Mission Transition: A Podcast for Veterans

This episode of Mission Transition between Corey and guest Langley Barth features a discussion on military transition strategies, introducing a new free tool called Civilian Compass designed to assist veterans in finding fulfilling post-military careers.
 
Guest Background and Mission
The guest is a Navy veteran and product marketer who has been helping veterans navigate their transition for years.
Motivated by his own experience and a desire to help others avoid the uncertainty he felt, he began providing support through word-of-mouth and volunteering with organizations like ForBlock and the Veterans Beer Club.
He created Civilian Compass as a free, user-friendly software tool to scale his support for veterans and streamline the transition process.
Key Transition Advice
Embrace Exploration: Instead of defaulting to what they are already qualified for, veterans are encouraged to conduct a broad range of conversations to "try on" different career paths.
Use Data to Make Decisions: The guest suggests rating these conversations to identify which career paths provide the best energy and fit, helping veterans see the "signal through the noise".
Lean into Your Strengths: Veterans should utilize their "bias for action," rely on the network of veterans who have already transitioned, and maintain consistent follow-up to build lasting professional relationships.
The Civilian Compass Process
Phase 1 (Discovery): Users answer intake questions to narrow down interests and conduct informational interviews with other veterans.
Phase 2 (Gap Analysis): The tool helps users analyze job descriptions by "stoplight coding" their experience (green for match, yellow for related, red for gap) and determining what skills are actually necessary versus what can be learned.
Phase 3 (Application): The final phase focuses on the application process, leveraging the network built in earlier phases and preparing for interviews through AI-assisted story banks.
The guest emphasizes that it is never too late to pivot or pursue a new career, and he remains committed to keeping the platform free and unbiased to ensure veterans receive genuine, helpful guidance.

On this episode of Mission Transition, Corey Hopkins sits down with Francine Juhlin, a retired Army aircraft electrician whose more than 30-year career spanned the Navy, Army, and government contracting. After a career-ending ankle injury in Iraq forced her into an unexpected transition, Francine faced the loss of her military identity, unhealthy habits, and a serious health crisis—but those challenges ultimately led her to discover a new sense of purpose.
Francine shares the six-step process she developed to create meaningful personal change, drawing on her experience as a change management specialist. She also discusses her work as an author, children’s educator, advocate, and creator of the Clarity Starter Room. For Veterans navigating transition, Francine offers practical advice on networking, embracing setbacks as “data,” and remembering past victories as a foundation for future success.

In this powerful episode of Mission Transition, Army Veteran Sam Juan opens up about her 10 years of service, from Germany and Hawaii to becoming one of the first women selected for the Cultural Support Team program and deploying to Afghanistan with Joint Special Operations Command. She shares the challenges of transitioning out of the military, losing her sense of purpose, and the difficult road that ultimately led her to seek help and begin healing.
Sam discusses sobriety, therapy, psychedelic therapy, art and storytelling—and how each has become a tool in her ongoing journey. Sober since July 2020, she now uses her experiences to connect with and support fellow Veterans, while working on her memoir. Named the 2026 Veteran of the Year by Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Sam offers an honest reminder that healing isn’t one-size-fits-all: be patient with yourself, keep searching for what helps, and never stop looking for what brings you joy.

The Military Warriors foundation Executive Vice President, along with one of their hero recipients, talk to Corey about the program and how they helped a military hero get into a home. 

James Welch, former Brigade Commander to host Corey Hopkins, talks about what inspired him to join the military originally, and what has happened since getting out. 

After 21 years in the U.S. Army, retired Sergeant Major Miguel Hernandez knows what it takes to rebuild life after service. From enlisting as a mechanic to leading soldiers worldwide, Miguel’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and purpose. In this episode of Mission Transition, powered by Still Serving Veterans, host Cory Hopkins talks with Miguel about: How his Army journey began with a recruiting mix-up Lessons learned as a leader and mentor across multiple commands The emotional and practical challenges of military retirement Why networking and humility are key to a successful transition Whether you’re preparing to leave the military or already navigating civilian life, Miguel’s insights will help you plan your next mission with confidence. 🎧 Mission Transition shares real conversations with veterans about life after service — because transition isn’t the end of the mission, it’s the start of the next one. 👉 Subscribe for more inspiring veteran stories. 📩 Share your story: social@ssv.org #MilitaryTransition #Veterans #MissionTransition #StillServingVeterans #ArmyVeteran #LifeAfterService

In this episode of Mission Transition, we sit down with retired Sergeant First Class Walter Drysdale as he reflects on his 20 years of service and the lessons learned during his journey out of the Army. Walter shares why he joined the military later in life, how recruiting duty gave him transferable skills for the civilian workforce, and the pivotal role family played in his decision to retire.

In this episode of Mission Transition, Corey Hopkins from Still Serving Veterans interviews retired Air Force Colonel Mark Jones. They talk about the pivotal moment that led him to retire in 2025, driven by family considerations, particularly his sons' schooling needs. Jones outlines his extensive preparation for retirement, including attending TAP classes and networking, emphasizing the importance of patience, humility, and effort in job searching. Jones also highlights the strategic process his family used to choose Huntsville, Alabama, as their new home, considering factors like cost of living, job opportunities, and school quality. The interview also touches on the importance of networking in transitioning successfully and the support provided by SSV. 

In this episode of Mission Transition, host Cory Hopkins sits down with Dr. Willie Wilson to discuss the highs and lows of leaving the military. From the loss of identity and the challenges of job hunting, to the importance of education, family, and support networks, Dr. Wilson shares hard-earned lessons and practical advice for veterans at every stage of their transition. 
 
Conversation Points:
Military to Civilian Transition
Career and Education After Service
Family and Personal Sacrifice
Humility and Resilience
Support Systems and Resources
Entrepreneurship and Giving Back
 
 

Host Corey Hopkins and guest Mike Davenport discuss the first few weeks and months of the military transition and how a healthy mix of time and preparation helped Mike navigate his new life.