Veterans Never Stop Serving

On today's episode, Mike is joined by Captain Anthony T., a former Special Operations Soldier from the 75th Ranger Regiment.

Anthony shares his journey from military service to civilian life, highlighting the unique challenges and transitions each veteran faces. He discusses his decision to pursue education and eventually earn a JD/MBA from Northwestern University, utilizing the G.I. Bill benefits. Anthony worked in both law and investment banking, gaining valuable skills.

However, he found his true calling in helping entrepreneurs with growth strategy, financial planning, and fundraising as a fractional CFO.

The conversation shifts towards the current state of military recruiting, with Anthony addressing concerns about recent developments, such as exhaustion from endless wars, vaccine mandates, and shifts in messaging. Mike and Anthony stress the importance of educating the public about the military's role and opportunities for young people to serve.

Mike also discusses his role in guiding young individuals interested in military service and how veterans like Anthony play a crucial role in sharing their experiences and perspectives.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today Mike welcomes Chris L., U.S. Air Force retired. He shares his incredible journey from serving in the military for a decade, including deployments with special operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, to his post-military life. Chris expresses his deep gratitude for the support from Sentinels of Freedom, emphasizing the importance of trust between veterans and those offering assistance. He credits them with helping him complete his bachelor's degree and pursue a Juris Doctorate, a path he initially hadn't planned on.

Chris opens up about his mental health struggles and the pivotal moment during a military exercise that led him to seek help. He recounts his experience with medication and its side effects, underscoring the importance of taking control of one's own recovery journey.

Transitioning from law school, Chris embarked on a unique career path as a dog trainer, finding immense fulfillment in helping dogs overcome anxiety and fear, skills he learned partly due to his law degree. He touches on the therapeutic power of dogs and how he plans to establish a 501(c)(3) organization to rescue, train, and rehome shelter dogs.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today Mike Welcomes John Arroyo, U.S. Army retired to the podcast. John has an amazing story to tell, and he is also a wonderful and inspiring storyteller. He begins speaking about his childhood and the absence of a father figure and the vital role that his mother and grandmother played in raising him as a boy. He reveals how his search for affirmation as he went into his teens led him to gangs, drugs, and becoming a father at a very young age. Battling addiction, his sister stepped in and urged him to join the military, and in 1998 he did just that.

John tells the story of his time in the Army, battling fear of failure and anxiety to become a Green Beret. Coming home, he found himself falling into alcoholism and becoming like his father, being verbally abusive of his family. His wife suffered, his children suffered, and he had become an absentee dad.

He explains what events finally led him and his family to find help in the church. He graduated college and joined the officer program. And his injury was not what you may expect. It was not fighting in the sands of the Middle East, but being shot in the mass shooting at Fort Hood. He details the experience of making the choice to lay there and die or to get up and survive. Now he spreads this message as an inspirational speaker – to get up. Keep fighting even when you don’t know what tomorrow will bring. John now is starting a non-profit to continue to help veterans and others in their lives.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today Mike welcomes Sandra Ambotaite, a former Army Staff Sergeant, to share her inspiring journey of selfless service, transition, education, and career growth.

Sandra was born and raised in Lithuania during the USSR era. Her path took a turn when she won the diversity lottery, moving her family to Brooklyn, New York. Overcoming language barriers and cultural shock, she eventually joined the military after encountering an army recruiter in her neighborhood. She served in Germany and deployed to Iraq, where she faced physical and emotional challenges.

Transitioning from the military was tough, especially after being found unfit due to injuries. Sandra pursued education, obtaining both a bachelor's and master's degree, with the invaluable support of Sentinels of Freedom. Her rewarding job with Operation Warfighter Program led her to help wounded service members in their transitions.

Sandra's story highlights the importance of belief, resilience, and community support in veterans' journeys, and underscores the dedication of veterans like Sandra and the transformative impact of organizations like Sentinels of Freedom.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today Mike welcomes U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Brian Taghadossi who is gearing up for his bar exams in California and Texas. Brian's story begins with his decision to join the Army at 19, feeling fairly confident that the country wouldn't be going to war anytime soon. But that changed in just a little over a year of his signup.

He recounts his deployment to Iraq, transition struggles, and the stigma around mental health that held him back for years. Eventually, Brian found the courage to seek help, leading to his remarkable transformation. He pursued law school, focusing on trial and appellate advocacy. Brian's goal is to work in a county veterans treatment court, offering fellow veterans the support they need.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today Mike welcomes Bill Schnarr, U.S. Army Veteran deployed to Iraq in 2010.

