This is the full interview with Romaine Byrd. He is a current employee with hireheroesusa.org and actively works to help Veterans with all aspects of their transition. He is a retired SFC from the United States Army. Romaine started from essentially nothing when he joined the military and worked his way up to a full career ending with recruiting and retention. Now he takes those skills he learned in the military to help Veterans get over the hurdles that come along with transition and retirement. The conversation covers various aspects of transitioning from military to civilian life, including morning routines, choosing a retirement location, retirement benefits, creating a transition plan, and leaving a legacy and impact. We share our personal experiences and provide advice for transitioning service members. We also discuss the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program and the importance of advocating for oneself during the transition process. In this conversation, Romaine Byrd shares his experiences and insights on transitioning out of the military and finding purpose in serving others. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the next step and not trying to implement new plans or leave a big legacy on the way out. Romaine discusses the value of mentors and mentorship, highlighting the impact of both good and bad leadership. He encourages individuals to be open to learning and adapting, and to be honest with themselves about their career goals. Romaine also emphasizes the importance of personal branding and networking, and offers advice on crafting an elevator pitch.

Takeaways

- Take the time to plan and prepare for your transition from military to civilian life.

- Consider the location where you want to retire and research the benefits and tax exemptions available in that area.

- Utilize resources like the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program to expedite the process of receiving VA benefits.

- Advocate for yourself and take care of your own needs during the transition process.

- Leave a legacy by helping and supporting others who are transitioning from the military.

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

06:14 Morning Routine in the Military vs. Civilian Life

09:26 Transitioning to Civilian Employment

11:20 Choosing a Location for Retirement

13:10 Retirement Benefits and Moving Allowance

17:33 Making the Decision to Retire

23:54 Creating a Transition Plan

28:08 Advice for Transitioning Service Members

32:33 Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) Program

38:27 Leaving a Legacy and Impact

41:00 Transitioning Out of the Military

42:00 Finding Purpose and Serving Others

43:42 Helping the Next Generation

44:32 Creating a Time Capsule and Helping Others

45:11 The Importance of Mentors and Mentorship

46:09 Learning from Good and Bad Leadership

47:40 Advice for Your 16-Year-Old Self

48:35 Reflecting on Life Experiences

50:02 Salary Expectations and Valuing Experience

51:08 Being Open to Learning and Adapting

53:55 The Importance of Networking and Personal Branding

55:28 Finding the Right Path for You

56:18 Choosing the Right Certifications and Training

58:33 Being Honest About Your Career Goals

59:42 The Value of Trade Skills and Experience

01:01:42 The Benefits of Joining the Military

01:08:23 The Importance of Personal Branding

01:09:37 Crafting an Elevator Pitch

01:15:06 Final Thoughts and Advice

Links:

🔗 https://HireHeroesUSA.org

🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/romainebyrd/

To all the brave men and women out there still protecting our freedom 🇺🇸 🫡 Thank you for your service!

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