Your Next Mission® video podcast with host 12th Sergeant Major of the Army and Co-Founder of the American Freedom Foundation, Jack L. Tilley, proudly presented by Navy Federal Credit Union, Purdue Global and USAA with additional sponsorship from Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision. Your Next Mission® is a program initiative of the American Freedom Foundation that provides digital and online content, resources and support to our Veterans, Military Servicemembers, Military Spouses and their Families. Episodes released each week on Tuesday at 0900 CST
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September 8, 2026Episode 6435 min
Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 63 | PTSD Is NOT Untreatable | How Cohen Veterans Network Is Saving Lives
Saving Veteran Lives: The Truth About Mental Health, PTSD, and Recovery September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and on this powerful episode of Your Next Mission® video podcast, 12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley sits down with David J. Linkh, LCSW, PhD, Director of the Cohen Veterans Network Institute for Quality (CVN-IQ) and retired Air Force Colonel. Dr. Linkh shares essential insights from over 30 years of clinical experience, tackling critical issues like lethal means safety, social determinants of health, breaking the stigma surrounding PTSD, and groundbreaking research including our Women Veterans. Whether you are an Active-Duty Servicemember, a Transitioning Veteran, or a Military Family member, this conversation offers real hope, free resources, and proven pathways to healing.
September 1, 2026Episode 6351 min
Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 63 | "I Am Not Wounded, I Am Recalibrated" The SSG (R) Travis Mills Unstoppable Story
What do you do when your life changes forever in a single moment? On April 10, 2012, during his third deployment with the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Travis Mills set his pack down on a concealed IED. He survived, becoming one of only a few quadruple amputees from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In this extraordinary episode of Your Next Mission® video podcast, host 12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley sits down with Travis to discuss his recovery at Walter Reed, why he rejects the term "wounded warrior" in favor of "recalibrated warrior," and how he turned his hardest days into a lifelong mission to support combat-injured Veterans and their Families. From founding the Travis Mills Foundation from a hospital bed to hosting thousands of Military Families at their barrier-free retreat in Maine, Travis proves that attitude, gratitude, and purpose can overcome any obstacle.
August 25, 2026Episode 6234 min
Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 62 | "They Saved My Life": The Untold Power of the Fisher House | David Coker
When a medical emergency strikes, where does a Military or Veteran Family sleep? When a Servicemember or Veteran faces a severe injury, illness, or medical crisis, family support is vital to recovery. It is nearly impossible to find affordable lodging near a medical center and can be an overwhelming financial barrier. In this episode of Your Next Mission®, host 12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley sits down with David A. Coker, President of the Fisher House Foundation, who has spent over 32 years building a lifeline for Military Families. Discover how Fisher House’s network of over 100 homes provides comfortable lodging at no cost, just steps from major VA and military medical centers. He also breaks down vital non-housing support services, including Hero Miles, Hotels for Heroes, commissary scholarships, and family travel for the Warrior Games and Invictus Games.
August 18, 2026Episode 6133 min
Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 61 | Generational Service to National Policy: D’Juan Wilcher, Life After the Service
After 14 years as a U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer, LCDR (R) Wilcher transitioned his leadership from the bridge of warships to the forefront of national Veteran policy. Today, as Deputy Director of the Veteran and Military Family Program at the George W. Bush Institute, D'Juan is championing cross-sector solutions to transform Veteran higher education, boost economic mobility, and expand mental health care access for post-9/11 Veterans and their Families. Joined by host SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley, D'Juan breaks down how we can bridge the civilian-military divide, empower student Veterans on college campuses, and build sustainable pathways for successful transition.
