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Why Military Rank Stops Matter And How To Prepare For Civilian Work Part 3
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The day the uniform comes off, the rules change. We take you inside the real transition—beyond the briefings and acronyms—to unpack how identity, preparation, and performance shape your first steps into civilian work. TAP can be a meaningful lens shift when it strips rank and levels the room, but the impact varies by location and intent. We talk about how to make it useful: go early, go more than once if you can, and treat it like PME with your phone down and your plan up. You’ll hear why some segments feel intrusive, how to push for resources without surrendering privacy, and which outside programs often deliver more practical job traction.
Documentation becomes your lifeline. We lay out a clear approach to medical records: gather early, pull late, and close the gaps on off-base care so service connection isn’t left to chance. For VA claims, timing can spare you months of delay. Filing up to 180 days out lets you complete exams in uniform and fix issues before they stall. VSOs can help, but your name is on the file—organize a digital record, highlight key diagnoses, and learn the process so you can advocate for yourself when it matters.
Then there’s Skill Bridge, the lightning rod of transition. It’s not guaranteed; it’s a commander-approved privilege that should build real skills and a plausible path to hire—not a remote free-for-all or a second job. We debate the hard question: who deserves it? Our take balances dignity and readiness—scale approvals to unit capacity and performance, align projects to target roles, and measure outcomes you can use in interviews. Through it all, we keep the focus where it belongs: losing rank doesn’t mean losing your voice. With a deliberate plan, clean documentation, and the right experience, you’ll step into civilian life ready to contribute on day one.
If this helped, follow the show, share with a teammate who’s six to eighteen months out, and leave a review with your biggest transition question—we’ll tackle it on a future episode.
Exec TAP And Shedding Rank
SPEAKER_01All right, we're back. So you were talking about uh executive tap.
Civilian Clothes And Power Dynamics
SPEAKER_00Tap, yeah. So Zec Tac. So I'll I'll just sum it up. So like I said, exec tap is mostly folks who are senior ranked, your 06s, your chief master sergeants, colonels, and above, get this because they figured it a little bit more um squared away or ready for transition. So my experience with tap was this I what here's the things I enjoyed about TAP. It's interesting when you get everybody in tap because they tell you not to wear your uniform, you have to wear civilian clothes. And so it reminds me of going to one of those professional development courses where you have to wear civilian clothes and not your military uniform. And you hear folks in there you're interacting with, you don't even know their rank. And you get different dynamics. You get some people that introduce themselves by their first name. Hey, I'm John, or I'm Tom, or whatever. And then you had that one person, I'm John, I'm the colonel of blah blah blah blah blah. I just thought that was funny. But anyway, so you have folks like that, and I think that teaches you that even though you know there are folks in the room with you that are military, and some are senior in rank, maybe, or same rank. When you go in the civilian world, there's no such thing as rank, you're all the same. So you may have somebody who's a wing commander or something in there. It doesn't matter when you transition, it's the same, and you can think of a one or two ladies. I would imagine it's scary in a way because you're so used to it's something about rank that when you have it, I think it makes you a little bit more confident, you know, because the things you may say in a room feels like it has more weight based on the rank you wear. But in the civilian world, most folks in the civilian world don't know your rank anymore, don't even know your rank. So, and then you're around people who are just as just as smart, just as qualified, maybe more qualified than you are. So you you you lose that edge from the rank piece. And I think TAP does a good job of preparing you for that. Your thoughts.
SPEAKER_01I just don't care about the whole civilian clothes, or I I my mindset is different. I don't care about your rank. I don't like I'm there for a purpose, and my purpose is not to figure out who got the biggest dick in the room. Like, I don't care about what rank you have or where you're at in life or anything like that. I'm just here to get the information and press on. Uh, but I get what you're saying. I do, I have always been told you probably said the same thing in rooms as an airman that you do as a senior NCO, but it just seems to have a bigger microphone now. That's really it. People seem to actually pay attention a little more. I don't know why it's like that. I mean, I don't know. I I understand certain aspects of it, but most aspects is you look at an airmen like they don't understand everything, so you just don't kind of tune them out, which is right or wrong, it is what it is. But um, I just I don't want to say tap is a waste, uh, because I think some people got good benefits out of it. But if you're thinking that you're gonna go in there and okay, let me ask you this did your tap bring in people that were hiring, like outside entities that were hiring.
SPEAKER_00What do you mean? Yes and no. They were able, you were able to network with them, yes.
SPEAKER_01Okay, so they didn't do that for my tap, whether they have anybody available or what it was. So I think was that beneficial?
SPEAKER_00What having people there that was hiring? Yeah, um, yes and no, because there are you think about a lot of folks. When you're in tap, you're usually 18, 24 months out, maybe some people less than 20 or 12 months out. So for your 18 to 24 months out folks, I think Todd Simmons actually said it best.
SPEAKER_01He said tap is a very small step in transition, necessary, comma. I guess I'll put a period, but not a civ not the silver bullet. I I agree with the necessary part, but it doesn't really fill a cup. My experience.
TAP Value And Networking Limits
SPEAKER_00I I wouldn't necessarily say I 100% agree with that. I do think that tap is is critical. I think everyone, I can understand why they say everybody has to go through it. There's some of the things in tap I don't agree with, and I'm kind of getting ahead of myself, but there's a portion in tap, the executive folks didn't have to deal with it. But folks that typically go to tap, you have to show the counselor your finances, you have to show them your budget. I don't necessarily agree with that. I I believe we're all grown-ups in the military, and I know there are some people who are not as financially savvy as others, but I will tell you I feel like that's a little bit too much hand holding for them. Yes, and I think that is information they should not be privy to. I think it should be to the point where you show me the resources, I acknowledge them, I sign a letter saying you've gave me these resources, and go from there. But for me, having to, in order for you to sign me off on tap, I have to sit down and show you my credit score, I have to show you my budget, I have to show you how much money I have in the bank, how much where I'm going to live. I don't think that's fair. Now, they do say that's mostly for your younger folks, but even then, I think that's a little bit too much.
SPEAKER_01I think it's a little crazy because it's on the way out, too. It's like, well, thanks. Now, you know, all they say is let's look at your budget and say they say, Oh man, you're not gonna be able to survive on the outside world with making this. Well, thanks. Thanks for that information. Like, hey, salute smart. Yeah, so I think that's that's a great point. I think you're right on that, but it's just small. Uh Dale Brown in the building. I heard one chief say being a chief is powerful because all of a sudden he was funnier, more people wanted to talk to him and was invited everywhere. If I could hit the bell, I would shout out to you for that.
SPEAKER_00You know, and kind of shameless plug. I will I have been thinking about it the past two days. I wasn't gonna say nothing until um just popped in my head. Thanks for that, Dell. I want to do a show based off dedicated to the brand new Chiefs. I'm sure all these other former chiefs are giving them advice. I just want to give them my advice, whether they take it or not, it's purely up to them. But I really feel like I want to do one. So look out for that within the next week. Well, I'll let you know.
