The Soldier for Life Podcast

The U.S. Army Soldier for Life Podcast shares information about the many employment, education, health and wellness, and Army retirement resources that are available to Soldiers, veterans, and their families (plus much more!).

S15E2 NPower: Tech Training for the Military Connected Community 02/11/2025

S15E2 NPower: Tech Training for the Military Connected Community NPower offers free virtual tech training programs, job placement assistance, and professional development opportunities for military and veteran families. Learn more as we sit down with Kendra Parlock, the Vice President of Partnership Development for NPower. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/35101430

S15E1 MyArmyBenefits 01/14/2025

S15E1 MyArmyBenefits The MyArmyBenefits website is the U.S. Army’s official one-stop shop for information about all of the federal and state benefits that Soldiers, veterans, and their families have earned from serving their country in the United States Army. The website even includes planning calculators to help with things like Army retirement, survivor benefits, and deployment! Learn all about this fantastic resource as we chat with the Program Manager for the MyServiceBenefits Program in the Army Retirement Services office, Ms. Chelsea MacDougall. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/34729380

S14E13 From Military to Manufacturing: Heroes MAKE America 11/26/2024

S14E13 From Military to Manufacturing: Heroes MAKE America The Manufacturing Institute's Heroes MAKE America program provides training and resources to help prepare individuals in the military and veteran communities for careers in the manufacturing industry. On today's Soldier For Life Podcast, we chat with Amy Thomas, the National Director of the Heroes MAKE America program, about their efforts to build a pipeline of military-trained and industry-certified candidates for manufacturers around the country. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/33837097

S14E12 National Veterans Small Business Week 11/12/2024

S14E12 National Veterans Small Business Week National Veterans Small Business Week is November 11-15, so today, we are talking about the importance of celebrating NVSBW AND all of the fantastic resources that the United States Small Business Administration offers to help our military families on their entrepreneurial journey. Our guest on the show is Mr. Robert Yannuzzi, the SBA's Assistant Administrator for its Office of Veterans Business Development. Links mentioned in the podcast: NVSBW - SBA OVBD Veterans Resources - /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/33818338

S14E11 Resources for Entrepreneurs from the USPTO 10/22/2024

S14E11 Resources for Entrepreneurs from the USPTO The U.S. Patent and Trademark office offers numerous resources for entrepreneurs in the military community to help them make their business ownership dreams a reality. Learn more about what the USPTO can do for you as a new or future military-connected business owner from this week's Soldier For Life Podcast discussion with the USPTO's Christina Whitaker. And be sure to visit the USPTO's Entrepreneurship Resources page for links to the many resources they offer for the military community at ! /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/33508137

S14E10 Pursuing Your Education with Service to School 10/08/2024

S14E10 Pursuing Your Education with Service to School Are you a Soldier or veteran who is interested in pursuing an education degree? Then this brand new Soldier For Life Podcast episode is just for YOU! Tune in to hear our discussion with Service to School CEO Alec Emmert about the free college and grad school application counseling, mentorship, and resources they offer to veterans and service members. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/33289802

S14E9 Combating Suicide Through Connections and Hope 09/24/2024

S14E9 Combating Suicide Through Connections and Hope Every life that is lost to suicide is one life too many. On this week's all new Soldier For Life Podcast, we talk to mental health advocate and motivational speaker David Woods Bartley about his struggles with depression, mental health, and suicide; and about how connection leads to hope, and hope saves lives. Resources mentioned in the podcast: 👉 988 Lifeline - 👉 Veterans Crisis Line - call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or visit (resources and online chat) 👉 /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/33075032

S14E8 Army Emergency Relief 09/10/2024

S14E8 Army Emergency Relief Army Emergency Relief, the official nonprofit of the United States Army, has been Supporting Soldiers and their Families Since 1942 through grants, interest-free loans, and scholarships. Learn more about the important work that AER does to support our Army Family on this week's all new #SoldierForLifePodcast as we talk with Tony Grinston, the Chief Executive Officer of AER and the 16th Sergeant Major of the Army (Ret.). Get more information and donate to AER at . /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/32878966

