press coffee
military press
EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing- EMDR is a type of therapy with an eight-step process, in which the individual is asked to recall traumatic images while the therapist creates a sensory input, such as side-to-side eye movements or hand tapping.
the void of retirement
behavioral health “my life is like standing up in a hammock”
retirement sponsorship or lifecoach?
last active duty check is suspended until DFAS verifies that you have no outstanding debt to the government
The courage to tell your boss you need time to do your retirement appointments – What limits or beliefs we have that get in the way of self care during the retirement process
sunk cost fallacy
why can’t you start your retirement date on a Monday or a Friday?
Getting offered less money for a job because you have a retirement income
The fear of actually taking unemployment
building a hobby to battle the alone time - find out what you are passionate about
random acts of kindness
why being intentional about your retirement ceremony matters - or doesn’t
what gives you closure when retiring? 1:01:36
Master Resilience Training Program How to include our families into the transition process - Do we need a yellow ribbon program for transitioning military members and their families?
The feeling of awe in the vastness of the world
Walking to find peace in your day
Toastmasters - To improve your business accumen and learn how to speak better and be able to think on your feet better Simon Sinek - Together is Better
Brene Brown - Gift of imperfection
The Four Agreements
Mitch Albom - The timekeeper
Ryan Holiday - Obstacle is the way - (You can get autographed copies direct from the author here)
Ryan Holiday - Courage is calling (You can get autographed copies direct from the author here)
blended families
how to onboard people to mental health awareness and how that relates to onboarding people to the internet
how to solve the onboarding problem
addressing women's rights in modern society
“Make good choices”, “You’re enough, it’s figuroutable, and you’re not alone”

Transition and employment - Andres Blandon - signaljobs.org Nov 08, 2022

Show notes

A great discussion about many things to do with life after the military.

Sergeants Time Training

https://signaljobs.org

cisco certifications
learn from teaching
https://monster.com
168 hours a week - everyone has the same amount of time
nights and weekends
you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time around
human ability to see into the future
linkedin
audiobooks https://audible.com
Tai Lopez - library worth more than my lambo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv1RJTHf5fk
1-2 golden nuggets from a book - 1 book a day - 67 steps https://www.the67steps.com/
No Excuses - Brian Tracy
https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/no-excuses-en?r=1&st=no+excuse
“1000 different lessons to be successful, without discipline none of them will work”
analysis paralisis
The 5 AM Club - Robin Sharma
https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-5-am-club-en?r=1&st=the+5am+club
Learning how to use resources - time
the only non-renewable resource - time
average American watches 4-5 hours of TV a day
sunk cost falicy
2 types of happiness - in the moment or long term memory
The Happiness Advantage - Shawn Achor
https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-happiness-advantage-en
fight or flight
what is in my control?
The 10x Rule - Grant Cardone
https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-10x-rule-en?r=1&st=10x
Limitless - Jim Kwik
https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/limitless-en?r=1&st=limitless
Zig Ziggler - Power of positivity
jerimiah 29 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jeremiah+29&version=NIV
Learned Hopelessness
Eric Thomas
1 Thessalonians 5:16 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%205%3A16-18&version=NIV
John 8 - 31, 32 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+8%3A+31-32&version=NIV
Loss Aversion
Warren Buffet - “Don’t lose your money”
opportunity cost
80/20 analysis - Paretto’s Law
The 5 Love Languages - Gary Chapman
https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-5-love-languages-en?r=1&st=the+5+love+lan
Ray Dalio
Free Diving
Building your personal brand on Linkedin 100 DM’s at a time
Using job recruiters to 10x your application effort
Lockheed MartinNorthrup Gruman
General DynamicsL3
Harris
Space A Facebook groups

Links—

signaljobs facebook group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1915564248663542/about/

https://signaljobs.org
linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/company/signaljobs/

instagram

admin@signaljobs.org

Thanks to the following companies who help make this possible for me:

Aston Microphones: https://www.astonmics.com/

Zoom PodTrak P4: https://zoomcorp.com/en/us/podtrak-recorders/podcast-recorders/podtrak-p4/

Riverside FM: https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_2&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=john-mcconnell (Referral link)

Davinci Resolve: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com

CapCut: https://www.capcut.com

GOMO Retirement - MG(Ret) Joe Robinson - USAR Oct 31, 2022

Show notes

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Today I am sitting with MG (Ret) Joe Robinson (BIO at the bottom) - in this episode we discuss the GOMO retirement process, how it compares to everyone else who is retiring. We also talked a lot about Tricare and how to select between Tricare Prime or Tricare Select and what the tradeoffs are. MG(Ret) Robinson also gives a few insights on leadership. Please enjoy this conversation!