SPEAKER_01But back to the tap. You had a question on tap. Uh you said early versus late. I guess I my question would be going once or going twice.
SPEAKER_00Oh, I think you should go to tap as many times as you can. I say that from my perspective, there are a lot of things they that they were, a lot of information they were giving us in tap that I mean I tuned out. And this is one of the things I'm glad you brought that up. Is being you have to be very intentional now. Once you push the button, you have to be very intentional about planning. Because if you're not, when you go to tap, you're gonna look at it as something to check a box. You gotta really pay attention because there are some things that tap's gonna tell you. You know how somebody they say, Hey, I'm teaching you this stuff, remember it, because we're gonna, it's gonna come back later. That's how tap is because there are, as you know, there are a lot of things about tap I didn't really pay attention to, and then later on, I was like, shoot, I didn't know that. Well, they taught it in tap. Fortunately for me, my wife worked in that realm, so she reminded me, but there's a lot of things I didn't pay attention to, and that's the problem.
Budget Checks And Privacy Concerns
SPEAKER_01Like Dan Hall said Daniel Hall says, Congratulations on you going through tap. So coming up with your retirement. Uh, don't let me forget about the date, but uh just recently going through tap, I found it helpful, but also felt like was lost at some times. Too much information to retain in a few days, and that's back to uh Philly's point about going twice. You might have to go twice because I felt the same way. I was like, this is a lot of information in three, four days, and most of it I'm like, do I really need to know this? Do I really need to pay attention to this? Uh, tap should be mandatory three times if you serve 20 years, 6, 12, and 18. I mandatory three times.
SPEAKER_00No, not I think tap is one of those things where you have to they I'm I'm fine with them making it mandatory that you have to attend it, but anything else after that is extra. There's some people that don't need it, and some people that that may need it, and some people either way, they should go.
SPEAKER_01I think if you go at two different locations, that would be important. I think seeing taps at two different because you went at two different locations, right? Yeah, so was it different at both locations? Yeah, it was. Yeah, so I think I think a lot of people say that, like, oh, my tap wasn't like that. It's because of their location, you know, the resources available at those locations. Like, I'm sure San Antonio has a lot better resources than say Oklahoma, Tinker, Oklahoma. You know, so you know, the resources for military folks, I think, is well known in the San Antonio, you know, Arizona, California areas, where if you're just somewhere in, you know, uh Seymour Johnson, North Carolina, uh I even say the my nods or stuff like that is not as military-centric, you're not gonna be able to get as many resources. Uh that's just my opinion on that. You want to move on from tap or stay on?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I just want a quick second. I do want to ask folks who've been through tap and then transition, like you know, Todd, who is an entrepreneur and has his his own business, uh, courageous leadership alliance. I'm curious, is there has there been any elements in tap that has helped you in your journey to be where you're at, Todd? I'm curious. Please drop us a line in the comments.
SPEAKER_01Hey, did you have those people at tap where they ask him, like, do you know what you're doing? And this dude was like, I'm going to run my own business, I'm gonna go work with my father, I'm going to go work for this company, I'm going to work for my own.
SPEAKER_00I have a rent, I have a ranch already.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, yeah. You have a lot of people just like, look at me. I'm all sex successful and set up for success.
SPEAKER_00Like, bro, plenty of investments, yeah.
SPEAKER_01Not your time, not your time. Uh can you oh, participating in different types of transition programs outside of tech? What is different types of transition programs? Can you share a couple, Chief?
SPEAKER_00I mean, you got hiring our heroes is one.
SPEAKER_01Okay, I did that.
Preparing Early And Going Twice
SPEAKER_00Hiring our heroes, you've got um military recruiter, so there's different programs outside of the strong, I guess. Yeah, that gives you some other information, which I would argue when it comes to preparing yourself for the civilian um for civilian transition as far as getting in the workplace. I think those programs are better than tap. Tap lightly touches on that, it gives you some things like resume, how to avoid using military jargon, the perception the civilians may have about your rank. Um, I will share one experience. One thing I didn't like is this one, I won't mention his name, but the one guy who was facilitating tap, he was prior military, interestingly enough. Um, senior enlisted guy. He said um he kept referring to the audience as commanders, commanders, commanders. And it was like 20 chiefs in there. And then he said, for you commanders out there, you know, you guys have a lot of wealth of information. You led units and such, but you know, you guys will never, you guys are nothing on the outside to the civilian. You're nothing. You have to get in your mind, you're nothing. Damn, I didn't appreciate that.
SPEAKER_01That's kind of crazy.
SPEAKER_00To some degree, some of that is true, but it almost gives you the feeling like I don't know. It made me feel it made my spirits sink for a second.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, that's that's what I didn't like. Yeah, that's kind of crazy.
SPEAKER_00I think that's wrong.
SPEAKER_01You have to go to tap. So if you can go, you know, a year out, uh, if you only could go once, go around that time set and it gets you prepared, but also puts you in a mindset you're gonna retire. Remember, you still got a year, so you got a while. Uh, for what it sounds like on what uh let me move this up. All right, for what it sounds like on why it's not effective as much as it should be, because it's just another mandatory briefing we get as military personnel throughout our career, and you obtain what you care about. That's very true. That's very true. You get you get out what you put in, very true.
Location Matters For TAP Resources
SPEAKER_00Yeah, that's true. Okay, in that case, I agree. I do think it's effective depending on the person, yeah. And I think it's effective based on how early you go, which I was gonna pass on. My recommendation would be don't wait till you hit the button to go. Even if you didn't hit the button, meaning you decided to retire, you should go. Because the more the more times you're able to go and absorb the information, the more you're able to act. When I went through, I went through twice. And even when I went through twice, there were some elements about tap that sped right past me. And we'll we'll lightly cover some of those things here a little bit later. But go 18, 24 months out if you can. That gives you time to hear the things and adjust, and then you can get some ideas about things to prepare for after tap, and then you can start building your mindset and your strategy as far as the transition. Whether you want to get right into the workplace, whether it be back in the federal career field or civilian workplace, or if you want to start your own business, ways to write your resume, it'll give you time to think about that stuff. For folks late tap, like folks, especially who are separated and they don't have much of a choice, it could be information overload, and you you're thinking about other things while going through tap. And I'll leave you with one more last tidbit. Do not, under any circumstances, do stuff for your job while you're in tap. You're at tap for a reason. Think of tap as like being in a PME course. You know, in the PME course, you're not supposed to be talking to your unit. Tap should be the same thing. I was guilty of it too. You hear see folks on break, they're going back on break, texting folks at work and whatever, doing stuff at tap. You should not do that. Tap is really for you.
SPEAKER_01Oh wow. Uh Garza. Man, I wanted to say do Garza. I know. Uh starting tap next week and the honor foundations. And what is that? I don't know what the honor found. Oh, that's what uh no, I don't know what honor foundations is. What is that?
