Inside the Army-Approved CSP: The Master Project Leadership Workshop
In this episode, we take a closer look at the Master Project Leadership Workshop (MPLW), an Army-approved Career Skills Program designed for service members preparing for life after the uniform.
If you have heard about MPLW but were not fully sure what actually happens inside the program, this conversation breaks it down. We talk through how the workshop combines real project leadership experience, structured instruction, and mentorship to help participants translate military experience into civilian project management roles.
This episode also explains how MPLW fits into the military transition timeline, who the program is designed for, and what makes it different from traditional classroom-only training or certification prep. You will hear how participants gain hands-on experience while still on active duty and how that experience supports both certification goals and post-service employment.
Whether you are exploring Career Skills Programs, considering SkillBridge options, or simply trying to understand how to prepare earlier and with less stress, this episode provides clarity on how MPLW supports a smoother transition.
Topics covered
• What an Army-approved CSP is and how MPLW qualifies
• What participants actually do inside the program
• How project leadership experience is built before separation
• Who MPLW is a good fit for and when to apply
If you want to prepare for your civilian career while still serving, this episode walks you through what that path can look like.
www.vets2pm.com/mplw
Episode 161 marks the start of Season 4 of the Military Transition Academy Podcast.
This episode sets the foundation for what Vets2PM does and why project management is one of the most practical career paths for military service members, veterans, and spouses.
If you’ve led people, managed timelines, coordinated resources, or delivered outcomes, you already have the core skill set of a project manager. Vets2PM helps translate that experience into civilian language and prepares professionals to step confidently into project management roles.
You’ll also learn about the Master Project Leadership Workshop, or MPLW, a structured 60-day program designed to strengthen leadership, prepare participants for certification, and support a smoother transition into civilian careers.
This episode features a firsthand testimonial from a participant who went through the process and shares what the experience looked like from the inside.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
• How military experience directly aligns with project management
• What Vets2PM does to help professionals become project managers
• The purpose and structure of the Master Project Leadership Workshop
• A real transition story from a program participant
If you’re preparing for transition or already navigating the civilian workforce, this episode reinforces one key message. You already earned the skills. Now it’s time to use them.
www.vets2pm.com/mplw
As we close out Season 3 of the Military Transition Academy Podcast and wrap up 2025, we’re ending the year with a conversation many service members can relate to — transitions shaped by med boards, medical retirements, or unexpected discharges that leave little time to prepare.
In this episode, Craig Jones shares how a sudden medical retirement from the Marine Corps forced him to face the question, What now? His answer was simple: do what you can, when you can.
Craig walks through his path from Marine to Program Manager at USAA, including how he discovered project management, recognized his transferable skills, and used certifications to translate his experience into a language civilian employers understand. He also shares the mindset shifts that mattered most, why “no” is often redirection, and how steady forward motion builds momentum over time.
This episode is for veterans closing out the year feeling uncertain, behind, or unprepared. Craig’s story is a reminder that progress does not require a perfect plan, just a willingness to take the next step.
As we head into a new year, this conversation offers a simple way to prepare today for your post-service career tomorrow.
Connect with Craig: Craig Jones | LinkedInStart where you are with Vets2PM: www.vets2pm.com/training
Episode 159: How Veterans Should Evaluate and Negotiate a Job Offer
Guest: Dan McCall, Strategic Military Placement Recruiter
Getting a job offer is exciting. It’s also where a lot of veterans make decisions too quickly or without the full picture.
In this episode of the Military Transition Academy Podcast, Vets2PM is joined by Dan McCall, a Strategic Military Placement Recruiter who has coached hundreds of veterans through offer decisions across industries.
Dan breaks down what to do before, during, and after a job offer so you can evaluate it with clarity, negotiate with confidence, and close the loop professionally.
You’ll learn:
What veterans should decide before an offer ever arrives
How to evaluate total compensation, not just base pay
The right questions to ask the moment an offer lands
When and how to negotiate without damaging the relationship
How to handle tradeoffs like title, pay, start date, and flexibility
What it looks like to accept, decline, or pause an offer with integrity
How to avoid burning bridges in a small hiring market
If you’re in the interview stage or expect an offer soon, this episode will help you slow down, think strategically, and make decisions that support your long-term career, not just your next paycheck.
