Ever felt like skipping the chain of command? Or wondered how to truly thrive after military service? In this episode, Vic and John sit down with Air Force veteran and veteran coach Daniel Faust to explore the gray area of Reserve retirement, the emotional hurdles of transition, and what it truly takes to advocate for those in need.

Key Moments

[00:01:29] Don't Skip the Chain of Command: A hilarious, cautionary tale about a Marine who went straight to the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps on social media to solve a bonus issue.

[00:07:09] From Active Duty to Reserve: Daniel Faust shares his unique transition story, including the challenges of his mental health AFSC and how fate led him to the Reserves.

[00:13:54] The Gray Area of Retirement: We discuss the complexities of Air Reserve Technician (ART) retirement and not receiving retirement pay until age 58.

[00:20:30] The Freedom to Advocate: Daniel Faust explains why he's leaving federal employment to freely advocate for veterans on crucial issues like homelessness and food insecurity, without government restrictions.

[00:22:31] TriCare Realities: A deep dive into the costs and limitations of TriCare for reservists compared to active-duty service members.

[00:29:49] The 90-Day Goalpost Strategy: We break down a crucial strategy for successful transitions: a family-centric, 90-day goal evaluation to stay on track and reduce stress.

[00:33:53] Relationships & Purpose: Daniel Faust gives a raw account of how his post-military business pursuits almost ruined his marriage and the importance of prioritizing family and faith.

[00:50:56] From Pain to Purpose: Daniel Faust reflects on his past failures, sharing how he turns "wounds into wisdom" to help others in his coaching business.

[01:14:08] The Military Influencer Conference (MIC): Key insights for first-time attendees, including what to expect and tips for making the most of your time at the event.

[01:17:06] Learn and Live Coaching: Daniel Faust introduces his coaching business and how to get a free session for veterans and first responders. He also explains why he's considering an oil rig "side hustle" to fund his dream.

Resources Mentioned

Military Retirement Group (Facebook): A community for veterans, retirees, and those transitioning out of service.

Daniel Faust (LinkedIn): Connect with Daniel Faust for insights on veteran transformation and coaching.

Learn and Live Coaching / "War Hero to Superhero": Find all of Daniel Faust's resources, including free sessions and challenges, at linktr.ee/warherotosuperhero.

"Bottom Line Up Front" Book: Your essential guide to navigating your military transition. Get your copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mqrY5d

Disclaimer

As an Amazon affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through the Amazon link provided in this description. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support the show!

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Ever wondered about military medical retirement? This episode features a candid conversation with Marine Corps veteran Alberto Boy, who shares his firsthand experience navigating the complex medical retirement process. We dive into dispelling common myths, understanding your financial options, and finding your purpose in civilian life.

Key Moments:

[08:40] From Infantry to Logistics: A Career Journey: Alberto discusses his 20-year Marine Corps career, including his time in infantry and later as a Distribution Management Officer (DMO), and how it shaped his transition.

[11:23] Medical Retirement vs. Regular Retirement: Alberto reveals his decision to pursue 20 years of active service despite being approved for medical retirement, and the financial considerations behind it.

[14:55] Dispelling the "Double Pay" Myth: Get the truth about receiving disability payments from both the military and the VA – you can't get double-paid for the same disability.

[18:40] Lawyers & Med Boards: Alberto shares insights on the role of disability lawyers during the med board process and the importance of doing your own research.

[24:17] Mental State During Transition: The emotional and mental challenges of medical retirement and how a strong support group can make all the difference.

[30:07] Finding Purpose as a Civilian: Alberto talks about his "honeymoon stage" after retirement and how he transitioned his military skills into a service manager role at Patterson Dental.

[33:16] The Value of Prior Military Colleagues: How working for a company with other prior service members helped ease Alberto's transition into civilian employment.

[36:43] SkillBridge & the VA: Alberto's experience with the SkillBridge program, working as a VSR for the VA, and gaining valuable insight into the claims process.

[41:33] Top Tips for Medical Retirement: Alberto's key advice for anyone considering military medical retirement, emphasizing research and individual situation assessment.

[46:48] The Burden of Medical Retirement: John and Vic discuss the heavy lift involved in medical retirement compared to traditional retirement, and the prevalence of misinformation.

[58:05] 2025 Goals: Vic shares his ambitious goals for the podcast, his personal "Green Log Book" channel, and his commitment to physical and mental well-being in retirement.

Resources Mentioned:

Military Retirement Group (Facebook): Connect with other veterans and retirees, share experiences, and get advice on your transition journey.

Alberto Boy (LinkedIn): If you have questions about medical retirement, connect with Alberto on LinkedIn.

WARTECH Program (VA): Learn more about this SkillBridge program at discover.va.gov/transition-programs

"Bottom Line Up Front" Book: Your essential guide to navigating your military transition. Get your copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mqrY5d

Disclaimer:

As an Amazon affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through the Amazon link provided in this description. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support the show!

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

Getting out soon? Worried about the transition? In this episode, we're tackling the biggest questions about post-military life, from how to manage your finances to the tricky decision of chasing that last promotion. It's an episode packed with real-world advice and personal stories to help you navigate your next chapter.

Key Moments:

[00:03:00] VA Claims & Honesty: Why you should never lie on your VA claims and how to properly communicate your condition to get the rating you deserve.

[00:06:30] The Retirement Trigger: Is that last promotion worth staying in for? We share our perspectives and advice on making the right choice for your family and your future.

[00:10:49] The Golden Rule of Transition: Our #1 financial tip for every service member: pay off all your debt before you get out.

[00:15:07] Government Shutdown & Your Benefits: What you need to know about how a potential government shutdown could impact your veteran benefits.

[00:26:30] Understanding the COLA Trap: We break down the military retiree cost-of-living adjustments for 2025 and explain how your retirement date affects your pay raises.

[00:47:50] The Contractor vs. GS Journey: A candid look at the differences between working as a DoD contractor and a GS employee, and what it felt like to be a "third-class citizen."

[01:08:00] USAJOBS Resume Secrets: Personal tips for navigating the federal application process and finally getting your resume to stand out.

Resources Mentioned:

Military Retirement Group (Facebook): Find community support and answers to your questions from fellow veterans in our Facebook group.

"Bottom Line Up Front" Book: Your essential guide to navigating your military transition. Get your copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mqrY5d

Disclaimer:

As an Amazon affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through the Amazon link provided in this description. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support the show!

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