SPEAKER_00You got me. I didn't see the comment. Is it national? Okay, I see it now.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I don't know what the honor found is.
SPEAKER_00I have no idea. Israel Garza, can you provide a little bit of context on the honor foundation? Yeah.
SPEAKER_01While you're doing that, we'll move on to the next thing. Uh, where do you want to go to next?
SPEAKER_00Medical records.
SPEAKER_01All right, I'll go quick because I know you're gonna be long way. I gotta go to the bathroom, so I'll be quick and then I'll let you go. I don't know why I deal with this. Go on, go ahead. Pull your medical records as late as possible. That's me.
SPEAKER_00I disagree. I think you need to let me let me recant that. I I won't say pull your medical records early. I would say start reviewing them early. And that's critical because just speaking from my personal experience, I had a lot of issues medically and before I decide to retire, I wasn't really paying attention to what was put in my medical records. I was mostly concerned about getting care and getting better. But I was not paying attention to what was being put in my medical records. And I had a lot of referrals that were off installation as civilian providers. And I don't, you'll see, some of you folks may have experienced it too. There's specific care you get from civilian providers that get lost and does not make it make its way into your military records, and that's critical because once you make the decision to transition and you you know hit the button, you're gonna go through what's called a medical exam, whether it be they call it a shipping, forgive me, I have to find that what it what it stands for, acronym-wise, but also your VA claim. So everyone has the opportunity to file for VA if you have medical issues, and you're gonna go through a series of exams. One of the things they look at, which is important, is your medical records. So throughout your military career, every time you went to the doctor, in theory, that information should be in your medical records. However, there are times where things happen, technology, whatever. You know, we transitioned over to Genesis. Some things may get lost, so it's good to look at your records. Israel says three to four months transition program offered to the soft community. Interesting, didn't know about that.
SPEAKER_01I didn't know well, I'm not in the soft community, so yeah.
Beyond TAP: Other Transition Programs
SPEAKER_00It stands for security forces for us. So even though people say special forces, that's anyway. Um, go ahead. Anyway, um go ahead, I'll let you continue. Go ahead. I don't know where yeah, I don't know where you at on the uh I was talking, I was I was saying how it's it's important that sometimes there is specific care that you experience because of your medical ailments that do not make your record, especially in the civilian sector.
SPEAKER_01And that's why I said pull them early but gather them, or excuse me, pull them late but gather them early. Yeah, and I think that's where uh I should have started with that, is saying that uh, you know, I think what Philly was saying was pulling your medical records, meaning from all different facilities, and it depending on how late you've been in, how long you've been in, the worse it is for you, right? Uh oh, he said he's a defender. Oh, well, how you get to go? He's soft, I guess. I'm just kidding. I'm just kidding. Damn, I never heard of that.
SPEAKER_00Uh shout out to the defenders in the house. Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_01Uh, does that program uh try to help you with jobs findings? Or uh oh, he says if you're attacked, okay. So you were never attacked, so I get it.
SPEAKER_00Uh actually, I was. I was the command chief at rescue the tech, so that was a soft community. Thank you. Okay, uh rescue the tech. We'll go back to make sure your worst day is not your last day. Rescue the tech.
SPEAKER_01I'm gonna say all right. So uh depending on how late you joined, depending on how technology is, uh, how much of your medical records are inside of a database, or you got a hard pull on pause, or whatever it is. Uh, and then medical records, including dental, x rays, mental health, uh, off base facilities, MRIs. This is all in your medical. So don't just think your medical records just when you go to the doctor. It's all things that you have done. So if you had surgery at an off base, you might need to pull that from the place that you went to get surgical where it Sucks is for us defenders or us people who have been in and go overseas and been to hospitals overseas. That's where you might have a little bit of problems at uh finding your records. Uh, what are y'all's thoughts on people taking payments to help your VA score? I am not going to talk about the VA part at all.
SPEAKER_00I'm still pause on that until a little bit later.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I'm not talking about that at all.
Medical Records: Gather Early, Pull Late
SPEAKER_00Thanks, Dell. All right, so back to the medical records. So we already we already talked about the reason why you should at least start gathering your stuff and then pull them late because you pull them late. That way you had the most up-to-date records. I would also recommend this is the time, anything that you're going through, medical ailments or physical ailments or whatever, get them seen at that time. So not only you're doing tech, not only trying to get your mind together as far as transition, but your body too. Start making sure you go to the doctor. Everything you was putting off, you need to take care of now. You gotta think in the long run, when you transition, your medical care changes. It's no longer you get first dibs at the at the hospital because you're active duty, you don't have that no more once you cross over. So it's best to get that stuff done now. And then not only that, when you look at your medical records, pay specific attention or particular attention to when you came in. Remember, um, as you go through the process later when you start looking at your physical or mental, no, I'm sorry, medical ailments, whatever they may be, one of the things you're gonna have to determine, or your medical exam is gonna have to determine, is the difference between service connected and not service connected. So, case in point, let's say you came in the military and you was never if you and you had asthma before you came in, you was able to come in. And then later on, you had a couple of asthma attacks and it was in your records, and you try to let's say you try to claim them without going into detail. You gotta look at it. If you were documented with something before you came in, that may be a problem later. So you've got to start thinking about that as well, and more importantly, outside of the claim process, like I said, it's more or less to try to take care of yourself. And uh, that being said, that'd be a perfect transition into the VAP. So we're going to lightly touch on that because we are both going through the VA claims process, so we will not go deep into that. If someone's in the comments and you would like to share your story, feel free. But from our perspective, we won't go too far into it. Any thoughts before I continue?
SPEAKER_01No, I won't go too far into it at all. You're probably gonna get zip zero nada out of me with all this.
Service Connection And Documentation Gaps
SPEAKER_00Okay, well, I guess I'll I'll I'll move on, I'll lead the way then, as always. Anyway, okay, so VA stuff. So during my time when I decided to retire, I've heard different comments about the VA. They say, hey, file early. What's up, two C's? File early, file early. You can file up to 180 days prior to your retirement date. And I've heard stories of people who did it 180 days out, I've heard per people who've done it 90 days out. Here's the benefit of doing 180 days out. In theory, if you do it early, you get more time to assess your records, you have more time to select or ways more time to do your claim more accurately. And in theory, it would get done and in theory, be done by the time or the day you transition out of the military. In theory, it's not guaranteed. That's why I keep saying in theory, in theory, in theory, you get your exams while you're still on active duty. So anything that you need to double back on or double down on, spin the block on, however, you want to say it, you need to do it then so you can have everything accurate. So if you went to the doctor for some ear problems and it stopped there, and they say you need to get a checkup or go to a specialist, and you never went back for whatever reason, that's when you need to go get that stuff done now. And then let's see, I got you on any VA stuff. Yeah, so TC's already retired. Shout out to her, she's been retired for at least a year or two. She can tell you about all of her uh information as far as transitioning for VA because we would rather not go into it because we're still going to it. Um, also gives you more flexibility if you're able to do it early enough. So I would do that. In tap, they're gonna give you a segment about the VA. In fact, they're gonna talk about this book. It's like a big, huge book of VA benefits and claims and such. Don't be alarmed, they're gonna tell you this stuff, but you can find it online too. It'll tell you how the hall the process works, the different regulations and things they follow in a different process. So that's good to know. The other thing, too, is they're gonna tell you about VSOs. VSOs is what does it stand for?
