In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with retired Marine Corps Colonel Kevin Hudson to discuss his remarkable journey from infantry officer to Cobra pilot, and ultimately to executive leadership in the private sector at YAM Worldwide. After serving more than 26 years in the Marine Corps, Kevin made the transition into a completely new industry, helping build Parsons Xtreme Golf (PXG) from a startup with fewer than 20 employees into a global company with more than 900 employees worldwide.

Kevin shares how military leadership, problem-solving, and team-building skills translated directly into the business world, despite having no prior experience in golf manufacturing. The conversation explores the realities of military transition, the importance of networking, finding the right post-service career path, and why veterans often bring more value to civilian organizations than they realize.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• Kevin’s path from infantry officer to Marine Corps aviator and Cobra pilot
• What inspired him to join the Marine Corps and serve for more than two decades
• Lessons learned leading Marines in combat and throughout a military career
• The realities of transitioning from military service into the private sector
• How networking and professional relationships create career opportunities
• Why veterans often underestimate the business skills they have developed in uniform
• How military experience translates into operations, manufacturing, talent management, and executive leadership
• The importance of understanding budgets, personnel management, and organizational culture
• What it was like helping launch and scale a startup company from the ground floor
• The similarities between leading military units and leading high-growth businesses
• Why defining where you want to live and how you want to live is critical during transition
• Common fears veterans face when leaving the military and how to overcome them
• The value of mentorship and maintaining strong veteran networks
• How veterans can continue serving their communities after military retirement
• Finding purpose, balance, and fulfillment in life after the military

Kevin also reflects on his experience serving as a Marine Corps monitor, where he witnessed countless officers and enlisted Marines navigate transition. Drawing from those experiences, he offers practical advice for service members preparing for civilian careers and emphasizes that military veterans are uniquely equipped to tackle complex challenges, lead teams, and drive results in any industry.

Whether you're an active-duty service member planning your next chapter, a veteran exploring new opportunities, or a business leader interested in the value veterans bring to organizations, this episode offers actionable advice and powerful lessons on leadership, adaptability, and lifelong service.

🔗 Learn more about TheMilVet

🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more conversations helping veterans succeed in business, entrepreneurship, private equity, venture capital, and beyond.

#Veterans #MilitaryTransition #MarineCorps #Leadership #VeteranCareers #VeteranTransition #ExecutiveLeadership #PXG #Entrepreneurship #OperationsLeadership #Manufacturing #VeteranNetworking #Mentorship #VeteranCommunity #BusinessLeadership #LifeAfterService #TheMilVet #MilitaryLeadership #CareerTransition #VeteranSuccess

Thanks for listening!

Here's how you can find us to continue the conversation:

Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
Follow us on Instagram at @themilitaryvet
Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter at https://www.themilvet.org/resources-for-veterans
Check out our video content on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@themilitaryvet

Meet Christopher Knapp, retired Navy officer, defense technology leader, and Chief Engagement Officer of the Uncrewed Warrior Foundation, in this insightful episode of TheMilVet Podcast. It is a conversation about unconventional career paths, military transition, purpose after service, and finding your place in the rapidly evolving world of defense technology.

Chris shares his remarkable journey from enlisting in the Navy as a journalist at 17 years old to becoming a Naval Flight Officer, serving in airborne command and control, supporting operations in Afghanistan, and ultimately leading uncrewed systems and innovation efforts within Naval Special Warfare.

Throughout the conversation, Chris reflects on the pivotal decisions, setbacks, and leadership lessons that shaped his career, including the moments when he chose to follow his instincts instead of the traditional career path.

In this episode, Chris opens up about:

• Going from Navy journalist to Naval Flight Officer through the Seaman-to-Admiral 21 program

• Overcoming failure in flight school and learning how to persevere through adversity

• Finding purpose and belonging while serving alongside Naval Special Warfare

• Leading innovation, science and technology, and uncrewed systems programs within the military

• Navigating the difficult reality of military promotion systems and career transitions

• Why he never planned to leave the Navy and how he adapted when circumstances changed

• Transitioning into the defense technology industry during the COVID era

• Building a career around autonomy, robotics, and the future of warfare at Gambit Defense

• Helping veterans transition into the uncrewed systems industry through the Uncrewed Warrior Foundation

• The importance of mentorship, community, and honest conversations during transition

This is an honest and inspiring discussion about embracing unconventional paths, adapting to change, and continuing to serve through leadership, innovation, and mentorship long after military service ends.

Whether you're a veteran preparing for transition, a defense professional interested in emerging technology, or someone navigating a major career change, this episode offers practical insights on resilience, growth, and creating impact in your next chapter.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

#TheMilVetPodcast #Veterans #MilitaryTransition #Leadership #NavyVeteran #DefenseTech #Autonomy #UncrewedSystems #Innovation #VeteranCommunity #CareerTransition #SpecialOperations #Mentorship #DefenseIndustry #Purpose #TheMilVet

Thanks for listening!

Here's how you can find us to continue the conversation:

Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
Follow us on Instagram at @themilitaryvet
Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter at https://www.themilvet.org/resources-for-veterans
Check out our video content on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@themilitaryvet

In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins speaks with Ryan Manion, CEO of the Travis Manion Foundation, about leadership, loss, veteran transition, and finding purpose after service. TMF was founded by Ryan’s mother, Janet Manion, in honor of her son, Marine 1st Lt. Travis Manion, who was killed in Iraq in 2007.

Ryan discusses how TMF has grown into a national organization that supports veterans and families of the fallen through programs centered on leadership, service, mentorship, and community engagement. The conversation also highlights TMF’s view that veterans continue to have an important role to play after leaving the military, and that service and community can help create that next chapter.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• The emotional realities of transition after military service and loss
• How imposter syndrome impacts veterans and nonprofit leaders alike
• Ryan Manion’s journey from entrepreneur to nonprofit CEO
• Lessons learned leading and scaling a national nonprofit organization
• Why hiring smart people and building strong teams matters
• How military leadership skills translate into business and nonprofit leadership
• The importance of community, service, and purpose after the military
• How the Travis Manion Foundation supports veterans and families of the fallen
• The impact of programs like Character Does Matter and the 9/11 Heroes Run
• Why mentorship and youth engagement are critical to long-term community impact
• The connection between service, purpose, and veteran mental health
• How local veterans can create meaningful change in their own communities

Ryan also shares a pivotal story about attending a White House veterans roundtable early in her career and realizing that believing in herself was more important than seeking validation from others. Her reflections on leadership, confidence, and growth offer valuable lessons for veterans, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and anyone navigating major life transitions.

Whether you’re a veteran entering civilian life, someone passionate about supporting the military community, or a leader building purpose-driven organizations, this episode delivers an authentic conversation about resilience, identity, leadership, and continuing to serve beyond the uniform.

🔗 Learn more about the Travis Manion Foundation
🔗 Learn more about TheMilVet

🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more conversations empowering veterans to win after service.

#Veterans #MilitaryTransition #Leadership #VeteranSupport #Nonprofit #MentalHealth #Purpose #Community #GoldStarFamily #TravisManionFoundation #TheMilVet #VeteranLeadership #Service #Entrepreneurship #ImposterSyndrome #VeteranCommunity #911HeroesRun #CharacterDoesMatter

Thanks for listening!

Here's how you can find us to continue the conversation:

Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
Follow us on Instagram at @themilitaryvet
Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter at https://www.themilvet.org/resources-for-veterans
Check out our video content on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@themilitaryvet