Tom Crea 🇺🇸

🪖 Here are three tips to help Transitioning Service Members prepare for their VA (Veterans Affairs) examination C&P (Compensation and Pension) exam: 1. Don't Lie, Be Honest, Clear, and Specific Clearly describe how your condition impacts your life physically, mentally, socially, and occupationally. Don't downplay your symptoms—VA ratings are based on the extent of impairment. If you're having a "good day" during the exam, still describe your worst days to ensure the whole picture is understood. 🧠 Mental health exams: Be open about anxiety, depression, nightmares, anger issues, or social withdrawal—even if it's difficult. 2. Get Rid of Vague and General Timelines Examples of vague or general timelines: I've suffered from this condition for a long time, forever. Be specific. For example, I have been suffering from this condition for 8 years. I suffered from this condition for 8 months. I have been suffering from this condition for the last 8 weeks. 3. Be Prepared to Wait. Be Prepared for Parking. Be Ready to Cope After a Mental Eval. Be patient. Hurry up and wait continues, unfortunately, and sometimes even longer than when you were in uniform. Bring a book and a battery bank charger for your phone. Be prepared if you have any conditions with your knees or shoulders, and they perform evaluations on them, as they may aggravate them so much that afterward, they will not provide you with any ice, ibuprofen, or aspirin. You will have to walk back to your vehicle in the parking lot. After a mental health exam and it takes you to a dark place, have a buddy ready for you to talk to afterward. 📁 Pro tip: Be careful with casual conversations. I had individuals denied benefits based on casual conversations. Specifically, I had a service member denied for hypertension that turned into diabetes due to a conversation he had with the examiner that it was probably brought on himself with all the smoking and eating of fast food. The result was that the examiner attributed hypertension to post-service lifestyle factors rather than service-related causes—undermining his service connection.

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From 27 yrs in the USAF to helping vets succeed through APUS ~ “Everything I thought military education should be—I saw at AMU.” Dan Roby shares insights on military transition, the power of networking, and how flexible, affordable education can change lives. 🎧https://ow.ly/W1SE30sP4g5

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I love writing about personal finances for military families because my husband spent 21 years in the Army and we know about the special financial issues that servicemembers and veterans face. One area where their options and strategies are different is life insurance. Some civilian life insurance companies won't cover servicemembers who are about to be deployed or have certain high-risk jobs, but active duty military members have access to low-cost life insurance as an employee benefit while they're serving. After they leave the military, their options change. This WSJ | Buy Side article goes into detail about the special life insurance benefits for active duty military members, the different options after they leave the service, and strategies for finding the best coverage in both situations.

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I spent 20 years in the Army learning one thing about leadership. The mission doesn't wait for perfect conditions. You assess. You decide. You move. Running a home care agency is no different. Caregivers need to be in homes today. Families need answers today. Problems don't pause for the perfect plan. The leaders who win in this industry aren't the ones with the best strategy deck. They're the ones who keep moving when it's uncomfortable. That's the standard I hold myself to every day. #Leadership #HomeCare #VeteranOwned #ABSRaleigh #NorthCarolina

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Great opportunity for military in career transition. Learn how to use it - it's not a quick solution. The key is in the prompts and knowing the desired result format. #chatgpt #AI #careertransition

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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), is planning the VA Processing and Automation Services (VPAS) IDIQ, a follow-on to the Veterans Intake, Conversion and Communication Services (VICCS) vehicle. Valued at an estimated $5.4 billion, VPAS will support IT services, automation, integration, and business process management to streamline benefits delivery to Veterans. While the RFP was initially projected for release in late FY25, as of June 23, 2025, the procurement has been officially placed on hold until further notice. Even with this pause, VPAS remains a major opportunity—and companies with relevant capabilities should prepare now. #automationservices #businessprocessmanagement #capturemanagement #federalopportunities #fullandopencompetition #govconstrategy #governmentcontracting #itservicesintegration #OSTGlobalSolutions #proposalpreparation #proposalwriting #teamingstrategy #veteransbenefits #vpasopportunity

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An inspiring takeaway for current and future leaders alike — a powerful reminder of our responsibility toward those we lead and develop.

