Your Next Mission®

Hosted by 12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley

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Episodes

281

Latest episode

Nov 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 10, 2026Episode 7332 min

Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 73 | Inside the Army’s Newest Command: T2COM’s Mission to Build the Army That Fights

Coming to you from the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) annual meeting in Washington, D.C., host 12th SMA (R), Jack L. Tilley, sits down with the leadership of the Army's newest command: Lieutenant General Edmond “Miles” Brown, Acting Commanding General, and Command Sergeant Major Alexander Kupratty of the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command (T2COM). In this powerhouse episode, the command team breaks down why T2COM was established, how a 53% leaner headquarters is streamlining force generation, and how they manage a permanent party of approximately 106,000 while training over 820,000 Soldiers annually. From revolutionizing initial entry training and modernizing Combat Training Centers (JRTC and NTC) to deploying cutting-edge digital data tracking and software factories, this discussion uncovers the foundational mechanics behind the modern warfighter.

November 3, 2026Episode 7254 min

Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 72 | How Military Families Can Save. Financial Realities With Heather Long of Navy Federal Credit Union

Why does the economy look great on paper, but feel like a massive squeeze at the kitchen table? In this powerful episode of Your Next Mission® video podcast, host 12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley sits down with Heather Long, Chief Economist at @navyfederal , Rhodes Scholar, Pulitzer Prize winner, and proud daughter of a Vietnam Veteran.Heather breaks down the reality of today's K-shaped "Costco economy," why young Military Families and Veterans are facing unprecedented hurdles of saving, spending, buying homes, and the exact steps Servicemembers should take to secure their financial future. From eliminating credit card debt to leveraging free financial counseling, this episode is a masterclass in wealth-building for the military community.

October 27, 2026Episode 7144 min

Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 71 | The Unfiltered Voice of the Army: Inside AUSA & the Foundation of the Joint Force

The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting is more than a gathering, it’s a precision engine of unwavering influence and the single strongest supporter of our nation's Army mission. Join Host 12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley for this very special inaugural edition of Your Next Mission® video podcast with “live in studio guests” from the global defense community in Washington D.C. At this year's massive meeting of over 44,000 attendees, SMA (R) Tilley sits down face-to-face with top AUSA leadership.

October 20, 2026Episode 7040 min

Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 70 | Rank Buys Compliance, Character Builds Followership: Col. (R) Dr. Peter M. Tan

In this powerful episode of the nation's number one video podcast on military transition and leadership, SMA (R) Tilley sits down with Colonel (R) Dr. Peter M. Tan. Dr. Tan is a remarkable leader whose journey spans from the son of immigrant World War II Veterans to a distinguished 40-year Army career, maxillofacial surgeon, former Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA) for Tampa Bay, and board chairman for HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital.Dr. Tan shares profound wisdom on what it truly means to lead. He unpacks his signature Humble Command Method, explaining why rank only buys you compliance, but character is what makes people want to follow you. From navigating impostor syndrome in early leadership roles at St. John's College High School JROTC and Notre Dame ROTC to relying on the irreplaceable backbone of military NCOs, Dr. Tan offers a masterclass in servant leadership.

October 13, 2026Episode 6952 min

Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 69 | RecruitMilitary® New AI Platform is Revolutionizing Veteran Hiring

In this episode of Your Next Mission® video, 12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilly sits down with Chris Newsome, Executive Vice President of Government Services at @recruitmilitary , to discuss a game-changing AI platform for transitioning Servicemembers and Veterans and so much more. The two combat arms Veterans dive into the hard truth of why many Veterans leave their first civilian job within 12 to 18 months and how to find the proper cultural fit. Chris reveals how the new RecruitMilitary® Veteran Talent Source, powered by an AI partner named Find Them, is revolutionizing military hiring by looking beyond basic keywords and military occupational specialties (MOS) to highlight genuine transferable skills. From in-person and virtual hiring events to career readiness workshops on federal resumes and salary negotiation, this episode is packed with essential advice for anyone planning their post-military career.

October 6, 2026Episode 6842 min

Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 68 | The Unseen Wounds of War: 12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley and Tiffany Benjamin on Veteran Suicide

In this deeply emotional and critical episode of Your Next Mission® video podcast, 12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley sits down with Tiffany Benjamin, CEO of the Humana Foundation, to discuss the urgent fight against Veteran Suicide, the critical importance of Military Caregivers and so much more. Three years ago, the USAA, Reach Resilience Foundation, and the Humana Foundation launched "Face the Fight," a national coalition that has now grown to over 300 partners and positively impacted more than 1.4 million lives. Tiffany shares the profound work being done to support Military Families, K-12 military children facing deployment transitions, and the incredible responsibility shouldered by Military Caregivers. She also breaks down the Humana Foundation's recent $3 million commitment to the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to ensure Military Caregivers receive the critical mental health support they deserve. Throughout the episode, SMA Tilley vulnerably opens up about his own personal battles with anger and undiagnosed PTSD following combat deployments, emphasizing the life-saving importance of simply asking a Veteran, "Are you okay?". If you or a Veteran you know is struggling, help is available. Dial or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

September 29, 2026Episode 6738 min

Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 67 | Securing Your Family's Financial Future Before Leaving the Military

On this episode of Your Next Mission® video podcast, host 12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley sits down with Captain (R) William S. "Bill" White, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Life Distribution at USAA. They discuss critical steps for Military Families to take regarding financial wellness, retirement planning, and life insurance. Captain White shares insights from his 25 years as a Naval officer and his time at USAA to provide actionable advice for transitioning Servicemembers, Veterans and their Families. The conversation highlights the three big questions to answer before leaving the service and the importance of securing life insurance when you are young and healthy. Additionally, the episode covers mental health support, buddy checks, and building community connections.

September 22, 2026Episode 6630 min

Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 66 | Veterans Face 2x Prostate Cancer Risk: How the VA is Changing the Game | Dr. Jason Vassy

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and on this vital episode of Your Next Mission® video podcast , host 12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley sits down with Dr. Jason Vassy, MD, MPH, MS. Dr. Vassy is an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, Clinician-Investigator at the VA Boston Healthcare System and Director of the VA’s Genomes2Veterans Research Program. Did you know that Military Veterans face twice the risk of prostate cancer compared to civilians? With 15,000 new diagnoses in the VA every year and 400,000 Veterans currently receiving care, prostate cancer accounts for 30% of all new VA cancer diagnoses.

September 18, 2026Episode 6537 min

Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 65 | Never Leave A Fallen Comrade: How the DPAA Identifies America’s Missing Servicemembers

On this powerful episode of Your Next Mission® video podcast, host 12th SMA (R) Jack L. Tilley welcomes Major General (R) Kelly K. McKeague, Director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). Across the globe, over 81,000 American Servicemembers remain unaccounted for from World War II through recent conflicts. Director McKeague shares how the DPAA fulfills our nation’s sacred promise: Never Leave a Fallen Comrade Behind. In this episode, you will learn The distinction between POWs and MIAs, and why National POW/MIA Recognition Day carries deep generational meaning. Exclusive Announcement: How DNA advancements and Family mobilization led to the planned December 7, 2026 disinterment of 85 Unknowns from the USS Arizona. High-stakes underwater recovery operations, including the historic expedition into the hull of the WWII POW ship Oryoku Maru. How Military Families can request simple DNA cheek-swab kits to help identify missing loved ones.

September 8, 2026Episode 6435 min

Your Next Mission® Season #6 EP 64 | 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.