SPEAKER_01Veteran something service, I don't know.
SPEAKER_00It's the guys that help that so that helps you navigate through the claim process. But I would tell you, you're gonna find two or three different things.
SPEAKER_01Oh, veteran service officer.
SPEAKER_00Thank you, thank you. Veteran service officer, you're gonna find two or three different experiences.
SPEAKER_01So Tony Box.
VA Claims Timing, VSOs, And Self-Advocacy
SPEAKER_00One, you're gonna find Tony B the Gooch in the building. You're gonna find there are gonna be some folks, VSOs, that are more than willing to help you at no cost to navigate it. Some may some may more likely help you navigate through it, and you do the the files or not the files, the forms, and it will make sure you're doing them correctly or give you advice. Then you have some VSOs that may charge a fee for them to file for you. Then you have some services that you have to pay them and they will file for you. I won't go into the advantages and disadvantages of those. I would say those three things occur, or I forgot the fourth, you could do it yourself. So that is an option. You do not have to have anybody do it for you. The VSOs, in theory, help you navigate it. One thing I will say is to some, it could be an overwhelming process because there's a lot of things to consider, a lot of jargon, a lot of procedure that a lot of us are not aware of. I mean, you think about it. Here you are, you did 20 years or more in the military, and now you're being told you gotta fill out this form. And how do what do we do? We've been filling out forms for years in the military, right? Sign this, check this, whatever. But this portion prior to you um retiring is critical. Forget about, and I know you've heard some things about money, you've heard things about benefits. The most important thing is to make sure you get the care you need and more importantly, deserve. So I will I will close on that chapter as far as the VA stuff. When we finish going through the VA, perhaps we can have some people get on, provide a little bit more context. But what we don't want to do is give you more information and what you may need. If you want to reach out to us offline, we can give it to you, or other folks who may be on here who went through it and give you some more stuff. But the most important thing, just do it ready. 2C says I started at a year out, so I printed my records and reviewed them all, highlighting all key diagnoses. Also had a digital copy that I sent to my dev, and they reviewed it all and submitted everything on my behalf. So I one thing I would say about that is you gotta be your own advocate. You know, I mean, you're gonna have people tell you one or two things, this isn't the right, you can't do this. Be your own advocate, get as smart as possible on this process, it's very important. I'll pause there.
SPEAKER_01No, good job.
SPEAKER_00All right, moving on. Um, we will skip the CMP exam part. That's very contentious. We will come back to that another day. But like I said, feel free to reach out to us if you want to get our perspective on that. Let's talk about Skill Bridge. Very controversial topic going on. Um, because there are different thoughts on Skill Bridge. But I'll pause and let you get started on that.
SPEAKER_01What's up, Russell? Wait, back in the building. Uh Russell Way, what's up?
SPEAKER_00The Don in the building.
SPEAKER_01You can also hire a Lori to help you through the process as well. Yeah, I heard that could be expensive, so be ready for that. Uh, so Skill Bridge. Uh, first of all, you need to go get a briefing from the education office. So you don't think you just start Skill Bridge like and just show up and be like, I'm gonna do Skill Bridge. Don't forget it. Is uh up to a 120-day program. But let's talk about the 120 days. It is not 120 days. At the most, it's 119. At the very, very most, because you have to be back on active duty, not on leave, not on terminal for the uh to out process. So it's 119. That's the most. If you want to do relocation, 10 days of relocation. I think actually, I think it's 20 days of relocation. Now you're down to 100 days of skill bridge, or like we said, it's 119. So now you're down to 99 days of skill bridge, right? Uh, and then if you have any leave that you want to use, you can't be on leave and skill bridge at the same time. So if you have any leave you don't want to sell back and you lose, you got to put that in the factor. So it's not really 120 days, but it's up to 119 days. What if you guys know uh you guys could say, or it's 180 days. Why'd I say 180 days? Yeah, why'd I say 119, 180, six months, right? Uh, or actually like five months and 30 or 29 days, but whatever, back to the point. Skill bridge is a way that you can go uh out to the workforce and start work being basically an intern, is what you are for the company, and they're getting free labor because you're still getting paid by the military for up to six months um for that service. Uh, is it I did not do skill bridge, uh, I had to do a surgery, so that interrupt my I had Skill Bridge set up. I have had a lot of airmen being a uh a first sergeant that took advantage of Skill Bridge. Some loved it, some hated it, some had expectations that they were gonna go learn, go work, go learn, and learn about a field and a craft, and then start right in that field or craft, almost like going to a tech school, uh, not a tech school like military, but like a uh a tech school like ITT and um learn a trade and then go utilize that skill. That's not really the uh what I'm hearing is going on with Skillbridge. They're trying to change the program. Uh, it used to be you could just do an all stay-at-home course. Now they say it has to be somewhat hybrid, uh, where you have to do Zoom calls or you know, go into a building. It used to you just do the whole thing from home. Uh, and there was a lot of different avenues with that. So Skillbridge is very self-dependent. It sounds good in theory to be off of work for six months and still getting paid. It sounds great in theory. Going through it, I've saw, like I said, I didn't go through it, that it is different actually going through it than actually what it sounds like. Samel Brown in the building.
SPEAKER_00What's up, Samel Brown? It's gonna build.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, we got 10 minutes. We got 10 minutes, and then the playoffs start. That's what he said. No, that's what I said. He said, go pats. I ain't worried about the pats, man.
Skill Bridge Basics And Day Limits
SPEAKER_00Forget the pats. Anyway, all right, okay, back to my thought. Here's a couple of things you didn't mention. I want people to understand, too, because I experienced it. One, skill bridge is not mandatory. It is not mandatory, it depends on if your commander approves it. I've run into cases where folks felt like skill bridge was an automatic. It is not an automatic, it depends on your commander, and some of the things he or she will consider is your replacement, how much they need you for the mission, and some other things involved in it. And then there are folks who don't get skill bridge and they feel like they're being targeted, or it's not fair. How come this person got skill bridge and skill bridge and I didn't? Where everybody's skill set and you know what they give to the mission is a little bit different. However, I will say to the commanders out there, if someone is about to retire, um Pause. GL Charles Davis says, Pete, you say you must outprocess at the skill bridge. Can you reclassify that statement?
SPEAKER_01You don't have to must out, you can outprocess before skill bridge. All I'm saying is you have to have a day that you're not on skill bridge to outprocess, whether it's before or after.
