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!

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.

If you are going through the Army medical retirement/separation process (we're including Soldiers, their families AND their Army commanders in that "you"), there is a LOT to know and do, but like everything we talk about, there are MANY resources out there to help.

And on this week's all new Soldier for Life Podcast, Mr. Lemuel (Lem) Chance from the U.S. Army Physical Disability Agency walks you through everything that you need to know about medical retirements and separations.

A few of the key resources that were mentioned during the podcast are included below:

👉 Army Physical Disability Agency - https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/US%20Army%20Physical%20Disability%20Agency or 210-221-3046

👉 Army Service Center - https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Army%20Service%20Center or 888-ARMYHRC (276-9472)

👉 Army Recovery Care Program - https://www.arcp.army.mil

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

PENFED Foundation has a mission to serve our service members and alleviate financial worry for themselves and their families. The PENFED Foundation empowers military service members, veterans, and their communities by helping them on their entrepreneurial journey. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Gen. (Ret) John Nicholson, President of PENFED Foundation on how our service members can start their own business with the right tools. 

Creating communities to support veterans and their needs is just one important piece of the Soldier Life Cycle. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Mr. Karl Monger, Executive Director of GallantFew on the importance of mentorship and how to prepare for your own transition. GallantFew aids veterans by providing one-on-one mentorship, facilitating a peaceful and successful transition from service to civilian life. 

What do you wear for work? For those of in the military, the answer is simple... a uniform! We know once you hang up your uniform, the question about what do I wear today can been daunting and frustrating. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Mr. Rob Rens the Vice President of Suiting Warriors on the importance of dressing for success. Suiting Warriors believes in creating a positive impact on our military community with our veterans dressed to succeed and looking the part.

Health Insurance and understanding what's available to you beyond your time in uniform is a critical part of your health and wellness well-being. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Mr. Edward Simmer the Chief Medical Officer for Tricare Health Plans about understanding what options are available for you and your family. Securing a job after your transition is important, but don't neglect your health care coverage! 

Transitioning from the military is more than just taking off your uniform. To be successful in your own transition, you need to know what is your talent? Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Mike Sarraille the CEO of EF Overwatch, and George Randle the managing partner of EF Overwatch on understanding the strategic importance of talent and human capital. 

Association of Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE) connects our military spouse entrepreneurs with the tools and resources needed to become successful in launching and growing their businesses. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Flossie Hall about how to launch, build, or scale your business.

Network, network, network! You hear this all the time. But how do you network and how do you build your brand on social media? Do you need to be a business? Do you need to be an expert to be savvy with social media? Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Rich Cardona on the simple tools you need to effectively network and build your brand on social media. 

It's the Holiday season and for our deployed military community it's a time where organizations like the USO step up to create Holiday Cheer. This year as the world changed due to COVID-19, the Holidays are different for everyone. The impact to our deployed means the annual USO show will be virtual. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Mr. Christopher Plamp the Senior Vice President for Operations, Programs, and Entertainment. Since 1941, the USO has been the nation's leading organization to serve our service members and their families both home and away. Keep our deployed members in your thoughts this holiday season. 

The Army Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) Program is a strategic partnership between the U.S. Army and a cross-section of corporations, companies, and public sector agencies. The program provides America's youth with an opportunity to serve their country while they prepare for their future. PaYS Partners guarantee Soldiers an interview for possible employment after their Army service. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Mr. Antonio Johnson, Army PaYS Program Manager about the opportunities for companies looking to hiring our transitioning service members. 

The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) launched in June 2011 to serve U.S. veterans and their families. Through their various programs and curriculum, IVMF enables service members and their spouses to transition from military service to a life beyond their uniform. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak to Ms. Maureen Casey the Chief Operating Officer for IVMF on the various programs, and opportunities that are available to the military community. IVMF can assist with a service member's transition, entrepreneurship, and education goals.  

Are you planning for your U.S. Army retirement? If so, this week's Soldier for Life Podcast episode includes everything that you will need to know for your retirement planning journey!