Connect with Dan: linkedin.com/in/recruiterdanmccalldm.cohen-partners.com/partners/dan-mccall (Company)
Let Vets2PM help you get qualified to apply for future roles: www.vets2pm.com/training
You’ve identified your transferable skillset.
You’ve validated it with a certification.
Now comes the part most service members feel unprepared for, the job search.
In this episode of the Military Transition Academy Podcast, we sit down with Tiffany Bradbury, a former Air Force recruiter with 15 years of experience who has navigated two military transitions and now works as a recruiter with Reliant Critical Infrastructure. Tiffany offers a behind-the-curtain look at how recruiters actually evaluate candidates and what separates those who get interviews from those who don’t.
Tiffany walks us through how her first transition fell short, what she did differently the second time, and why preparation, clarity, and relationship-building made all the difference. She breaks down why saying “I’ll do anything” hurts your job search, how recruiters review resumes and LinkedIn profiles, and why “veteran” alone isn’t enough to stand out.
You’ll also learn what professionalism looks like from a recruiter’s perspective, how to manage your job search like a project, and what staffing agencies really do, including what to watch for and how to spot red flags.
This episode is a must-listen for service members and veterans who want to stop guessing, start competing, and approach their job search with confidence and intention.
Key takeaways include:
• How to think like a recruiter
• What makes a candidate competitive, not just qualified
• Common job search mistakes veterans make
• How networking drives real opportunities
• What recruiters look for before, during, and after interviews
🎧 Listen in and learn how to take ownership of your job search, the same way recruiters do.
Connect with Tiffany Bradbury to continue the conversation.Tiffany Bradbury | LinkedInJobs - Reliant Critical InfrastructureCheck out what Vets2PM offers at www.vets2pm.com/training.
In this episode, we talk with Robert Medlock, a civilian professional who has spent over 20 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, leading projects in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, and across the U.S.
Robert shares how project management shaped his career, why the PMP is essential for mega projects and GS-14 roles, and how earning his certification through Vets2PM helped him level up professionally.
He breaks down what the PMP actually opens up such as flexibility, leadership opportunities, and the ability to work on projects that directly impact military missions.
Robert also offers practical advice for veterans: your experience already counts. The PMP simply validates it and makes it “civilian-legit.”
🎧 Listen in to hear his journey, what he learned, and how the PMP can accelerate your own career.
Connect with Robert: Robert Medlock, PMP | LinkedInStart your PMP journey: www.vets2pm.com/training
What if the work you did in uniform is already project management but you just haven’t called it that yet?
In this episode of the Vets2PM Military Transition Academy Podcast, Dr. Joshua Cunio breaks down exactly how veterans can translate their military experience into a successful project management career.
Dr. Cunio, Army veteran, PMP®, PhD, and founder of P3M Strategies, shares the moment he realized he’d been managing projects long before earning the credential. He talks about how mentorship, Vets2PM’s PMP® Boot Camp, and earning his certification in just one month opened the door to advanced education and consulting.
You’ll learn the real value of the PMP®, the difference between theory and reality in civilian organizations, why relationships matter more than tools, and the practical steps veterans can take to launch careers in project, program, or portfolio management.
If you’re trying to understand how to turn your military skills into a meaningful, lucrative career, this episode gives you the roadmap.
Connect with Dr. Cunio here: Dr. Joshua Cunio | LinkedIn
Get started with Vets2PM: www.vets2pm.com/training
In this episode, we sit down with Navy veteran Jon Clark to talk about one of the biggest hurdles service members face after separation: translating military experience in a way that communicates the unique value add they bring to the organization.
Jon served eight years as a Corpsman, stepped out of the Navy in 2018, and like many transitioning veterans, quickly realized that having the experience wasn’t the issue.
Communicating it was.
Jon shares how he discovered Vets2PM, the challenges he faced trying to break into project management, and the moment he realized translation was the missing link. Through resume rewrites, interview coaching, and learning how to communicate impact, he landed his first project management role and built a career that now spans construction, tech, and business transformation. Today, he leads a consulting team and helps others find their footing in the civilian world.
Jon’s journey is a powerful reminder that your military skill set is valuable, and you just have to learn how to show it.
Tune in for practical advice, a real look at the transition process, and a conversation that will help you rethink how you tell your story.
Connect with Jon: Jon Clark | LinkedIn
Are you prepared to answer the common interview questions?