SPEAKER_00Okay. Um bottom line the skill bridge is not mandatory.
SPEAKER_01But you were telling you were doing a message for the commanders. Oh, okay. You said the retiring.
Command Approval, Abuse, And Expectations
SPEAKER_00You I look at it like this. When I was when I was a command chief and we had folks that volunteer to be first sergeants, you know, you put in the formal package to be considered to be a first sergeant. And I used to have commanders come to me and say, Oh, well, if I try to take that person to go put them in another unit to get them some trigger time on being a first sergeant, commanders would say, We can't afford to lose mass sergeant so and so because they're critical to the mission and we need them. I said, Well, why are you letting them put in for first sergeant then? That's all part of the deal. That's good. I went, I went to the commanders. I remember having them we during the commander's call, I said, and I told my boss, I said, if you put in a mass sergeant for first sergeant duty, they're gone. You might as well say, if we if you put them in and we select them to be pushed to the first sergeant to diamond one for consideration, you can consider them gone because the next day I may pull them out of your unit to put into another unit. And so I didn't tell commanders they couldn't do it, I just told them this is the requirements. And I look at skill bridge the same thing, same way. If you've got somebody that's about to retire, you can consider them gone. Now, key things are if they're a great, if they're a good performer and your leadership or supervision prepares for their absence, let them go. But if you have a person, if they're not performing, they're not doing their job, they're like, you know, a log, I don't know what better way of putting it, they're not contributing, then you shouldn't let them go. I don't blame you. Because Skill Bridge is not an automatic, it's not, it's a it's not something that's automatic, it is a privilege, if that's the right way of putting it. So you don't get to go automatically. The other thing to consider is when I I did Skill Bridge and I did it as part of my internship for my master's degree for social work. I think the reason why Skill Bridge gets a negative is looked at in the negative in most circles, is because there are some people that abuse skill bridge. They'll go on skill bridge, they have these remote skill bridges, and they're instead of doing skill bridge, they have another job. So in other words, you go on skill bridge, like Pete just said or mentioned, you're still getting paid by the military. It's just you're doing a skill bridge and they're working another job at the same time. That's not what skill bridge is is meant for. Skill bridge is a way for you to work for uh another company, organization, fill in the blank, get some needed skills, or refine some skills you have, and then preferably lead to employment. And if not, it's more than you just getting a job, it's about learning the things in the civilian world to make you better prepared. So I think that's why Skill Bridge at times get a negative connotation. I think Skill Bridge is good, but I do think there should be more parameters put into companies that if you're going to participate in this program, not to be able to use military folks as just unpaid labor.
SPEAKER_01Right.
SPEAKER_00There should be an off-ramp within reason for these folks to get hired. And for military members to pick a company out of the network, I think it should be approved. And if it is approved, there is no promise of employment. Even if you go to Skill Bridge for a company and you don't get hired, but you learn some viable skills. If you do well at that company, you can be considered later or use them as a reference for another position. So that's why I think Skill Bridge is important.
SPEAKER_01Tony Boss says, is it about giving this person a better chance at civilian life or about how the CC feels, how they performed while serving?
unknownQuestion.
SPEAKER_01I think both.
SPEAKER_00No, it can't be both. No, I think it's both. I'll let you answer first and then I'll give my response.
SPEAKER_01No, go ahead because you go ahead. You're already on.
SPEAKER_00I think it's both. I think it's it's you know, I find it it's almost reminds me when people say, is it about an airman getting a better opportunity for them to do what they really want to do, that they believe they're better for, than being at a job they're in now that was just given to them and they didn't select it? Well, the only way I'm gonna open the door for you is if you do well at what you have now. Why would I award or reward an individual in my formation that was a slug, and then all of a sudden they decide to retire and they continue to be a slug, and now you want me to give you skill bridge? No, no, I don't think so. Y'all can throw some spears at me all you want. You got look, you gotta be good at your job first. And when I mean good, you don't have to be a subject matter expert, but you've got to be able to contribute too. You're not gonna be like some bump on the log just doing nothing. I'm sorry, Tony B says speaking for retirees.
The Big Debate: Who Deserves Skill Bridge
SPEAKER_01Here's here's my thing. I get what you're saying, but if you made it 20 years in the military, you weren't a slug. Unless you just unless you just scapegoat all the way through, you made it to the rank of staff sergeant at the minimal, at the minimum, uh, and you are retiring after 20 years of service. If you can't give me six months back, if you say my quality of work was that bad that you can't give me six months or four months, I'm not saying you gotta give them the whole six, give them two. But excuse me. I think back to Tony Bostick point. If it's a chance at giving them a better life at civilian life or giving them a chance to adapt to civilian life quicker, and you have the autonomy, which means the uh the manpower to do so. I ain't saying you gotta give them the whole six, but if you can't give them one or two months, I mean that's a that's leave. People got 30 days to leave. Like uh he said a 20-year slug is diabolical, 20 years of service is real. That's what I feel. That's what I feel. You can't be a slug after 20 years. Uh, Amber Green Pete, you know good and well there are slugs that make it 20 years. Come on now. Nah, nah, they might have some slug moments. They might have some slug moments, but they're not slugs. They might have some slug. Wait, wait, they might have some slug moments, but they're not slugs. You can't make it 20 years with being, and when I think of a slug, Maybe I'm thinking people that are just like down and down, like you know, have moments where they're just dirtbags because they can't get promoted, they're just like F the military, and they got their moments. But before that, they're probably pretty good. After that, they might be pretty good. Let me see what Dell.
SPEAKER_00Let me ask you a question. Let me let me make sure I understand something because I want to make sure that I am considering it from a different angle. You said that when you in order to make them or give them a better opportunity for transition to civilian life, right? Is that what you said? Yeah, yeah. Okay. And you said that when you do skill bridge, you still get paid by the military even though you're not doing active duty work. Is that correct?
SPEAKER_01Uh sure, you're not doing your job, yes.
SPEAKER_00Okay. Would you would you agree that if you are not doing your job at your present job on active duty, but you are still getting paid, is that fair?
SPEAKER_01It's this it's the program. I uh it's not about fair or unfair.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, that's that's the truth. That's that's a fair or factual statement, but is it fair? It's not about fair or unfair, it's the program. No, it's not it's it could be the same. Is it fair or not? I don't know. In other words, you've never now I'm not I don't mean to interrupt, I just want to make sure I make sure something clear before we stay on the topic. If you have someone, and I'm sure everyone in the comments has had someone, be it Master Sarn, be it Captain, Major, fill in the blank. They're just the ghosts in the formation. In other words, they never to be seen, they don't do anything. People are doing their job for them, and they're just hanging on by a thread because they're waiting for retirement. And then they decide to retire. And now you want they want you, commander, to give them six months, four months, two months, three months, whatever, to be able to do something outside of the job or workplace to prepare for their transition.