Listen as CW3 (Ret.) Lynn Peterson - the RSO Program Manager for the Army Retirement Services Office and our all-around retirement planning guru - shares LOADS of information and resources about planning steps, retirement resources and where to find them, major things to consider (including financial considerations, employment, healthcare, retirement locations, family considerations), veteran benefits, and SO much more!

There were WAY too many great resources and links to websites/pages included in the podcast to include them all in this post, but here are a few to get you started (be sure to listen all the way through so you don't miss any of the fabulous resources that are available to you!):

👉 SFL Website Retirement Planning Section/Pages (including checklists, Retirement Planning Guides, briefing slides, Change of Mission newsletter, SBP information, and MUCH more) - https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Army-Retirement/Retirement-Planning

👉 MyArmyBenefits Website - https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil

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

Flags of Valor is a veteran-owned company that gives back to our military community. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with co-founder Brian Steorts about their mission and their dedication to our service members and their families. 

Flags of Valor was founded on the simple truths that veterans deserve the opportunity, made in America matters, and we should never stop giving back.  Since our earliest days, we've been dedicated to Remembering, Employing, and Empowering our Heroes. We are far more than a veteran-run business...we are a business that is simply dedicated to serving.

Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Terrence Hayes, the Director of Communication for The Veterans of Foreign Wars. The VFW of the United States is a nonprofit veterans service organization comprised of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, guard, and reserve forces. Today, membership stands at more than 1.5 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary. The VFW is instrumental in establishing the Veterans Administration, development of the national cemetery system, the passing of a GI Bill for the 21st Century, giving expanded educational benefits to America's active duty service members, and members of the guard and reserves, they are the driving force behind the Veterans Access and Accountability Act of 2014, and continually fight for improved VA medical centers services for women veterans.

PsychArmor a nonprofit organization offers critical resources to Americans so they can effectively engage with and support military service members, veterans, and their families. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Dr. Denise Cooper about the online training videos provided by national subject matter experts. Find out how these educational courses educate the civilian community about our military culture and how they can help. 

Are you currently serving and enlisted but have goals to become a medical doctor? If you ever thought about going to medical school, but worry about the cost, the courses, and how you can support your family at the same time? Then you need to listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with the experts at the Uniformed Services University on their Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program.

The Enlisted to Medical Degree Preparatory Program (EMDP2) is a partnership between the Uniformed Services University and Armed Forces. This 24-month program will enable highly qualified enlisted service members to complete the preparatory coursework for application to medical school while maintaining an active duty status.

Program components includes full-time coursework in a traditional classroom setting (in the Washington, D.C. area), structured pre-health advising, formal Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) preparation, dedicated faculty and peer mentoring at USU, and integrated clinical exposure. Upon completion, the successful student should be a competitive applicant to medical school.

Get connected to military community resources. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with co-founder of Bourbiz, Scott Davidson.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Veteran Success Resource Group (VSRG) partners with BOURBIZ to host expos in cities across the United States. Free of charge to veterans and their families, each expo connects hundreds of veterans with dozens of businesses, universities, government agencies and veteran service organizations (VSOs) in a casual environment.

BourBiz designs events that reach junior enlisted members, both current and former. These men and women make up the bulk of our armed forces, but can be some of the most difficult to connect with resources. By offering an environment with live entertainment, prize giveaways, business competitions, celebrity appearances, camaraderie and spirits, BourBiz creates events that engage these veterans.

Want to know more about your educational opportunities while serving in the Army? Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Sophia Sweeney of a great opportunity to pay for credentials that can enhance your skills and qualifications both during and after military service!  The Army Credentialing Assistance (CA) Program can pay for courses and exams that lead to industry-recognized civilian credentials in an occupational area of your choice. You may use this program to enhance your skills, either in your current MOS, or in an occupation you would like to pursue when you leave military service. You can request CA funding for any credential listed on Army COOL.