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Vision First: The Leadership Lesson That Changes Everything Previously, I shared some of the leadership principles from General Al Gray, the 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps, truths that have stood the test of time and experience. One in particular has stuck with me and feels especially relevant across business and leadership today: “What do you want it to look like when we’re finished?” There’s something about the simplicity and repetition of that question that cuts through the noise. It refocuses leadership back where it belongs: Clarity of Outcome Before you allocate people, money, or time, do you know what success looks like? Without a clear end state, teams spin in circles. I have heard this from those that I am serving and I have in turn also shared it with my teams. Alignment Across Teams When everyone shares a vision of success, you unlock initiative and creativity. People aren’t frozen guessing, they’re moving with purpose. Ownership at Every Level Clarity enables autonomy. It gives people the confidence to make decisions aligned with the mission, without second-guessing. I’ve seen this principle in action many times at DigitalChalk. When we design a new feature for our platform, we always start with our UI and UX designers to sketch out what the end experience should look and feel like. We map user flows, build prototypes, and clarify user expectations before writing code. The result? Developers have fewer assumptions and build faster. Product managers align priorities early. Stakeholders know exactly what’s being built—and why. Internal alignment is key. But external clarity is just as important. At conferences like Association for Talent Development (ATD) 2025, where we just showcased our platform, we approached customer conversations with the same mindset: Instead of immediately jumping into a product demo, we asked: “What does success look like for your organization?” When we understand their goals, whether it’s improving compliance training, launching a certification program, or scaling onboarding, we can tailor the solution to meet their definition of success. It transforms the conversation from selling features to solving problems. And when reporting to leadership, I’ve found and been taught that clarity about project outcomes and priorities builds trust and removes ambiguity. Leaders don’t just want activity, they want to see the picture of what winning looks like. Everywhere I turn in leadership, this lesson applies: Teams aren’t starved for effort, they’re starved for clarity. “What do you want it to look like when we’re finished?” It’s a question worth asking—and worth answering—every single time. I’m curious, how do you create clarity for your teams or your customers? Do you use roadmaps, prototypes, vision decks, or something else? Would love to hear your approach below. #Leadership #ATD2025 #DigitalChalk #Clarity #Vision #Purpose

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Which kind of transitioner are you? The: 1️⃣ Transitioning Specialist - a service member who has held a technical military occupation and wants to continue in that occupational area within a civilian workforce. 2️⃣ Transitioning Generalist - a service member who wants to utilize their general and leadership skills they acquired through the military service in a civilian workforce. 3️⃣ Career Switcher - a service member who wants to pursue a specific civilian occupation that is unrelated to their military occupation or experience. 4️⃣ Multi Tasker – a service member wants to pursue a combination of civilian opportunities that may include employment, education, technical training, entrepreneurship collar or volunteer work. 5️⃣ Undecided - a service member who has not decided on a specific career path within a civilian workforce. Why ask this question? Because it’s important understand where you’re at, and where you’re going? 1️⃣ Will your specialized (or general) skills and credentialso get you the role you want. 2️⃣ Do you need a upskill by doing a #dodskillbridge, get a CERT, or obtain a degree? 3️⃣ What kind of timeline are you looking at? 4️⃣ Have you spoken to anybody in the field that you’re interested in? 5️⃣ What GAPs do you have, and what do you need to fill them? One of my favorite tools to use with transitioners, is the GAP Analysis. I’ve used it to help people explore and find better aligned #dodskillbridges, internships, college programs, and certifications….all those “credentials”. In some cases, I’ve helped people complete SEVERAL…to get a better snapshot of their roadmap. Give it a shot! If you have any questions, reach out! You better call Tyrone