SPEAKER_01Here's my thing, they're not doing shit at work anyway, so who cares?
SPEAKER_00Respectfully, then you part of the problem.
SPEAKER_01I'm not the commander.
SPEAKER_00I'm not the commander.
SPEAKER_01I'm not the commander. I'm not part of the problem. I'm not part of the problem. I'm not the commander. Look, I can have an opinion. If that I'm not, I don't have uh, I don't have a I'm the I don't have a decision, I'm not the decision maker. I can have an opinion. Part of the decision, right?
SPEAKER_00You the first sergeant, right? Was I mean when you're come on, let's semantics. Let's semantics.
SPEAKER_01Okay, but talking about when you was at the work, he ain't doing nothing anyway. So do you need him? Do you need him? Uh Tony Bostick said you earned it. You yo, you earn it, you earn it. You earn what? I'm thinking skill bridge. Thank you. Thank you, Russell.
SPEAKER_00Wait, I'm getting all my 20 years out of you, space, especially if you're a one-person shop or if the mission needs a however I'll consider all factor. I'm good. Pete please, thank you. Somebody, you know what that means.
SPEAKER_01You already know what that means.
SPEAKER_00What do you mean I don't know what it means? What does Pete please mean? She agrees with me. Come on, it's common sense. Read it.
SPEAKER_01I see it's two words.
SPEAKER_00I think it needs a little more explaining, maybe in the foundational courses or your no or your normal monthly required training. Some younger airmen just aren't educated on skill bridge and the use of it, just like Tsp, FAFSA, GI Bill Service Cookment, etc. Yeah, I agree with that. Good point. Good point. Um, Amber says, so if you have two folks retiring at the same time and you can't afford two gaps for skill bridge, do you prove my point exactly? Oh, I'll let you answer that. Go ahead.
SPEAKER_01No, if you have two, I mean, if you have two people and you can only let one go, then yeah, I would let the one that has given me better performance than the other person. Yeah, 100%.
SPEAKER_00Okay, you're I'll I'll I'll say my my friend, my brother, you're contradicting your previous statement. How you say you just change the parameter?
SPEAKER_01No, but don't wait for anything because all I'm saying is you just change the parameters. No, you can't say you wait and just keep talking. You I'll wait. I'll wait. You can't say you wait, just keep talking. Are you gonna wait or are you gonna talk? Are you gonna wait? You're gonna talk. Are you gonna wait?
SPEAKER_00I'm gonna wait till you I'm gonna wait till you stop flapping.
SPEAKER_01I'm not flapping, you just change the parameters. The question is on Amber's side. So if you have two folks retired at the same time and you can't afford two gaps, then it's different. Holy shit, Charles. Where's the Davis? Where's the Jeopardy music? Uh, under your three P, it seems like you would approve the slug versus the hard working because that's my point of contributory. That's my no, no, no.
Performance, Fairness, And Unit Readiness
SPEAKER_00Amber, that's why I'm saying he's contradicting himself because a few minutes ago, this same guy said you would let the guy go because he ain't doing shit anyway. Now you're saying, in that same thing you just said, Amber, he would let the person go that is doing all the great work. So you're gonna leave the slug behind. You just contradicted your statement, my friend, my brother. That's my whole point. In the end, I will agree with one thing, it should not be based. It should no, no, Amber. You're no, I'm glad you're calling him out because sometimes he thinks he's smarter than he is. I'm glad you calling him out. That's my point. He just ran into that, he took it hook, line, and sinker. Anyway, back to my point. In the end, ultimately, it comes down to the commander. Your folks that work with the commander, your chief, your first sergeant, maybe not this one, all has a play in the decision process. However, it's ultimately up to the commander. Skill bridge is is something that is not promised, and it should be based on how well you have contributed to the mission. Even you may have a 20-year career, 19 years and five months where you were fabulous. But when you're in my formation and you have been a slug, you have been a cancer in the formation, and now you want me to give you six months where you can go off, do whatever you want. Now you want me to take care of you. Look, that I may not say you're gonna be, I'm not gonna say you're not gonna get it, but it's gonna be something I use a consideration. Tony B says the wild part is that we are willing to forget that this person who has gave over half of their life or service that we can't give them sometime. Oh, I got some perfect land. Honestly, you have to define a slug. In my opinion, a slug should have never made twins. Example, that's true, but it does happen. And Tony, to your point, I had people say the same thing for decorations. I had folks say, This dude is this dude is a slug. He or she has not done anything for the formation, yet people want to fight for this person to get it, MSM or a Legion of Merit. Surprise, ladies and gentlemen, a decoration is for the time of what you did in that present unit, not for your retirement. Russell Wade says, I don't think it's something you earn. You earn your retirement. Reality is if you can perform the world's best air force, what do you have to prove to anyone in a civilian workforce? Uh, I don't know about that one. I'm kind of halfway on there. Cancel selection. That's the point, Tony. But they do, they do, they do.
SPEAKER_01I oh good lord, I care. That's too small. When advising, uh, when advising, I have had a discussion with my CC that we should consider we have an obligation to provide an individual who can contribute to the civilian world by giving them the opportunity to Skillbridge to be a positive contributor. They must they may have slugged in the military, but isn't it true? Some have slugged in the civilian life and came to the military and changed to that or changed that too. I looked, I look and advise my CC honestly. Tony Bosick says decorations ain't skill bridge. Come on, DC.
SPEAKER_00Let me elaborate or let me provide some context.
SPEAKER_01Before you do, hold on, there's another comment.
SPEAKER_00Uh oh, well, they can wait. I I know decorations are not skill bridge, it is an analogy. It was said in a comment from someone that said that even though they may be a slug, they should be afforded the opportunity to go through skill bridge. In other words, if they went 20 years as a as a phenomenal individual, and then the last six months or a year fill in the blank, now they're a slug, they should be still be, they should you should still consider their full 20 years of service. I cry bull ish on that. And here's why. The analogy I use for decoration is the same thing. If you have somebody in your formation for two years, one year, and they decide to retire, and during that year there was a subpar performer. Why would you give them a decoration? Because of what they did for their career? That's not what a decoration is for. Same for skill bridge. Skill bridge is considered for the whole time that you're in. There is nothing in a regulation that says before you give somebody skill bridge, you factor in their body of work or how well they've done information. It doesn't say that. But it also says skill bridge is a commander's decision, and the commander has to look at what he needs for the mission, what this individual provides for the mission, and can he afford to let them go? That all should be factored. Approval should depend on mission readiness on the unit for retirees. There's a little bit more factored into that. Tony Boste, I'll leave that alone.
