In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with David Tomlinson, Vice President at MVP Robotics, Inc. and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran to discuss his 26-year military career and transition into the defense industry.

Dave shares his journey from enlisted Marine to Marine Gunner and Infantry Weapons Officer, highlighting the leadership, mentorship, and operational experience that shaped his career. He discusses supporting Marine Corps modernization, commanding a weapons company in Afghanistan, and applying military leadership principles to the business world.

After an accelerated 90-day retirement transition, Dave leveraged his professional network and LinkedIn presence to pursue opportunities at ADS and MVP Robotics. Today, he leads defense programs and business development while helping companies navigate government contracting and supporting fellow veterans through the Marine Gunner Association.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• Translating military leadership into business success
• Building a professional network before transitioning
• Identifying civilian careers aligned with your strengths
• Navigating defense acquisitions and government contracting
• Applying military planning and teamwork to corporate America
• Supporting veterans through mentorship and community service

🎧 Subscribe to TheMilVet Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more conversations about veteran careers, leadership, entrepreneurship, and life after service.

#TheMilVet #TheMilVetPodcast #MarineCorps #VeteranTransition #MilitaryLeadership #DefenseIndustry #VeteransInBusiness #Mentorship

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, hosts Jim Lose and Tim Hsia sit down with General Charles Q. “CQ” Brown Jr. (Ret.), U.S. Air Force, former 21st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to discuss his 40-year military career, leadership philosophy, transition to civilian life, and perspective on the future of national security and defense technology.

General Brown shares how his father inspired him to serve, why he initially pursued engineering before becoming an F-16 pilot, and how opportunities throughout his career turned four years of military service into four decades. He reflects on his experiences as a fighter pilot, weapons school instructor, squadron commander, senior commander in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.

The conversation explores what it means to serve as the nation's senior military advisor, including providing options to civilian leaders, managing risk, communicating across the military, and leading through uncertainty. General Brown also discusses difficult leadership decisions, the responsibility of sending service members into harm's way, and why leadership is ultimately about making other people's jobs easier.

He reflects on becoming the first African American to lead a U.S. military service branch and the second Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, as well as his decision to speak publicly about race relations following the death of George Floyd. He shares why moral courage matters at senior levels and the lasting impact leaders can have on others.

General Brown also discusses his transition to the private sector, what companies often misunderstand about veteran talent, and why veterans bring adaptability, risk management, leadership, and a "figure it out" mentality to business. He offers advice to transitioning service members on building networks, asking questions, and remaining open to new opportunities.

The episode concludes with a discussion of China's growing influence, the defense industrial base, defense technology, AI, drones, autonomous systems, collaborative combat aircraft, and the future of human-machine teaming.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• Leadership lessons from 40 years of military service
• The role of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
• Leading through uncertainty and difficult decisions
• Moral courage and leadership
• Transitioning from military service to the private sector
• Why veteran leadership translates to business
• Building networks after military service
• China, national security, and the Indo-Pacific
• Defense technology, AI, drones, and autonomy
• Inspiring the next generation of leaders
• General Brown's philosophy on service, leadership, and legacy

🎧 Subscribe to TheMilVet Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more conversations helping veterans succeed in entrepreneurship, executive leadership, business, and life after service.

#TheMilVet #TheMilVetPodcast #Veterans #AirForce #AirForceVeteran #MilitaryTransition #Leadership #MilitaryLeadership #CQBrown #JointChiefs #NationalSecurity #DefenseTech #China #IndoPacific #AI #Drones #Autonomy #VeteranLeadership

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 sits down with Mark Cavaliero, President of Morris Family Farm LLC and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, to discuss his journey from Marine officer to civilian leadership and his transition into a life focused on family, mentorship, and giving back.

Mark shares how his early experiences as an Eagle Scout shaped his decision to join the Marine Corps, where he developed the resilience, sense of urgency, and mission-focused mindset that would serve him throughout his career. After transitioning from active duty to the Marine Corps Reserve, Mark leveraged his military experience and technical expertise to build a civilian career before pursuing entrepreneurship and new opportunities beyond the military.

Mark discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, from navigating financial uncertainty to learning sales, building a team, and overcoming economic downturns. He explains how applying Marine Corps principles to business planning, developing repeatable processes, and surrounding himself with the right partners helped him build and lead a successful technology business before selling it to a private equity-backed organization.

Today, Mark is focused on his work as President of Morris Family Farm LLC, volunteering, mentoring young people through Boy Scouts and substitute teaching, and helping protect waterways and lakes in central North Carolina.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• Translating military leadership and technical skills into civilian opportunities
• Leveraging the Marine Corps network to build career connections
• Applying military planning principles to business and leadership
• Overcoming the challenges of entrepreneurship and financial uncertainty
• Learning sales and developing repeatable business processes
• Finding the right partners with complementary skill sets
• Knowing when it's time to exit a business
• Balancing professional responsibilities, family, and personal fulfillment
• Finding purpose through mentorship, volunteering, and community service
• Building lasting relationships that create opportunities throughout your career

🎧 Subscribe to TheMilVet Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more conversations helping veterans succeed in business, leadership, entrepreneurship, and life after service.

#TheMilVet #TheMilVetPodcast #MarineVeteran #MarineCorps #Veterans #MilitaryTransition #Entrepreneurship #VeteranEntrepreneurs #BusinessLeadership #Networking #CareerTransition #GivingBack

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