After the JAG Corps: Navigating Your Career Progression

FourBlock is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting separating/retiring service members in their transition from military service to meaningful civilian careers. In this episode, Eric Stetson, a retired Army officer, gives us the gouge on FourBlock. Eric’s LinkedIn profile can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericstetson1. Information on FourBlock is available at https://fourblock.org/.

Don King retired from the Navy JAG Corps about two years ago.  As Don explains in this episode, he wanted to get off the bench and back in front of it.  You will hear how he envisioned having a small practice in Southern California, leaving him plenty of time to play golf and enjoy beautiful Coronado.  Things, however, have not turned out as planned.  Not only is Don not playing much golf due to his thriving practice, but he has had to hire other attorneys to handle the caseload.  In this week's episode, recorded on July 2, 2022, Don talks about making the decision to retire, how his plans were impacted by the COVID pandemic, and the launching of King Military Law (https://kingmilitarylaw.com).     Don also talks about the need for experienced former judge advocates to provide pro bono services to veterans with PTSD who have received unfavorable discharges from the services due to attempts to self-medicate following years of combat, and organizations with which you can affiliate to help our heroes receive the help and benefits they need. This episode is for anyone thinking about hanging a shingle after they leave the JAG Corps as Don extends an invitation to you to learn how to avoid the unnecessary mistakes that he made.  Don can be reached via LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/kingmilitarylaw) or via his firm web page. PROGRAMMING NOTE: It has been a busy summer during which I have not had much time to talk to people.  As a result, I am down to one interview.  I am looking for more guests to share their journeys as well as others who could speak about ancillary items associated with transitioning such as the VA disability system.  If you have any interest or recommendations, please e-mail me at afterthejagc@gmail.com

Adam Kantor left the Navy JAG Corps after 7 years back in 2005, a decision which he describes as one of the hardest adult decisions of his life.  In this episode, Adam tells us how a recommendation from a friend to talk to an attorney in Tampa, Florida, put him in the position of making a career change, how his seven years of active-duty service prepared him for his civilian law practice and offers words of encouragement to those who are facing the decision to separate or retire.  Adam's LinkedIn profile can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-kantor-b533715a/. A couple side notes.  First, I had never interacted with Adam until our conversation on July 1, 2022, but the podcast you will hear is largely unedited.  The point is that despite our lack of familiarity, it was like we had known each other for years.  This is a common and unique phenomenon among military veterans that is a huge advantage when it comes to networking.  Everyone tells you that, but, as I listened to our conversation two weeks later, I was struck by how easy it was for us to immediately strike up a conversation.  In fact, Adam introduced me to someone in his network as I pursue my own career progression plans. Second, this summer has been a very busy travel season for me (this is the third Saturday in a row that I am on the road).  Accordingly, I apologize to both guests and audience for not putting in the same amount of time to edit these podcasts.

Mike Millios enjoyed his time in the Army, transitioning to the Reserve Component upon separation. It was while in civilian practice that he recognized how the pressures of today's law practice lead to unhealthy habits and lifestyles. Now in Minnesota, Mike has evolved his practice from criminal defense to mediation, and also become a Wellness and Life Coach, assisting other attorneys and communities embrace Mindfulness and other exercises to live more joyful and less anxious lives. (Apologies to Mike and the audience as this is not my best editing job.  I am on the road the next two weeks and thus unable to devote extended time to editing the clips.) Mike's LinkedIn profile can be found at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmillios/ This conversation was recorded on July 1, 2022.

This week, we shift gears a little by talking to an active-duty judge advocate who has made the decision to separate from the Navy and begin her post-military career, which has nothing to do with the law.  LCDR Leslie Stephenson has served for almost 10 years, but has decided to shift colors and will return to school to pursue a completely different line of work.  What that career is, however, requires you to listen to this episode.  Leslie explains the factors that led her to this decision, the preparations she had undertaken and even provides some additional resources for separating and retiring military members, especially female military members.  What those resources are, again, requires you to listen to this episode. LCDR Stephenson's LinkedIn Profile can be accessed at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesliestephenson/ This conversation was recorded on May 27, 2022.

Happy Fourth of July! Career military officers approaching retirement have a lot on their plate just to get out of the service as well as finding a second career.  One of the things that is not really considered is whether to pursue an alternative to the Survivor Benefit Plan, which costs the retiree 6.5% of their retirement pay over 30 years and provides the surviving spouse with 55% of the member's retainer pay.  In this episode, I talk with Scott Tucker, a USMA graduate and former Army officer, about this issue.  If you are approaching retirement, I recommend you listen to this podcast so that you can thoughtfully make a decision as going the insurance route is something you need some lead time to consider.  Scott's LinkedIn profile can be accessed here.  Additional information and resources can be found at USVetWealth's webpage here or his YouTube channel here.