SPEAKER_01Tony Boste, I agree with you 100%, man. I think we're speaking the same thing on the part that slugs don't last 20 years in the military, they might last five, they might last 10, they might last 12. But 20 years, ah, it's kind of hard to see. I people think people have slug moments, and I agree with that. Uh, I think people when they're close to retirement might be like F this place, and for whatever reasons, feel some type of way. I definitely agree with that. But if you have the opportunity, I think what Tony Bostik is saying, if you have the opportunity to let somebody go, you are basing it, or in Philly's point, basing it off on how well they are performing. So I don't think that it matters. I really don't. If you have the opportunity to let him go, then let him go. Uh that's why I think that's Super Bowl. Oh, skill bridge, skill bridge isn't a right, it's command. Okay, skill bridge. I thought I got football on my mind. Uh did you say yes they do? I'm not sure what yes they do is, but uh I I mean I that's just my opinion about skill bridge, and Philly has his opinion. I know he's Philly's more of louder shit sometimes. He just wants to be the loudest one in the room to get a point across. I'll wait and just say my point, and I just understand it's my point. It might not be the right point, it might not be understood by everybody, but I don't have to sit here and just keep yelling and talking to try to get a point across.
SPEAKER_00It is really so you haven't been yelling this whole podcast. Are you telling me you haven't been yelling? Because if that's true, I cry bullshit on that too. Because you have been. I don't think I have to play this game.
SPEAKER_01I don't think I have what I'm talking about about lavish game.
SPEAKER_00It's like if I can be you be trying to bullshit. That's what I'm calling you out.
SPEAKER_01If we can over talk to somebody, I'll be in the so-called clubs who went 20.
SPEAKER_00We can talk offline about it. Charles, I agree with you. So you think but here's my thing. This dude is in denial. Back to lavish.
SPEAKER_01My thing, here's my thing, Charles.
SPEAKER_00Here's my thing. I'm waiting.
SPEAKER_01Have you been with that person for the whole 20 years?
SPEAKER_00Doesn't matter.
SPEAKER_01No, I think it doesn't matter. How so it doesn't matter? If you're going to say somebody is is been a slug, that's like saying, Pete, you've been a slug your whole life. You ain't been with me my whole life. You're looking at a snapchat. That's like me putting stuff on Instagram, be like, that's Pete's life right there. No, it's not.
SPEAKER_00Okay, so let me ask you a question, Dan. Let's just let's I think this should settle the argument. Let me ask you a question because before I answer the question, ask you the qu ask you the question. Let me make sure I make sure I make something abundantly clear. Your argument, what did I say?
SPEAKER_01No, he said read his comment.
SPEAKER_00Which comment?
SPEAKER_01I I'll put it up in a second.
SPEAKER_00Let me make sure I make something abundantly clear so I clearly understand what you're trying to propose. You're saying because somebody that works in a formation and they've been in 20 years or more, that that time when they're working with your organization, which in the most part has a strong perception because they are a slug in your formation. And Tony, we can go into that too. They are a slug in your formation, dirtbag, however you want to do, fill in the blank. That even though that's the case, your argument is they haven't been a slug the previous year. They might not. They might not have been a slug, right? And you're also saying that even though they are a perception of a slug, a dirtbag, or whatever, and they're in your formation, that should not be something that you consider when you give them something that is advantageous for them. Correct.
SPEAKER_01Correct. We're just talking about skill bridge.
SPEAKER_00Okay, well, okay, so let me ask you this what about a decoration?
SPEAKER_01Decorations is if it's a retirement decoration, um, I can understand the argument behind that because it does say in the decoration uh AFI, sustain superior performance. It does say that in there. So if you're saying that they're not exemperating sustained superior performance, can't really argue because that's in the AFI.
SPEAKER_00Okay.
SPEAKER_01So Pete, don't go down the street, you're not willing to go down.
SPEAKER_00I'm telling you what we're gonna take them there.
SPEAKER_01I tell you what, I know, not what I think about a 20-year slug. I don't talk, I don't talk to. I got you. I got you. I don't just talk to talk, I got you. I we can have difference of opinion. Yes, okay.
SPEAKER_00Let me let me let me if I can interject. Let me this goes for you have somebody that spent four years in a unit, and they arrived, and that four years in your unit, they were great, but when they get to your unit, the two years they were a slug, and now they decide they wanted to move on and cross-train. Would you allow them to cross-train?
SPEAKER_01Probably not. Cross-trained if you were given that probably cross-train, probably not. Okay, why because I don't think they've been giving me the performance here, so why would I take you and let you go somewhere else in the same military?
SPEAKER_00Okay, so we can both we can establish that you said in a decoration for retirement based on the AFI you said, that they probably don't deserve a decoration. If they haven't also said, yeah, if they were a slug in your formation, and you said if they were a slug in your formation, even though first four years of the career were phenomenal, but when they arrived in your formation, they were a slug, you were not allowed on the cross-train. Is that correct?
SPEAKER_01Probably not.
SPEAKER_00Okay. Now and you said, based on the fact of if I'm not mistaken, based on their performance and what they bring to your organization.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, yeah, yeah. Correct? Is that Rob Right?
SPEAKER_00Okay. So please explain to me why Skill Bridge is important. And before you answer that, I can suspect you would say because you they should be given the opportunity to help prepare them for civilian life in transition. I'll pause there and let you answer.
SPEAKER_01So if you're comparing skill bridge to cross-train, cross-train is usually in the beginning of your career, not the end. Uh, you know, retirement's usually 20 years. Now, if you were to say that same person who gave six years in the military was getting out for the last two years, they've been a slug, per se a dirtbag, and now they're asking for skill bridge, probably not. But if you're talking about a 20-year retiree, then I would be a little bit more apt to be like, okay. Um, and yes, to your point, skill bridge is to prepare you for a civilian lifestyle. If you have went and done the research to go find the skill bridge and everything like that, now, like I said, I might not give you the full six months, I might only give you two or three, or one, or whatever I can give you. Uh, whatever your performance then dictates. If you've been a slug and hey, I'll give you two months. I'm not gonna give you the full six, I'll give you two. You need to spend the rest of the four trying to make your replacement better than the performance I've given or you have given me. Say something like that. But just to say no, you're not getting it all because you're uh a dirtbag, a slug or anything like that. I look at it differently. Uh, Pete, you talk the talk a lot, and sometimes you don't think it through before you open. Just an observation. Pete, you still my guy, you still my dude. I appreciate, I appreciate your opinion. Uh I'm glad you had to say it. Why give them the opportunity to transition to another career, civilian life, but not trans. Like I said, Amber. Like I said, cross-training is usually at the beginning of your career. Retirement is usually at the end of your career. I think it has to be at the end of your career.
SPEAKER_00Well, let me ask you what is the difference? Tell me, what is the difference between cross-training and skill bridge? Cross-training outside of the fact, one that you're retiring, and one that's in the beginning or midpoint of your career.
SPEAKER_01Uh, besides that, cross-training, you're going into another career field in the same military. So if you can't perform the duties as a military member in whatever services or in whatever security forces or whatever, and now you want to go work the tower or go work CE or something like that, and you're not doing well. I'm like, man, why would I go send a commander somebody else who's not doing well at what they should be doing?