What is a Warrior Poet? Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with founder John Lovell on what it means to be a Warrior Poet. Warrior Poets are everywhere and they have spanned the centuries. Warrior Poets are in our police departments, all across our military, as federal agents, in the workplace, in EMS, in our churches, and in our universities.

The Warrior Poet Society answers a call; it is a call for a more elite protector. This call is for those who understand the high stakes of violence and who are willing to commit their minds and bodies to the task of defense so that they may prevail and others may live. Warrior Poets are those who train and fight for a higher purpose. They are members of a rare fraternity of warriors who fight with intellect, conviction, and great skill. Motivated by a love for others, Warrior Poets become students of the art of war so that they may triumph when the enemy calls.

For more information: https://warriorpoetsociety.us

Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Dr. Nick Polizzi about the inTransition program. The DoD's inTransition program is a free, confidential program that offers specialized coaching and assistance for active-duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and retirees who need access to mental health care. 

Warrior Rising is a non-profit charity organized to help veterans become vetrepreneurs. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with founder and Army Veteran, Jason Van Camp, about Warrior Rising as a family of supporters who are committed to making a difference for veterans in becoming entrepreneurs. 

On this week's Soldier for Life Podcast, we are excited to talk about the Army's upcoming 250th birthday celebration and the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War.

Listen as we sit down with Captain Jonathan Bratten, the command historian for the Maine Army National Guard and the National Guard Bureau's Revolutionary War 250 liaison officer to the U.S. Army Center of Military History, to chat about these two important events and why they - along with knowing your Army history AND telling your #SoldierForLifeStory and the Army's story - are important to ALL of us even 250 years later.

And be sure to check out these important links from the podcast!

👉 https://history.army.mil

👉 https://www.army.mil/1775

👉 https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Soldier-for-Life-Mindset/SFL-Stories

LTC Olivia Nunn speaks with co-founder Kristy Kaufman of Code of Support a non-profit organization that serves the military community. Code of Support helps transform military and veteran lives with their unique PATRIOTlink program. PATRIOTlink is designed to navigate and access critical services that allow Code of Support team members to provide one-on-one support to a military member/family in need. 

LTC Olivia Nunn speaks with Mr. Bill Ashton, the Military Veterans Agricultural Liason, about the opportunities for veterans with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Veterans represent 6% of the U.S. population but account for 13.5% of U.S. Small Business, many of those businesses are found within the agriculture and farming industry. Mr. Ashton provides information on various programs, loans, and scholarships available to our veterans. 

Carla Davie, a senior Human Resources Professional with 20+ years' experience in HR/Recruiting Strategy from Slalom, a modern consulting firm focused on strategy, technology, and business transformation, spoke with LTC Olivia Nunn on how to prepare your transition from military service.   We know a few essential tools to get right is your resume and practicing your interview techniques. Listen to LTC Nunn speak with Carla on how you can ACE your transition! 

Military Spouse Jobs has two purposes: assist military spouses, caregivers, and military dependents of working-age obtain a fair and competitive chance of gainful employment and to build a model that directly connects them with the hiring manager and recruiter responsible for that job.  Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Ms. Deb Kloeppel, the founder of Military Spouse Corporate Career Network, about the purpose of her organization and creating opportunities for our military spouses. 

MVP empowers combat veterans and former professional athletes by connecting them after the uniform comes off, providing them with a new team to assist with the transition, promote personal development, and show them they are never alone. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Army Veteran, former NFL player, and actor, Nate Boyer, on why MVP can make a difference in a veteran's life. 

SANS is the most trusted and by far the largest source for information security training and security certification in the world. To help fill the skills gap, the SANS Institute created the SANS CyberTalent Immersion Academy, an intensive, accelerated training program that provides SANS world class training and GIAC certifications to quickly and effectively launch careers in cybersecurity. SANS CyberTalent Immersion Academies are 100% scholarship-based and no cost to participants.

https://www.sans.org/cybertalent/cybersecurity-career/vetsuccess-academy

Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn discuss with Max Shuftan from SANS about the opportunities that service members and their spouses can take advantage of to prepare for a career in Cyber Security. 

