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

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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

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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

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In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with Clark Yuan, Founder and CEO of Stitch3D, United States Army Veteran, and West Point graduate. Clark shares his journey from growing up in a Taiwanese military family to serving as a Military Intelligence officer in the U.S. Army, and ultimately transitioning into entrepreneurship and defense tech innovation.

Clark discusses how his experiences in the military, particularly working with geospatial intelligence and fragmented data-sharing systems, inspired him to build Stitch3D, a platform designed to make spatial and geospatial data easier to access, visualize, and collaborate on. He explains how the company evolved from an Air Force-funded research initiative into a venture-backed commercial SaaS platform serving enterprise customers.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of military transition, the challenges of building a startup in the defense ecosystem, and the lessons learned navigating SBIR funding, venture capital, and dual-use technology markets. Clark offers an honest perspective on the gap between government R&D funding and long-term acquisition success, why many startups struggle in the defense space, and how founders can position themselves for sustainable growth.

Beau and Clark also discuss resilience, leadership, mentorship, and the importance of faith and personal grounding while navigating the pressures of entrepreneurship. Clark shares how finding his faith during the startup journey helped redefine success beyond business metrics and gave him perspective through the uncertainty of building a company.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• How military operational problems can become startup opportunities
• Lessons learned transitioning from the Army into entrepreneurship
• The realities of SBIR/STTR funding and defense innovation programs
• Why many defense startups struggle to move from R&D to acquisition
• How venture capital and government funding can complement each other
• The importance of customer discovery and product-market fit
• Why commercial traction can be critical before pursuing government scale
• The value of veteran networks, mentorship, and community
• How faith, resilience, and purpose influence leadership and entrepreneurship
• What veterans should know before entering the startup or defense tech ecosystem

Clark also shares candid advice for veterans considering entrepreneurship, including the importance of humility, adaptability, and building relationships with founders, investors, and operators who have already navigated the path.

Whether you’re transitioning out of the military, interested in defense technology, exploring venture-backed startups, or considering founding your own company, this episode delivers practical insights and real-world lessons from someone building at the intersection of national security and innovation.

🔗 Learn more about TheMilVet → TheMilVet
🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more conversations empowering veterans to win after service.

#Veterans #DefenseTech #Entrepreneurship #MilitaryTransition #Leadership #Startups #NationalSecurity #VentureCapital #SBIR #Innovation #FounderJourney #TheMilVetPodcast

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In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins speaks with Tom Lynch, a Managing Partner at Iron Point Partners and former U.S. Navy JAG officer, about his path from military service into finance and private equity. Tom reflects on how his background shaped his leadership style, transition into investing, and career in real estate private equity.

Tom reflects on the influence of military service and Jesuit education in shaping his leadership philosophy, work ethic, and commitment to service. He discusses his unconventional path into finance - attending Dartmouth College and UVA Law, serving as a Navy criminal defense attorney, and later leveraging the GI Bill to earn a business degree while still on active duty. Tom offers candid insight into what it was like entering Wall Street as a nontraditional candidate in his late twenties with a military background and young family.

Throughout the episode, Tom emphasizes the value veterans bring to the private sector, including leadership, adaptability, teamwork, discipline, and judgment under pressure. He encourages transitioning service members to embrace their unique backgrounds rather than viewing themselves as “behind” their civilian peers, reminding listeners that careers are long and that military experience can become a lifelong differentiator.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• Transitioning from military service into investment banking and private equity
• How veterans can leverage networking and mentorship to enter finance
• Why military leadership experience is a major competitive advantage
• The realities of entering Wall Street as a nontraditional candidate
• What family offices are and how they operate
• Lessons learned building and fundraising for private equity funds
• The evolution of real estate investing and digital infrastructure
• Why culture and teamwork matter in long-term career success
• How veterans can position themselves for leadership roles in business
• The importance of resilience, continuous learning, and long-term thinking

Tom also shares how service remains central to his life today through his involvement with organizations including Gonzaga College High School, the Washington Jesuit Academy, St. Matthew’s Cathedral, and the Yellow Ribbon Fund, which supports injured service members and their families navigating recovery and long-term care.

Whether you’re transitioning out of the military, exploring opportunities in private equity or finance, interested in entrepreneurship and investing, or simply looking for lessons on leadership and long-term career growth, this episode delivers practical advice and real-world perspective from someone who successfully navigated the path from military service to private equity leadership.

🔗 Learn more about TheMilVet → TheMilVet
🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more conversations empowering veterans to win after service.

#Veterans #PrivateEquity #MilitaryTransition #Leadership #Finance #RealEstate #InvestmentBanking #Entrepreneurship #VeteranCareers #Networking #FamilyOffice #DigitalInfrastructure #DataCenters #TheMilVetPodcast

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Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
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In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with Giles Walger, Founder of OODAx, and United States Marine Corps veteran. Giles shares how his transition from the Marine Corps to Amazon’s Pathways program - and later to AWS Mission Engineering - equipped him with the tools, mindset, and network needed to thrive in the private sector and ultimately launch his own company.

