Military Retirement Podcast

w/ John McConnell and Victor De La Flor
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Government
  • Weekly

Highlighting military retirement journeys from all walks of the military. Wide ranging long form conversations with Veterans. We discuss the retirement process, life starting in the military, and life after the military. Also talk to former military members who transitioned before reaching retirement and started their own businesses.

  1. 1d ago

    #155 - Veteran Entrepreneurship: Building a Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Franchise

    What does it take to move from military service into entrepreneurship when the path is uncertain, expensive, and rarely linear? John and Victor sit down with Mike Quilty, a Naval Academy graduate and former Navy submarine officer, to discuss his route from healthcare consulting and a long-running startup to Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co.Quilty explains that his first healthcare venture lost money for seven years before it was sold in 2011. He shares why mentorship, persistence, supportive relationships, and learning from people already doing the work mattered throughout that experience. He also describes how time at Boulder Crest helped sharpen his interest in creating meaningful employment and ownership opportunities for veterans.The conversation explores Wild Bill’s veteran-focused franchise model, including its mobile-event craft soda business, collectible stainless-steel mugs, canned-soda expansion, and approach to selecting franchisees. Quilty discusses the practical skills veteran managers develop, from P&L management and hiring to QuickBooks, Pipedrive, and operational tracking. He also offers a candid perspective on imposter syndrome, weekend event work, and focusing on the process rather than a fixed outcome.Episode Timestamps00:02:13 Naval Academy, submarine service, and healthcare00:04:21 Mentorship and the path to entrepreneurship00:11:55 Funding a startup and surviving early losses00:18:41 Boulder Crest and a mission to employ veterans00:23:46 Joining and growing Wild Bill’s through franchising00:38:47 Developing veteran managers into franchisees00:43:48 Wild Bill’s mobile-event business model00:46:44 Canned craft soda and retail expansion00:53:41 Franchise fit, territories, and veteran financing01:03:27 Entrepreneurship: focus on the journey01:07:18 Imposter syndrome after military serviceKey Topics• Navy-to-civilian transition and entrepreneurship• Startup fundraising, losses, and perseverance• Mentorship and professional networks• Veteran employment and franchise ownership• Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co. mobile-event model• Franchise territory evaluation and fit• Business operations, P&L responsibility, and hiring• Uncertainty and imposter syndrome after military serviceResources Mentioned• Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co. and its store locator• Boulder Crest• Small Business Administration (SBA)• Military Influencers Conference• QuickBooks and Pipedrive• LinkedIn, Facebook, and the Green Logbook YouTube channelFor service members, veterans, and spouses considering business ownership, this episode offers a realistic look at the work behind entrepreneurship—and the value of finding mentors, testing fit, and building capability one step at a time.

  2. 3d ago

    #154 - Pablo Diaz on PMP Prep, IVMF Support, and Civilian Career Success

    Military experience can build strong project-management capability, but civilian employers may not automatically understand military titles, scope, or accomplishments. In this episode, John and Victor talk with Army veteran Pablo Diaz about turning military planning and execution experience into a credible civilian project-management path.Pablo explains how PMP certification can help service members communicate their qualifications in a language employers recognize. He shares his experience using the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University for funding, mentorship, curriculum, and a 35-hour PMP boot camp. The conversation also covers the importance of completing useful Defense Acquisition University training before a Common Access Card is deactivated.John, Victor, and Pablo discuss a disciplined PMP study plan: choose a target date, work backward through milestones, use practice exams, prepare for situational questions, and build accountability with calendars, alerts, and family support. They also connect PMBOK, Agile, waterfall, and hybrid project approaches to familiar military planning concepts.The second half focuses on the job search after service. Hear practical guidance on tailored resumes, applicant-tracking-system keywords, translating accomplishments instead of copying military language, weighing clearance and location considerations, and approaching a new civilian workplace with humility.Episode Timestamps00:01:40 Using PMP for civilian career transition00:07:32 Earning the PMP through IVMF00:11:27 Complete DAU training before retirement00:17:27 Building a PMP study plan00:26:44 Connecting military planning to PMBOK00:34:04 Agile, waterfall, and hybrid methods00:38:40 Practice exams and exam anxiety00:52:59 PMP exam format and pressure01:04:33 Civilian resumes and hiring systems01:12:03 Clearances and career choices01:18:26 Translating military experience01:21:40 Using AI for skills translation01:22:12 IVMF certifications and career support01:25:43 GA Vector training opportunitiesKey Topics• PMP certification for veterans and transitioning service members• Institute for Veterans and Military Families support at Syracuse University• Defense Acquisition University training before retirement• PMBOK, Agile, waterfall, and hybrid project management• PMP study schedules, practice tests, and test anxiety• Military-to-civilian resumes and applicant-tracking systems• AI-assisted translation of military experience• Civilian career decisions, security clearances, and lifestyle prioritiesResources Mentioned• Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University• Defense Acquisition University (DAU)• Project Management Institute (PMI) and PMBOK• Agile Practitioners Guide• Recipio and Kaplan Learning practice exams• GA VectorIf you are planning retirement, separation, or a civilian career change, use this episode as a practical starting point for identifying credentials, translating your experience, and creating a deliberate transition plan.

