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The Strategic Veteran

The Strategic Veteran

By: Adam Peters
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 Welcome to The Strategic Veteran, a raw and unfiltered journey into military transition. Host Adam Peters challenges the status quo by sharing authentic stories of veterans navigating life after service while advocating for real systemic change in how our military prepares service members for civilian life. Each episode dives deep into the human transition experience - from the struggles that many face but few discuss to the transformative moments that shape new paths forward. Through honest conversations with fellow veterans, Adam explores the challenges of identity, purpose, and belonging that come with hanging up the uniform. More than just a podcast, The Strategic Veteran is a movement. It's about proving that meaningful change is possible, even in systems others claim can't be changed. Whether you're a veteran seeking connection, a service member preparing for transition, or someone passionate about supporting our military community, these stories will inspire, challenge, and empower you to be part of the solution. Join us as we work to bridge the gap between military and civilian life, one story at a time.Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Peter Pollock

    Peter Pollock
    Feb 23 2026
    In this episode, Peter Pollock, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, shares what really happens after a senior officer retires and the structure disappears. After 24 years of service, command roles, deployments, and Pentagon work, Peter expected the transition to be manageable. It wasn’t. We talk about identity loss at the officer level, leadership myths in corporate America, why rank means nothing on the outside, and how veterans collide with mediocrity after service. This is a blunt conversation about leadership, failure, and starting over when the playbook you lived by no longer applies. Subscribe for real transition stories without bullshit: https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS • Growing up and choosing the Air Force • Being denied flight school and adapting early • Command, deployments, and Pentagon work • Retiring after 24 years and losing structure • Why corporate leadership frustrates veterans • Leadership vs title when failure actually matters • Rebuilding purpose without rank or uniform GUEST BIO Peter Pollock is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, leadership coach, and founder of Gladius Consulting. After 24 years of service, Peter now works with leaders and organizations to build decision-making, accountability, and real leadership grounded in responsibility, not position. LINKS • Gladius Consulting: https://gladiusconsultingtx.com • Email Peter: peter@gladiusconsultingtx.com • The Strategic Veteran Podcast: • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd • Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-strategic-veteran/id1743039436
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Joshua Palassis

    Joshua Palassis
    Feb 23 2026
    In this episode, Joshua Palassis shares what it feels like when your entire plan collapses overnight. After failing aircrew selection, Joshua lost his military path, his income, and his independence and was forced to move back home and repay the Army. No backup plan. No safety net. Just failure staring him in the face. Instead of staying stuck, Joshua rebuilt from the ground up. Through self-education, entrepreneurship, relationship-building, and brutal self-honesty, he carved a new path in branding, marketing, and connection-driven business. This conversation breaks down the reality of transition, investing in yourself, finding mentors, and why people—not job titles—are the real leverage point after the military. Subscribe for real transition stories that don’t sugarcoat the process: https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS • Growing up in Hamilton, Ontario • Joining the Canadian military and commissioning as an infantry officer • The reality of officer life and broken expectations • Failing aircrew selection and losing a career path • Paying back the military and moving home • Investing $5,000 into self-education • Learning marketing, ClickFunnels, and online business • The power of mentorship and relationships • Becoming a connector instead of chasing titles GUEST BIO Joshua Palassis is a Canadian Army veteran, entrepreneur, brand strategist, and podcast host of The Connector. After a difficult military transition, Joshua rebuilt his life through self-education, marketing, and relationship-driven business. Today, he helps founders, executives, and creators grow their brands, land stages, and build meaningful opportunities through connection. LINKS • Joshua on Instagram: https://instagram.com/palassis • The Connector Podcast • Brand Alchemy • The Strategic Veteran Podcast: • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd • Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-strategic-veteran/id1743039436
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Rand Timmerman

    Rand Timmerman
    Feb 9 2026
    In this episode, Rand Timmerman, a Vietnam War Marine, former mustang officer, JAG attorney, and lifelong alcoholic in recovery, shares one of the most honest stories ever told on this show. From rural poverty and combat in Vietnam to decades of buried trauma, night terrors, and alcohol-fueled survival, Rand walks us through what happens when the past finally demands to be faced. At nearly seventy years old, sober and grieving deep loss, Rand made a radical choice. He walked the Appalachian Trail alongside his brother. Twenty-two hundred miles. One step at a time. Not to escape his demons, but to meet them head-on. This conversation is about war, grief, faith, addiction, brotherhood, and the truth that it is never too late to change course. Subscribe for real transition stories that don’t pull punches: https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS • Growing up in rural poverty and enlisting during Vietnam • Infantry combat, helicopters, bayonets, and survivor’s guilt • Alcohol as a lifelong coping mechanism • Becoming a mustang officer and Marine JAG • Night terrors, PTSD, and a psych ward at 65 • Sobriety and faith later in life • Walking the Appalachian Trail at nearly 70 • Why healing is one hard mile at a time GUEST BIO Rand Timmerman is a Vietnam War Marine veteran, former mustang officer, retired attorney, author, and recovery advocate. After decades of buried trauma and alcoholism, Rand found sobriety and healing later in life. He is the author of A Spiritual Passage, documenting his 2,200-mile journey on the Appalachian Trail and the inner work that came with it. LINKS • Rand Timmerman Website: https://randtimmerman.com • Book: A Spiritual Passage (Amazon) • Email Rand: rand.timmerman@gmail.com • The Strategic Veteran Podcast: • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3U8FOupOu070V00PXR4DSd • Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-strategic-veteran/id1743039436
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    1 hr and 1 min
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