Send us a text

What happens when a highly-decorated Green Beret with an MFA in Creative Writing decides to forge a completely different path after retirement? Randy Searles takes us on his remarkable journey from 32 years in Army Special Forces to becoming a sought-after editor and ghostwriter for military authors.

Randy's story begins with unexpected change when policy shifts forced an earlier retirement than planned. Facing this transition while going through a divorce, he embarked on a soul-searching 500-mile hike across northern Spain on the famous Camino de Santiago. The trek, intended to help process his military exit and prove his physical capabilities despite injuries, delivered far more than expected, including meeting his future wife on just the second day.

While hiking, Randy received an email about a specialized editing certification program. What began as a simple interest in improving his own writing transformed into the foundation of a thriving business. Within two years of focused effort, Randy built a six-figure editing and ghostwriting practice that now allows him to work just 20 hours weekly from his home in Spain.

The episode dives deep into the realities of military memoir writing, with Randy explaining the different approaches authors take, from legacy memoirs documenting entire careers to focused accounts of specific deployments. His experience collaborating on the New York Times bestseller "Operation Pineapple Express" and over 40 other books provides listeners with candid insights about publishing economics and what it really takes to succeed in the industry.

Most valuably, Randy shares how he's paying it forward through his SkillBridge program called "Story Ninjas," teaching transitioning service members the editing craft and business fundamentals they need to follow a similar path. You can learn more about this program at https://militaryeditor.com/ghostwriting/ and https://thestoryninjas.com/.

His newly-launched Military Writers Academy aims to connect veteran authors with editors who understand military culture and experiences.

If you want to explore how your military background might translate into a creative career, connect with Randy on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/randall-surles-military-editor/

This conversation offers both inspiration and practical wisdom for charting an unconventional but rewarding post-service path. Subscribe to Lessons Learned for Vets for more stories of successful military transitions.

The Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast is sponsored by Seek Now and their Drive Academy. Seek Now is the property inspection industry's leading business and they created Drive Academy DoD SkillBridge and CSP internships to teach transitioning military service members and veterans skills that prepare them for lucrative and rewarding careers in the property inspection and insurance industries. You can learn more and apply today at www.internwithdrive.com.

Send us a text

What happens when your dream job becomes uncertain during a government reduction in force? Keith Cassant, a retired Army veteran and sought-after transition expert, returns to the podcast with powerful insights about navigating unexpected career changes.

Keith opens up about his journey since military retirement in 2019, sharing how he found his "dream job" as Veterans Program Manager at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Despite rating his role at an impressive 4.2 out of 5 on his famous "five factors" scale, Keith now faces uncertainty due to federal workforce reductions. His candid discussion reveals critical information about veterans preference protections that many federal employees misunderstand – particularly that veterans who retired based on years of service (rather than medical retirement) may not have the job security they believe. For more details, you can visit: https://webapps.dol.gov/elaws/vets/vetpref/elig_rif.htm

The conversation shifts to practical networking strategies as Keith demonstrates what host Lori Norris calls "the poster child for announcing you're open to work." Rather than simply stating he's looking, Keith clearly articulates his expertise, provides specific examples of his accomplishments, and identifies exactly what roles he's seeking. His methodical approach to tagging connections demonstrates the importance of targeted networking rather than casting a wide net without direction.

One of the most valuable insights comes from Keith's "find 10 mentors" philosophy, encouraging transitioning service members to build a personal "board of advisors" rather than relying on a single mentor. This approach acknowledges that different mentors offer varied perspectives and expertise, creating a more robust support system during transition challenges. Keith also shares his "one rule" for resumes – that every action must have a measurable result tied to it – explaining that "your experiences don't get you the job; the results of those experiences do."

Keith closes with what might be his most honest truth bomb: expect to fail during transition. Like knowing you'll get cut in a knife fight, anticipating setbacks prevents them from derailing your progress. Even with his experience and expertise, Keith still feels the sting of rejection – but he refuses to let it stop him from moving forward with resilience and purpose.

Whether you're facing unexpected career changes or preparing for military transition, this episode delivers actionable strategies from someone who's living through the challenges right alongside you. Connect with Keith on LinkedIn to follow his journey and access his wealth of transition wisdom at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithcassant/

You can hear Keith as the cohost of the Vet S.O.S. Podcast here: https://vetsospodcast.com

The Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast is sponsored by Seek Now and their Drive Academy. Seek Now is the property inspection industry's leading business and they created Drive Academy DoD SkillBridge and CSP internships to teach transitioning military service members and veterans skills that prepare them for lucrative and rewarding careers in the property inspection and insurance industries. You can learn more and apply today at www.internwithdrive.com.

Send us a text

Gennaro "Pirate" Mazzeo turned his military transition into an adventure – and it changed everything. After retiring from the Marine Corps during COVID after 22 years of service, he embarked on an unexpected journey that led him from ROTC instructor to bartender to federal employee with Naval Criminal Investigative Services.

What makes Gennaro's story so compelling is his refreshingly positive mindset about military transition. Rather than viewing this major life change as an inherently difficult struggle (as many do), he approached it with the same openness and sense of discovery that characterized his military deployments. "Every time I got on a plane to go on a training expedition, I didn't know where it was going to take me," he explains. "I wanted to approach the next part of my life with that same kind of openness."

His perspective challenges conventional wisdom about veteran career paths in several important ways. First, he deliberately chose not to pursue leadership roles despite retiring as a First Sergeant. "Leadership comes with a cost," he shares, whether human, physical, or monetary. Instead, he prioritized being present for his family – something he missed during years of deployments and field training.

Perhaps most thought-provoking is his view that jobs don't need to fulfill a higher purpose or passion. "Having a job is just okay," Gennaro insists. "It's okay just to go to work and come home. It's okay just to provide for your family." This perspective freed him from the pressure many veterans feel to find work that matches their previous status.

A recent heart attack at age 44 further crystallized these priorities. In those critical moments, he wasn't thinking about career advancement or financial obligations – only his faith, family, and relationships mattered. This powerful wake-up call reinforced that our professional identities should not define our entire existence.

Are you approaching your military transition with dread or anticipation? Listen to this episode to discover how changing your mindset might be the most important preparation you can make. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation about creating a post-military life aligned with your true priorities.

You can connect with Gennaro Mazzeo on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gennaromazzeo8999/

Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22

Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a 5-star review. Please share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!
If you learned something valuable today, share it. Leave us a review and write a post on social media about the lessons that helped you today from this episode.

The Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast is sponsored by Seek Now and their Drive Academy. Seek Now is the property inspection industry's leading business and they created Drive Academy DoD SkillBridge and CSP internships to teach transitioning military service members and veterans skills that prepare them for lucrative and rewarding careers in the property inspection and insurance industries. You can learn more and apply today at www.internwithdrive.com.