Military Retirement Podcast

John and Vic dive into a powerful conversation about what really makes you happy after leaving the military. From stepping away from the constant grind to finding peace in simplicity, we explore how veterans can reclaim freedom, purpose, and mental clarity after service.
Vic shares his experience taking a much-needed break on the Oregon coast, reflecting on how disconnecting from distractions, social media, and nonstop notifications can completely reset your mindset.
We also talk about the transition struggles many veterans face after retirement:
What happens when the uniform comes off?
How do you find your next purpose?
Why slowing down is sometimes the best move
The importance of family, connection, and mental health
This episode is packed with relatable insights, book recommendations, and real talk about building a life that feels meaningful beyond the military.
⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters
00:00 Welcome back to the Military Retirement Podcast
02:30 Vic’s Oregon coast reset & getting away from overwhelm
06:45 “Do what makes you happy” and simplifying life
10:20 The Tao of Pooh & learning wisdom from simplicity
15:30 Cutting distractions: phone minimalism & mental clarity
22:10 Finding peace through environment and quiet time
28:40 Purpose after retirement: “What happens next?”
35:00 Taking intentional breaks and avoiding the rush back to work
42:15 Veteran community connections & American Legion invite
50:30 Family meals, relationships, and what matters most
58:00 Deferred resignation, freedom, and time with loved ones
1:05:30 Mindset shift after the military transition
1:15:00 Staying healthy after retirement (don’t let yourself go)
1:22:00 Book recommendations for veterans
1:30:00 Escaping news/social media anxiety
1:40:00 Upcoming guests and future podcast episodes
1:45:00 Final thoughts: simplicity, happiness, and veteran support
📚 Books & Resources Mentioned
The Tao of Pooh – Benjamin Hoff https://amzn.to/45QAS6F
The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz https://amzn.to/3NU4kTg
On the Shortness of Life – Seneca https://amzn.to/4bC4Q1W
The Way to Wealth – Benjamin Franklin https://amzn.to/400JP9X
Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl https://amzn.to/4ayX87I
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant – Eric Jorgenson (Free PDF available online) https://amzn.to/4kwQ8vx
Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman https://amzn.to/4cdzKhd
The Daily Stoic – Ryan Holiday https://amzn.to/4acBqXf
The Daily Laws – Robert Greene https://amzn.to/4arcmL0
Make Your Bed – Admiral William H. McRaven https://amzn.to/4kjbJr4
🔗 Connect With Us
📌 Join the Military Retirement Group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/themilitaryretirementgroup
📩 Email: [email protected]
🎥 Vic’s Channel: @TheGreenLogbook
💼 Connect on LinkedIn