GOMO - General Officer Management Office - https://www.gomo.army.mil/public
Lines of Duty - https://tricare.mil/lod
ADOS - Active Duty Operational Support - https://www.usar.army.mil/ADOS/
Tricare gap when retiring - https://tricare.mil/CoveredServices/BenefitUpdates/Archives/4_23_19_Continuing_TRICARE_Health_Coverage_after_Retirement
SFL-TAP - https://www.armytap.army.mil/
USAJOBS - https://www.usajobs.gov/
"The highlight of my retirement ceremony - My 3 year old grandaughter presents me with rowing machine gloves"
https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fchiefmcconnell%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0xK61UCCg7546z6Gztdt4F8DJcGkumbhkdD2d34c5dZJgNTBksYRuG4Vx2q6SLxMXl
TRICARE select - https://www.tricare.mil/
Blended Retirement - https://militarypay.defense.gov/blendedretirement/
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-robinson-9a656a134/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/joe.robinson.52012548

Retired MG Robinson is a native of Lubbock, Texas.

He graduated Cum Laude from Monterey High School in Lubbock in 1978
Texas Tech University graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology in 1982.
From 1983-1987, Joe Robinson attended medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas.
He completed his residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Anesthesiology in 1991 with a clinical subspecialty in Obstetrical Anesthesia.
Joe Robinson is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology and maintains his medical licenses in Texas and California.
His professional associations include Texas Medical Association, American Society of Anesthesiologists, Bexar County Medical Society, and Texas Society of Anesthesiologists.
Joe Robinson's date of Federal Recognition is 1 July 1989.
Deputy Commanding General- Operations, at the 3D Medical Command, Deployment Support.
Commander 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support)
He is a 2011 graduate of the U.S. Army War College and in 2016 completed Advanced Joint Professional Military Education at the National Defense University.

His military awards and decorations are: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Expert Field Medical Badge, and Basic Parachutist Badge and Meritorious Unit Citation ribbon.

Joe Robinson resides in Boerne, TX. wife Sandy Whitaker.
They have a son, David, and a daughter, Rachel.

Big thanks to (not sponsors of the show) the tool makers who help me produce these shows:
Aston Microphones - Element - https://www.astonmics.com/EN/product/Mics/Element-Bundle
Riverside.fm (Affiliate) https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_2&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=john-mcconnell

From Infantry Ranger to Business Leader and Author - Louis Fernandez - Conus Battle Drills Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