Mike Green became the first judge advocate assigned to the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in 2000 because Admiral "Skip" Bowman insisted on having a JAG assigned to his staff.  Proving once again that timing is everything in life, Mike was able to leverage his experience at his last assignment to a follow-on career as an attorney at a law firm and then as in-house counsel with a nuclear energy firm before moving over to TerraPower, LLC, this past May, when this conversation was recorded.  Mike entered the Navy in 1984 as a naval aviator and retired in 2004 as a judge advocate.  With 18 years of post-Navy law experience under his belt, Mike shares his wisdom on what is important for retiring and separating judge advocates should consider as they decide what to do next as well as a look back in his time in uniform.  As always, Mike's LinkedIn profile can be accessed by clicking HERE. 

Beth Kubala retired from the U.S. Army JAG Corps in January 2015 after almost 22 years of service, becoming the Senior Director of Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families.  In November 2019, she became the Executive Director and Teaching Professor at the Veterans Legal Clinic at the Syracuse University College of Law.  In this episode, Beth explains she took the a bus on the Greyhound on the Hudson River Line 'cause she's in a New York state of mind, where she is able to look after our veterans in her current role, her love of what she does, and that all one needs is a plan, but it need not be a well-developed plan.  As always, Beth's LinkedIn profile can be accessed by clicking here.  This conversation was recorded in May 2022. All you lawyers know this, but THE CONTENTS OF THIS PODCAST CONSTITUTE THE PERSONAL OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND GUESTS ACTING IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITIES. "AFTER THE JAG CORPS" IS NEITHER AFFILIATED WITH OR ENDORSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEFENSE, THE RESPECTIVE BRANCHES OF THE ARMED SERVICES OR THEIR JUDGE ADVOCATES GENERAL.

If Jonathan Goldsmith was the most "The Most Interesting Man in the World" in those Dos Equis beer commercials, then CDR Scott Suozzi, USN,must be the World's Most Interesting Retired JAG.  After a short stint as a civilian mariner on a oil tanker at the age of 16, Scott went onto graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy, become and deploy as a Surface Warfare Officer, teach at the Naval Academy, and then transition to the Navy JAG Corp's where he served in a number of diverse roles around the world, including in Europe, the Middle East and the Caribbean and South America.  His post-Navy life has been just as adventurous: taking two extended road trips of the United States, serving as chief of staff at a renown institution of higher education, and working with a number of non-profit organizations, including his current role supporting a nationally-known organization that supports the military and first responders.  On May 6, 2022, Scott and I talked about his incredible military career and just as equally impressive (and diverse) post-military career, highlighting the tremendous diversity of experience that our service provides as well all of the amazing opportunities that are out there after one leaves the military.  Scott also talks about the value of taking time to reflect and recharge one's batteries after extended military service and offers some important thoughts for those who are contemplating leaving military service.  Give it a listen! Scott's LinkedIn profile is available by clicking HERE. THE CONTENTS OF THIS PODCAST CONSTITUTE THE PERSONAL OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND GUESTS ACTING IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITIES. "AFTER THE JAG CORPS" IS NEITHER AFFILIATED OR ENDORSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEFENSE, THE RESPECTIVE BRANCHES OF THE ARMED SERVICES OR THEIR JUDGE ADVOCATES GENERAL.

Joe Moyer packed a lot into just four years on active duty in the US Navy JAGC Corps, serving as an in-house counsel, appellate counsel, and a year in Afghanistan, where he really got his first consulting experience working as an advisor to Afghan government officials and lawyers on rule of law issues.  He also met and worked with some individuals who would become of his network and who have helped in his post-Navy career progression.  In this episode, Joe tells us about his journey from the JAGC Corps into the world of consulting and compliance, including his current job advising companies on CFIUS (The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States) requirements.  If you are interested in consulting work after leaving the military, then this episode is for you.  Joe's LinkedIn profile can be found here.   This conversation was recorded May 6, 2022. THE CONTENTS OF THIS PODCAST CONSTITUTE THE PERSONAL OPINIONS OF THE HOST AND GUESTS ACTING IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITIES. "AFTER THE JAG CORPS" IS NEITHER AFFILIATED OR ENDORSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEFENSE, THE RESPECTIVE BRANCHES OF THE ARMED SERVICES OR THEIR JUDGE ADVOCATES GENERAL.