John and Vic sit down for another "Veteran Talk and Coffee" to discuss the evolving landscape of military life and the personal transition journey. We dive into the Navy's new contract with the N app for body composition, the ongoing debate over grooming standards and beards in the fleet, and why "structured stress" is a vital part of military training.We also explore tactical tools for focus, including Vic's "digital minimalism" experiment and the power of journaling with the Apple Pencil and Remarkable tablet. Finally, we tackle the deep questions: What kind of legacy are you leaving for your children, and what will you do with the "4,000 weeks" of your life?Key Topics and Timestamps:[00:01:34] Navy Quality of Service: Discussing the $466k pilot program providing the N weight-loss app to sailors in the fitness enhancement program.[00:08:11] The Grooming Standards Debate: Observations on relaxed grooming standards, beards in the Navy, and the "war-fighting mission" litmus test.[00:15:22] Old School Standards: starching cammies and the transition from black boots to modern gear.[00:20:59] Structured Stress: Why the "Silent Retreat" and extreme stress in boot camp and OCS/TBS prepare leaders for the chaos of combat.[00:33:40] Don't Quit at 15 Years: A reality check for those struggling with leadership late in their career—why pushing to 20 is essential for your future.[00:41:58] Digital Minimalism: Vic shares how a "dumb phone app" cut his screen time from 5 hours to near-zero, reclaiming his mental bandwidth.[00:47:30] Analog vs. Digital Journaling: Comparing the Apple Pencil on iPad (GoodNotes) vs. the Remarkable Tablet for internalizing thoughts.[00:55:27] Veteran Literature: A shoutout to Omar Portilla’s Dust Settles and the healing power of writing through PTSD.[01:00:26] The Almanac of Naval Ravikant: Discussing "productizing yourself" and escaping competition through authenticity.[01:13:31] The 4,000 Week Rule: Oliver Burkeman’s Meditations for Mortals and how to manage the finite time we have left.[01:23:23] Legacy and Shadow: A powerful discussion on raising children who don't feel they have to "outdo" their veteran parents, but rather build their own path.Resources Mentioned:Book: Dust Settles by Omar Portilla. https://amzn.to/45QyQU5Book: The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher. https://amzn.to/4r7fWkvBook: Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman. https://amzn.to/4r2QU5NNonprofit: Support the Enlisted Project (STEP). https://www.teamstepusa.org/Military Retirement Group (Facebook): Join 2,700+ veterans for peer support. https://www.facebook.com/groups/themilitaryretirementgroup#Veteran #Military #MilitaryToCivilian #MilitaryTransition #VeteranBenefits #YoutubeLiveIf you would like to start your own livestream or podcast, go check out 🎙️ StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4998128083271680

John and Vic are joined by Omar Portilla, a Marine Corps veteran, filmmaker, and author of the poetry collection Dust Settles. Omar shares his raw and honest journey of navigating the "wide open ocean" of transition, from being recalled for multiple deployments to finding his footing in the New York arts scene.

We discuss the "Minimalist Phone" habit, the importance of trying multiple jobs to find your "Gold," and how creative writing became a critical tool in Omar’s journey with PTSD.

Key Topics and Timestamps:

[01:25] The "Dumb Phone" Experiment: Vic discusses moving toward a "minimalist phone launcher" to reclaim time and focus from social media [02:20].

[05:57] Operation Headshot: A shoutout to the photography nonprofit helping veterans and spouses build skills and network through the camera [07:43].

[15:22] The Japan Experience: Omar recalls the "culture shock" of being stationed in Japan as a young Marine and the life-altering games played in the barracks [17:30].

[24:31] The Recall Reality: The intense story of being recalled to active service just as civilian life was starting to take hold [25:04].

[34:52] Returning to Your Hometown: Why the "grass isn't always greener" back home and the challenge of realizing the people you left behind have moved on [36:16].

[41:02] Breaking Into Film: How Omar transitioned from acting in front of the camera to producing and directing behind the scenes [43:41].

[51:25] The Power of Trying Everything: Why veterans should "taste" multiple jobs—from bartending to tech—to find what truly fulfills them [53:19].

[58:28] Writing Through Trauma: Omar explains how his book, Dust Settles, was born out of his VA counseling for PTSD and why "speaking the secrets" removes their power [01:01:51].

[01:12:51] Accountability and Mentors: Remembering the late Gunner McGriff and the impact of strong leadership on a young Marine's life [01:12:24].

[01:14:29] The GI Film Festival: A look at the upcoming festival and the importance of supporting veteran creative projects [01:16:04].

Resources Mentioned:

Book: Dust Settles by Omar Portilla (Available on Amazon).

App: Minimal Phone Launcher for digital minimalism.

Nonprofit: Operation Headshot (Photography for Veterans).

Military Retirement Group (Facebook): Join 2,700+ veterans for peer-to-peer support.

#Military #Veteran #MarineCorps #MilitaryToCivilian #VeteransHelpingVeterans #MilitaryTransition #Peruvian #PTSD #Author

John and Vic are joined by Josh Cantrell, founder of MVMT Financial and a retired Army Master Sergeant. We break down the "alphabet soup" of veteran benefits, from the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) to the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP).