SPEAKER_00But skill bridge is different because of what thank you, Amber. I agree. That's why I was yep, I agree.
SPEAKER_01Okay, so I said usually, right? I did say usually at the beginning of your career. I should say usually. It does happen. People do, I guess, retrain at 17. Very, very, very odd that it could happen, but uh, I think those are anomalies more than the the basic case. Uh, and usually they're going into career fields that are hurting for Manning. I think it's the only way you can go at that stage, is if they're really hurting for Manning.
SPEAKER_00So let me not belabor the point. I won't, I won't tap dance. I'll just say this and then I'll I'll I'll put a stamp on it on my end. Skill bridge is a privilege, it is something that is not owned or not automatic for anybody. It's not. That is why I use it, the analogy of decorations and and cross-training. It is not automatic. You give it to people who you feel not only will benefit from it, but have earned it. You have to earn what I'm giving you, unless by mandate, it is it is it is uh, unless by mandate you must have it based on AFR or DOD or whatever it may be. Just like tap. Tab is mandatory. I cannot stop you from going to tap because you are a Terrible performer. But skill bridge, I can. It may not be right. Some people may not like it, but it can be used in that factor. No different than cross-train, it's not automatic. No different than decorations, it's not automatic. No different than stratifications, it's not automatic. And for those people who are saying, DC, why are you using those things? It's not the same skill bridge. In some cases, it is because it is a benefit for the member. And it is not, it is not promised. It's not automatic. I'll I'll be quiet there.
SPEAKER_01Really these last two. Shake my head, Pete. You literally read the word holistically and then read it out loud. What? And said honestly instead, but you're willing to die on this flawless hill. You on I don't know. I don't know where I read that. Uh Pete, you you flip-flop. I don't know how flip-flop or where I flip-flop that. Uh performance should always be a factor, especially since we always have an audience. It's the CC's decision at the end of the day. As sure as I agree with you, it's CC's decision. Ain't my decision.
SPEAKER_00That's what point I'm trying to make.
SPEAKER_01I don't know where I flip-floped that, but I think we oh, I forgot to read Tony Bostik uh point. Uh hold on, we got one more. I agree with you, DC. Uh that's why accountability is important. It's the rest of our rest of their lives. Let's keep it real when it's all said and done. Decks don't mean nothing when you are a civilian. If held accountable, slugs don't last, and this conversation won't exist. I can agree.
SPEAKER_00I don't I don't necessarily agree with that because if that's the case, why do we have it? We still have people. How many people have you seen that are commanders and they still end up being a command somewhere else?
SPEAKER_01That's true.
SPEAKER_00How many people you see did something and they still get the lead somewhere else? Corey says rewarding marginal or poor performance always hurts positive trajectory. So if I'm in a here's a let me throw something at y'all real quick. If I'm in a formation and Master Sergeant Johnson, Major Johnson, decides they want to do skill bridge, but I've been carrying it there for six months or a year, and now they want to just leave the job and do but shit. They should they've been doing that for the past six months, yeah. My unit's been carrying them, and then the commander's gonna turn around and say, We're gonna let them go. I look at that as a reward.
SPEAKER_01Tight shit. Thanks, Jerry.
SPEAKER_00Jerry, what's up, bro? Anyway, um, okay, so to sum that up for Skillbridge, uh I recommend that you you do it, but just remember it is not promise, it's based on the commander's decision. He looks, he or she looks at a number of factors, but that is not your time to get some free time off. It's not true.
SPEAKER_01We could agree, we could agree on that.
SPEAKER_00Okay, uh we will sum it up. Um last thing I will say is we'll talk about um I think Pete already talked about the the number of days. You got a 180-day window if you factor in Skillbridge in there. Charles Davis says, Pete, where did you graduate elementary school? California, baby. California. Holler. Um, anyway, P already went over the the days, 180 days, whatever, blah blah blah. I don't know what I did. Um, so um the next episode we'll do. I think we'll do like phase four. I think that's when you're getting close to the end, some things to consider and stuff. Because I know football's already started. So um on my end, we'll pause on that and then we'll continue up next week. Might be the last one. Depends on how much we can get into it. As always, we appreciate all y'all's comments and uh and the things you guys brought to the show. Appreciate y'all.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, go watch the football, enjoy the playoffs. If y'all haven't saw the games yesterday, they were really good games yesterday. Hopefully, be really good games, really, really good games yesterday, but maybe a little bit uh controversial, good games yesterday. Uh, but should be some good games today. Um, and then Monday night is uh the Texans and and uh Steelers. So uh I guessing I got Philly tonight, and I got uh New England and uh Buffalo. Those are my picks for today.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I'm one for one. I had the Rams, which was an easy one. Uh Charles Davis, man. Look, just embrace the fact we're we are representing the NFC East. You might as well just join in on the bandwagon. Yeah, you might as well. You know what I'm saying? We're the only team in the NFC East there.
SPEAKER_01That's true.
SPEAKER_00It's not our fault that you guys, even though y'all had a phenomenal season last year, y'all imploded. You might as well just join in on the bandwagon and root for us.
SPEAKER_01That's true.
SPEAKER_00But I'm one for one. I thought the Packers were gonna win, but they weren't supposed to win, but the Bears showed their resiliency. Shout out to the Chicago Bears, they are a dangerous team, they started like a team of destiny. But when we take care of the 49ers today, bang, bang, nine, comes to an end next year, next week. The season comes to an end next week in Chi Town. So we will take care of the Bears once and for all next week. We just got to do our job against the Niners today.
SPEAKER_01One step at a time. One step at a time. I don't think of week two before you hit week one.
SPEAKER_00Nope. We we just what AJ Brown says in the commercial. I visualize it, boom.
SPEAKER_01I like that commercial. All right. Well, we'll be we'll be to y'all next week, if not sooner. Y'all know how we do. Appreciate everybody for coming on here and all your comments, whether they were against me or with me, or just just your shared opinion. I appreciate anyway. Don't take no offense to anything. Uh what do you say? Bears may mess up, may mess this up. Tough team. Yeah, bears is a tough team. Uh, Eagles all the way. Tony Bostick, what the hell? See, that's what I'm talking about. Did somebody pen? You got a gun to your hair? Oh, to the dumpster.
SPEAKER_00Oh, you hater about to say another team that failed to live up to expectations. You hater.
SPEAKER_01You hater. All right, all right. We out of here. Go do it for the first time.
SPEAKER_00One more last thing. I'm sorry. Hey, Corey, hey, Corey. Um, I'm gonna reach out to you before the next show. You were one of those folks. Forgive me if I'm wrong, you know, Chief Master Sergeant, you were pretty young in your time as a chief and you decide to transition. Be interesting and get your perspectives on what this what made you decide to transition um so early after making chief. So, anyway.
SPEAKER_01For sure. All right, we out. Peace, peace, peace.
SPEAKER_00Go, birds, go, birds.