Serving in the military takes the support of the whole family, too include the kids! To help our military families, the Military Child Education Coalition was created to ensure that children of our service members transitioned successfully with their families. MCEC is a professional coalition with a diverse community consisting of public school districts, private schools, colleges and universities, small businesses and corporations, organizations, military commands and installations, military families, and caring individuals from local communities across our Nation ... all for the sake of the child. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Ms. Judy Glennon about the importance of knowing this resource. 

Why podcast? Should you podcast? Can you podcast while still serving? Podcasting, much like social media, has guidelines that our service members should know and follow. There are so many topics you can podcast on, but should you? Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn, speak to Rod Rodriguez on why and how you should podcast. Learn how this medium could be useful for you and your command. Also, bring in your legal and public affairs counsel to be successful and timely. 

The DoD Military-Civilian Transition Office (MCTO) provide streamlined services to members of the armed forces and their families. Mike Miller is the Director of Private and Public Engagement within the Department of Defense's Defense Personnel and Family Support Center (DPFSC).  Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Mr. Miller about the benefits and resources to our military community as service members being to plan their transition from the military. 

Are you a military dad? Are you looking for stories like yours? Listen as I was a guest on the Military Veteran Dad podcast with Ben Killoy. We had the chance to talk about being parents, the legacy of military service, and what Soldier for Life does to help connect our military community to resources. 

Are you a dad that comes home physically each day from work, but struggles to come home emotionally and mentally? The podcast and resources on this website are focused on that objective, to help you as a dad make that journey each day and build a legacy of a family that is generational. 

The Warrior-Scholar Project hosts intensive, one-week college-prep academic boot camp programs for enlisted service members and veterans at America's top universities to help ease their transition from the military to higher education. Learn more as we chat with the CEO of the Warrior-Scholar Project, Ryan Pavel.

Our Community Salutes (OCS) is a national, non-profit organization helping communities recognize, honor, and support high school seniors who plan to enlist in the U.S. Armed Services after graduation.

The organizing body of Our Community Salutes includes community leaders, government officials, educators, businessmen, and veterans who feel strongly in the
importance of community support and recognition of the courageous and patriotic young adults who will serve in the U.S. Armed Services after graduation and join the 1% of Americans who serve in uniform.

Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Dr. Ken Hartman about this year's virtual ceremony, America Salutes on July 4th as we honor our graduating seniors enlist in our Armed Forces. 

American Corporate Partners (ACP) is a national nonprofit organization focused on helping returning veterans and active duty spouses find their next careers through one-on-one mentoring, networking and online career advice. 

• ACP's Women's Veteran Mentoring Program launched in 2016 and connects female veterans with female entrepreneurs and business leaders for yearlong mentorships. 

• ACP AdvisorNet is an online career Q&A community designed to assist an increasing number of veterans and current service members with networking and career advice.

• ACP's Active Duty Spouse Program connects spouses on installations nationwide with business leaders for customized mentorships. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Cohen Veterans Network serve veterans and families. CVN's focus is on post-9/11 veterans and families, in order to get ahead of transition challenges before they become chronic or acute. 

CVN offer brief, client-centered therapy for a variety of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, adjustment issues, anger, grief and loss, family issues, transition challenges, relationship problems, and children's behavioral problems. 

Wear Blue is a running community that honors the service and sacrifice of the American military. Our running community unites and supports the military and their families, veterans, Gold Star Families, and civilians through active remembrance and meaningful relationships. We motivate and empower individuals to healthier, more inspired living. 

Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with the founder of Wear Blue Run to Remember, Lisa Hallet. Hear her story of how this non-profit was created and the commitment of giving back to those that remember our fallen heroes. Honor our fallen heroes this Memorial Day. 

