Advertise on podcast: Eye on Veterans

We’re talking with Navy veteran Jenna Carlton, who founded the massively popular Facebook group “The Millennial Veterans.” Between Facebook and Instagram, Millennial Veterans has amassed millions of views, and their content reaches thousands of vets every week. We jump right into her recent spicy article that tells VA why many younger vets do not recommend joining the military. She talked about her days aboard the carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and like her Millennial Vet followers have come to appreciate, she didn't shy away from sharing personal experiences and the uncomfortable reality of military sexual trauma. Carlton also shared how she was inspired to create a Facebook group to connect with other millennial vets, after her internship with the House Veterans Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill. It was front row seat to the frustration many feel after watching Congress put politics before the immediate needs of our vets. She also delivers fascinating observations on whether the military truly helps younger service members prepare for life after the military. And a great take on whether that's the role of DoD, VA or millennial veterans themselves. We also examine her latest book, "The Veteran Workbook" and learn how veterans from all eras can benefit from putting their thoughts in a journal. And may be surprised by the benefits of looking in the rear view mirror. With one scroll through the MV page, the sense of community found within her audience is apparent, and in this episode she shares exactly how many of them feel. Check out The Millennial Veterans Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/themillennialveterans Follow Jenna on Instagram @themillennialveteran https://www.instagram.com/themillennialveteran/ And even if you're too tough to journal ... check out "The Veteran Workbook" here: https://www.amazon.com/Veteran-Workbook-Jenna-Carlton/dp/B0C6W1GB96 To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com Follow on X @philbriggsVet @EyeOnVeterans See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Whether you're starting college after the military, finishing a degree or just looking for skills to advance your career, we discover the innovative ways University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) delivers. UMGC President, Dr. Gregory Fowler describes their "student-centric" approach. More than just a catch phrase, he shares an in-depth look at things like:Helping deployed students from Forward Operating Bases to AntarcticaUnderstanding the specific needs of veteran students from all racial and cultural backgroundsHow their process uses a "Sherpa" approach to ensure all students reach the topEmployer verified certifications for cyber, business, IT and human resources Dr. Fowler also describes the way UMGC programs use AI technology to; prompt students when they need it most; identify when life factors may be getting in the way and how instructors can see student performance in real-time, which allows them to assist every student on a personal level. We also examine how students looking to launch their own business can benefit from a focused delivery of the specific skills related to business. Whether it's fundamentals or advanced accounting, this streamlined approach gives veteran small business owners exactly what they need to succeed. Want more on UMGC's 125 degree programs? Check out their bachelor's, master's, doctoral and targeted certificate programs here: https://www.umgc.edu/ To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com Follow on X @philbriggsVet @EyeOnVeterans See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we’re discussing the new book “Dead Man’s Hand” with author, Army veteran Brad Taylor, former member of the highly classified 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta (Delta Force). This high adrenaline novel tracks: a plot to kill Vladimir Putin; a fight between Putin’s brutal National Guard henchmen, the GRU- a Russian Intelligence unit and a Ukrainian hit squad; and ultimately the dangerous work of American commandos led by veteran Pike Logan. It’s a twisted plot that takes us to the brink of nuclear war. As we discussed the players in the book (based on actual military/intelligence units) I asked Brad if the details come from his experiences while serving with Delta Force? Taylor also describes the brutality of Russian Intelligence forces and shares behind the scenes look at locations in Sweden and Denmark.   We dive deeper into tradecraft used by military and spies around the world. And in one of the most revealing parts of our interview, we consider what these missions look like in real-life, as the President and Congress deal with deadly Islamic terror groups and the ominous situation developing with Iran. More on Dead Man's Hand and Spec Ops vet Brad Taylor here: https://bradtaylorbooks.com/ To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com Follow on X @philbriggsVet @EyeOnVeterans See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're talking with vets in Vegas at Super Bowl LVIII about their NFL partnership, and how they're looking for fellow vets to tackle a mission vital to our democracy. Marine Corps veteran Ben Keiser and Air Force veteran Anil Nathan share how the organization We The Veterans recently launched the “Vet The Vote” campaign, with a goal of recruiting over 100K veterans to serve as election poll workers in upcoming elections. They describe how the veteran community can play a crucial role in this year’s elections. And how their presence can help rebuild trust in a process that's been marred by political division and conspiracy theories. Both Keiser and Nathan share their personal experiences serving as poll workers, and describe what they saw firsthand as they answer the important question, "Are elections