Louis Fernandez
Author of Keep on Leading
Conus Battle Drills
Time in service, start and finish date 2004 - 2012
CPT Infantry Ranger Iraq Afghanistan (24) / Bronze Star
comes from: Florida currently lives: Arizona
Current position in the Civilian World: Independent Business Consulting
Notes:
University of Florida - 9/11
Patha Familias
ROTC
Surreal Experiences in war
PTSD
Band of Brothers - in your first fire fight… 82nd Airborne
1st year of military transition
Google to Microsoft vs Military to Civilian
Redefining your purpose
Military Accountability = Care
John Deere
Limiting financial strain after leaving the military
Caterpillar
Writing for therapy - your brain gives you permission to get rid of the baggage
Success and failure is not binary
Tom Brady can’t block - focus on your strengths not weaknesses
Learning how to fail successfully - is it learned behavior?
“You need to guard the thought and words you have about yourself, because you are listening” - Don’t talk bad about your self
Men are bad at taking complements (and criticism)
Fortune 100
Lean Manufacturing
“Using emotion & logic to drive purchasing decisions”
How economies work
Supply chain disruption
Space A: Rota - Naples
More take-offs than landings (US Army Airborne) Shannon, Ireland
Mentors - in personal and business life “Always be gathering information from people around you who you aspire to be like”
“Find the one or two golden nuggets in any book you read”
“Value relationships”
“Have integrity in everything you do”
“Men can take your property, they can take your freedom, they can take your life, but the one thing they cannot take is your principles”
Fort Hood Mental Health Department
Stoicism
Thermopylae - 300
Athenian and Spartan Warrior Ethos
Why college is important - or not
“If you are interested in a long term career in leadership in the corporate world, you are going to need it (a degree)”
“Don’t Be A Dick… And buy my book” :-P
Importance of personal branding
Linkedin Profile building to get more job offers
Examples of some great personal brands: Joe Rogan Elon Musk Joe Biden Donald Trump Trevor Noah
“Emotion drives decisions not facts”
Tactical Operations Center - TOC
Gig Line
The Bible (wikipedia) - Apologetics - Apologia
1 Peter 3:151
Corinthians 15 - the early Christian creed
Isiah 53 - Apologetics
John 3:16
The book of James - in its entirety
Matthew 28 - Make disciples
Jocko Willink - Extreme Ownership
Labradoodle/Hound
Marvel at nature
Multi-family real estate investing
Local charities in Tuscon Giving Tithings
“A lot of people want to evangelize all over the world, but miss the evangelical opportunity next door”
https://louisjfernandez.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-jonathan-fernandez/
https://twitter.com/conusbattle
https://www.conusbattledrills.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Keep-Leading-Louis-J-Fernandez/
Big thanks to: riverside.fm #riversidefm for their amazing software https://riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_2&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=john-mcconnell
Aston Element microphones 🎤#astonelement https://www.astonmics.com/EN/product/mics/element-bundle and
Zoom audio recoding PodTrak P4 portable recording solution for the crispy sound https://zoomcorp.com/en/us/podtrak-recorders/podcast-recorders/podtrak-p4/ and to all the brave men and women out there still protecting our freedom 🫡 some links may result in commissions for the site

Military Retirement - CW3(RET) Glen Mitchell - USAR Sep 12, 2022

Show notes

Shorter interview about Army Reserve Retirement - Recently retired CW3 Glen Mitchell tells us all about his journey through Reserve retirement, doing multiple Reserve retirement briefings, interfacing with Veterans Affairs even after just coming off of 29 days (or more) orders [ get your DD214 === go initiate your VA claims process], the civilian job market abd how to increase your odds of getting hired, beating the boredom by remaining active in the workforce or in your hobbies, and more.

Links and show notes:

MRE - Meal Ready to Eat

Voluntold - The exact opposite of volunteering. Always used in reference to an unpleasant task to which you have been assigned by your boss.

Additional Information:

Co-worker 1: I hear you got a transfer. Co-worker 2: Yeah. I didn't want to, but I was voluntold.

Build a list of contacts / networking in order to position yourself for a job

Keep yourself consistently engaged in something after leaving the military in order to fill the time gap

Affect change through taking action, not through planning

dev/null - This entity is a common inspiration for technical jargon expressions and metaphors by Unix programmers, e.g. "please send complaints to /dev/null", "my mail got archived in /dev/null", and "redirect to /dev/null"—being jocular ways of saying, respectively: "don't bother sending complaints", "my mail was deleted", and "go away".

Buying your spouse a retirement gift instead of buying yourself a retirement gift

Reservists having to do SFL-TAP every time you get a DD214

Build your own camaraderie structure outside of the military

“If it’s not a hobby, it’s going to run you over” - Glen Mitchell

“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” - Confucius

Warrant Officer Career Path - Why Warrant Officers have such a tight bond

Warrant Officer Career College - https://armyuniversity.edu/wocc/home

Master Resiliency Training/ Comprehensive Soldier Fitness - https://www.usar.army.mil/CSF/

Army Reserve (and National Guard) - Apply for VA benefits after mobilization - https://www.benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/benefits-summary/SummaryofVANationalGuardandReserve.pdf

VA website - check the box - Im applying - https://www.va.gov/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/glen-mitchell-7721a95/

Boston, Massachusettets

Socialize your German Shepherds and hug your Pugs

Military Retirement Podcast (Trailer) Sep 11, 2022

Show notes