From Military Matters: SF Veteran and son extradited to Japan
Force for Hire
Former auto industry mogul Carlos Ghosn was smuggled out of Japan in true Hollywood heist movie fashion while awaiting trial for corporate fraud. Now Special Forces Veteran Mike Taylor and his son Peter have been extradited to Japan in connection with Ghosn's evasion of Japanese authorities.
info_outline
Coming soon: Military Matters
Force for Hire
Stay tuned for Military Matters, the new podcast from Stars and Stripes. Listen as U.S. Air Force veteran and Force for Hire host Desmon Farris and U.S. Army warrant officer Rod Rodriguez examine the topics that matter to service members, veterans, and the people and communities that support them. Subscribe now to Military Matters, launching in January 2020.
info_outline
Wrapping up, a look at key issues, and farewell
Force for Hire
The Force for Hire team looks back at the series and examines some key issues about the world of private military contracting.
info_outline
'Mercenary Mum' talks leaving military, joining contracting world
Force for Hire
Neryl Joyce was an Australian servicemember who turned to contracting when she wasn’t allowed to deploy with her fellow soldiers.
info_outline
Contractors: Asset or liability to nation's cybersecurity?
Force for Hire
Richard Clarke, special cybersecurity adviser to President George W. Bush joins us this week and addresses digital threats and how military contractors have helped and hurt U.S. national security.
info_outline
Fighting for justice in a lawless land
Force for Hire
This week Force for Hire welcomes Kimberley Motley, who has made a career out of fighting corruption in Afghanistan and has helped bring justice to those working to support the U.S. military.
info_outline
Dodging bullets, execution during rise of ISIS in Iraq
Force for Hire
Johann Raath talks about his experiences working in Iraq during the rise of ISIS and how he escaped death more than once – and came back for more.
info_outline
Fighting piracy on high seas often job for private military contractors
Force for Hire
Maritime security operations are complex. The mesh of international politics, private company procedures and the uncaring nature of the open seas make for a security situation best handled by professionals. More often than some may think, those professionals are private military contractors. It’s those security professionals often tasked with keeping vital shipping lanes open, fighting off threats and keeping the goods people worldwide depend on, safe. On this week’s episode of Force for Hire, we welcome aboard a pair of former Royal Marines – both maritime security experts...
info_outline
Kidnapping, death of US contractor leaves behind shattered family
Force for Hire
The day Russell Frost and two former American soldiers were kidnapped was an unusual one, even by the standards of 2016 Baghdad. What followed was 31 days of hell, a life lost far too soon and a family shattered by tragedy.
info_outline
The legend of 'Mad Mike' Hoare
Force for Hire
Michael Thomas Hoare has lived a life that, were it not endlessly documented, would seem a pastiche of barroom brags, urban legends and anecdotes lifted from mid-21st century military pulp fiction. Hoare, better known as “Mad Mike,” is a soldier of fortune. A mercenary. He has seen combat in multiple battles during World War II with the British army, and in numerous conflicts across the Congo and elsewhere. He recently celebrated his 100th birthday — apparently, living hard is no predictor of longevity. Hoare is a decorated combat veteran. He’s been an African safari guide, an...
info_outlineWith Force for Hire, we’ve covered the modern history of military and security contracting, talked to veterans of the industry and spoke to the families affected by the realities of the business.
Now, it’s time to find out what it takes to become a military contractor: the skills needed, the attitudes recruiters are looking for and what challenges veterans can expect to face when looking to make the leap into the industry.
Many veterans have designs on using the skills they’ve picked up in the service after hanging up the uniform. Private security and military contracting remains a high-profile landing spot for veterans, especially those in combat arms who might find their skill sets undervalued in a civilian workforce.
So how, exactly, does an infantryman make the change from servicemember to military contractor?
To get that information, we brought back Adam Gonzales, a military veteran who transitioned into the private military world. He and his wife, Susan Gonzales, also a veteran, now run the security and military company Silent Professionals.
Together with hosts Desmon Farris and Michelle Harven, they talk about what veterans and transitioning servicemembers can do to become better candidates in the private sector, dispel some common misconceptions and touch on what turns off potential recruiters.