Army Medicine provides sustained health services and research in support of the Army's Total Force to enable readiness and conserve the fighting strength while caring for our Soldiers for Life and Families. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn talk with Mr. John Resta, Director of the Army Public Health Center and Deputy Chief of Staff for Public Health and U.S Army Medical Command as they discuss the Army's response to COVID-19. The Army has Soldiers on the front line across our communities to treat, support and help develop a vaccine and various other support related missions. 

Do you part, stay home and wash your hands. 

United States Army Recruiting Command recruits America's best and brightest volunteers that are able to deploy, fight and win. USAREC has the mission of providing the strength for America's Army. The U.S. Army Recruiting Command is responsible for manning both the Active Army and the U.S. Army Reserve, ensuring security and readiness for our Nation. 

Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak to the Deputy Commanding General for USAREC, BG Patrick Michaelis on the latest ways our Recruiters are meeting their mission during COVID-19. Understand how the Army puts the health and wellness of our new Soldiers and their staffs first while training our next generation of Soldiers. Learn how you as a Soldier for Life can help the Army's recruiting efforts. 

Dr. Paul Lawrence serves as the Under Secretary for Benefits in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VA). Dr. Lawrence is committed to connecting and working with our Veterans across America. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Dr. Lawrence about new programs within the VA and how our Veterans can stay connected during COVID-19. If you don't know what benefits you are entitled to as a Veteran, be sure to go to www.va.gov and get connected! 

Military Spouses, are you looking for remote work opportunities? Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak with Erica McMannes of Instant Teams. Learn how Instant Teams uses technology to provide a vetted workforce of teams with highly qualified individuals. If you are a company in need of talent and want to access the military spouse talent pool, you will not want to miss this episode! 

The Army's Career Skills Program, what is it? Who can participate in it? If you have ever wondered about advancing your skills in something other than the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) assigned to you, then you need to listen to this episode. Understand how a CSP, DoD Skillsbridge and fellowship all have in common. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn chat with MAJ Jenna Russell, the Soldier for Life director of education and employment. You will be glad you tuned in! 

Veteran's PATH enables returning veterans to rediscover meaning, purpose, and joy in their lives through mindfulness, meditation, and a safe community. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn talk to Jon Macaskill, Retired Navy SEAL Officer about Veteran's PATH and how they reconnect veterans through practical tools of meditation and mindfulness, physical and outdoor experiences, and a community of camaraderie, to assist veterans rediscover peace, acceptance, transformation, and honor in a new journey forward.

Want to hire some incredibly talented employees at your company or organization? (We know you are, of course, emphatically nodding your head yes.) Then you should really be thinking about transitioning Soldiers, veterans, and military spouses!

On this week's brand new Soldier for Life Podcast, we talk with Ms. Lisa Rosser, the CEO and Founder of an organization called The Value Of a Veteran, about what you can do to up your military connected talent game and WHY this is so important for your organization.

Welcome to Season 4! We start season 4 as spring starts to really blooming and the weather starts to get warmer. For many, the spring is not only a time of rebirth, but also for careers to change and start anew. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn as she speaks to Mrs. Melissa Helmick an Army Spouse and mentor and with COL (Ret) Leif Johnson. This episode covers how to start your retirement, but from the spouse's point of view. Listen how the spouse is just as vital to the retirement process. 

Army Emergency Relief (AER) is the Army's own emergency financial assistance organization and is dedicated to "Helping the Army Take Care of its Own." AER financial assistance is conducted within the Army structure by mission commanders and garrison commanders through AER Sections located at U.S. Army installations worldwide. Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn as she talks to the Director of AER, LTG (Ret) Raymond Mason about AER, who benefits from the program and how AER supports our Army Spouses! 

MyArmyBenefits is the official Army Benefits Website! Browse over 150 fact sheets for benefit eligbility and highlights. Calculate estimates of your survivor and survivor education benefits. Forecast your retirement benefits. Learn about the resources at your new duty assignment before you PCS! Listen to LTC Olivia Nunn speak to Ms. Chelsea Ortiz about all the information available at your fingertips.