Ever wondered about military medical retirement? This episode features a candid conversation with Marine Corps veteran Alberto Boy, who shares his firsthand experience navigating the complex medical retirement process. We dive into dispelling common myths, understanding your financial options, and finding your purpose in civilian life.

Key Moments:

[08:40] From Infantry to Logistics: A Career Journey: Alberto discusses his 20-year Marine Corps career, including his time in infantry and later as a Distribution Management Officer (DMO), and how it shaped his transition.

[11:23] Medical Retirement vs. Regular Retirement: Alberto reveals his decision to pursue 20 years of active service despite being approved for medical retirement, and the financial considerations behind it.

[14:55] Dispelling the "Double Pay" Myth: Get the truth about receiving disability payments from both the military and the VA – you can't get double-paid for the same disability.

[18:40] Lawyers & Med Boards: Alberto shares insights on the role of disability lawyers during the med board process and the importance of doing your own research.

[24:17] Mental State During Transition: The emotional and mental challenges of medical retirement and how a strong support group can make all the difference.

[30:07] Finding Purpose as a Civilian: Alberto talks about his "honeymoon stage" after retirement and how he transitioned his military skills into a service manager role at Patterson Dental.

[33:16] The Value of Prior Military Colleagues: How working for a company with other prior service members helped ease Alberto's transition into civilian employment.

[36:43] SkillBridge & the VA: Alberto's experience with the SkillBridge program, working as a VSR for the VA, and gaining valuable insight into the claims process.

[41:33] Top Tips for Medical Retirement: Alberto's key advice for anyone considering military medical retirement, emphasizing research and individual situation assessment.

[46:48] The Burden of Medical Retirement: John and Vic discuss the heavy lift involved in medical retirement compared to traditional retirement, and the prevalence of misinformation.

[58:05] 2025 Goals: Vic shares his ambitious goals for the podcast, his personal "Green Log Book" channel, and his commitment to physical and mental well-being in retirement.

Resources Mentioned:

Military Retirement Group (Facebook): Connect with other veterans and retirees, share experiences, and get advice on your transition journey.

Alberto Boy (LinkedIn): If you have questions about medical retirement, connect with Alberto on LinkedIn.

WARTECH Program (VA): Learn more about this SkillBridge program at discover.va.gov/transition-programs

"Bottom Line Up Front" Book: Your essential guide to navigating your military transition. Get your copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mqrY5d

Disclaimer:

As an Amazon affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through the Amazon link provided in this description. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support the show!

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Getting out soon? Worried about the transition? In this episode, we're tackling the biggest questions about post-military life, from how to manage your finances to the tricky decision of chasing that last promotion. It's an episode packed with real-world advice and personal stories to help you navigate your next chapter.

Key Moments:

[00:03:00] VA Claims & Honesty: Why you should never lie on your VA claims and how to properly communicate your condition to get the rating you deserve.

[00:06:30] The Retirement Trigger: Is that last promotion worth staying in for? We share our perspectives and advice on making the right choice for your family and your future.

[00:10:49] The Golden Rule of Transition: Our #1 financial tip for every service member: pay off all your debt before you get out.

[00:15:07] Government Shutdown & Your Benefits: What you need to know about how a potential government shutdown could impact your veteran benefits.

[00:26:30] Understanding the COLA Trap: We break down the military retiree cost-of-living adjustments for 2025 and explain how your retirement date affects your pay raises.

[00:47:50] The Contractor vs. GS Journey: A candid look at the differences between working as a DoD contractor and a GS employee, and what it felt like to be a "third-class citizen."

[01:08:00] USAJOBS Resume Secrets: Personal tips for navigating the federal application process and finally getting your resume to stand out.

Resources Mentioned:

Military Retirement Group (Facebook): Find community support and answers to your questions from fellow veterans in our Facebook group.

"Bottom Line Up Front" Book: Your essential guide to navigating your military transition. Get your copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mqrY5d

Disclaimer:

As an Amazon affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through the Amazon link provided in this description. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support the show!

If you would like to start your own livestream or podcast, go check out 🎙️ StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4998128083271680

In this essential episode of the Military Retirement Podcast, we're cutting through the complexity to bring you a clear, comprehensive guide to VA disability and healthcare, with a special focus on what a 0% to 100% disability rating truly means for veterans. This isn't just about numbers; it's about understanding your entitlements, maximizing your benefits, and ensuring you receive the care you've earned.

Join us as we break down the intricacies of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system. We'll explore how disability ratings are determined, the specific healthcare services and financial compensation associated with each tier, and practical advice for navigating the claims process. Whether you're a transitioning service member, a veteran with an existing rating, or simply seeking to understand the full spectrum of VA support, this episode will empower you with the knowledge to advocate for yourself and your family.

Key Topics Covered:

[00:02:15] Understanding the basics of VA disability ratings and service connection.

[00:15:30] A detailed breakdown of benefits at 0%, 10%, and 20% VA disability.

[00:30:45] Exploring benefits for 30%, 40%, and 50% VA disability ratings, including special monthly compensation.

[00:45:00] What changes at 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90% VA disability, and additional support.

[01:00:10] The comprehensive benefits and healthcare associated with 100% VA disability.

[01:15:20] Strategies for filing claims, gathering evidence, and navigating appeals.

[01:30:00] Tips for accessing VA healthcare services and maximizing your medical benefits.

[01:45:30] Common mistakes to avoid and best practices for a successful VA claim journey.

Resources Mentioned:

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Official Website: https://www.va.gov/

VA Benefits Explorer: https://www.va.gov/explore/

Find Your Local VA Office: https://www.va.gov/find-locations/

Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) Locator: Connect with organizations like the American Legion, VFW, or DAV for free assistance with claims. https://www.va.gov/vso/

You can get our book "The Bottom Line Up Front" to help you in your journey to civilian life: https://amzn.to/4mqrY5d

The full episode can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/live/WgMh2_k7GU4If you would like to start your own livestream or podcast, go check out 🎙️ StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4998128083271680

As an Amazon affiliate, some of our links will result in revenue for the show - at no extra cost to you. If you would like to support our show please use the affiliate links, otherwise simply google search the resources yourself. Thank you!