Episode 271 of the Transition Drill podcast explores military retirement, career transition, and finding purpose after service for veterans and first responders navigating civilian life. You’ll hear retired Marine Corps First Sergeant Michael Crockett on overcoming identity loss, career uncertainty, and what it takes to build a fulfilling second career.

Growing up in Southern California, Michael faced a difficult childhood marked by an unsupportive stepfather who told him he’d never succeed. Determined to prove otherwise, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1995, beginning a 23-year career that would shape his understanding of leadership, resilience, and personal responsibility.

Starting in administration, Michael pursued opportunities alongside infantry units, eventually serving through multiple combat deployments to Iraq, embassy security assignments overseas, and leadership positions as a First Sergeant. His experiences included the emotional burden of notifying families of fallen service members and learning that effective leadership requires more than rank and authority.

When Michael retired in 2018, his transition wasn't what he'd expected. Despite decades of leadership experience, unanswered job applications and uncertainty challenged his confidence and sense of identity.

Through networking, he secured a position with a defense contractor, advanced to Vice President of Operations, and later joined a consulting company. Those experiences exposed him to corporate leadership challenges and helped him recognize his passion for developing people.

Today, Michael is a Brown University-trained executive coach helping business leaders improve their leadership, communication, and organizational culture.

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Blue Line Roasting: Premium, law-enforcement-owned coffee roasted to fuel the shift. A portion of every order directly supports law enforcement families facing line-of-duty injury or loss. Save 10% at bluelineroasting.com with promo code Transition10

Frontline Optics: Premium eyewear founded by a firefighter and built to withstand the job. Every single purchase helps support the First Responders Children’s Foundation, serving families who’ve paid the ultimate price. Save 10% off your pair at frontlineoptics.com using promo code Transition10

Episode 270 of the Transition Drill podcast explores military retirement, career transition, and finding purpose for veterans and first responders navigating life after service. You’ll hear retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Kyle Skalisky on leaving behind a career that defined his identity, and what it takes to build a fulfilling civilian life.

Growing up in Wenatchee, Washington, Kyle never imagined becoming a fighter pilot. Recruited to the Air Force Academy for football, he discovered aviation and found a career that would span 23 years.

Serving as an aggressor pilot, Kyle flew the F-15, F-16, along with the F-18 working in partner program with the Navy. He also advised on classified technology programs at the Pentagon. He eventually commanded an F-15 squadron in Alaska before finishing his military career at Pacific Command.

Retirement didn't come with a clear plan. Kyle earned his civilian pilot credentials, flew charter aircraft, and helped operate a bakery before returning to aerospace.

He became a flight test director and test pilot at Raytheon, then led Mitsubishi Aircraft's flight test operations. When COVID ended Mitsubishi's aircraft program, Kyle faced another unexpected career transition. Drawing on decades of professional relationships, he launched a consulting business and eventually became CEO of an aerospace defense company.

Today, Kyle's an author, leadership consultant, coach, and keynote speaker. His book, A Sky Less Traveled, began as a way to share his experiences with his young sons. His story challenges how we define success, leadership, and identity when the career we've known is behind us.

CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/

WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/

SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:

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QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:

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SPONSORS:

GRND Collective: Premium, veteran-owned sportswear built for those who show up, outwork the excuses, and give 100%. Score 15% off your order at thegrndcollective.com using promo code TRANSITION15 at checkout

Blue Line Roasting: Premium, law-enforcement-owned coffee roasted to fuel the shift. A portion of every order directly supports law enforcement families facing line-of-duty injury or loss. Save 10% at bluelineroasting.com with promo code Transition10

Frontline Optics: Premium eyewear founded by a firefighter and built to withstand the job. Every single purchase helps support the First Responders Children’s Foundation, serving families who’ve paid the ultimate price. Save 10% off your pair at frontlineoptics.com using promo code Transition10

Episode 269 of the Transition Drill podcast explores law enforcement, career transition, and rebuilding professional identity for veterans and first responders navigating life beyond the badge. You’ll hear former police officer and SWAT operator Bridget Truxillo on losing the career she thought would define her future, and what it takes to turn a painful transition into a new mission.

Bridget grew up in Louisiana before heading to the University of Florida with no clear career path. After graduating, she entered the police academy and joined the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, where she moved from patrol into undercover narcotics, buying drugs and working investigations. Then she took another unlikely step, becoming the first female SWAT officer in her agency’s history.

But earning the position didn’t guarantee acceptance. Bridget talks openly about the internal battles, scrutiny, leadership failures, and feeling of betrayal that eventually pushed her away from SWAT and law enforcement. A planned path toward federal law enforcement also disappeared, leaving her approaching 30 without the career or identity she expected to have.

She started again.

Bridget entered law school, graduated in two and a half years, became an attorney, worked in asbestos litigation and investigative legal work, moved between Texas and New York, became a mother, and eventually realized conventional law practice wasn’t where she belonged.

Today, Bridget owns Lady Law Shield, where she represents first responders and public employees facing workplace and administrative problems. The experiences that once drove her from policing now help her protect people confronting some of the same battles she once faced.

CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/

WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/

SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:

https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:

paul@transitiondrillpodcast.com

SPONSORS:

GRND Collective: Premium, veteran-owned sportswear built for those who show up, outwork the excuses, and give 100%. Score 15% off your order at thegrndcollective.com using promo code TRANSITION15 at checkout

Blue Line Roasting: Premium, law-enforcement-owned coffee roasted to fuel the shift. A portion of every order directly supports law enforcement families facing line-of-duty injury or loss. Save 10% at bluelineroasting.com with promo code Transition10

Frontline Optics: Premium eyewear founded by a firefighter and built to withstand the job. Every single purchase helps support the First Responders Children’s Foundation, serving families who’ve paid the ultimate price. Save 10% off your pair at frontlineoptics.com using promo code Transition10