Stepping into a civilian interview after years of military service can feel unfamiliar, and many veterans struggle with how to talk about their experience in a way that matches what employers expect. This episode breaks that down in a clear, practical way.
Join Cathy and Misty as they share the common interview questions and how you should answer them.
In this conversation, you’ll hear:
• How to shift your mindset before the interview
Why you’re already qualified if you’re sitting in the interview, and how to approach the conversation as a professional equal.
• The right way to answer the questions veterans struggle with most
Tell me about yourself.
Why did you leave your last job?
Why are you interested in this company?
How does your experience fit this role?
• How to talk about your military experience without oversharing your biography
Use the value equation to explain what you do, how you do it, and the results you’ve delivered.
• Why research matters and the kind that actually helps
Going beyond the “About Us” page so you can show genuine interest and tie your answers to what the company needs.
• Smart questions to ask the interviewer
The ones that reveal priorities, challenges, expectations, and the reality of the role.
• Real-world advice most people won’t say out loud
Why authenticity matters, why the right company won’t be scared off by your honest answers, and how a quick thank-you email with a 30–90 day plan can set you apart.
If you’re a military service member or veteran preparing for a civilian interview, this episode gives you the clarity, language, and confidence you need to show up strong.
Subscribe! Follow Vets2PM on all social media platforms and tap into our FREE resources at www.vets2pm.com/training.
In this episode of The Military Transition Academy, Vets2PM sits down once again with author and productivity expert Donna McGeorge to talk about her newest book, Red Brick Thinking: Make Space. Find Focus. Move Forward.
Together, we explore how the principles of Red Brick Thinking can help veterans simplify complex decisions, manage the noise and urgency of change, and design a clearer, more intentional post-service life.
Topics include:
How to say no without feeling guilty
How to accept the agency you have once you depart from the military
How to choose what you truly want to do in your post-service career
How to stop letting perfection be the enemy of progress
Whether you’re in the middle of your transition or just starting to plan, this conversation will help you slow down, subtract what’s unnecessary, and build your next chapter with purpose and clarity.
Learn more about Donna and her work at donnamcgeorge.com.
Subscribe, like, and share!
#militarytransition
This week, we sit down with Sara Seck , Army National Guard veteran and project management professional, to talk about how she turned hands-on experience into a thriving civilian career improving telehealth services at the VA.
Sara’s story is proof that you don’t need a four-year degree to build credibility and climb in project management. With experience, grit, and her PMP certification, she moved from managing individual projects to leading project managers and driving large-scale improvements in healthcare delivery.
In this episode, we cover:
How Sara discovered project management while serving in the Guard
What inspired her to pursue the PMP certification and how it opened new doors
How she transitioned from project manager to managing other PMs
The skills veterans already have that make them natural project leaders
Common misconceptions about civilian project management careers
Sara’s advice for veterans six months out from separation
Whether you’re still serving or already navigating civilian life, Sara’s journey will show you what’s possible when you leverage your experience and validate it with certification.
Connect with Sara: Sara Seck, PMP | LinkedIn
Start your PMP journey: www.vets2pm.com/training
Episode 151: How to Build Your Civilian Career Before You Take Off the Uniform
In this episode of the Military Transition Academy Podcast, we sit down with Michael, a 31-year Army veteran who proves that preparation truly pays off. Now serving as a Project Controller at TIG, supporting the Defense Health Agency (DHA), Michael shares how his path from military operations to IT project management was shaped by one key decision...earning his PMP® certification before retirement.
From his first separation in 1995 with no plan and little support to his final retirement decades later with preparation, resources, and a strategy, Michael’s story is a roadmap for how to transition effectively.
You’ll hear:
✅ How to translate military experience into civilian project management skills
✅ Why earning a certification early changes everything
✅ What to expect when shifting from operations to corporate project work
✅ How to balance job offers, salary expectations, and lifestyle priorities
✅ Why “knowing your worth” is just as critical as updating your resume
Whether you’re still serving, planning to separate, or already navigating civilian life, this episode will help you see the value of preparing today so you can achieve a meaningful, lucrative post-service career tomorrow.
🎧 Tune in and learn how to build your next career before you hang up the uniform.
👉 Follow/Subscribe to Vets2PM for more real-world transition stories, tools, and resources to help you achieve a meaningful and lucrative civilian career.