Bill tells his story of transition from active duty, navigating challenges like PTSD, and finding a renewed sense of purpose through community service. He and Mike discuss the unique dynamics of the veteran community and the importance of support networks. Bill also discusses his involvement in collaborative projects, including efforts to enhance a veterans center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Bill expresses his gratitude and reflects on how the Sentinels of Freedom program played a pivotal role in his life and how he continues to pay it forward helping other veterans and at-risk youth.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today Mike welcomes Sentinel Marlene, a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army and a wounded veteran who has graduated from their Bridge for Education Program.

Marlene shares her journey, beginning with her recovery from injuries sustained during her time in the military, her graduation from Texas State University with a bachelor's degree in recreation therapy, and her work as a therapist for the V.A. and nonprofit organizations. Her struggles with mental stability led her to transition to strength and conditioning training, becoming a personal trainer.

Recently, Marlene launched her own business, offering recreation therapy through personal training and strength and conditioning. She shares her future goals, including climbing Mount Everest, and her plans to pursue a secondary education degree in physical education for K-12 students.

Marlene expresses gratitude for the support she received from Sentinels of Freedom, especially during her education and the challenging process of launching her business.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

In this episode, Mike welcomes Sam Schoenheit, a Marine Corps veteran with an inspiring story of courage and determination. Sam shares what motivated him to join the Marines and how he ended up in the elite Marine Raiders after a grueling selection process. He recounts surviving a severe head injury during his last tour and the challenging road to recovery, including losing his ability to speak.

After transitioning to civilian life, Sam attended Lipscomb University, where he navigated the challenges of connecting with younger college students while finding solace in his mentorship roles. We learn how Sam eventually ventured into real estate and faced unexpected setbacks.

Now settled in the charming town of Greenville, Tennessee, Sam contemplates a career in teaching. Join us as we dive into Sam's incredible journey and find out how he remains positive, purposeful, and ever-grateful for the support of his Marine Corps buddies, Sentinels of Freedom, and his faith.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

On today's episode, Mike has the honor of hosting Janet Mayo, U.S. Marine Veteran who has triumphed over challenges to build a remarkable life. Janet shares her story of transitioning from the Marine Corps to higher education, earning two master's degrees, and her upcoming pursuit of a Ph.D. in criminal justice.

Serving in the Military Police, Janet was initially stationed at Camp Lejeune before completing a tour in Okinawa, Japan. Following her honorable discharge Janet returned to college and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Gender, Sexuality, and Women Studies. Throughout her journey, she credits the invaluable support from Sentinels of Freedom. Janet's personal experiences, including time in foster care and military service, enrich her role as a counselor, and she is determined to continue making an impact on people's lives every day.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Mike Conklin catches up with graduated Sentinel Captain Jake, a former Marine Corps captain who overcame the loss of both his legs in Afghanistan. Captain Jake shares his remarkable journey, highlighting the crucial role played by Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation in his recovery and transition to civilian life. From his challenging days at Walter Reed Hospital to his remarkable milestones in rehabilitation, Captain Jake's story is a testament to the power of perseverance. The conversation delves into the importance of community support, the ongoing service of veterans, and the impact of Sentinels of Freedom in empowering wounded warriors.

They also discuss Captain Jake's latest endeavor, a children's book, and his participation in a fundraiser to support Sentinels of Freedom.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today Mike welcomes Eric Ballester, Combat Controller, Air Force retired. No one can question Eric's passion and commitment that he had during his time in service, and you will see why in this interview.

Eric's family was rooted in service and he found his purpose on the front lines after 9/11, deployed to Afghanistan. He and Mike discuss the challenges he faced during his transition from military life, including the search for a new sense of identity and somewhere to belong. They talk about how Eric navigated the healing process while seeking mentorship and education, the importance of community support, and the hidden strength of veterans as they continue to serve their communities.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today we are joined by U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant Jhonnatan "Jhonny" Chinchilla, a true example of the resilience and determination of veterans. Jonathan shares his inspiring journey, from immigrating to the United States from Guatemala as a young child to becoming the first college graduate in his family.

Jhonny discusses his motivation to join the Marine Corps and how he found purpose and direction through military service, his experiences during four deployments to the Middle East, and his transition into logistics and procurement management. Despite facing injuries that led to some limitations, he continues to serve in the Marine Corps Reserves.

