Military Transition Academy Podcast Military Transition Acad.

Hank Alemany, Founder and CEO of Brew’n Up Barks (BUBs), Army veteran, and avid adversaries against self-assassination. During this episode he is supporting the K9 Partners for Patriots (https://k9partnersforpatriots.com/)  and we talk about mental health, how to take the first step, what helped him, and why people need dogs.


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Anna joined the Camaraderie Foundation in January 2016. Anna has more than 20 years of experience as a leader and manager in the fields of human services and employee benefits consulting. She is a proven project manager and change agent. Anna proudly served in the U.S. Air Force for 8 years as a Personnel Officer then as a civil service employee. She has her Master’s in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan and a Masters in Science of Social Work from the University of Louisville. Anna believes strongly in the power of volunteering in the community and has volunteered with such organizations as the YMCA Mentoring Program (YNOW), Special Olympics, Red Cross, United Way, Junior Achievement, and Habitat for Humanity.

Check out https://camaraderiefoundation.org/for some great resources.


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Yogi Born in Mexico joined the Navy out of Texas in 2002. He is rated as an AME (Aviation Structural Mechanic – Safety Equipment), and is retiring as a Chief. He currently is going through a Medical board process. His Wife Sachie (Pronounced: Saw-she) moved from Iwakuni Japan to San Diego and is ready for their next adventure.

Chris was raised in Texas and Washington state joined the Navy out of Washington in 2003. He is rated as an AZ (Aviation Maintenance Administration), and is planning on retiring due to injuries as a Senior Chief. His wife Sarah and two children moved from Iwakuni Japan to the states and are ready for the next adventure.

Med Board Advice:

· Attend the MULTI-DISCIPLINARY BRIEF (MDB) class as soon as possible. This class is designed to provide you with information and resources related to your military service and to help you transition to civilian life.

· In addition to attending the MDB class, be sure to also look into Chapter 31. This chapter provides comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and employment services to eligible service members with disabilities. https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/

· If there is a possibility of going LIMDU request to speak with PEBLO and also the MED Board attorneys as soon as possible. Learn the process, help your the team help you!

· Stay engaged and proactive in YOUR process.

· Your nonmedical assessment NMA is a huge part of the process.  Be engaged with your chain of command so it tells the correct narrative.

· Also submit your personal statement, you are the only I e that knows how much it truly affects your life.

· Ask your chain of command and your friends to write statements of character on your behalf. Provide them a template, they are more likely to write it if they have a guide.

· When doing your medical appointments make sure you cover the items you have ignored over the years. Those small aches and pains do not get better over time, they get worse.

· It is also important to prioritize your mental, emotional, and physical health. Don't be afraid to seek help if you are feeling overwhelmed or struggling with any issues related to your service. Remember, you are your best advocate, and it may not be easy, but don't give up.

o There are mental health counselors and chaplains to talk to. Do not wait until it gets bad to talk, start early and often because this is a major life event.

· There are many resources available to you and your family, both through your military unit and base, as well as through the veteran community. If you are unable to find what you need through these sources, consider reaching out to non-profit organizations that have been established specifically to help military members and their families. With so many resources available, you don't have to suffer alone




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Barry Madetzke is a two-time veteran (Navy and Army) and recently retried in July 2022, after 23 years of service to the nation. He was an Seaman Apprentice in the US Navy and served in the US Army as both an Infantry and Military Intelligence Officer. He recently pivoted into cybersecurity with a focus on Insider Risk and is a Senior Consultant with Mandiant (now a part of Google Cloud).

Hard work, teamwork, respect, and determination guide his actions. One of the most valuable lessons that has come from his experience is that a clear vision and teamwork are the facilitators of success and that growth happens through investing in each other’s thoughts and progress.

He has been married for 20 years and has three boys (and no nice furniture!) He enjoys learning, reading, and working out during his free time.


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Max Rodgers is former enlisted Marine who used the GI Bill to go to college to become an professional engineer. He was recruited in college for the Navy's Nuclear Power program and transferred into the Civil Engineer Corps during Officer Candidate School due to color vision deficiency that disqualified him from submarine duty. The majority of assignments in the Navy were Project Management and leadership positions with a focus on contract administration and project team leadership. Max managed numerous multi-million-dollar construction projects, facility maintenance contracts and R&D programs. Upon retirement, he was recruited by his former command to accept a consultant position to support the program that Max had just retired from in order to transition from manned diving systems to un-manned systems. 9/11 convinced him to pause his working career and fulfill a dream of sailing the Eastern Caribbean with his wife of 5 years. Max re-entered the working world via Project Manager positions that eventually led him to Houston and the energy industry where his Project Manager skills were recognized and rewarded. He retired from the energy industry as a Project Director and partner in an engineering firm after managing numerous domestic and international engineering and construction projects. Max is currently excited about the possibility of helping the next generation of Vets2PM’ers while enjoying the success and financial security he was able to achieve in his working career.


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Adam Dillon was U.S. Army 1995-2005 Enlisted, Aviation, Special Forces Pipeline, and PSYOP Q-Course Graduate, 18D and 37F, with two combat tours in Iraq as a Tactical PSYOP Team Leader. He also has one tour in Korea along with multiple SOF missions in other locations.

Adam was also a USCG(R) Officer from 2005 to 2009 with Wilmington Marine Safety Unit. He has served in various corporate roles and overseas contracting then recommissioned in 2015 with the South Carolina Guard on the division staff as the Safety Officer. He developed current plans, policies, and procedures for risk management for emergency operations then retired in 2022.

Since then Adam opened OSPREY Safety Solutions after working as a project manager on the BP oil spill in 2010. He currently consults and advises veteran-owned and Fortune 500 companies around the Globe in emergency and health services and Risk solutions.


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