Connect with Michael Davis: Michael Davis | LinkedInCheck out Vets2PM: www.vets2pm.com
Episode 150: What Vets2PM Does to Help Military Members, Veterans, Spouses, and Companies Succeed
In this episode, Cathy Miclat and Misty Moreno share exactly what Vets2PM does to support the military community and the employers who hire them.
Vets2PM helps military service members, veterans, and spouses become project managers. Through programs like the Master Project Leadership Workshop (MPLW) at Fort Bliss and Fort Campbell, participants train to earn three project management certifications and prepare to show & tell the skillset via the resume/interview/LinkedIn. We also offer standalone PMP and ACP certification training, SkillBridge internships, and career services that guide every graduate toward meaningful, long-term employment.
At the same time, we help companies find and hire skilled, disciplined, and certified professionals who are ready to make an impact. From introducing businesses to our SkillBridge candidates to providing group training and certification programs for their teams, Vets2PM makes veteran hiring simple, effective, and beneficial for everyone involved.
🎧 In this episode, you’ll hear:
How Vets2PM prepares service members for civilian careers through the MPLW and SkillBridge
Why our PMP and ACP training programs are trusted by thousands of veterans nationwide
How our Career Services team connects graduates with employers actively hiring
The ways companies benefit from partnering with Vets2PM to upskill and hire top talent
Whether you’re preparing to transition out of the military or looking to hire strong, certified professionals, this episode breaks down exactly how Vets2PM helps you succeed.
Learn more: www.vets2pm.com
In this episode of the Vets2PM Military Transition Academy Podcast, Misty talks with Mike about how he used AF COOL, SkillBridge, and his PMP® certification to build a strong foundation before leaving the service. Today, he leads a Project Management Office and manages a team of project managers.
They discuss how preparation, mentorship, and mindset can make all the difference when moving from military life to civilian leadership.
• The value of DoD SkillBridge and how to make the most of it
• How to start preparing for your next career while you’re still serving
• Why finding a civilian mentor can speed up your transition
• What it takes to stand out and succeed in the civilian sector
Mike’s story is a great reminder that your experience already gave you the skills to lead. You just need the right plan and people around you to turn it into a career that fits.
Connect with Mike: Mike Grunow, PMP | LinkedIn
Check out Vets2PM: www.vets2pm.com/training
In this episode Air Force veteran Jesse Dieter talks about his path from seven years in combat weather and as a gray beret to building a career in project management. He shares how SkillBridge opened the door to civilian work and how veterans can use what they already know to succeed in this field.
What you’ll hear about:
SkillBridge as a launchpad
Jesse’s internship and how it led to his first role
Why SkillBridge is one of the best tools for transition
Beyond the job title
Roles like scheduler, analyst, coordinator, cost or risk manager
Why you shouldn’t focus only on the title “Project Manager”
Military tasks as projects
Planning missions, coordinating resources, meeting deadlines
How those daily tasks count as project management
Learning how to think
Jesse’s experience with Vets2PM exam prep
Why problem solving matters more than memorizing
Adaptability
Veterans know how to adjust under pressure
Employers value that skill above almost anything
Book smarts + street smarts
Certifications validate skills
Real-world application makes the difference
Preparing while still in uniform
Research certifications, shadow professionals, take on PM tasks
Start putting military experience into PM language early
Veterans as leaders
Clearing roadblocks, supporting teams, keeping the mission first
Why leadership gives veterans an edge in the workplace
Takeaway
Project management is a way of thinking and leading. Veterans already do it. The key is to translate those skills, earn certifications, and keep building on them in the civilian world.
Connect with Jesse: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-d-0bb770192/
Ep. 147 – How to Build a Project Management Career After the Military (with DJ McCord)
Making the jump into project management after the military isn’t always straight forward but it is possible.
In this episode of the Military Transition Academy Podcast, we sit down with DJ McCord, whose path took him from an engineering degree to an unexpected stop in IT, and ultimately into project management. Along the way, he even taught with Vets2PM, helping other veterans take their first steps in the field.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
How diverse experiences can prepare you for project management.
Why stakeholder management and requirements gathering matter in every project.
The difference between deliverables and activities in a Work Breakdown Structure.
What earned value really means and how to apply it.