As he pursued higher education, he felt a bit like a fish out of water being an older student among his younger peers but completed his education and is now a successful Certified Public Accountant (CPA). He tells Mike about the importance of setting ambitious goals and inspiring fellow veterans to pursue their dreams.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Welcome back to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Today Mike is joined by Joshua Smith, United States Air Force retired, turned elementary school behavior specialist. Josh takes us through his career in the Air Force, where he specialized in aircrew life support and served as a certified instructor. He shares his motivations for joining the military, including his initial hesitation and eventual decision after a job layoff. Despite injuries that altered his plans, his nearly 13 years of active duty were filled with purpose and fulfillment.

We explore his pursuit of education while in the military, highlighting the challenges of balancing coursework with his military responsibilities. Transitioning to civilian life, Joshua found his calling as a behavior specialist, working with troubled students and making a positive impact. He shares insights into the importance of mentorship and being a guiding light for the next generation.

He and Mike also discuss concerns about drugs and technology's influence on students today. Joshua provides valuable perspectives and discusses the need for proactive measures. Joshua is married with five children and one new grandchild and is yet another success story from the Sentinels program.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

On today’s episode, Mike welcomes Army Veteran Casey McEuin, an extraordinary individual whose life journey has been marked by dedication to service, resilience, and a commitment to continuous growth. Casey shares his experiences from joining the Army right out of high school, and how much he loved being a part of it, to his current role as an advocate for inclusion and diversity. He also talks about the injury that ended his career and ability to walk, and his inspiring transition into higher education. Through ongoing rehabilitation, Casey has regained feeling in his legs and is currently beginning to walk again. He and Mike also discuss his current role as Manager of Diversity and Inclusion with Michael’s and the importance of face-to-face connections in a world that has become increasingly remote.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today Mike welcomes Andrew Coughlan, Specialist US Army Retired, to the show. Andrew joined the Army at 19 after 9/11 having had a brother already in The Air Force. He was deployed to Iraq and his battalion suffered of the greatest number of lost lives than any other during that time. He was medically retired and had severe PTSD, but went through the regular steps to start his transition back into civilian life. But it wasn’t as easy as he thought. When news came of other friends losing their lives in Afghanistan, it hit him in an intense way and took him a few steps back in his progress. Then he got back up and started working in a place that could help others like him, The Wounded Warrior Project. After some time there Andrew connected with Sentinels of Freedom and went back to get his degree in Human Services. Mike and Andrew continue discussing the government's role with providing services, how volunteering can be a great transition path, and how fostering veteran’s communities can be so helpful to those after they come home from their time in the Armed Forces. Andrew is now celebrating his twelfth year at Wounded Warriors Project.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today Mike welcomes Jason Church, United States Army officer retired, Jason begins by sharing his military background, coming from a family with a history of military service. He served in Afghanistan, facing challenging conditions and frequent combat. He describes the harrowing incident in which he lost both his legs due to an IED. After undergoing numerous surgeries and rehabilitation, Jason met Mike at Walter Reed Hospital during his recovery.

Despite the difficulties he faced, Jason demonstrated resilience and pursued his education. He talks about the importance of organizations like Sentinels of Freedom, which provided financial assistance for his postgraduate studies and helped him achieve his goals. He obtained a law degree is engaged in various political endeavors. He is devoted to giving back to his country, staying involved in politics, and continuing to pursue intellectual advancement. Jason urges the importance of reading and learning to know more about our world’s history and boost people’s critical thinking.

He and Mike also discuss the U.S. Involvement in Ukraine and what that means in a broader picture and how the public’s view of international conflicts in the age of instant and constant information overload can create a more disconnected response than in years past.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Growing up in a military family, it was difficult for today’s guest, Christian Redmon, to imagine any other path than joining the Army, and so he did right out of high school in 2005. 

After tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, his time was cut much shorter than he had ever expected. After 10 years of service, he was unable to continue because of back injuries. This left him feeling somewhat adrift and tried different education and career paths that just didn’t feel right to him.

Christian discusses the challenges he faced when reintegrating into civilian society, including the lack of a strong network and the stereotypes associated with veterans. However, a DUI arrest served as a wake-up call and motivated him to make a positive change in his life.

