In this episode, join hosts Nick and John as they share candid insights into the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from military to civilian life. From the frustrating realities of job interviews and government applications to the nuanced art of de-escalation and the pursuit of personal growth, this conversation offers invaluable perspectives for anyone navigating new chapters. Dive deep into discussions on letting go of perfectionism, the power of asking questions, and the enduring importance of being a good human being.

Key Topics with Timestamps

Below are the key discussions from the episode, marked with timestamps for easy navigation:

0:01 Job Interviews and Unexpected Technical Difficulties

6:12 Mastering USAJobs and OPM Website Applications

7:15 Tailoring Resumes for Government Jobs

16:32 Supporting Veteran Well-being Through Creative Arts

19:22 Insights into Government Contracting and SAM.gov

22:42 Civilian Life and Personal Growth: De-escalation Insights

26:29 The Enduring Importance of Being a Good Human Being

38:26 Navigating Content Creation and Personal Channels

41:46 Embracing the "80% Solution" and Letting Go of Perfectionism

58:48 The Value of Asking Questions in a New Role

1:06:20 Connecting with the Military Retirement Community

Books and Resources Discussed

Here is a list of all the organizations, tools, and resources mentioned in this episode, complete with direct links:

USAJobs: The official website for U.S. government job opportunities – https://www.usajobs.gov/

OPM (Office of Personnel Management): Provides guidance on federal employment – https://www.opm.gov/

Creative Arts for Vets: An organization dedicated to providing art supplies and promoting well-being for veterans and service members – https://rural.indiana.edu/focus/arts-culture/creative-arts-for-vets/index.html

@sheenapreneur (Sheena): A resource for learning about government contracting and navigating sam.gov

SAM.gov: The official U.S. government system for contract opportunities – https://sam.gov/

@thegreenlogbook : Vic's YouTube channel, offering valuable content for veterans

Military Retirement Group: A community for military retirees and veterans on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/groups/themilitaryretirementgroup

"The Bottom Line Up Front" Book: Your co-authored book, available for purchase – https://amzn.to/4kFs9ZF

Listen to the Full Episode

Ready to gain valuable insights on navigating post-military life, career transitions, and personal development?

Listen to the full episode here: https://youtube.com/live/69ePAEeGIfE

Simplifying VA Disability Claims with https://veteranai.co ⁨@VeteranAiOfficial⁩ In this episode, we sit down with Dennis Spawn, the innovative founder of Veteran AI, to explore how his groundbreaking tool is revolutionizing the often-complex process of VA disability claims. Discover how Veteran AI helps veterans efficiently manage their claims, generate crucial evidence, and navigate the bureaucratic landscape, ultimately aiming to save them time and money. Learn more about Veteran AI and its mission to empower veterans by visiting their official website: veteranai.co.Key Topics with TimestampsBelow are the key discussions from the episode, marked with timestamps to help you easily navigate the conversation:0:49 Personal Updates & Side Projects11:50 Veteran AI Introduction and Functionality13:55 Generating Evidence for VA Claims with AI14:29 Identifying Secondary Claims with Veteran AI16:26 Utilizing DSM-5 and NIH Articles for Claims12:23 Understanding Challenges with VA Claims23:15 The Role of VSOs (Veteran Service Officers) and Veteran AI's Complementary Nature37:23 The Future of Veteran AI37:49 Upcoming Features: Live Customer Service and Voice-to-AI38:31 Collaborating with VSOs and Potential VA Partnerships28:33 Discussion on 38 CFR and AI ToolsBooks and Resources DiscussedHere is a list of all the books, organizations, and tools mentioned in this episode, complete with direct links for your convenience:Veteran AI: The revolutionary tool for VA claims – https://veteranai.co"Freedom" by Sebastian Junger: A powerful book exploring themes of society and the military – https://amzn.to/4lscq1f"Tribe" by Sebastian Junger: Another insightful read from Junger on belonging and combat – https://amzn.to/4lSZ9yADSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition): A critical resource used in mental health diagnosis – https://amzn.to/3IGpeSXNIH (National Institutes of Health) Articles: Publicly available research articles for medical information – https://www.nih.gov/Restrepo Documentary: A compelling documentary by Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1559549/VetArt.org: An organization supporting veteran art communities – https://vetart.orgArmed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP): Empowering veterans through the arts – https://asapasap.org @TheCivDiv most comprehensive channel for Veteran Disability benefitsGoogle NotebookLM: Google's AI-powered research and note-taking tool – https://notebooklm.google/38 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 38): The body of regulations governing veterans' benefits – https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-4Veterans Benefits Reddit: A vibrant online community for discussions and advice on VA benefits – Visit https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransBenefits/ on Reddit"The Bottom Line Up Front" (Your book): https://amzn.to/4eK6qhHWreaths Across America: Honoring fallen service members – https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.orgMilitary Retirement Group on Facebook: A community for military retirees and veterans – https://www.facebook.com/groups/themilitaryretirementgroup/The Green Logbook (YouTube Channel): A YouTube channel from one of your hosts – Visit The Green Logbook on YouTube @thegreenlogbook As an Amazon affiliate - some links may result in commissions for the site.

This "Funday Sunday" session of the Military Retirement Podcast, hosted by John McConnell, features Vic discussing overseas relocation for military personnel transitioning out of service. They share personal experiences and offer insights into various factors influencing relocation decisions. The episode also announces their new book, "Bottom Line Up Front," aimed at assisting military members with their transition. Key topics include job considerations (GS, NAF, contractor, civilian), financial planning, pre-move exploration using TDY trips, and an in-depth look at government civilian job types overseas. Towards the end, the discussion touches on job application tips and the rapid advancements in AI, emphasizing the need for continuous learning.Important Moments:00:02:15 - Discussing overseas relocation and personal experiences.00:04:00 - Promoting the book "Bottom Line Up Front."00:05:07 - Key topics covered in the book.00:10:24 - Key factors for military relocation: job opportunities, cost of living, and personal finances.00:18:12 - Utilizing TDY trips for relocation scouting.00:20:19 - Job avenues for overseas relocation (GS, NAF, government contracting, civilian).00:21:09 - Renting versus buying in a new location.00:24:22 - Using USAJOBS for government positions.00:26:12 - Understanding overseas GS position caps.00:28:34 - Benefits of NAF vs. GS positions.00:30:08 - NAF positions and quality of life.00:33:14 - Exploring NAF positions on USAJOBS.00:35:50 - The lengthy government hiring process and SOFA agreements.00:37:00 - Base privileges for contractors and retirees.00:38:51 - Advantages of relocating from the states.00:43:08 - Relocation allowance and baggage add-ons.00:45:07 - Resume tips for GS positions.00:47:35 - Civilian success in USAJOBS applications.00:49:19 - Networking and internal hires in government jobs.00:51:24 - Justin Murphy's resume approach.00:53:19 - E-7 knowledge vs. GS-12/13 positions.00:54:50 - Continuous learning and skill development.00:55:59 - The rapid advancement of AI.01:01:20 - Recap of OCONUS retirement and job search.01:05:30 - Personal preference for NAF positions.Books and Resources Mentioned:Bottom Line Up Front: What You Need to Know Before You Leave the Military by John McConnell and Victor De La Flor: https://amzn.to/46hYge8Channel Social Links:Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/981767756191573Relevant Hashtags:#MilitaryRetirement #OverseasRelocation #MilitaryTransition #GovernmentJobs #GSJobs #NAFJobs #MilitaryLife #VeteranLife #RetirementPlanning #OCONUS #MilitaryBenefits #JobSearch #MilitaryPodcast #BottomLineUpFront