  3. 6d ago

    #153 - Financial Sharks Targeting Veterans: Red Flags Before You Invest

    Financial decisions can become more complicated—not simpler—during military separation, retirement, and the first years of civilian life. In this episode, John McConnell talks with Josh Candrell about recognizing high-cost financial products marketed to military communities, reducing debt, building liquid savings, and preparing for the real cash-flow disruptions that can accompany transition.John and Josh also discuss recruiting-based financial companies and why military members and veterans should closely evaluate job postings, licensing costs, startup expenses, income claims, recruiting expectations, and pressure to sell to friends and family. Josh shares lessons from his and Amanda’s experience before they founded MBMT Financial.The conversation also covers Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) choices after separation, including the importance of understanding liquidity, taxes, market risk, and the role a full financial picture should play before making a rollover or investment decision. They examine real estate and other side-income ideas through a practical lens: potential opportunity does not remove the need to account for time, risk, bookkeeping, taxes, health, and family responsibilities.Episode Timestamps00:02:52 High-cost financial services targeting military communities00:07:09 Financial preparation for military transition00:12:42 Building liquid savings before retirement00:25:10 How recruiting-based financial companies work00:36:05 Leaving to start MBMT Financial00:39:37 Veterans and TSP rollover decisions00:50:39 Balancing short- and long-term financial planning01:00:07 Military real estate and side-income risks01:05:45 Balancing family, health, and financial goals01:08:47 Side-business bookkeeping and taxes01:10:45 Episode wrap-up and veteran community focusKey Topics• Predatory and high-interest financial services aimed at military communities• Planning for BAH and BAS changes, relocation expenses, and payment delays• Consumer debt reduction and emergency savings before leaving service• Army Emergency Relief assistance for qualifying needs• TSP funds, rollover considerations, and market risk after separation• Warning signs in recruiting-based financial opportunities• Evaluating real estate, side businesses, and other veteran side hustles• Bookkeeping, tax reserves, and consulting a tax professional• Keeping family, mental health, and physical health central to financial planningResources Mentioned• Army Emergency Relief (AER)• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)• Transition Assistance Program (TAP)• Financial Peace University• LinkedIn• CareerBuilder• Vanguard• Military Retirement Podcast Facebook groupWhether you are years from retirement or already navigating civilian life, this episode offers a practical reminder: understand the terms, protect your cash reserves, seek trusted guidance, and make financial choices that support the life you want beyond the uniform.

