The Soldier for Life Podcast

Latest Episodes:

S16E10 Is the Survivor Benefit Plan Right For You? Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

We talked in detail about what the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) is on our last Soldier for Life Podcast episode, so this week, we are going to dig deeper and discuss the factors that you need to consider in making your decision about whether or not to participate in the SBP as we sit down again with Patty Cruz, the Deputy Director of Army Retirement Services and the Army Survivor Benefit Plan Program Manager.

➡️ SFL Website SBP Decision page - https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Army-Retirement/Retirement-Planning/Survivor-Benefit-Plan-Decision

S16E9 Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) 101 Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) provides peace of mind to Retired Soldiers and their families by providing a portion of a Retired Soldier's retired pay to their survivors after the Soldier dies. Learn more about how SBP works and the decisions that you need to make about it during your Army retirement planning process on this week's Soldier for Life Podcast episode as we talk with Patty Cruz, the Deputy Director of Army Retirement Services and the Army Survivor Benefit Plan Program Manager.

➡️ SFL Website SBP Decision page - https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Army-Retirement/Retirement-Planning/Survivor-Benefit-Plan-Decision

S16E8 U.S. Army Reserve Private Public Partnership (P3) Program Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

The U.S. Army Reserve Private Public Partnership (P3) program provides one-on-one, personalized assistance to Army Reserve Soldiers, family members, and veterans to help them find meaningful employment with the help their Army Reserve Employment Specialists (ARES) across the country. Learn more on this week's new Soldier for Life Podcast episode as we chat with the Director of the P3 Office, Mr. Michael Masley, and P3's ARES for Oregon and Washington state, Mr. Ocean Ulugaono.

U.S. Army Reserve P3 Program - https://www.usar.army.mil/P3

S16E7 U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

The U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps – or Army JROTC – program offers amazing and life-changing experiences for America's youth AND for our Soldiers for Life (including eligible veterans, Retired Soldiers, and currently-serving Reserve Component Soldiers) who can continue their service outside of uniform and give back to their communities as JROTC instructors.

Learn more about everything that Army JROTC has to offer on this week's Soldier for Life Podcast episode as COL Sam Frazier and Maria Bentinck sit down with COL Lee Evans, the Director of the Army JROTC program.

And learn more about Army JROTC at https://usarmyjrotc.army.mil!

S16E6 American Corporate Partners (ACP) Feb 24, 2026

Show notes

Ever wonder why we talk so much about networking and the importance of having a mentor when it comes time to find post-military employment?

Find out in this week's Soldier for Life Podcast as we talk with Leslie Coffey, the Vice President of Military Engagement for American Corporate Partners (ACP), about the important roles mentorship and networking play in helping transitioning Soldiers, veterans, and military spouses find their next career.

S16E5 Vet Tix Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

Vet Tix provides free tickets to sporting events, concerts, performing arts, educational, and family activities to service members, veterans, and Gold Star Families, giving them positive family and life experiences during and after their years of service to our country.

Learn more about Vet Tix and the work that they do to support our military and veteran families on this week's Soldier for Life Podcast as we sit down with Steve Weintraub, the Chief Strategy Officer for Vet Tix.

S16E4 Operation Homefront Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

Operation Homefront provides relief and recurring family support programs and services to help military and veteran families overcome short-term difficulties, including critical financial assistance, housing assistance, the Back to School Brigade, the Holiday Toy Drive, Holiday Meals for the Military, the Military Child of the Year Award, and more!

Learn more about the work that Operation Homefront does to help support our military and veteran families on this week's Soldier for Life Podcast episode as we chat with U.S. Navy Rear Admiral (Ret.) Alan Reyes, the President and CEO of Operation Homefront.

S16E3 Getting to Know Soldier for Life, Army Retirement Services, and the SFL Mindset Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

Want the inside scoop about the U.S. Army Soldier for Life program and the Army Retirement Services Office? And why the Soldier for Life Mindset is so important?

On this week's all new #SoldierForLifePodcast episode, COL Samantha Frazier (the Director of the Soldier for Life Program) and Maria Bentinck (the Director of Army Retirement Services) give you the 411 about our two programs that share an office space, social media platforms, a website, and a passion for taking care of our Soldiers for Life and promoting the Soldier for Life Mindset!

S16E2 Applying for Your Reserve (Non-regular) Army Retired Pay Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

An extremely important piece of information that every retiring United States Army Reserve or Army National Guard Soldier needs to know is that they MUST APPLY to receive their retired pay - this is NOT automatic.

On this week's all new Soldier for Life Podcast episode, host Maria Bentinck, the Director of Army Retirement Services, talks with LTC John Broderick, the Chief of the Gray Area Retirements Branch for the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, about the steps that you need to take to ensure that you receive your Reserve Component retired pay.

Here are some of the important resources mentioned in the podcast:

👉 HRC GAR Website – https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Gray%20Area%20Retirements%20Branch

👉 Army Service Center – 888-ARMY-HRC

👉 Contact Your RSO – https://soldierforlife.army.mil/About-Us/Contact-Your-RSO

S16E1 Reserve Component Retirement Planning Sep 09, 2025

Show notes

Are you thinking about your United States Army Reserve or Army National Guard retirement? If so, this Soldier for Life Podcast episode is one you don't want to miss!

Join host Maria Bentinck, the Director of Army Retirement Services, as she chats with LTC Stephanie Hill, the Branch Chief of the Army Reserve Retirement Services Office, and MAJ Amanda Waller, the Section Chief of Army National Guard Retirement Services, about everything you need to know for your non-regular, or reserve, Army retirement.

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