This week we learn about Mark’s unplanned career as a lawyer. As a young soldier, Mark ended becoming a paralegal after the Army did away with his MOS, and then went to law school after a conversation with a JAG. After graduating he had no intention of coming back into the Army (going into private practice instead) until 9/11. He then went onto serve another 15 years. In retirement, Mark served in Government before moving onto his current corporate role. Mark’s profile is available on LinkedIn. ...
Jan 12, 2024•30 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast Post-military career progression is driven by a number of factors including geography, an individual member's financial requirements, area of expertise, and desires. In this instance, we hear from Brent Thompson whose career progression was driven predominantly by location, location, location. In this instance, Brent and his wife had purchased a house in a rural part of California. Yet, via informational interviews, networking, and the rise of remote working due to the pandemic, he landed a ...
Jan 06, 2024•46 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast We close out 2023 with Holly Taylor who enlisted in the Navy before earning her commission and retiring after 26 years of service. While in the Navy, Holly served as a storekeeper, legalman, as a security officer, and then in admin and HR. After leaving the service, Holly went back to school before joining Amazon, serving in Arizona and Alabama, before breast cancer forced her to focus on her health. Holly now serves as a virtual assistant, is active in the military transition field, and leaders...
Dec 30, 2023•34 min•Ep 52•Transcript available on Metacast Yesterday, I had the opportunity to sit down with George Mathew, who talked about his post-military career progression, going from serving in the U.S. Air Force active component to Immigration and Customs Enforcement to USAID, and now to Lockheed Martin. George credits his experiences in the Air Force, including the great people for whom and with whom he worked, for his success. He also offers some great advice to transitioning JAGs as they try to determine what comes next. George's profile ...
Dec 23, 2023•36 min•Ep 51•Transcript available on Metacast Today, we hear from Luis Rodriguez who spent 43 years as a U.S. Army soldier until earlier this year. Luis now serves as an Associate Deputy General Counsel with the Army. In this conversation, we hear again about the importance of networking, networking, networking, other issues associated with entering Government Service, and even the mundane, but important administrative matters such as navigating post-military healthcare coverage. Luis's LinkedIn profile is available at https://www.linke...
Dec 16, 2023•43 min•Ep 50•Transcript available on Metacast What do you get when you take a JAG who has always loved the outdoors, returns to Maine after six years on active duty, including time in Europe, and give him a window at his new law firm overlooking the water in Portland, and combine that with a tolerance for risk? The philosophical answer is never working a day in one's life. In this podcast, we hear from Chad Olcott, who serves as the director for Apogee Adventures (www.apogeeadventures.com) and founder, Parallel Adventures (parallel-adve...
Dec 09, 2023•34 min•Ep 51•Transcript available on Metacast Although our paths did not cross too many times while serving in the Navy JAG Corps, Ian Wexler and I had many common career experiences, including career challenges and duty stations. Ian's last assignment on active duty was as Director, Institute for International Legal Studies in Newport, RI. Following his retirement this past fall, Ian became Director, Institute for Security Governance in Monterey, CA. DISCLAIMER: THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED BY IAN WEXLER IN THIS PODCAST ARE HIS PERSONAL VIEW...
Dec 02, 2023•34 min•Ep 48•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I talk to Zach Prager who left active duty last October. I asked Zach to share his journey as he was someone who reached out to me because of my podcast and I wanted to hear how his career progression went. As you will hear, Zach went through a period of discernment during which he examined both corporate and government work, the latter which he ended up taking and is enjoying very much. Zach's profile is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/zprager/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcas...
Nov 25, 2023•36 min•Ep 47•Transcript available on Metacast In this podcast, former legalman and retired LCDR Mark Blask tells us how he became the Mayor of his hometown of Little Falls, NY, how his experience in the Navy shaped his leadership, and is perspective that everything starts with relationships. By far one of the most charismatic individuals with whom I ever met, and someone I consider fortunate to call a friend, shares his insights and perspectives (as well as some humor). Blaskie's LinkedIn profile can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/...
Nov 18, 2023•31 min•Ep 46•Transcript available on Metacast In his brief three year stint in the Army, Steve Coopersmith wore many hats, including as a legal assistance attorney, SJA and trial counsel. However, he credits being thrust into the position of running a Voluntary Income Tax Assistance Center as a formative experience that set him on a course that led to becoming a business dispute lawyer and running his own law firm. Steve's LinkedIn profile can be viewed at https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-coopersmith-5523a01/ --- Support this podcast:...