Giles dives into how his experience solving complex warfighter problems at AWS shaped his entrepreneurial path, giving him a “real-world MBA” in product-market fit, customer discovery, and navigating the complexities of government acquisition. He explains how OODAx helps emerging defense tech companies bridge the gap between innovation and the Department of Defense by accelerating access, aligning with mission needs, and overcoming bureaucratic hurdles.

The conversation also unpacks the realities of transitioning out of the military, the importance of starting over with humility, and why veterans are uniquely positioned to succeed in high-impact industries like defense tech and venture-backed startups.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• How military experience translates into success in corporate and startup environments
• The “three C’s” (care, conviction, competence) and why they matter in any career
• What makes Amazon and AWS valuable stepping stones for veterans entering tech
• How to navigate the defense tech ecosystem and avoid common pitfalls
• The concept of “product-mission-system fit” and why it’s critical for government sales
• Key questions to evaluate startups before joining them
• How to break into defense tech, venture capital, or private equity-backed companies
• The importance of mentorship, networking, and paying it forward

Giles also shares practical resources - including podcasts, books, and strategies - for veterans looking to break into defense tech, along with candid advice on choosing the right company and building a meaningful post-service career.

Whether you’re transitioning out of the military, considering entrepreneurship, or looking to enter the defense innovation space, this episode offers actionable insights and a clear roadmap for success.

🔗 Learn more about TheMilVet → themilvet.org

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

#Veterans #DefenseTech #Entrepreneurship #CareerTransition #Leadership #Startups #PrivateEquity #VentureCapital #Networking #ServiceAfterService #TheMilVetPodcast

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

Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
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In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with Patrick J. Murphy, Executive Director of Hilco Global, former Congressman, and United States Army Veteran. Patrick shares his remarkable journey from a blue-collar upbringing in Philadelphia to the 82nd Airborne Division, deploying to Iraq, and later serving in Congress where he helped shape landmark legislation like the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. He reflects on how his experiences in combat and public service fueled his desire to continue serving in new ways - eventually leading him into the private sector, venture capital, and his current role at Hilco Global.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of transition - from the uncertainty of leaving the military to the grind of running for office, and later, reinventing himself in business. Patrick shares candid insights on resilience, rejection, and the importance of staying mission-focused through every phase of life.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• Why “your network is your net worth” is more than just a phrase - it’s a career strategy
• How to embrace adversity (“embrace the suck”) and turn setbacks into momentum
• The skills veterans bring to leadership roles in government and business
• Lessons from serving in Congress and leading at the highest levels of the military
• How to successfully transition into private equity, venture capital, and the commercial sector
• The importance of communication and simplifying complex ideas
• Why continuous learning and self-improvement are essential for long-term success

Patrick also shares practical advice for veterans looking to break into new industries - emphasizing the power of mentorship, relationship-building, and taking initiative. His story is a testament to the idea that careers are rarely linear, and that purpose-driven leadership can evolve across multiple domains.

Whether you're transitioning out of the military, exploring public service, or looking to break into business and investing, this episode offers hard-earned wisdom, actionable advice, and inspiration from someone who has led on the battlefield, in Congress, and in the boardroom.

🔗 Learn more about TheMilVet → themilvet.org

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

#TheMilVetPodcast #Veterans #Leadership #CareerTransition #Networking #PublicService #PrivateEquity #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #ServiceAfterService

Thanks for listening!

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

Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
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In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins speaks with Thomas Higginbotham, Founder and CEO of Kestrel and United States Air Force Veteran. Thomas shares how growing up in a multi-generational Air Force family, serving as a fighter pilot, and later working through a grueling flight training experience shaped his resilience and mission-driven mindset.

The conversation follows his journey from active duty to Stanford, then into roles at Google X and C3 AI, where he developed deep expertise in AI, enterprise systems, and defense technology. Thomas explains how he identified a scalable opportunity in defense software and ultimately founded Kestrel, while reflecting on the realities of becoming a founder, learning to sell, building conviction, navigating investor skepticism, and committing fully to a vision before the market fully existed.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• How military experience can translate into startup leadership and technical innovation
• The importance of grit and resilience built through real-world adversity
• Why sensor orchestration is becoming a critical capability in modern defense systems
• How Stanford, Google X, and C3 AI shaped a founder’s mindset
• Lessons in enterprise sales, product-market fit, and government procurement
• Why conviction is essential when building a company before the market fully exists
• The role of culture fit in career transitions from military to civilian life
• How to think about “selling” as a core professional and leadership skill
• What it takes to leave a stable career and commit fully to a startup

Thomas also shares candid advice for aspiring founders, especially veterans, emphasizing the importance of conviction, preparation, and understanding the increasing competitiveness of the defense tech landscape.

Whether you're a veteran exploring entrepreneurship, a technologist interested in defense innovation, or someone navigating a major career transition, this episode delivers grounded insights on building, betting on yourself, and staying committed when the path forward is uncertain.

🔗 Learn more about TheMilVet → themilvet.org
🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with veterans building in venture capital, private equity, and founder-led companies.

#Veterans #MilitaryTransition #AirForce #Startup #DefenseTech #ArtificialIntelligence #Entrepreneurship #Founders #Leadership #TheMilVetPodcast

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Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
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