Jon sits down with us to talk about his military transition and his journey to becoming CEO of Operation Song. It all started with a surprise medical discharge from the military that led to an immediate change in life and lifestyle. He talks about the life changing opportunity he had as a Wounded Warrior Congressional Fellow and how that led to working with veteran nonprofits. His passion is seen in everything he does and is visible in the great work Operation Song is doing.

Jon is the CEO of Operation Song, a Nashville-based nonprofit that empowers veterans, active-duty military, and their families to tell their stories through songwriting. A former U.S. Army combat aviator, he served with the 101st Airborne Division and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2015. After being medically separated from the Army in 2018 due to Type 1 Diabetes, Jon transitioned into private aviation management while completing his Masters in Aeronautics. He later served as a Wounded Warrior Fellow for the U.S. House of Representatives and as CEO of the Dale K. Graham Veterans Foundation, where he led efforts to expand veterans’ services. Jon now lives in Nashville with his wife Rachel, an Air Force veteran, and their daughter Cecilia. He is dedicated to enhancing resources and services for veterans to honor the nation's commitment to its military members.

https://www.operationsong.org/

#vetsos #vetsospodcast #military #militarylife #transitioningmilitary #militarytransition #militaryspouses #militaryspouse #militaryfamily #militaryfamilies #militarycommunity #militarysupport #militaryveterans #vets #veterans #veteran #veterantransition #transitioningveterans #veteranservices #honorveterans #veteranswife #supportourveterans #veteransupport #veteransusa #veteranshelpingveterans #careerchange #transitioningservicemembers #linkedin #sof #coastguard #navy #spaceforce #marines #army #nationalguard #airforce #usmc #usmcr #us #usa #education #podcast #entertainment

Jon sits down with us to discuss how his journey to serving the veteran community began with his daughters desire to help. A simple gesture grew into a movement to provide for deployed service members and their families back home. That journey continues today and has grown into a one-stop experience where veterans and their families can shop for free and receive many of the services they need.

Jon has been affiliated with H.E.R.O.E.S. Care since 2004. H.E.R.O.E.S. Care is a national organization dedicated to serving our troops, the families they leave behind, and our wounded warriors. He served as a volunteer and director of development before taking on the responsibility of president in January of 2007. Jerome has never served in the military but was moved to find a way to contribute in the wake of 911. Through his efforts and those of the volunteers, the needs of hundreds of thousands of military families have been met. Among the ways that he has helped those who serve our nation include the distribution of thousands of care packages, hundreds of thousands of cards and letters from caring groups and individuals, and the organization of morale events, food pantries, and direct financial aid to families in crisis.

https://heroescare.org/

#vetsos #vetsospodcast #military #militarylife #transitioningmilitary #militarytransition #militaryspouses #militaryspouse #militaryfamily #militaryfamilies #militarycommunity #militarysupport #militaryveterans #vets #veterans #veteran #veterantransition #transitioningveterans #veteranservices #honorveterans #veteranswife #supportourveterans #veteransupport #veteransusa #veteranshelpingveterans #careerchange #transitioningservicemembers #linkedin #sof #coastguard #navy #spaceforce #marines #army #nationalguard #airforce #usmc #usmcr #us #usa #education #podcast #entertainment

Jose sits down with us to discuss his military transition during COVID and how he used his years of experience in public affairs to start his own company. He discusses the networking connections he build and used to help his transition and build his business. Check out the various skills he teaches through his company to assist service members with their transition.

Jose Velazquez served a 30 year career in uniform and completed his service as the regimental sergeant major of Army Public Affairs for the U.S. Army. He is a lifetime broadcaster who anchored the Army’s award-winning flagship newscast. He founded Velazquez Media Consulting (2020) to help transitioning service members and military spouses learn to use digital networking to reach their employment goals as an industry recognized Certified Digital Networking Coach. He is a Maxwell Leadership certified DISC Consultant and a Board Member of the Leader Transition Institute. He is also the organization’s Director of Communications. Jose is a featured writer, and speaker, He also hosts a nationally syndicated radio program, runs a successful YouTube channel, and hosts various live online events.

https://www.facebook.com/velazquezmediaconsulting/

#vetsos #vetsospodcast #military #militarylife #transitioningmilitary #militarytransition #militaryspouses #militaryspouse #militaryfamily #militaryfamilies #militarycommunity #militarysupport #militaryveterans #vets #veterans #veteran #veterantransition #transitioningveterans #veteranservices #honorveterans #veteranswife #supportourveterans #veteransupport #veteransusa #veteranshelpingveterans #careerchange #transitioningservicemembers #linkedin #sof #coastguard #navy #spaceforce #marines #army #nationalguard #airforce #usmc #usmcr #us #usa #education #podcast #entertainment