Nov 11, 2023•33 min•Ep 22•Transcript available on Metacast This morning, we hear from Scott Johnson, who retired from the Navy in 2017, and is now on his third job with his current role working for a private equity firm, which is also his longest stint. Scott is someone with whom I had many conversations about career progression long before the concept of a podcast came to mind and he has some well-developed thoughts on the chasm between an individual's military service and trying to break into the civilian workspace. Scott's LI profile is at ht...
Nov 04, 2023•33 min•Ep 44•Transcript available on Metacast Although they will not admit it, every grown man who has seen Dennis Quaid in "The Rookie" got a tear in his eye when pitcher Jim Morris gets called up to the big leagues as a 35 year-old rookie. In this episode, we get to hear the JAG Corps version of this true story in which a washed-up 50+ year-old former college baseball player and career JAG, Captain Johnny Nilsen, gets the call from his favorite team, the San Diego Padres to apply for their Military Affairs advisor position that was openin...
Oct 28, 2023•42 min•Ep 43•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Dave Coogan takes us through his journey from serving as a judge advocate to private practice in the City of Champions, Pittsburgh, PA. HE talks about the importance of having a five-year plan, of being deliberate in the job search, the importance of gathering intel about a firm's culture, and the value of the JAG Corps network. Dave's LI profile is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davecoogan/ . --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tom-welsh/support...
Oct 21, 2023•27 min•Ep 42•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I change course and talk to Lisa Lang, who enlisted in the Army after college, spent about 8 years on active duty, and then went to law school. Although not a former JAG, her experiences as an enlisted soldier and as a lawyer in private practice, government, and now education, may be beneficial to transitioning judge advocates. Lisa's LinkedIn profile is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawyerlisalang/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tom-welsh/suppo...
Oct 14, 2023•37 min•Ep 41•Transcript available on Metacast Will Fischbach and I spent nearly 80 minutes talking about his life, schooling, his time as an Army JAG, private practice, and public service. While editing of our conversation I came to realize the relevance of everything we discussed: Will’s willingness to do anything that he was asked to do in the Army has shaped his approach to private practice in Phoenix, AZ; he is an attorney who is not afraid to take on various types of cases. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/s...
Oct 07, 2023•56 min•Ep 40•Transcript available on Metacast As Ben Grimes will tell you, he never set out to be an attorney, but as a Blackhawk pilot who realized that continued service in the Army meant transitioning out of the cockpit to staff duty, decided to become the "staffiest"of all staff officers by becoming a JAG. A self-described "legal ethics geek," Ben then jumped at the opportunity to provide professional ethics advice to attorneys at the Department of Justice, a job which he held for almost seven years. However, realizi...
Sep 30, 2023•39 min•Ep 39•Transcript available on Metacast My conversation today is with Joe Schrantz who articulates a reason why many of us join the service: to be part of a team. It is a desire that has shaped his entire life, from playing sports as a kid and in college to joining the Marine Corps to his work now as Vice President of Business Development at Dauntless Discovery, an e-discovery firm. Joe's LinkedIn profile is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-schrantz/ . To learn more about Dauntless Discovery, visit https://dauntlessdiscovery.com...
Sep 23, 2023•36 min•Ep 38•Transcript available on Metacast Today, we hear from LCDR Jordan Foley, an active-duty judge advocate and founder and CEO of Let's Chow, a 501(c)(3) that gives veterans thinking about going into the food truck or brick-and-mortar restaurant business the resources and space to discern whether the food service industry is for them and if so, gives them the funding to launch their business. This podcast is geared toward anyone thinking about starting or entering the non-profit world. Jordan's LinkedIn profile is located at...
Sep 16, 2023•33 min•Ep 37•Transcript available on Metacast ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN 2022. #1 played episode. For many, retiring from the military and leaving the only career one has had since graduating from college or law school is tough, but even tougher for those whose career comes to an abrupt end due to adversity. In this episode, I talk to Jay Morse whose career came to such an end. Accused of misconduct Jay's fall from grace was humiliating as it was frustrating given the nature of the allegations, the publicity surrounding them, and the lack of a...
Sep 13, 2023•27 min•Ep 41•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, we hear from Ritesh Srivastava who served in the Navy JAG Corps for six years before moving onto private practice before serving as a trial attorney and now serving as a corporate attorney. Hat tip to my former shipmate, Gopi Nadella, for recommending me to sit down with Ritesh. Ritesh's LinkedIn profile is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritesh-sri/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tom-welsh/support...