Josh shares his personal journey of taking a deferred resignation (DRP) from federal service to launch his own firm, offering a masterclass on financial readiness and why "waiting for the VA" isn't a strategy. Plus, we discuss how veterans can access free Masterclass subscriptions and the potential for free tuition at Harvard.

Key Topics and Timestamps:

[02:36] The VR&E Reality Check: Vic’s update on the 8-month wait for orientation and the importance of showing up for your appointment.

[04:39] Free Harvard Tuition? Discussing the $200k income cap for full-ride scholarships at Ivy League schools.

[10:58] The DRP/Federal Audit: Josh explains why he saw the "writing on the wall" with current federal budget cuts and chose entrepreneurship.

[31:03] The Dave Ramsey Strategy for Vets: Why clearing debt is the single most important mission before you hang up the uniform.

[33:37] The Million Dollar Pension: Why a 20-year military retirement is actually worth millions in the civilian market [34:06].

[56:38] SBP: Pros and Cons: A deep dive into the Survivor Benefit Plan—is 6.5% of your pay worth the 55% payout? [01:00:06].

[01:07:12] VGLI vs. Private Insurance: Why VGLI premiums skyrocket as you age and the value of locking in a private policy while still on active duty [01:09:21].

[01:17:37] TSP Strategies: Should you stay in the C and S funds or move to the G fund during market turmoil? [01:19:03].

[01:35:18] Free Masterclass for Veterans: How to use the Blue Star Neighborhood partnership to get world-class training for free [01:36:16].

Resources Mentioned:

MVMT Financial: https://mvmtfinancial.com/

Blue Star Families: For free Masterclass access [01:39:34].

The Military Retirement Group (Facebook): Join 2,600+ veterans for transition support.

#Veteran #Military #SBP #VGLI #DRP #FederalEmployee #SideHustle #Startup #VeteranHelp #MilitaryRetirement #MilitaryTransition

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John and Vic are joined by career counselor Leora Opstelten for a deep dive into the "boots-on-the-ground" reality of finding a civilian career. We discuss the culture shift between active duty and corporate environments, how to translate "military jargon" into "civilian English," and the power of the informational interview.

Whether you are navigating the current federal hiring landscape or looking to pivot into a new industry, Leora provides the roadmap to ensure your resume—and your confidence—are ready for the mission.

Key Topics and Timestamps:

[03:30] Federal Workforce Updates: Navigating probationary status, job security anxiety, and the "ping-pong" effect of current federal hiring policies.

[09:40] Networking in Uncertain Times: Why pressing the flesh at job fairs and establishing a LinkedIn presence is more critical now than ever before.

[11:16] Nonprofit Spotlight: Support the Enlisted Project (STEP) and their mission to help young military families in high-cost areas [11:42].

[17:07] The Culture Shift: Leora explains the night-and-day difference between military "mission-first" thinking and civilian workplace dynamics.

[21:46] The Art of Problem Solving: How to take combat-ready skills (like split-second decision-making) and show their value in a corporate context.

[25:02] The Two-Way Interview: Flipping the script—why you should be interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you [27:10].

[31:01] Informational Interviews: The "hidden" networking tool. How to reach out on LinkedIn to learn about a field before you apply [32:17].

[35:45] The "No Asshole" Policy: A real-world look at corporate culture and why being a "culture fit" is often more important than your technical certifications [36:21].

[44:40] Resume Masterclass: Why your civilian resume should be one page, how to cut the jargon, and why "fit-reps" don't translate to hiring managers [45:42].

[01:18:22] Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Dealing with the "terrified" feeling of civilian interviews and realizing that if you're in the room, you’re qualified.

[01:33:05] Join the Newsletter: Get the "BLUF" (Bottom Line Up Front) updates at thegreenlogbook.com or militaryretirementpodcast.com.
#MilitaryToCivilian #Veterans #CivilianJobs #federaljobs #MilitaryRetirement #VeteranSupport

If you would like to start your own livestream or podcast, go check out 🎙️ StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4998128083271680