PODCAST

The Veteran Edge

American Military University

Transitioning out of the military is a life-changing and often challenging experience for servicemembers. American Military University offers thought-provoking interviews with veterans about their military service and the edge it gave them as they pursued their next career. Subscribe to The Veteran Edge for insight by veterans for veterans. Learn more at AMUonline.com/veterans.

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Military, Masculinity and Strength | EP07
Military, Masculinity and Strength | EP07
2d ago
30 mins
Military, Masculinity and Strength | EP07
Military, Masculinity and Strength | EP07
Why is strength still associated with masculinity? In this episode, APU’s Dr. Bjorn Mercer talks to professor Dr. Larry D. Parker, Jr. about his 24-year career in the Marine Corps and the connection between strength and masculinity. Learn how cultural changes are changing the perception that strength, power, and strength are masculine traits and why it’s so important to emphasize that masculinity and maleness are two different things.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
2d ago
30 mins
Applying Military Info Ops Skills to the Civilian Workforce | EP06
Applying Military Info Ops Skills to the Civilian Workforce | EP06
Military servicemembers have skills and training that can be extremely useful in the civilian workforce, however, it’s challenging to figure out how to translate those skills to the commercial sector. In this episode, Wes O’Donnell talks to AMU professor, retired U.S. Army Reserve Army Colonel Larry Dietz, about his military service and experience in psychological warfare, cyber warfare and information operations. Hear how servicemembers must work to define the hard and soft skills they learned in the military including the ability to identify credible sources of information, make decisions under pressure, and present complex situations in a direct and simplified way.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Dec 3 2021
26 mins
Great Military Leaders: Frederick the Great | EP02
Great Military Leaders: Frederick the Great | EP02
Greatness as a military leader isn’t all about battlefield victories, it’s about understanding a leader’s strategies, circumstances, and tactics. In this episode, Wes O’Donnell talks to AMU Military History professor Dr. Kelly Jordan about what qualifies Frederick the Great a great military leader. Learn about his focus on training his soldiers, which enabled them to have the skills and discipline to respond quickly when Frederick recognized opportunities in battle, thus outmaneuvering his often much larger opponents and losing fewer soldiers in battle. Learn how Frederick himself prepared relentlessly by studying war, developing fundamental principles of battle, and employing unique strategies like the oblique offensive. Also learn what today’s military leaders can learn from Frederick the Great’s strategies and tactics.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Nov 19 2021
38 mins
Veteran Entrepreneur: Applying Skills Gained from Military Service | EP05
Veteran Entrepreneur: Applying Skills Gained from Military Service | EP05
The military offers many benefits to servicemembers, but some opportunities and skills aren’t as recognized as others. In this episode, AMU’s Dr. Larry D. Parker, Jr. talks to Mario P. Fields, Sergeant Major (retired) U.S. Marine Corps, about the best opportunities he gained during his service. Learn how the military helped him mature, get an education, and develop job training skills that are highly sought after in the private sector. It also gave him the confidence, determination, patience, and drive to follow his passion as an entrepreneur when he retired after 26 years in the military.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Nov 5 2021
25 mins
The Benefits of Age and Experience in the Military | EP04
The Benefits of Age and Experience in the Military | EP04
Despite a life-long desire to join the military, Dr. Wallace “Rope” Burns didn’t enlist until he was in his 30s. Thanks to his advanced degree, he joined the Navy as a Supply Corps Officer, which took him into combat zones around the world where he had a critical role making sure troops had the supplies they needed. In this episode, AMU professor Dr. Larry D. Parker, Jr. talks to him about his unique military experience, his initiative to continue his education while in the military, and his transition to academia where he uses his expertise to teach students about supply chain management and transportation logistics. Also hear advice for all servicemembers preparing to leave the military about why it’s so important not to downplay leadership skills or the ability to do hard jobs.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Oct 22 2021
38 mins
Tips for Navigating Your Post-Military Career | EP03
Tips for Navigating Your Post-Military Career | EP03
Figuring out your career path after the military can be overwhelming. In this episode, AMU’s Dr. Larry D. Parker, Jr. talks to USMC veteran Alan Lau about his experience transitioning into his civilian career. Learn why he recommends servicemembers spend time reflecting on their military career while also considering what kind of lifestyle they want as a civilian. Also learn why it’s so important for veterans to learn how to actively advocate for themselves in the corporate world, and realize their strengths of adaptability and flexibility as they navigate a post-military career.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Oct 15 2021
29 mins
Before Transitioning, Take Time to Reflect on Your Military Service | EP02
Before Transitioning, Take Time to Reflect on Your Military Service | EP02
Transitioning out of the military can be challenging and sometimes overwhelming. In this episode, AMU professor and former Marine Dr. Larry D. Parker Jr. talks to entrepreneur Charles Jackson about his experience transitioning out of the Marine Corps into civilian life. Learn why he recommends servicemembers take time to reflect on the skills, experiences, and passions they acquire during their service and assessing how it can apply to civilian life. Also learn the greatest strengths servicemembers can offer to the civilian workforce.    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Oct 1 2021
41 mins
Great Military Leaders: Alexander the Great | EP01
Great Military Leaders: Alexander the Great | EP01
What makes a military leader truly great? In this first episode of this series, AMU Edge editor Wes O'Donnell talks to AMU military historian and professor Dr. Kelly Jordan about what defines a great military leader using an innovative framework that he developed to distinguish good from great military leaders. Learn what makes Alexander the Great a truly great military leader and how his military strategy, genius, courage, morality and other characteristics earns him a spot as one of the greatest military leaders of all time.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Sep 24 2021
53 mins
Military Tuition Assistance: Understanding TA and VA Educational Benefits | EP01
Military Tuition Assistance: Understanding TA and VA Educational Benefits | EP01
The government offers valuable educational benefits for military servicemembers, but how and when to use those benefits can be confusing. In this episode, AMU professor and former Marine Dr. Larry D. Parker Jr. talks with military education expert John Aldrich about tuition assistance, or TA, for active-duty servicemembers, as well as veteran educational benefits through the VA. Learn the differences in these benefits as well as the existing gaps. For example, learn about the need to raise the tuition assistance cap, which hasn’t changed in 20 years despite rising tuition costs, disparities in housing allowance for veteran servicemembers pursuing an online education, and more.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Sep 17 2021
31 mins
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