S14E7 The Coffee Bunker 08/27/2024

S14E7 The Coffee Bunker Having a battle buddy or a tribe for support is just as important when you're making the transition into the civilian world as it was when you were serving. On this week's Soldier For Life Podcast, we chat with Dr. Robby Hedrick, the Director of Transition Services for the Coffee Bunker, an organization that refers to itself as a tribe, battle buddy, or wingman for military and veteran families in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area and beyond as they move into the civilian world. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/32578257

S14E6 Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services 08/13/2024

S14E6 Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services On this week's Soldier For Life Podcast episode, we talk with U.S. Marine Corps COL (Ret.) Duncan Milne, the President of Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, about the work that Dixon Center does to help organizations across the country improve the lives of our military and veteran families. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/32480752

S14E5 Soldier On: Ending Veteran Homelessness 07/23/2024

S14E5 Soldier On: Ending Veteran Homelessness Soldier On is a nonprofit organization based in western Massachusetts that is committed to ending veteran homelessness by providing needs-based housing, direct supportive services, and temporary financial assistance to veterans who are at-risk of homelessness. Listen as COL Jarrett Thomas chats with Soldier On CEO, Mr. Bruce Buckley, about Soldier On and its efforts to help put an end to veteran homelessness. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/32122912

S14E4 Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army Program 07/09/2024

S14E4 Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army Program Have you met your CASA yet? Civilian Aides to the Secretary of the Army are civilian business and community leaders from each U.S. state and territory that are appointed by the Secretary of the Army to advise and support Army leaders across the country. Learn more on this week's all new #SoldierForLifePodcast as we chat with the director of the CASA Program, Ms. Angie RItz, and CASA Angela M. Odom (Georgia - North) and CASA Mabry E. “Bud” Martin (North Carolina - Central) about the important role that CASAs play as a bridge between the Army and communities across America. Find out more information about the CASA Program at https://www.army.mil/casa. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/32022767

S14E3 Healing Through Humor 05/28/2024

S14E3 Healing Through Humor We have a high-impact, high-energy Soldier For Life Podcast for you this week to help close out Mental Health Awareness Month, and it is one that you definitely do NOT want to miss! Join us as we talk with stand-up comedian, motivational speaker, suicide prevention advocate, Certified Humor Professional, CEO of the Best Medicine Brigade, President and Founder of HEAL*ARIOUS, AND the creator and former host of the Soldier For Life Podcast, LTC (Ret.) Robin Johnson (we almost ran out of space there!), about her new mission to heal people with humor. This episode includes discussions on everything from the mental health benefits of humor to inside secrets about Robin's comedy career to fantastic advice for transitioning Soldiers to FUN-erals (yes, we learned that was a thing), so be sure to listen all the way to the end! /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/31472207

S14E2 Military Spouse Employment Initiatives with LTG Kevin Vereen, Army DCS, G-9 05/14/2024

S14E2 Military Spouse Employment Initiatives with LTG Kevin Vereen, Army DCS, G-9 Keeping our military spouses happy is obviously important on many levels, but making sure that they have access to meaningful employment also plays a critical role in Army readiness and retention. On this week's all new SFL Podcast, COL Jarrett Thomas got the chance to sit down with LTG Kevin Vereen, the U.S. Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-9, to talk about the many ways the Department of Defense and the Army are working to help improve the quality of life of our military families and, more specifically, the employment opportunities for our military spouses. Resources mentioned during the podcast: ✅ Army Quality of Life Spouse Employment Resources - ✅ Army Spouse Employment Toolkit - ✅ Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot - ✅ Military Spouse Employment Partnership - ✅ Military OneSource Spouse Education and Employment Guides - ✅ USAJOBS - /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/31201967