really safe?" And of course we also talk football, and what the vibe is like in Vegas, during the biggest sports week of the year. For more on Vet The Vote and how you can get involved check out: Vet The Vote To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com Follow on X @philbriggsVet @EyeOnVeterans See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we’re talking with Navy SEAL veteran and marketing mogul John Timar. During his post military career, he achieved success bringing Kill Cliff energy drinks to the forefront of the highly competitive US energy drink market and established partnerships with podcast giant Joe Rogan, the mixed martial arts community and raised millions for the Navy SEAL Foundation. But his latest venture steps outside of the energy drink business and introduces us to "Grapple Science" a new nutritional supplement targeting Jiu Jitsu athletes and other forms of mixed martial arts, wrestling, etc. Timar offers an in-depth look at the supplement industry, and explains the science behind terms like "nutraceutical". We also examine their new supplement “Cognition” which claims to enhance cognitive function, learning, memory, and mental stamina.  So, does it really work? Timar, who claimed even he feared supplements in his early days, offered a closer look at Grapple Science's rare ingredients like; Lion’s Mane, Alpha GPC and nooLVL. And he shared how some of their ingredients are currently being used within the medical community to treat diseases like Parkinson's. For more on Grapple Science nutritional supplements: https://grapplescience.com/ To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com Follow on X @philbriggsVet @EyeOnVeterans See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week we’re talking with Dr. Robert Beckman, Executive Director of Treat Now dot org. He’s one of the premiere experts in the treatment of brain wounds with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). Although this technology is FDA approved for things like burns and diabetic foot ulcers, Beckman says the VA ignores proof that it's effective for treating brain wounds, TBI’s, concussions and depression which has fueled the suicide epidemic in America.  While ending suicide remains a top priority for VA , DoD, Beckman slams their decision to pump millions of mental health dollars into psychedelic research to merely treat symptoms. He offers several real-world examples of HBOT effectively treating the root cause and thus eliminating symptoms in ways current VA strategies do not. In one powerful segment he shares how over the years the VA has amputated hundreds of thousands of feet, due to diabetic foot ulcers. Beckman claims most of which could have been avoided if HBOT was introduced earlier in their care. He also shares vivid examples; NFL players treating concussions, combat veterans' fighting effects of toxic exposures and many clinics who are currently embracing HBOT therapy for treatment of brain wounds, PTSD and MS. For more on Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy including powerful research data and published studies, see TreatNow.org's website: https://treatnow.org/ Read the latest newsletter "VA Continues to Avoid Treating and Healing Brain Wounds" here: https://treatnow.org/va-continues-to-avoid-treating-and-healing-brain-wounds/ VIDEO: MSG Scott Rossler's HBOT testimony https://youtu.be/N-CkR5shqEM?si=UmUhF_jKxPHjjzkq VIDEO: NFL great Joe Namath shares how HBOT changed his life: https://youtu.be/s7nxU3QadIA To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com Follow on X @philbriggsVet @EyeOnVeterans See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we’re talking with former student veterans who testified before the US Dept. of Education in Washington DC, regarding for-profit colleges that failed to provide the useful degrees they promised, all while burning through the GI Bill funding they earned and even their private student loans. We start with Air Force veteran Stephanie Pollay who shared her experience getting a degree from ITT Tech, the $200K debt she incurred, and the harsh reality she faced after trying to apply it to the real world. We also hear from Navy veteran Angela McMillen, who describes how her college merged with Ashford University, and although she paid for post graduate studies intended for a PhD in Clinical Psychology Research, the school was never accredited.  Marine Corps vet Will Hubbard describes what Veteran Education Success is doing in DC to ensure proper oversight and laws to protect student veterans from for profit schools targeting military vets and other low-income students.    If you're a veteran who was scammed by a college or online degree program, contact Veterans for Education Success https://vetsedsuccess.org/ To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com Follow on X @philbriggsVet @EyeOnVeterans See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we learn how Marine Corps Spec Ops vet Derek Herrera has built a business around a digital skin inspection tool, known as the "Habit Camera" thanks to a partnership with VA’s Technology Transfer Program. We begin with his journey into the elite Marine Corps unit known as, MARSOC aka Marine Corps “Raiders”. Herrera shares the dramatic story of the firefight with Taliban forces in Afghanistan, the shot that wounded his spine and the heroism of his fellow Marines.   