  4. Oct 28

    #152 - Vets in Tech, Retiree TSP Proposal, Space-A Travel, and More

    What does a realistic transition from military service into technology look like? John and Victor speak with Mike about VetsinTech, a nonprofit that connects veterans and military spouses with technology training, employer relationships, networking, and entrepreneurship support. The conversation focuses on practical ways to explore tech careers, including options that do not require using the GI Bill.Mike explains why employer-hosted, in-person training can be valuable for building relationships and pursuing job opportunities. The discussion covers cybersecurity, defense technology, drones, satellites, biotech, and other fields where military experience may be relevant. It also explores VetsinTech’s chapter meetups, events, SkillBridge-related transition support, and startup network for veteran founders.John and Victor also cover California’s military retirement tax changes, a discussed property-tax proposal for 100% disabled veterans, veterans’ disability appeals, the proposed FORWARD Act for retiree TSP contributions, Army assignment-policy discussions, projected military COLA, and Space-A travel planning. As always, legislative and benefits discussions reflect the episode conversation and should be verified before making decisions.Episode Timestamps00:06:43 Introducing VetsinTech00:12:31 Employer-hosted training and tech careers00:15:49 Training without the GI Bill00:24:53 Moving from military service into technology00:28:53 Veteran startup network00:31:13 California military retirement tax exemption00:36:32 Disabled-veteran property-tax proposal00:44:43 SkillBridge and transition support00:54:34 Veterans Coffee Connection and career planning00:58:08 Bottom Line Up Front transition book01:00:18 Benefits appeals and DoD school libraries01:04:56 FORWARD Act and retiree TSP contributions01:06:35 Army longer assignment discussions01:08:02 Projected 2026 military COLA01:15:55 Space-A ground transportation01:17:29 Travel costs beyond airfare01:19:31 Military Retirement Group on FacebookKey Topics• VetsinTech training, events, local chapters, and employer connections• Technology career paths for veterans and military spouses• Veteran entrepreneurship, mentors, investors, and pitch opportunities• Transition planning during the final year of service• California military retirement and disabled-veteran tax discussions• H.R. 4996, the FORWARD Act, and TSP contributions after retirement• Space-A travel, AMC grams, and ground-transportation budgetingResources Mentioned• VetsinTech online courses, events, chapter meetups, and startup network• Veteran Coffee Connection• Bottom Line Up Front, What You Need to Know When You’re Leaving the Military• Military Retirement Podcast Space-A resources and AMC gram references• The Green Logbook and the Military Retirement Group on FacebookIf you are preparing to separate, retire, change careers, launch a business, or plan Space-A travel, this episode offers grounded ideas and resources to help you take the next useful step.

  5. Oct 26

    #151 - Veterans Benefits Knowledge Base: VA Claims, Ratings, Appeals and More

    VA disability claims can feel like a maze of evidence, forms, ratings, deadlines, and changing claim statuses. In this episode, John and Victor walk through the Veterans Benefits Knowledge Base, a free information hub intended to help veterans organize research on claims, ratings, forms, personal statements, buddy letters, Special Monthly Compensation, and commonly overlooked conditions.The discussion is practical and wide-ranging: Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD), direct and secondary service connection, National Guard and Reserve documentation, VA combined-rating math, decision letters, favorable findings, effective dates, and intent to file. John and Victor repeatedly emphasize reviewing your own records, preserving documentation, and doing due diligence before acting.The episode also looks beyond disability compensation. Topics include survivor and education benefits, VR&E, Work Study, VSOs, VA health and peer-support resources, clothing allowance, DD 214 retirement issues, Space-A travel, European travel considerations, and military lodging in Tokyo. It is a broad resource episode for transitioning service members, retirees, veterans, and families.Episode Timestamps00:00:51 Veterans Benefits Knowledge Base00:11:14 BDD filing timeline00:19:02 Appeals and decision letters00:20:59 ROTC, Guard, and Reserve claims00:26:14 VA combined-rating math00:29:59 Master Condition List00:40:19 Migraine, tinnitus, and spine ratings00:45:54 Survivor and education benefits00:49:33 GI Bill, Work Study, and VR&E00:53:45 VSOs and veteran health resources01:01:21 Effective dates and intent to file01:11:11 Space-A travel01:26:03 VA clothing allowance01:39:06 The Haven and peer support01:45:29 Retirement paperwork and DD 21401:48:58 VA access and ID.meKey Topics• VA disability claims, evidence, examinations, appeals, and favorable findings• BDD claims and service-connection pathways• National Guard, Reserve, ROTC, and line-of-duty documentation• VA rating criteria and combined-rating calculations• GI Bill, VR&E, Work Study, survivor benefits, and life insurance• VSOs, Whole Health, service dogs, discharge upgrades, and veteran outreach• Space-A flights, overseas travel, and the New Sanno Hotel• Veteran reconnection through Together We Served, VFW posts, Coffee and Camaraderie, and The HavenResources MentionedVeterans Benefits Knowledge Base; VA.gov; Benefits Delivery at Discharge; VA Master Condition List; VA rating schedule; GI Bill; VR&E; Work Study; Whole Health; Together We Served; Coffee and Camaraderie; The Haven; Healthish Haven; Space-A flights; New Sanno Hotel.Use this conversation as a starting point for research, not a substitute for reviewing your records or seeking appropriate assistance. Subscribe to Military Retirement Podcast for practical conversations to help you navigate military retirement, VA benefits, and veteran life.

