Leaving the military comes with challenges-redefining your purpose, finding a meaningful career, and stepping into an unfamiliar civilian world where your experience isn't always understood. But what if your military skills could be the key to success in one of the fastest-growing and most mission-driven industries today? The cybersecurity field is facing a massive talent shortage, and veterans have exactly what it takes to fill the gap. Tactical decision-making, problem-solving under pressure, and a mission-first mindset-these are the same skills that make an effective cyber professional. In this episode, we sit down with Ricoh Danielson, an Army veteran and cybersecurity expert, to break down how veterans can transition into cyber careers, whether they have a technical background or not. We dive into the real-world pathways available, including training programs, certifications, and networking strategies that get veterans in the door. Ricoh shares his own journey from the battlefield to cybersecurity, how he built a successful career in the industry, and why veterans are uniquely suited to excel in this space. If you're looking for a career that offers both purpose and opportunity, cybersecurity might just be your next mission. Listen in as we map out the steps to make it happen.

Timestamps 03:15 - Recognizing transferable military skills suitable for cybersecurity​ 12:40 - Training programs and certifications tailored for veterans​ 25:10 - Navigating the cybersecurity job market as a veteran​ 37:55 - Success stories: Veterans thriving in cybersecurity roles​ 48:20 - Resources and support systems for veterans entering tech fields

• Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1

View the transcript for this episode.

Some wounds don't come from the battlefield-they come from within the ranks. Brandon Caserta was strong. Disciplined. Determined. He had a dream to serve in the military, to push himself to the limits, to be part of something greater than himself. But when he faced toxic leadership, retaliation, and neglect from those meant to lead, the weight became unbearable. His parents, Terri and Patrick Caserta, were left with the unimaginable loss of their son. But instead of letting their grief consume them, they fought back-championing the Brandon Act, a law ensuring service members can confidentially seek mental health help without fear of retaliation. In this episode, we discuss:

• Brandon's story-the warning signs, the failures, and the tragic end
• The deep-seated issues of toxic leadership in the military
• How the Brandon Act is changing the way service members access mental health care
• What veterans and active-duty personnel can do to protect themselves and support their brothers and sisters in arms

Brandon should still be here. His story should have had a different ending. But because of his parents' fight, lives are being saved today. Listen in and share this episode-because no service member should feel alone in their struggle.

00:02:15 - Who Brandon Caserta was and the values he lived by 00:10:15 - The toxic leadership and broken culture within the Navy 00:29:00 - The events leading up to Brandon's death on the flight line 01:04:20 - How Terri and Patrick uncovered the truth and began their fight 01:32:10 - What the Brandon Act means for today's service members

• Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
• Website: https://www.thebrandonact.org
• Foundation: https://www.brandoncasertafoundation.org
• Follow The Brandon Act on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebrandonact
• Follow The Brandon Act on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrandonact/
• Follow The Brandon Act on Twitter/X: https://x.com/ActBrandon
• Follow The Brandon Act on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-brandon-act-719821228/

View the transcript for this episode.

Losing the uniform doesn't mean losing your mission. But for a lot of veterans, the transition out of service feels like being dropped into an unknown world without a map. That's exactly what Rob Sarver and Alex Gendzier set out to fix. After years of interviews with veterans, deep research into military transition, and personal experience, they wrote Warrior to Civilian: The Field Manual for the Hero's Journey-a guide designed to help veterans navigate the mental, emotional, and professional challenges of post-service life.

In this episode, they break down the biggest obstacles veterans face-loss of identity, lack of purpose, job struggles, and mental health hurdles-and provide real-world strategies to overcome them. From the wisdom of ancient warrior cultures to the latest research on PTSD, career fulfillment, and personal growth, this conversation is packed with insights every veteran needs to hear.

If you're a veteran looking for a blueprint to a successful transition-or you know someone who needs one-this episode is a must-listen.

Timestamps: 00:01:00 - Why transition is so hard for veterans 00:07:15 - The biggest mistakes veterans make after leaving service 00:12:45 - Finding purpose in civilian life 00:18:30 - Mental health strategies that actually work 00:25:00 - How to prepare for transition the right way

• Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1
• Warrior to Civilian: The Field Manual for the Hero's Journey: https://www.amazon.com/Warrior-Civilian-Field-Manual-Journey/dp/B0D4WJB7YL/

View the transcript for this episode.