Episodes

  • Top Three Pieces of Advice for Transitioning Service Members, from Robert Massey w/ Robert Solano

    Top Three Pieces of Advice for Transitioning Service Members, from Robert Massey w/ Robert Solano
    May 24 2024
    Join host Robert Solano as he chats with Robert Massey, a longtime friend, West Point classmate, and nearly retired Army officer. Rob shares his insights and lessons learned from transitioning from military to civilian life, offering valuable advice for service members at any stage of their transition. Rob discusses the importance of early financial planning, evaluating the Survivor Benefit Plan versus life insurance, and navigating the VA process. He highlights the SkillBridge program and other resources for transitioning service members. Networking tips and leveraging LinkedIn effectively are also covered. Reflecting on his military career, Rob shares his experiences, emphasizing the significance of maintaining health and a routine during the transition. He also talks about his current work at Techolutions, a leading consulting company that's pioneering artificial intelligence tools, processes and custom solutions to help enterprises succeed faster at scale. Memorable Moments: 5:50 – Importance of getting your medical items documented in your active duty medical records. 10:45 – Getting added to the burn pit registry and getting your lungs tested. 13:00 – Despite the rose-colored nostalgia we have of the military, the best days are still ahead of us. 17:00 – LinkedIn gets crammed down service member’s throats during the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), but most don’t know how to leverage it as best as they should. 18:15 – SkillBridge and Career Skills Program. 24:00 – Evaluating life insurance versus the Survivor Benefits Program, and importance of getting life insurance quotes before beginning VA disability claim process. 33:50 – Interview with the artificial intelligence cohost, Lexi. Connect with Robert and Robert on LinkedIn! Robert Massey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-p-massey/ Robert Solano: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobertsolano/ Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes!
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    39 mins
  • Avoiding the COLA Trap and Selecting the Best Retirement Date w/Robert Solano +A.I.

    Avoiding the COLA Trap and Selecting the Best Retirement Date w/Robert Solano +A.I.
    May 17 2024

    Veterans in Transition, episode 2. "Avoiding the COLA Trap. Selecting the right retirement date."

    KEY TAKEAWAY

    👍 Your retirement date must be on the 1st of the month

    👍 Annual COLA and inflation adjustments affect your retirement pay

    👍 Historically, you should avoid retiring on July 1st

    👍 The best months to retire are usually March (best), June, September, and December 1st

    👍 In addition to your accrued leave, you also get 20 days of permissive TDY (CONUS) or 30 days (OCONUS)

    👍 Career Skills Program or SKillbridge must be within 180 days of retirement

    👍 In this example, 3 month Skillbridge + 1 month PTDY + 60 days of accrued leave = 6 month transition

    🔔 Subscribe for more insights on military transitions and hit the bell to stay updated!💬 Got questions or your own experiences to share? Comment below—we love hearing from you!

    👍 Like this video if you found it helpful, and share it with a fellow service member who might benefit from these tips.Thank you for your support and for tuning in to "The Transitioning Warrior" where we help you navigate the shift from military to civilian life with confidence.

    Disclaimer: SFC Lexi O'Hara is an AI generated avatar. We are not responsible if she goes rogue and starts WWIII. The opinions expressed are the authors own and do not represent the DoD or any other organization.

    Check out my website: https://robertsolano.com/


    Follow me onLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobertsolano/

    Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/TheRobertSolano/

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    11 mins
  • When to Tell Your Boss that You Are Retiring, Veteran Transition Tips with Robert Solano

    When to Tell Your Boss that You Are Retiring, Veteran Transition Tips with Robert Solano
    May 10 2024

    In this episode of Veterans in Transition, Robert Solano shares his journey toward military retirement and the pivotal decision of when to announce his transition. From navigating career opportunities to choosing the right time to communicate your plans, Robert discusses his choice to announce early and how it shaped his transition. Joined by his battle buddy and A.I. cohost, Sergeant First Class Lexi O'Hara, the two dig deep into the nuances of timing your announcement, handling second-guessing, and keeping doors open while maintaining peace of mind. Tune in for: - Practical tips for deciding the right time to announce retirement. - Insights on weighing career goals against family needs and personal growth. - The importance of keeping your options open if you're uncertain. - The military joke of the day to keep things light! Whether you're an active service member contemplating your next chapter or a vet navigating civilian life, this episode is packed with valuable advice for transitioning warriors. Subscribe to our channel for more episodes like this and leave a comment to let us know your thoughts! #MilitaryRetirement #TransitioningWarrior #Veterans #MilitaryCareer #PodcastEpisode #TransitionAdvice
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    11 mins