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

Dr. Steven Crane sits down with us to share his powerful story of an unexpected departure from the military that led to homelessness and ultimately to helping countless veterans find the resources they need during transition. His unique approach to military transition was developed through the creation of several successful small businesses that became the baseline and blue print for how he helps transitioning service members be successful.

Dr. Steven Crane, a United States Marine Corps Veteran, celebrated author, keynote speaker, and Veteran advocate. Dr. Crane's remarkable journey from homelessness to becoming a thriving entrepreneur in just five years exemplifies his commitment to empowering veterans to break through their limitations. With over 2,500 hours dedicated to mentoring and advocating for veterans worldwide, Dr. Crane has delivered over $3.8 billion in benefits to those who have served. His innovative programs and relentless drive make him an invaluable leader in the veteran community.

https://www.veteranroadmap.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

Mike sits down with us to talk about his military transition and how networking led him to his second career. Mike talks about his journey from being a fighter pilot to giving back to the veteran community through volunteering. He talks at length about his volunteer efforts with Veterans Last Patrol and the value they are bringing to veterans at the end of their lives as they prepare for the final transition.

Mike Ware is a retired Air Force fighter pilot and airline pilot. He is a published author and motivational speaker. Mike is an active volunteer serving as an ambassador for Veterans Last Patrol (Spartanburg, SC) and Forever Young Veterans (Collierville, TN) organizations. Additionally, Mike is a hospice volunteer in their Veteran-to-Veteran program. He and wife Suzanne have been married 47 years, have three children, and 10 grandchildren. He loves golf but it doesn’t love him.

https://www.veteranlastpatrol.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

Beau talks to us about his organization Oplign and their cutting edge to approach to assisting service members with the job search. Beau also shares about his ties to the Travis Manion Foundation and how personal the organization is to him.

Beau is a retired Marine that served for 25 years as an intelligence officer with the Marine Corps. He had the privilege to command 1st Reconnaissance Battalion and Headquarters Battalion, 2nd Marine Division. Following his retirement in 2014, Beau served as a senior manager on Amazon’s Military Affairs team, responsible for creating scalable veteran programs, developing policies and strategic planning for military recruiting and outreach efforts. Beau left Amazon in April of 2023 and focused his career on helping companies find Veteran talent. He is currently serving as the VP for talent acquisition with the Arcadia Group. He is dedicated to supporting leaders, businesses and organizations in developing and executing comprehensive talent acquisition strategies, executive searches and services using an integrative, relationship-centered and strategic lens.

http://oplign.com/

#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

Deny talks with us about his struggles that led him to take control his life. His journey to helping others was based on his journey to work on his mental health, his family, and his faith.

Deny Caballero is a retired CW2, Mental Health Advocate, Blogger, Podcaster, and Mentor. Dedicated servant leader that served our Nation honorably for 18 years. He proudly served the entirety of his SOF career at the Tactical level. However, this came at a significant cost to his mental and physical health. The damage that his mind, body, and spirit were forced to take on eventually became too much. Deny found himself with no choice but to end his career and prioritize his wife and his life.

https://www.securityhalt.com/

#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

Jeremy sits down with VET S.O.S. to talk about his struggles through transition, his path into ministry, and his journey to Mighty Oaks Foundation. Jeremy’s journey has helped him develop a program through Mighty Oaks to help service members deal with their struggles using peer-to-peer support, mentorship, and comradery.

Jeremy Stalnecker, CEO of the Mighty Oaks Foundation, aids America’s military and families battling combat-related wounds like PTSD. A Marine Corps veteran, he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, acquiring leadership skills. As a USMC Infantry Officer, Jeremy received a Veteran Navy Commendation Medal with “V” for Combat Valor. Transitioning to ministry after the military, he counseled at Coastline Baptist, then served as Senior Pastor at Bay Area Baptist Church. Feeling the calling, Jeremy merged his ministry and military background, leading Mighty Oaks Foundation full-time where today he strives to provide healing for veterans and their families through Christ.

https://www.mightyoaksprograms.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