How to identify your niche and align it with the right industry.
Why project management job titles vary (Project Engineer, Project Lead, Project Controller, etc.) and how to read between the lines.
How to start preparing now through study, translation, and networking.
If you’re preparing to transition or you’re already out and looking for direction, this conversation breaks down the mindset, tools, and skills that can help you build a project management career after the military.
Listen to Episode 147 now and learn how to turn your military background into a foundation for success in project management.
Connect with DJ here: DJ McCord | LinkedInStart your Project Management Career here: www.vets2pm.com/course
🎙️ Episode 146: How to Land Your First Role After the Military with a PMP – Josh O’Neill
Transitioning out of the military doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch if you prepare while you’re still serving. In this episode of the Vets2PM Military Transition Academy Podcast, Misty is joined by Josh O’Neill, former Infantry Officer and now Project Engineer/Project Lead at Lockheed Martin Space, where he manages projects supporting the Next Generation OPIR program.
Josh spent over 8 years leading Soldiers as a Platoon Leader, Company Commander, and Senior OC/T before separating in 2025. By earning his PMP® certification through Vets2PM while still serving, he stepped directly into his civilian role.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ How to prepare for your next role while still on active duty
✅ Why the PMP helped Josh land his first job at Lockheed Martin
✅ The massive overlap between military and civilian project management
✅ Why veterans succeed as project leaders—clear communication and brevity
✅ The one thing he would do differently: fighting harder for SkillBridge/CSP opportunities
Josh holds degrees from West Point and Arizona State University and is passionate about helping fellow veterans transition smoothly.
👉 Tune in now to learn how to set yourself up for success before you take off the uniform. Also available on all podcast platforms.
Connect with Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-o%E2%80%99neill-93799529/
Earn your PMP with Vets2PM: www.vets2pm.com/pmp#pmp #projectmanagement
What does project management really look like once you take off the uniform? In this episode, we sit down with Mike Falcho, a retired Air Force Loadmaster who used AF COOL to earn his PMP through Vets2PM before transitioning into his civilian career. Today, Mike works at the Navy Nuclear Laboratory alongside engineers and scientists, helping to make the business more effective and efficient.
Mike shares his story of separating from the Air Force in 2018, why timing certifications before transition matters, and how the PMP opened doors in the civilian sector. Together, we tackle some of the biggest myths about project management, including:
“You don’t need a degree” — why it’s often expected, and how to prepare while still in service.
“Project managers do everything” — the reality of specialized roles in different industries.
The hard truth about expectations when entering civilian life, and why humility and adaptability go a long way.
We also dig into the tools and skills veterans should get comfortable with and why continuous learning beyond the PMP is key to long-term success.
If you’re considering project management as a career after the military, this episode gives you an honest look at the opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned along the way.
Connect with Mike: linkedin.com/in/michael-falcho-434665135Check out Vets2PM.com/pmp for more details on how you can earn your PMP!
🎙️ Episode 144: How to Use the PMP® to Transition from the Military to Project Management
This episode features Sam Swindle, former paratrooper, civil engineer, and contracting professional, who shares how he built a successful career in federal projects and design-build work after the military.
How military skills translate into project management and contracting
Lessons in risk management and the power of finding your niche
Sam’s work with an American Indian 8(a) company and SAME (Society of American Military Engineers)
Why certifications like the PMP® matter for credibility and growth
Learn more about the 8(a) Business Development Program.
Connect with Sam:
sswindle@amerindcontracting.com
Sam Swindle on LinkedIn
Find out how you can earn your PMP at www.vets2pm.com/pmp.
In this episode of the Vets2PM Military Transition Academy Podcast, we’re sharing a testimony from Kristin Fogle, a graduate of the Master Project Leader Workshop (MPLW) at Fort Bliss.
The MPLW is designed with one mission in mind: to help service members translate their military leadership into civilian career success. Through this program, participants earn three professional project management certifications, receive career preparation training, and connect directly with employers seeking skilled leaders.
Kristin’s story shows exactly why the MPLW works. From the structure of the program to the support along the way, it breeds success for those ready to take their military experience and turn it into a meaningful, lucrative civilian career.
If you’ve been wondering what makes the MPLW different, this episode will give you insight straight from someone who has lived it.
Learn more about the MPLW that is now available at Fort Bliss & Fort Campbell.