Thus began his journey toward pursuing higher education and attending law school. After a rough year or so he connected with Sentinels of Freedom. They provided support, mentorship, and networking opportunities and helped him to connect with a mentor from a prestigious law firm, providing guidance and assistance throughout law school. Christian is now an Assistant District Attorney in Louisiana, with thoughts of moving to Texas. Of course, Mike surprises Christian with a connection in the Dallas area, which illustrates how Sentinels of Freedom continues to support its Sentinels.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Mike’s special guest today is Sergeant Major Chuck Yerry, United States Army Special Operations, retired. Chuck is originally from California, growing up in San Jose. He graduated as an Eagle Scout and enlisted in 1989. Eventually, he went to Fort Benning Airborne School and then to Fort Lewis for around 4 years with the 2/75 Ranger Battalion. Soon after, he became a RIP instructor at Fort Benning. After being asked to go through a selection process and succeeding, Chuck spent the remainder of his career in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. 

He became a Green Beret and moved on to serve in a Special Missions Unit (SMU). All of this training led Chuck to where he is today, working for the Army Criminal Investigations Division. He primarily focuses on counter child exploitation, combating child pornography, and searching for pedophiles.  

Chuck describes his journey from injury, to hospital, to home and learning to live with his prosthetics. Though the transition was difficult, Chuck managed to reform a new network of people who helped him on his road to recovery. Whether it be the unit he came from, the Family Readiness Group (FRG), or the doctors and physical therapists who helped him, he counts these people as part of the reason he’s as successful as= he is today. So successful in fact, that he redeployed 4 more times to Iraq with only 1 leg. His dedication, tenacity, and willingness to share his story is a shining example to the injured and wounded veteran community.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today’s guest is HT Tran, United States Army, 10th Mountain Division Anvil Company Retired. When HT was injured in combat, he spent months at Walter Reed recovering. While it was where he needed to be, the long days inside those walls felt like a prison both physically and mentally. He was angry and depressed seeing many of his peers transitioning successfully, but not knowing what purpose or direction he had.

When he met with Mike and others from Sentinels of Freedom, he was guarded and uncertain. But he soon found a new direction, a path forward that didn’t feel like a road to disaster. After some help getting his feet back on the ground, he began working at Northrop Grumman, started and sold his own successful business, and was one of the top young contractors in the country. He talks about how meaningful it is to him to be able to now pay it forward to other Sentinels and Veterans so they might find the happiness and success that he has.

HT now lives in Austin TX with his wife and children, working as a Development Manager for Turner Construction, and serves on the Sentinels of Freedom Board of Directors.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today Mike discusses another Sentinel success story, welcoming to the show Specialist Jayme Hentig, U.S. Army Retired. Jayme recounts nearing the end of high school and being faced with an ultimatum from his father - work in the local factory, go to college, or join the military. He had more fear of a college classroom than the military and aspired beyond the factory, so he chose to join the Army as a medic. These skills would help him later in life, along with a hand from Sentinels of Freedom, to reach his current profession as a doctor.

Jayme details his journey into the Army, the good and bad that come with training and the job itself, the accomplishment of treating his fellow soldiers during wartime, and ultimately suffering from a traumatic brain injury and spinal injury which necessitated a long recovery before even getting back to the States. He explains how he found coping techniques to better deal with the effects of PTSD and learning and memory issues. Upon his return, he was fortunate to be selected by Mike and his team for that extra boost to get his education all the way through graduate school. He’s performed ground-breaking studies on the future of the healing process and continues to help and support his fellow veterans every day.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.

Today we are pleased to welcome Lance Corporal Brian Vargas, U.S. Marine Corps Retired, to the show. Brian’s inspirational story begins with him explaining his early post-war transition home which found him living in his car with his service dog. With the help and support of his wife, he hesitantly decided to see what Mike and the Sentinels of Freedom could offer.

He was nervous at first but was put at ease by his interaction with Mike and others at the organization. It wasn’t long after that he and his wife were able to buy a home, and then earned his Master’s degree at UC Berkeley. The injury that ended his military career was during a combat operation in Hit Iraq, in the midst of a firefight, was shot by an enemy sniper through his left hand and right side of his face, rendering him unconscious. This would be seen as a horrific event by anyone’s standards, but Brian says that it was the best day of his life, and you’ll have to listen to hear why.

Now Brian spends his days working with and inspiring veterans and student veterans at San Francisco City College. He sees a little bit of himself in each of those that he interacts with and strives to improve their lives. Despite taking off his military uniform, Brian stands for our podcast title, Veterans Never Stop Serving.

Thank you for listening to Veterans Never Stop Serving. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review, and most importantly share this with a friend or any Veteran’s groups that you are associated with. These uplifting stories honor the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for our country, and the more listeners we have, the more heroes we can help.