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Transition Drill Podcast - Episode 212 FULL EPISODE 👉🏼 Listen on all podcast platforms 👉🏼 Watch on YouTube In Episode 212 of the Transition Drill Podcast, Retired Navy SEAL Commander Gordon Schmidt shares his powerful story of resilience, leadership, and transformation. From his early years growing up in a constantly moving family to discovering rowing at Lehigh University and earning his way into the U.S. Naval Academy, Gordon’s journey is defined by determination and adaptability. He recounts starting his career as a Surface Warfare Officer, navigating uncertainty while fighting for a chance to attend BUD/S, and the defining moment when he earned his SEAL orders. Gordon takes us inside the challenges of training, the lessons forged in combat, and the brotherhood that shaped his career. Now retired, he reflects on transitioning from high-tempo operations to civilian life, finding new purpose through rowing coaching, mentoring, and leadership development. For veterans, first responders, and anyone facing change, Gordon’s insights offer guidance on building resilience and leading with purpose. The best podcast for military veterans, police officers, firefighters, and first responders preparing for veteran transition and life after service. Helping you plan and implement strategies to prepare for your transition into civilian life. #transitiondrillpodcast #veteran #firstresponder #navyseal #militarytransition #lifeafterservice #careerchange #firstresponders #podcast

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Delaying a VA disability claim can cost more than most Veterans realize. The biggest impact? Lost compensation. VA benefits are generally tied to the date you file — not when your condition started. Waiting 5 or 10 years could mean losing 5 or 10 years of tax-free compensation that you usually can’t recover. It’s not just financial. Over time, evidence gets weaker. Medical providers retire. Records get misplaced. Witnesses move. Memories fade. The longer you wait, the harder it can be to establish service connection. There’s also a compounding effect. Many conditions worsen. Filing early protects your effective date and creates a service-connected foundation that can support future secondary claims — like radiculopathy secondary to a back condition, or depression secondary to chronic pain. Delay doesn’t just cost time. It can cost benefits, evidence, and future opportunities.

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🔥 Federal RIFs Can Continue During a Shutdown 🔥 OPM just made a hard truth unavoidable: agencies can keep moving Reduction in Force actions during a government shutdown. That means 60‑day RIF notices, competitive area definitions, and other RIF steps can be completed while employees are furloughed and unpaid, with backpay only once funding is restored. Why this matters 1️⃣ Timing still counts. A RIF notice starts the 60‑day clock even if a shutdown interrupts pay. 2️⃣ Work continues, sometimes unpaid. Staff performing excepted RIF work may be required to keep working without immediate pay. 3️⃣ Separation dates determine backpay. Employees whose official separation occurs before or during a shutdown may lose retroactive pay for post‑separation days. What every federal employee should do right now 1️⃣ Confirm dates. Immediately verify your 60‑day notice date and official separation date. 2️⃣ Track status. Monitor whether you’re listed as excepted, furloughed, or separated—those labels change pay eligibility. 3️⃣ Use your advocates. Contact your union rep and agency HR to clarify appeal rights, bumping options, and pay implications. 4️⃣ Document everything. Keep copies of notices, emails, and HR communications with timestamps. For leaders and HR 1️⃣ Communicate distinctly. Separate RIF communications from shutdown-related notices to reduce confusion and legal risk. 2️⃣ Be transparent about pay expectations. Explain "excepted work" requirements, backpay timelines, and separation consequences clearly. 3️⃣ Design humane transitions. If a RIF must proceed, prioritize clear appeals pathways and coaching for displaced employees. Bigger picture This guidance lets agencies continue reshaping workforces even amid funding lapses. That increases the need for fair process design, intentional communication, and policies that protect employee dignity when organizational decisions and federal funding collide. Share this post if you work in government HR, lead a federal team, or support impacted employees. Clear, timely guidance matters more than ever. #FederalWorkforce #GovernmentShutdown #PublicServiceLeadership #WorkforceResilience #LeadershipInCrisis #OPMGuidance https://lnkd.in/eNdaCVDU

