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When Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Jason Anderson retired after 20 years of service, his transition looked perfect on paper. He landed a defense industry job with just one resume and two interviews, quickly rising to an executive position managing operations across Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. But behind this apparent success lurked a troubling reality: "I was not ready to perform in these roles at all," Anderson reveals.

This startling admission forms the foundation of our eye-opening conversation about the fundamental disconnect in military transition preparation. Anderson, now founder and CEO of PreVeteran, argues persuasively that the military and private sector are vastly different environments requiring entirely different mindsets and approaches – a reality the current transition system fails to acknowledge.

"We don't have a resume problem," Anderson explains, challenging conventional wisdom. "We have an 'I don't know what I want to do' problem." This insight cuts to the heart of why so many veterans struggle despite possessing extraordinary skills and experience. Through his pioneering work applying cognitive neuroscience to transition preparation, Anderson has developed a framework that helps service members understand how their military-shaped thinking patterns influence their decision-making, and provides tools to create new anchors in the private sector.

The conversation delves into controversial but important topics, including the debate over free versus paid transition services and why starting transition preparation 18 months to 3 years before separation creates optimal results. Whether you're years from separation or already navigating civilian life, this episode offers a transformative perspective on military transition that could fundamentally change how you approach your post-military career journey.

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.

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What happens when your therapist asks you to practice rejection by applying for jobs you think are out of reach? For Air Force Tech Sergeant Christopher Coffey, it led to three six-figure job offers and a complete rethinking of his value in the civilian workforce.

This eye-opening conversation challenges the most persistent myths about military transition, especially for non-senior enlisted personnel. Chris shares how he landed a management position with a six-figure salary without using LinkedIn or networking – simply by having a professional resume and thorough interview preparation. His story directly contradicts what many hear in Transition Assistance Programs about "starting at the bottom" after military service.

The journey wasn't without challenges. Chris candidly describes his process of "demilitarizing" himself – adjusting to civilian workplace culture where not everyone follows regulations to the letter, learning to call his boss by first name instead of "sir," and adapting to a workplace that values gradual improvement over immediate action. These adjustments, while sometimes frustrating, were key to his successful integration into his new role.

Perhaps the most valuable takeaway from Chris's experience is his mantra: "Don't tell yourself no." By refusing to disqualify himself from opportunities and letting employers make the decision instead, he opened doors that many veterans assume are closed to them. His advice to fellow transitioning service members is refreshingly straightforward – get help with your resume, prepare thoroughly for interviews, and most importantly, recognize the true value of your military experience in the civilian marketplace.

Whether you're years away from transition or actively job hunting, this conversation offers practical insights that could dramatically change your approach to finding meaningful civilian employment. What opportunities might be waiting if you stop telling yourself no?

Connect with Chris Coffey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-m-coffey/

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.

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Maintaining meticulous records might not seem like the most exciting aspect of career management, but as veterans know, proper documentation can make all the difference between mission success and failure. In this tactical solo episode, Lori Norris shares a comprehensive system for organizing your job search and ongoing career documentation that leverages military precision while adapting to civilian workplace realities.

Drawing from years of experience helping thousands of transitioning service members, Lori explains why getting caught unprepared when employers call about positions you applied for weeks earlier can derail opportunities before they begin. She outlines a practical digital folder system organized by company and position that ensures you'll never be scrambling for information during that critical employer callback. From saving job descriptions that disappear from websites to conducting and documenting SWOT analyses of potential employers, this approach transforms reactive job searching into strategic career advancement.

The most valuable insight extends beyond the transition phase into long-term career management. Unlike the military's structured evaluation systems, civilian workplaces often lack comparable documentation processes. Veterans who implement their own accomplishment tracking systems—recording metrics, project outcomes, and quantifiable wins—gain a significant advantage when seeking promotions, requesting raises, or facing unexpected career disruptions. This documentation also serves as powerful evidence against imposter syndrome, providing concrete proof of your contributions when self-doubt creeps in.

Connect with Lori Norris and provide feedback on if you like solo episodes and what subjects you'd like her to cover at: www.linkedin.com/in/lorinorris

Your military experience has already equipped you with exceptional attention to detail and documentation skills. By applying these strengths to civilian career management, you create a strategic advantage that will serve you throughout your professional journey. Whether you're actively transitioning now or building your civilian career, this episode provides the blueprint for career documentation mastery that puts you in control of your professional narrative.

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.