August 11, 2026Episode 6043 min
A Miracle 20 Years in the Making: Building the Army's Bone Marrow Database
What if saving a stranger's life was as simple as a cheek swab? After losing his mother to blood cancer when he was just four years old, Sergeant Christian S. Sutton has spent years turning that devastating heartbreak into a mission to register bone marrow donors and save lives. Building an Army-wide campaign called "Operation Ring the Bell" from the ground up, SGT Sutton's journey is nothing short of miraculous. In the middle of single-handedly registering thousands of Soldiers, SGT Sutton received a life-changing call: he was a genetic match for a 72-year-old grandmother in Illinois battling leukemia. The journey took him to Charleston, South Carolina, where he discovered he was donating at the exact same hospital where his mother fought cancer, exactly 20 years to the day after she passed away. SMA Tilley helps unpack this unbelievable story of profound grit, divine timing, and paying it forward. Together, they help debunk the dangerous myths surrounding bone marrow donation—proving it is as painless as donating plasma—and discuss the dire need for diversity in the national donor database. If you are military or DoW affiliated, get your free swab kit at Salutetolife.org. If you are a civilian, register today at Bethematch.org. Please share this video on every device in the world. You might just hold the cure to someone's cancer.#BoneMarrowDonor#BeTheMatch#OperationRingTheBell
August 4, 2026Episode 5941 min
Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 59 | A General's New Mission: Ending Child Hunger | LTG (R) Donna W. Martin #EndChildHunger #Veterans
Welcome to Your Next Mission® video podcast, the nation's number one video podcast on military transition and leadership!Our guest rose to the rank of Lieutenant General in the U.S. Army. Now in retirement, LTG (R) Donna W. Martin is fighting a different kind of battle as the Founder and President of Securing Our Children's Future, LLC, a nonprofit dedicated to making sure no child in her Hampton Roads community goes hungry.In this deeply moving episode, host SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley, explores the realities of transitioning out of uniform, the struggle to find renewed purpose, and the incredible true story of a lunch lady’s apron that inspired a community-wide movement to feed vulnerable children. We also dive into LTG (R) Martin's work as Chairperson of The ROCKS, Inc., discussing the critical need to mentor the next generation of military and civilian leaders.If you have a heart for children, are navigating a career transition, or simply want to learn what true servant leadership looks like from two of the Army's finest, this episode is for you.Links & Resources Mentioned in this EpisodeSecuring Our Children's Future, LLC https://securingourchildrensfuture.org/The ROCKS, Inc. Mentorship Program: https://www.rocksinc.orgYour Next Mission Job Board & Profile Match: https://www.yournextmission.orgContact SMA Tilley directly: smatilley@yournextmission.org or call 844-424-1134Dive into these 12 powerful questions answered in this episode:How can we ensure no child in our community goes to bed hungry over the weekend?What does it really take to transition from a demanding military career to community leadership?How did a lunch lady's simple, multi-pocketed apron inspire a city-wide movement to feed children?How is the innovative "Stuff a Cruiser" program helping local police sustain local food banks?Why is mentorship crucial not just for military officers, but for elementary school students?How does childhood hunger directly impact literacy and education rates?What are the three essential rules every Transitioning Servicemember needs to hear?How does The ROCKS, Inc. use modern algorithms to connect junior officers with the perfect senior mentor?How did finding a mentor help SMA (R) Tilley navigate and overcome post-Vietnam anger issues?What can a 3-Star General teach us about servant leadership, humility, and faith?How do you start and sustain a successful nonprofit when you have absolutely no prior business experience?What incredible things happen when you give a hungry child the resources they need to finally dream big?#YourNextMission #JackLTilley #DonnaWMartin #armyveterans #foodinsecurity #servantleadership #militarytransition #veteransupport #communityservice #militaryleadership
July 28, 2026Episode 5840 min
Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 58 | Whoever Owns Alaska Owns the World: Inside the Army's Most Extreme Division
"Whoever owns Alaska owns the world." These prophetic words from the founder of the modern Air Force, General Billy Mitchell, ring truer today than ever before. Operating in the most unforgiving and extreme environment on the planet, the 11th Airborne Division "Arctic Angels" stands guard at the top of the world. But what does it take to fight, survive, and win when temperatures plummet to -40°F and the elements are as dangerous as the enemy? In this powerful episode of Your Next Mission®, video podcast, host 12th Sergeant Major of the Army, Jack L. Tilley, takes you inside the Army's premier extreme cold-weather warfighting force. Sitting down with Major General John P. Cogbill and Command Sergeant Major David P. Hanson, this conversation explores the epic rebirth of the 11th Airborne Division. Born in the sweltering jungles of the WWII Pacific theater—where they executed the flawless Los Baños POW rescue and became the first Allied force to occupy Japan—this storied division is now dominating the frozen tundra.
July 21, 2026Episode 5730 min
Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 57 | VA Deputy Secretary Reveals The Massive Improvements At the VA
The VA is changing how it delivers care, and the numbers speak for themselves! In this powerful and timely episode of Your Next Mission® video podcast, host 12th Sergeant Major of the Army (R) Jack L. Tilley sits down with the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, The Honorable Dr. Paul R. Lawrence. They break down a major drop in the VA claims backlog, the rollout of the electronic health record management system (EHRM), and the opening of new "Vet Centers" across the country. Plus, learn how the VA is leveraging social media to listen directly to your feedback and how they are connecting transitioning service members to high-paying jobs in the national security sector.But wait...there's more: This week, the VA is celebrating a massive milestone: the 96th Birthday of the Veterans Administration! Officially founded on July 21, 1930, by President Herbert Hoover, the VA has spent nearly a century evolving to meet the needs of our nation's heroes. We salute the dedicated staff, doctors, nurses, and leaders—past and present—who work daily to fulfill Lincoln's promise "to care for him who shall have borne the battle."If you or a loved one served, you cannot afford to miss this update on the benefits you earned.Contact & Support