After a tough recovery, Herrera described the cutting-edge VA medical technology he discovered, including a device that allowed him to stand tall during his retirement ceremony. We also learn about the Habit Camera, which will do amazing things for those with spinal cord injuries, diabetes and assist others in the early detection of skin cancer. Dr. John Kaplan, VA Technology Transfer Program Director, describes other medical device technology currently available for licensing and the opportunities this incredible program creates for small businesses. Check out more from Marine Corps vet Derek Herrera and make skin inspection a regular habit, with the Habit Camera. https://habitcamera.com/ For more information about medical technology available for licensing to small businesses, check out the VA Technology Transfer Program here: https://www.research.va.gov/programs/tech_transfer/default.cfm See all the cutting-edge tech at VA's Tech Link here https://techlinkcenter.org/va-technologies/ To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com Follow on X @philbriggsVet @EyeOnVeterans   See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re talking with Joan Lynch, Chief Content Officer at WorkingNation.com about companies desperate to hire veterans right now. We examine the certifications required for hot jobs in Cyber, and Lynch shares insight from recent conversations with veteran hiring officers for companies like Space X. We also talk about the huge growth in trucking, and healthcare plus how within every category, there are tons of high-paying roles on the back end. Lynch also maps out an effective strategy for finding these growing companies.  We also look at how AI and ChatGPT are changing the American workforce, and Lynch reveals how this tech is actually opening new doors for veterans. For more on the hottest trends in employment check out Working Nation here https://workingnation.com To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com Follow on Social @philbriggsVet @EyeOnVeterans And find more great stories at Connecting Vets dot com https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

British paratrooper veteran James Thornett tells the epic story of smuggling a truckload of liquor down the deadliest road in Iraq. This epic Christmas Eve story was the start of the legendary bar known as "The Baghdad Country Club”. For more about James Thornett and pics from “The World’s Most Dangerous Bar” check out: https://www.baghdadcountryclub.org/ Contact CBS Eye on Veterans phil@connectingvets.com Follow on Twitter: @philbriggsVet  @eyeonveterans See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re doing some last-minute Christmas shopping and highlighting veteran-made products that make great stocking stuffers. Triangle Fragrance: Army veteran Magda Khalifa, launched Triangle Fragrance, a scent line for men and women that draws its inspiration from her own transition and the self-help book she wrote. She also shares the meaning behind these luxurious scents and how one cologne was inspired by the classic military movie, "Apocalypse Now". Check out Triangle Fragrance here https://trianglefragrance.com/ Tiny Human Skin Care: After the military, former Army Captain Liz Reid struggled to help her son effectively treat his eczema. Mainstream soaps and moisturizers only seemed to aggravate his skin, so she decided to create the solution herself. Armed with skin care knowledge as a licensed esthetician, she began experiments that lead to founding Tiny Human Skin Care, an entire line of all-natural skin care products.  For healthy skin, check out Tiny Human Skin Care here https://www.tinyhumanskincare.com/ Retro Warrior Coffee Retro Warrior Coffee is a military spouse owned coffee company that offers more than just eye-opening coffee. Lisa Johansen explains how each bag is a tribute to vintage military ad campaigns and a salute to great moments in US military history. We also discuss how one blend pays homage to The Ghost Army unit that helped make a crucial difference in WWII. Follow link below and subscribe to Retro Warrior Coffee. You can support their "Thank a Hero" program, which provides free coffee for law enforcement, Fire-Rescue, First Responders and other vital workers who could always use a cup of joe! https://retrowarrior.com/ To reach CBS Eye on Veterans, Host Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com Follow on Social @philbriggsVet @EyeOnVeterans And find more great stories at Connecting Vets dot com https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode we’ll go from the jungles of Vietnam to a small-town diner in Illinois! Mr. Lynn Lowder is a Vietnam veteran and former Marine Corps Force Recon Team Leader who in his seventies, founded Rosie's Home Cooking. This classic diner builds off the famous portrait of Rosie the Riveter and delivers the vintage 1950's experience. But his impact is felt far beyond his small town in Illinois. He's also the co-founder of The Veterans Business Project, a non-profit organization that has helped thousands of vets start their own business.  We open the show with his memories from Vietnam.  Few people can say they were part of a team who invented something that has saved countless lives in combat. Lynn Lowder recalls how members of his Marine Force Recon unit invented the "SPIE" rig (Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction) a strap that’s used to deploy and extract combat forces and is still being used by Special Operations teams today.  After the military, Lowder founded the Veteran Business Project. This non-profit organization has helped many veterans become business owners, through mentorship and a unique way of pairing aspiring veteran entrepreneurs with successful founders who wish to sell their business to a skilled vet. Lowder concludes our conversation with the inspiring story of Rosie’s Home Cooking. And how it's become so successful paying homage to our nation’s heroes while serving up American diner classics.  For veterans dreaming of owning their own business, check out Veteran Business Project here: https://veteranbusinessproject.org/ Contact CBS Eye on Veterans, Host, Phil Briggs phil@connectingvets.com   Follow on Social: @philbriggsVet @EyeOnVeterans For more veteran news and stories check out: https://www.audacy.com/connectingvets See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.