S14E1 Our Community Salutes 03/26/2024

S14E1 Our Community Salutes Our Community Salutes helps communities around the country recognize, honor, and support high school seniors who are enlisting in the U.S. military after graduation. Learn more on this week's all new Soldier For Life Podcast as SFL's Director, COL Jarrett Thomas, talks with the President and Founder of OCS, Dr. Ken Hartman. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/30497598

S13E11 MilGears 12/12/2023

S13E11 MilGears MilGears is a customized career-building tool offered by the U.S. Department of Defense that is designed to help service members, veterans, potential Soldiers, their family members, and more plan and achieve their career goals by highlighting career possibilities and helping them visualize how to reach those goals. Learn more on this week's brand new Soldier For Life Podcast as MSG James Wire chats with Mr. Keith Boring, the Acting Division Director of Strategy, Innovation, Credentialing, and Voluntary Education for the Naval Education and Training Command. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/28945818

S13E10 Hiring Our Heroes 11/28/2023

S13E10 Hiring Our Heroes On this week's Soldier For Life Podcast, we talk with Hiring Our Heroes Senior Director COL (Ret.) Adam Rocke about the resources and opportunities Hiring Our Heroes offers to help connect the military community with meaningful employment opportunities. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/28804638

S13E9 Veteran Shark Tank 11/14/2023

S13E9 Veteran Shark Tank Veteran Shark Tank was created in 2012 to promote and assist veterans who are starting or growing their businesses. This year's pitch competition is happening next month on December 4, 2023. On this week's Soldier For Life Podcast, we talk with Veteran Shark Tank Founder Alex Archawski and 2022 Veteran Shark Tank winner and CEO of TORCH Warriorwear Haley Marie McClain Hill about the Veteran Shark Tank experience and what it takes to be an entrepreneur. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/28507523

S13E8 Moving Your Business When You PCS 10/24/2023

S13E8 Moving Your Business When You PCS If you have your own business while your family is serving in the military, what do you do when it's time for a PCS move? On this week's Soldier For Life Podcast, we talk with two military spouse entrepreneurs, Lizann Lightfoot and Lauren Hope, about how to move your business when you PCS. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/28376126

S13E7 Universal Technical Institute and BMW MSTEP 10/10/2023

S13E7 Universal Technical Institute and BMW MSTEP The Universal Technical Institute (UTI)/BMW Military Service Technician Education Program (MSTEP) is a 16-week on-post Career Skills Program at Fort Liberty and Camp Pendleton that trains transitioning service members to become Certified BMW Technicians. Learn more about UTI and MSTEP on this week's all new Soldier For Life Podcast as we chat with UTI VP of Military Admissions John Decoteau and BMW of North America Military and STEP Recruiting Manager Robert Witte. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/28201841

S13E6 RecruitMilitary 09/26/2023

S13E6 RecruitMilitary RecruitMilitary connects employers to military community job seekers via recruiting, career fairs, a job board, and career services that are free of charge to the military community. Learn more on this week's Soldier For Life Podcast as we chat with RecruitMilitary CEO and Army veteran Tim Best. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/28105394

S13E5 Being A Military Spouse 09/12/2023

S13E5 Being A Military Spouse We all agree that military spouses are the backbones of our military families. But what is it really like to be a military spouse? On this week's #SoldierForLifePodcast, we talk with three military spouses - Laura Torres, Lydiah Owiti, and Laura Abubekr - about the highs, lows, challenges, and victories military spouses face every day. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/27957264

S13E4 Military Family Financial Readiness 08/22/2023

S13E4 Military Family Financial Readiness Financial readiness. We all know this is vital, but how many of us can say that we - and our military families - are fully prepared? On this week's Soldier For Life Podcast, we have a fantastic discussion with Sarah Bumgardner, the Director of Partnerships and Member Engagement for the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association, about what it means to be financially ready, why this is so crucial for military families and military spouses, and (most importantly) the steps we need to take to ensure that our families are financially sound. Resources mentioned during the podcast: 👀 AAFMAA Transition Timeline - 👀 MilSpouse Money Mission - 👀 U.S. Department of Defense Office of Financial Readiness - /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/27758478