Sep 09, 2023•34 min•Ep 36•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, retired Navy Captain Alex Whitaker tells us how he ended up back at his alma mater in an administration role before eventually becoming the President of King University in Tennessee where he has been for the past 7 years. He also talks about the state of higher education today, its challenges and rewards. A great primer for any JAG (or non-JAG) who may be interested in pursuing a career in higher education when they leave the service. Alex's LinkedIn profile can be found at ...
Sep 02, 2023•38 min•Ep 35•Transcript available on Metacast Last week, I had the opportunity to chat with retired Captain Dan D’Alesio, who made Jacksonville, FL, his home after retiring from the Navy in 1998. In this episode, Dan talks about his journey into and out of uniform, the things he has done and thought about doing in his second career, taking the Florida bar exam, and the retired Jax JAG community. Dan’s LI profile can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-j-d-alesio-jr-esq-2b702b21. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotif...
Aug 26, 2023•47 min•Ep 34•Transcript available on Metacast In 17 years as a lawyer, Joanne Neighbors has done a lot. After serving in the Army JAG Corps for approximately seven and a half years, she then moved onto civil service for about 10 years before breaking into banking world. Join us as Joanne talks about her incredible journey and what she did to get here. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tom-welsh/support
Aug 19, 2023•29 min•Ep 33•Transcript available on Metacast This week, J. Lee Marsh recounts his journey from the United States Naval Academy, where he became enamored with the law, to submarines to the Navy JAG Corps and finally to becoming a judge in Florida. Judge Marsh's profile is at https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-lee-marsh-2991424/ . --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tom-welsh/support...
Aug 12, 2023•35 min•Ep 32•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I sit down with Hank "Mongo" Molinengo, a Navy JAG Corps legend, who, as you will hear, did a lot scut work while on active duty. A true force of personality, Mongo served as the Navy JAGC's 06, which is a tombstone position, meaning that upon retirement, he was promoted to flag rank. Nonetheless, as you will hear, that did not help much when it came time to looking for post-service employment. (A lot of us generalists can probably identify with this.) Now retired and serving as a ful...
Aug 05, 2023•35 min•Ep 31•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I catch up with Matt Dursa, Chief Legal Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer with Darley, a Midwest company that provides training and material support to the Department of Defense and first responders. Matt takes us through his career progression from the Navy JAG Corps to working with Customs and Border Protection to Darley. Matt's LinkedIn profile can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-dursa/. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tom-we...
Jul 29, 2023•33 min•Ep 30•Transcript available on Metacast Jennifer Green had plans to become an in-house counsel somewhere until she accidentally sent her resume to a recruiter and what played out is an incredible account of career progression being like the proverbial box of chocolates. Listen closely as Jennifer talks about the clients she gets to represent as a plaintiff's attorney. You can hear the passion she has for her clients in her voice. Jennifer never envisioned herself here, but this is an example of what can happen when you surrender y...
Jul 22, 2023•44 min•Ep 29•Transcript available on Metacast Matt Bernstein, an Army Veteran and Partner at Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. in Miami, Florida, takes us through his career progression from the Active Component to a civilian practice, which was not his original plan. Matt talks about being humble, which includes a willingness to acknowledge what you do not know going into a new job as well as explaining why starting out at a lower position is neither a commentary on you as an attorney nor a bad thing. Matt's LinkedIn biography can be fou...
Jul 15, 2023•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week is my conversation with Jessica Hernandez who, like many of us, made a career change, going from practicing law in New York City to figuring out what to do next when she married a Navy officer and relocated to Washington, DC. After some networking and exploring, Jessica ultimately decided to get into helping others by becoming a certified coach. Jessica has helped executives and lawyers find new work. From these experiences, Jessica has a great seat to share insight into the transition...
Jul 08, 2023•43 min•Ep 27•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I talk to Army JAG veteran Chris LaCour whose retirement from the military was a little more abrupt and sooner than he had intended due to medical issues. Stationed in Hawaii at the time, he and his wife executed a plan to relocate to San Antonio, TX, and then find work with Chris attending a Hiring Our Heroes Cohort, through which he landed a non-legal job at USAA before eventually being hired on as a litigation attorney there. Chris's LinkedIn profile is at https://www.linkedin....
Jul 01, 2023•50 min•Ep 24•Transcript available on Metacast 