  6. Oct 23

    #150 - TRICARE Overseas Claims and the Rudisill Act: Practical Veteran Guidance

    John and Victor take on a wide-ranging set of questions affecting service members, veterans, retirees, and military families. This Veteran Info LIVE discussion moves from the personal decision to remain on active duty or retire to the practical realities of healthcare, education benefits, taxes, online security, and overseas life.The episode includes a detailed conversation about TRICARE and VA healthcare, especially for retirees and families navigating emergency treatment, ambulance bills, overseas care, and reimbursement. John and Victor also discuss TRICARE Select Overseas claims, including the overseas portal and DD Form 2642, and the importance of promptly contacting TRICARE, a primary care manager, or the regional contractor after emergency care.Education benefits are another major focus. The discussion addresses possible payment disruptions affecting Chapter 31 VR&E, Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill, and Chapter 35 benefits during a government shutdown or claims-system changes. They also cover the Rudisill Act and the episode’s discussion of potentially additional education entitlement for certain veterans who moved from the Montgomery GI Bill to the Post-9/11 GI Bill.Other topics include a Texas proposal for broader Purple Heart recipient property-tax relief, the U.S. Army’s warning about fake social-media accounts used for intelligence collection, discussion of a proposed Qatar Air Force training facility in Idaho, and candid memories of dining facilities and community life at overseas and deployed locations.Episode Timestamps00:06:51 Texas Purple Heart property-tax proposal00:12:24 Chapter 35 and VA education benefit delays00:21:09 Army social-media intelligence warning00:23:50 Proposed Qatar Air Force facility in Idaho00:32:25 Military dining and deployment food memories00:35:32 Community life on overseas bases00:49:34 Military retirement healthcare: TRICARE and VA care01:00:10 TRICARE Overseas claims and emergency reimbursement01:01:03 Rudisill Act education benefits01:05:03 Netflix’s Boots and Marine Corps accuracy01:08:06 Overseas health insurance for retirees01:19:19 Military Retirement Podcast resources and communityKey Topics• Military retirement and transition decisions• TRICARE, VA care, emergency treatment, and family healthcare• TRICARE Select Overseas claims and reimbursement procedures• GI Bill, VR&E, Chapter 35, and shutdown-related payment concerns• Rudisill Act education-benefit applications• Texas Purple Heart property-tax exemption proposal• Social-media operational security and foreign intelligence collection• Overseas assignments, deployment life, Space-A travel, and military communityResources MentionedPGA Hope; Congress.gov; S.499, the Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2025; GI Bill hotline; VA.gov; VA Form 22-1995; TRICARE Overseas portal; DD Form 2642; MHS nurse advice line; Military Retirement Podcast Substack; Military Retirement Facebook Group; Bottom Line Up Front: What You Need to Know Before You Leave the Military.Whether you are weighing retirement, managing benefits overseas, or trying to make sense of changing veteran programs, this episode offers practical conversation and questions to bring to the official resources that handle your situation.

  7. Oct 21

    #149 - Force Blue: Veteran Combat Divers Find Purpose in Marine Conservation

    What happens when the skills built in military diving are redirected toward protecting the ocean? John and Victor sit down with Jim Ritterhoff and filmmaker Bob Whitney to discuss Force Blue, a veteran organization that connects former combat and special operations divers with marine scientists for hands-on conservation missions.Force Blue’s work includes coral restoration, coral nurseries, sea turtle research, shark and kelp projects, shipwreck surveys, and marine-debris removal. Jim explains the organization’s “mission therapy” model: creating a meaningful team environment where veterans can continue serving while contributing to scientific diving and conservation work. The conversation includes Force Blue’s coral work in Okinawa and a coral rescue effort after Hurricane Irma.John and Victor also cover veteran buddy checks and crisis-support resources, then shift into practical transition questions about Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E), housing allowance requirements, VR&E denials and appeals, the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), and education options. The episode also highlights the Ocean Conservation School for Gold Star children and military families, PGA HOPE, Wallace J. Nichols’ Blue Mind, and the Frog Fathers documentaries.Episode Timestamps00:03:30 Veteran mental health and buddy checks00:06:01 How Force Blue began00:08:36 Combat divers in marine conservation00:13:05 Restoring coral reefs in Okinawa00:18:21 Force Blue’s mission therapy model00:32:12 Rescuing damaged coral00:35:44 Sea turtle research in the Florida Keys00:38:06 Kelp, shipwreck, and debris projects00:41:29 Coral nurseries and reef restoration00:43:02 How veterans join Force Blue00:46:55 Ocean Conservation School00:50:37 National Marine Sanctuary Tour00:55:49 Frog Fathers and Blue Mind01:05:31 PGA HOPE for veterans01:13:40 Transition book and SBP discussion01:19:48 Upcoming VR&E process guide01:20:50 VR&E and housing allowance discussion01:22:01 Appealing a VR&E denial01:23:35 Closing remarksKey Topics• Force Blue and veteran marine conservation• Scientific diving and dive-training pathways• Coral reef restoration in Okinawa and Florida• Sea turtle research, shipwreck surveys, kelp, and debris removal• Veteran connection, purpose, and water-based activities• Ocean Conservation School for military families• National Marine Sanctuaries and community engagement• VR&E, GI Bill and VA education-benefit discussions• SBP election questions and DD Form 2656Resources Mentioned• Force Blue: forceblueteam.org• Force Blue on Facebook and Instagram: @forceblueteam• 988 and local VA clinics• Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E)• GI Bill and VA education benefits• Ocean Conservation School• Frog Fathers and Frog Fathers 2• Blue Mind• PGA HOPE• Green Logbook: greenlogbook.com• DD Form 2656If you are a veteran looking for a new mission, a military family interested in ocean education, or a service member navigating the transition to civilian life, this episode offers practical leads and a grounded look at continued service beyond the uniform.