the Show: Call In with Questions: 844-424-1134Email the Host: smatilley@yournextmission.org1. How do I find out if my local hospital has officially transitioned to the new Electronic Health Record Management (EHRM) system?2. If I travel out of state or move across the country, will my medical history actually transfer seamlessly to a new VA hospital under this Oracle system?3. What security protocols are in place to ensure that integrating Artificial Intelligence into our health records won't compromise personal medical privacy?4. My claim has been pending for months. How does the record-low backlog affect my individual processing timeline?5. What exactly is the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program, and how many days before my separation date do I need to start filing paperwork?6. How do "Vet Centers" differ from standard VA clinics, and can I utilize them even if I'm not currently enrolled in VA healthcare?7. Is there a Vet Center location directory online, and are these storefronts fully staffed by fellow Veterans who understand my service?8. I want to leave feedback about poor customer service at my local facility; what is the fastest way to get my complaint noticed by leadership on social media or online channels?9. What kind of training or certification programs are available to help transitioning Servicemembers get hired in the defense industrial base or "golden dome" manufacturing projects?10, Are there remote or hybrid administrative jobs available through USAJobs.gov within the VA system right now?11. If I live more than two hours away from a VA facility, how do I qualify for the expanded Community Care Network to see a local specialist instead?12. I never served in combat and didn't think I was eligible for anything. How can I easily verify if I qualify for healthcare or benefits under the expanded PACT Act criteria?#Veterans #VABenefits #MilitaryTransition #YourNextMission #VAHealthcare #SupportOurTroops #VetCenters #PACTAct #VABirthday #VA96
July 14, 2026Episode 5624 min
Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 56 | How to Fast-Track Your College Degree Using Military Experience
Welcome to Your Next Mission®, the nation's number one video podcast on military transition and leadership! Hosted by the 12th Sergeant Major of the Army, Jack L. Tilley, we cover the real issues facing Veterans, Active Military, and their Families—from transition and financial wellness to VA benefits and mental health and much more. In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Sergeant Major (R) Alan E. Thomas Jr., a 25-year Army Veteran who proves it is never too late to invest in your education. After serving as a Combat Engineer, Infantry, and strategic operations across multiple deployments, SGM Thomas realized he needed to bridge the gap between tactical and strategic leadership. He shares his incredible journey of earning his degree through Purdue Global while juggling the demands of his family, emergency operations, and overseas deployments. Now thriving as a Regional Program Manager at the Department of Homeland Security, SGM (R) Thomas shares invaluable advice on translating military experience into federal service, leveraging the "Principles of Flight" in daily leadership, and setting a lasting legacy for your family. Don't let your past dictate your future. Start your next chapter today!🔔 Subscribe for more insights on military transition and leadership!💼 Looking for your next career? Check out our job board in partnership with @RecruitMilitary and OPLIGN at YourNextMission.orgA special thank you to our presenting sponsors: Navy Federal Credit Union, Purdue Global, and USAA, with additional support from Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Vision. 1. What is the best video podcast for military transition and leadership? 2. How can Veterans translate military experience into civilian college credits? 3. What is it like going back to school as an adult military learner? 4. How do you balance Active Duty military deployments and online college? 5. Is Purdue Global a good university for Active Duty Military and Veterans? 6. How do retired Sergeant Majors transition into federal government jobs? 7. What skills help Veterans succeed at the Department of Homeland Security? 8. How can military leaders move from tactical to strategic leadership roles? 9. Does military training count toward a bachelor’s degree? 10. What advice is there for Veterans starting a second career later in life? #MilitaryTransition #Veterans #ArmyVet #MilitaryLife #LifeAfterMilitary #VeteranSupport #Education
July 7, 2026Episode 5555 min
Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 55 | How One Marine Conquered Trauma to Ride for Team USA
"No matter what happens in your life... you're still the same person and everybody still loves you and you're worthy of being loved." In this powerful episode of Your Next Mission®, SMA (R) Tilley sits down with U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, two-time world champion, and Paralympic silver medalist, Dennis Connors. Dennis opens up about his nine years of service as a cryptologic linguist and counter-intelligence Marine, enduring three combat tours in Iraq, and the hidden struggles of severe PTSD and TBIs. The conversation chronicles Dennis's incredible path to the world stage, detailing how he survived a severe second stroke in 2020 that left his left side paralyzed, only to fight through nine months of physical therapy and learn to race on a tricycle. Dennis also breaks down his "Four Pillars of Perseverance"—Vulnerability, Self-Love, Disciplined Action, and Community—a framework he uses to conquer adversity and set his sights on a gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics. How do Military Veterans overcome undiagnosed PTSD and TBI? Who is Paralympic silver medalist Dennis Connors? What are the Four Pillars of Perseverance by Dennis Connors? How can Disabled Veterans transition into competitive adaptive sports? What is the process for a Disabled Veteran to join the Paralympics? How does endurance cycling help stroke survivors recover mobility? What is it like racing a tricycle in the Paralympic games? How did Marine Veteran Dennis Connors win a silver medal in Paris? What resources are available for Veterans struggling with mental health crises? How to qualify for Team USA adaptive sports programs? Support Your Next Mission® & The American Freedom Foundation: Website: yournextmission.org Explore our Job Board in partnership with @recruitmilitary and OPLIGN to build your profile and match with careers in real-time. Follow SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Don't forget to click the SUBSCRIBE button and hit the BELL icon to receive notifications for all upcoming video podcasts, #1 Video Podcast for Military Transition and Leadership. #YourNextMission #DennisConnors #TeamUSA #Paralympics #MarineCorps #StrokeSurvivor #AdaptiveCycling #Perseverance
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