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🇺🇲 MISSION-DRIVEN MINUTE – Episode 8: Inconsistent Accountability Is Breaking Your Team Accountability isn’t punishment. Its structure and it builds trust. In this Mission-Driven Minute, I explain why inconsistent accountability is one of the fastest ways to lose veteran talent. Veterans don’t need stricter environments. They need predictable ones. 📘 From the Mission-Driven book series on leadership and veteran workforce success. https://lnkd.in/eYbmGZxG #MissionDrivenMinute #Leadership #Accountability #VeteranWorkforce #Retention

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🚨 $36.4M NAVY AEGIS CONTRACT JUST AWARDED — SHIP INTEGRATION TEAMS SHOULD MOVE NOW 🚨 DoD Contract Alert — Serious Subcontractors Only If your company supports naval combat systems, AEGIS, shipboard IT, waterfront modernization, radar testing, cyber, engineering, logistics, or cleared technical staffing, this is a real supplier-entry window. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems just secured a $36,439,220 NAVSEA contract modification for: new construction test support post-delivery fleet readiness in-service ship integration & testing waterfront modernization support AEGIS Ashore planning 📍 Performance Locations: Moorestown, NJ | San Diego, CA | Norfolk, VA | Bath, ME | Pascagoula, MS 📅 Award Date: April 2026 ⏳ Performance Through: July 2028 🏛️ Agency: Naval Sea Systems Command 💼 WHERE SUBCONTRACTORS CAN PLUG IN AEGIS systems integration radar / sensor testing shipboard cybersecurity & RMF waterfront field engineering pier-side installation support software validation labs technical documentation / CDRLs program controls & scheduling cleared engineering staff augmentation lifecycle sustainment logistics ⚡ NEXT STEPS Lead with Navy combat systems past performance Highlight DDG, cruiser, AEGIS, radar, or waterfront availabilities Target Lockheed RMS supplier channels in Moorestown + fleet hubs Position cleared engineering, cyber, and test talent Move in the next 72 hours before workshare solidifies The real subcontracting lanes here are combat systems engineering, cyber hardening, waterfront integration, fleet readiness, and logistics sustainment. Richelli Consulting Group is already tracking where subs fit, who to contact, and how to position before task allocations settle. 🔗 Free 30-Minute Strategy Consultation https://lnkd.in/gQ-uAQJc Action move: If you have NAVSEA, DDG modernization, or AEGIS experience, send your capability statement to the Lockheed supplier ecosystem this week, not next month.

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#NationalHireAVeteranDay Every year, thousands of service members transition from military to civilian life. Many bring with them unmatched discipline, resilience, leadership, and technical skills. But despite this, veterans still face barriers to employment that don’t reflect their potential or contributions. 👉 Let’s be clear: Hiring a veteran is smart business. Veterans have already proven themselves in high-stakes environments. They’re mission-driven, solutions-focused, and trained to lead, follow, and adapt - all depending on the needs of the team. They understand structure, accountability, and continuous learning. And many come equipped with certifications and hands-on experience in fields like IT, cybersecurity, logistics, engineering, and healthcare. Their résumés may not align with typical corporate terminology, but their skills are real. Their experience may not fit neatly into a box, but they offer immense value. As a veteran spouse and granddaughter, this mission hits close to home. I'm proud to work with veteran-friendly employers and training partners to bridge that gap—offering accelerated paths into high-demand careers that recognize what veterans can do and build on it. 🎯 If you’re an employer looking for reliable, mission-ready talent, don’t wait for perfect candidates to appear on job boards. Create a pathway. Not sure where to start? Just ask me how. Hiring a veteran isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s one of the best things you can do for your team, your culture, and your bottom line. #NationalHireAVeteranDay #VeteransInTech #Apprenticeship #TalentPipeline #WorkforceDevelopment #DEI #HireSmart #HireVeterans

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