  8. Oct 19

    #147 - VA Disability, DIC, VR&E and Veteran Wellness After the Uniform

    Life after the uniform involves more than a retirement date. In this Military Retirement Podcast livestream, John and Victor take on veteran questions that often overlap: VA disability compensation, potential DIC and survivor-benefit considerations, VA healthcare, mobility, transition resources, and the practical tools that may support everyday life.The conversation begins with a poll asking whether veterans would give up VA disability compensation after recovery. John and Victor discuss why that decision may be more complicated than it sounds, particularly when families are considering long-term survivor benefits. They also talk about movement, outdoor activity, rucking, self-care tools, and gradual training as parts of a sustainable wellness routine.Later, the hosts examine concerns raised around VA staffing, privatization, and veteran homelessness grants; military social-media accountability; Florida and Utah firearm-law awareness; and estimated travel and per diem costs for a large senior military gathering near Quantico. They close with VR&E-related discussion, a MedCline pillow system obtained through VA benefits, and a preview of upcoming guest Jim Richard Hoff from Force Blue Team.Episode Timestamps00:06:30 VA disability compensation and recovery00:12:20 DIC and survivor-benefit questions00:15:51 Veteran physical and mental fitness00:19:11 Rucking and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge00:25:13 Quantico travel and per diem estimates00:35:35 A military cost-saving proposal00:38:39 The Lincoln Declaration00:39:23 VA healthcare and homelessness grants00:41:28 Military social-media accountability00:50:04 Florida open carry and restricted locations01:04:27 Training, safe storage, and situational awareness01:09:06 Retirement resources and Quantico costs01:13:40 VR&E and ergonomic equipment01:17:41 MedCline through VA benefits01:19:05 Force Blue Team guest preview01:20:03 Where to follow and contact the showKey Topics• VA disability compensation and decisions after recovery• DIC and survivor-benefit considerations• Veteran wellness, mobility, fascia work, and weighted walking• German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge rucking• VA healthcare staffing and privatization concerns• Veteran homelessness grants• UCMJ-related social-media accountability discussion• Florida and Utah firearm-law awareness• VR&E, retroactive induction, and adaptive or ergonomic equipmentResources MentionedMilitary Retirement Group on Facebook; Service Connected Wellness; Theracane; GSA.gov; DTS; Microsoft Teams; Office 365; Lincoln Declaration; Uniform Code of Military Justice; Manual for Courts-Martial; The Green Log Book; Bottom Line Up Front: What You Need to Know Before You Leave the Military; MedCline; Force Blue Team; info@militaryretirementpodcast.com.Listen for practical discussion, then use the cited resources and qualified professionals to verify how benefits, healthcare, travel rules, and state laws apply to your own circumstances.

See All (149)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Highlighting military retirement journeys from all walks of the military. Wide ranging long form conversations with Veterans. We discuss the retirement process, life starting in the military, and life after the military. Also talk to former military members who transitioned before reaching retirement and started their own businesses.

Information

  • Creator
    w/ John McConnell and Victor De La Flor
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    149
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © w/ John McConnell and Victor De La Flor
  • Show Website
    Military Retirement Podcast

You Might Also Like