S13E3 Military Transition Roundtable 08/08/2023

S13E3 Military Transition Roundtable We've got another military transition resource for you on this week's all new Soldier For Life Podcast! In this episode, SFL's Employment Director, LTC Ismael Ortizrivera, talks with Matt Scherer, the President of the Military Transition Roundtable, about the networking, support, and community-building opportunities and resources the Military Transition Roundtable provides to transitioning service members and veterans to help them navigate the transition process. (And as an extra bonus, there is a great discussion about LinkedIn and how to optimize your profile for networking, job searching, telling your story, and more!) /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/27612804

S13E2 Easterseals DC MD VA Series - Part 3: Veteran Staffing Network 07/25/2023

S13E2 Easterseals DC MD VA Series - Part 3: Veteran Staffing Network The Easterseals Veteran Staffing Network connects employers with military talent and helps veterans and their spouses find meaningful jobs. Learn more from this week's all new #SoldierForLifePodcast as we talk with David Muir, Jr., the Senior Vice President of the Veteran Staffing Network, in the third and last episode in our Easterseals DC MD VA #SFLPodcast series. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/27548850

S13E1 Syracuse University Online Learning 07/11/2023

S13E1 Syracuse University Online Learning Are you interested in pursuing an educational degree or certificate but aren't sure how because of your busy military lifestyle? Or are you interested in obtaining a professional certification? On this week's Soldier For Life Podcast, we talk with Liz Green, the Executive Director of the Office of Online Student Success at Syracuse University, and Michael Schoeneck, the National Program Director for Onward to Opportunity with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, about flexible online degree, certificate, and professional certification opportunities available to the military and veteran communities through Syracuse University. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/27400761

S12E12 ForgeNow 06/20/2023

S12E12 ForgeNow Interested in pursuing a career in the trades after your transition out of the Army? On this week's Soldier For Life Podcast, we talk with ForgeNow, a Texas-based authorized U.S. Department of Defense SkillBridge and U.S. Army Career Skills Program provider that offers 8-week hands-on HVAC Maintenance Technician and Electrical Wiring training programs. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/27194895

S12E11 FourBlock 06/06/2023

S12E11 FourBlock This week's Soldier For Life Podcast features a discussion with FourBlock, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans and military spouses build meaningful professional relationships and prepare for future employment via its in-person and online career readiness programs. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/26989728

S12E10 Learn Design Apply: Grant Writing for Military Spouses 05/23/2023

S12E10 Learn Design Apply: Grant Writing for Military Spouses Military spouses...are you looking for a new career or side gig that is flexible enough to fit your military lifestyle? On this week's #SoldierForLifePodcast, SFL's Employment Director, LTC Ismael Ortizrivera, chats with Katrina Tysinger and Sarah Rezac from Learn Design Apply about how grant writing could be an excellent option and fit for military spouses who are looking for flexible, remote, or portable work opportunities. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/26788320

S12E9 Easterseals DC MD VA Series - Part 2: Mental Health 05/09/2023

S12E9 Easterseals DC MD VA Series - Part 2: Mental Health In this episode of our Easterseals DC MD VA #SoldierForLifePodcast series, SFL's Health and Wellness Director, MAJ Katherine Little, talks about mental health with Grace Caulfield, Easterseals DC MD VA Vice President and Clinic Director of the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals, with a focus on the most common behavioral health issues that transitioning military and their families face, the perceived stigma in the military community when it comes to seeking care, and mental health resources for the military and veteran communities. /episode/index/show/usarmysoldierforlife/id/26580285

The Soldier for Life Podcast

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