Cameron-Brooks

Why Is Transition Rule #1 - Don't Do It Alone? When talking about the transition, why did we make Transition Rule #1 -Don't Do It Alone?  At Cameron-Brooks, we’ve spent nearly 50 years helping Junior Military Officers (JMOs) make this transition successfully. A lot has changed in 50 years, and there is one thing for certain: There is so much information out there. There are a lot of resources and people out there who want to help you. We’ve developed 6 Rules for the JMO Military to Business Transition to help break through the vast amounts of information and organize it for you. These rules provide a framework and a structure to help you gather information, plan, prepare and help educate you on your options outside of the military. In this episode, we’re joined by Tim Kirchner, who has spent 20+ years in the recruiting Industry. He’s a key team member and leader at Cameron-Brooks. What is unique about Tim is that he’s seen both sides. He’s been at Cameron-Brooks for the last six years and has helped thousands of JMO’s learn about their options and helped communicate how companies view and understand them. He's spent the majority of his professional career communicating with Hiring Managers and helping them find, build, and retain talent. Tim was the main driver behind organizing these rules. He’s a wonderful teammate and leader, and we value that he’s seen a lot, and he brings a fresh perspective and a “different frame” of viewing things. In this episode, we dove into the crucial first step: finding the right guide. We discuss key insights, practical strategies, and the value of a guide in the transition to help you build a plan, develop a strategy, and start building the foundation for your transition.

We start with Transition Rule #1: Don’t Do It Alone. In other words, Find Your Guide. Why Should You Find a Guide? It will highly increase your chances of being successful in the transition, based on how you define success. When starting something new, the most important thing to do is gather information and get educated on that topic. So naturally, how do we do that? We find information and people who know things that we don’t. We learn from people who have gone before us and from people who have experience.

What to Look for when You Find a Guide? The first thing that’s important when you find a guide is choosing one that you trust. With trust comes open, candid communication, that goes both ways. For the JMO, it’s about communicating what’s important to you and thinking about your objectives in the transition. For the guide, it’s about listening and being honest about the realistic nature of achieving those goals based upon the proposed strategy. We discussed the importance of trust, which stems from the book Trust by Dr. Henry Cloud. The five components of trust: 1. Does the guide understand what is important to you? 2. Does the guide have the expertise? 3. Does the guide have the Integrity and Character to do what they say they are going to do? 4. Does the guide have transparency in their motive to help you? 5. Does the guide have a clear track record?

Transformation over Transaction Joel left us with some closing thoughts. Our mission at Cameron-Brooks is about transformation, not transaction. We don’t just place JMOs in front of Hiring Managers and Decision Makers for open developmental positions. It goes further than that. We strive to be Counterculture to help JMOs grow, reflect, and step into the next phase of their careers with confidence. We strive to provide confidence in your choice to find a guide.

Ready to Take the Next Step? Are you ready to follow Transition Rule #1 - Don't Do It Alone? Want to learn more? Check out our podcast, Cameron-Brooks: PCS to Corporate America, follow us on LinkedIn or check out our website. 

If you want to chat and learn more about your options, let me know. Always happy to set up a no pressure conversation.

Brock Dudley

Our January 2025 Post Conference Review is live, and I always look forward to the weeks following a Career Conference and visiting with our recent alumni. It’s the culmination of an incredible amount of effort both from the candidates and our team. Seeing these talented JMOs, some having spent over two years in the Cameron-Brooks Development and Preparation Program, receive offers and make career decisions is nothing short of inspiring. It’s not just about the job offers; it’s about the journey. The relationships built. The challenges overcome. The lessons learned. Watching LinkedIn light up with posts from our alumni celebrating their new careers, surrounded by the support of their community, is one of the best parts of my job. To all the JMOs, client companies, and the entire Cameron-Brooks team—thank you for making another Career Conference a success! And most importantly, congratulations to the January 2025 Candidates and Companies!

The Panel In this episode, I sat down with three recent Cameron-Brooks alumni who shared their firsthand experiences from the Career Conference and the critical “follow-up” process. They pulled back the curtain on what it was really like—insights, surprises, and everything in between. Meet the panel:

Liam O'Hara, TransDigm Group, Inc. – Captain, Army Air Defense Frank Cebreros, Amcor – Captain, Army Armor Ty McAvoy, Civco Medical Solutions – LTJG, Surface Warfare Officer

The "follow-up process" refers to the structured steps that take place after their Career Conference, where candidates interview with multiple companies in person or on-site with the objective to go deeper and learn more, and then secure offers. Once offers are in hand, they have the ability to evaluate options, compare, and then make the best decision for them based on:

Fit! Career Goals Career Opportunities Nature of work Team Chemistry Culture Salary Location

Topics of Discussion and Sample Questions Asked Here’s a sneak peek of what we discussed and questions that were asked:

Career Conference Statistics – January 2025 data Sample Opportunities – What industries and roles were available Best Interview Prep Tips & Techniques – What works Salary Expectations – Did the opportunities align with expectations? Why Cameron-Brooks? – The value of our partnership Hiring Manager Conversations – What to expect The Impact of Study Groups – How they drove preparation and confidence The Power of Community – Why going through this with a network matters How to Ace Your Interview – Actionable insights for success

And much more!

Key Themes Some of the key themes that emerged from our conversation were:

1.) The Power of Relationships – Your network is everything. Having a community that sharpens you, pushes you, and walks alongside you through this transition is invaluable. Study Groups, the Discord platform, follow-up trips—these relationships make all the difference.



2.) Applying the Reading Program – Books like Integrity Selling and Financial Intelligence weren’t just theory—they shaped how these candidates approached their interviews and careers. Learning, applying, and operationalizing these concepts set them apart.

3.) The Follow-Up Team's Impact – There’s an entire engine behind the scenes—coordinating logistics, travel, and on-site interviews. Field rides, plant tours, site visits—these aren’t just meetings; they’re opportunities to connect, learn, and solidify decisions. Final Thoughts These Career Conference recap conversations are a goldmine for those preparing for their own transition. Whether you’re deep in the Development and Preparation Program or just starting to explore your options, learning from those who’ve walked this path before you is invaluable. If you’re a JMO looking for answers, we’re here to help. Cameron-Brooks has spent over five decades guiding military officers through one of the biggest transitions o...

Leaving the structured world of the military for the uncertainty of civilian life can be a daunting task. In this episode of the PCS to Corporate America Podcast, I speak with Mike Sweeney, a former Army junior military officer (JMO) who successfully navigated this transition over 20 years ago. Mike shares his insights and experiences on how defining goals, embracing preparation, and learning lead to career success.  He offers invaluable advice to those currently preparing for their own transition.

The Importance of Preparation

Mike emphasizes the importance of preparation, particularly when it comes to interviewing. Drawing parallels to the meticulous practice routine of comedian Jerry Seinfeld, Mike stresses the need for JMOs to practice and rehearse their interview responses and specifically highlights the need to master the answer to "Tell me about yourself.” This preparation helps build confidence and allows one to be authentic in the interview.

Defining Your "Good Employment Offer"

Beyond acing interviews, Mike encourages JMOs to define what constitutes a "good offer" for them. Rather than solely focusing on salary, he suggests considering factors like company culture, values, learning opportunities, team dynamics, and work-life balance. This personalized approach helps ensure alignment between individual aspirations and the chosen career path. Today, as a Leadership Coach, Mike encourages his clients to think about their career opportunities similarly.

Embracing Lifelong Learning

A key theme throughout the conversation with Mike is the importance of continuous learning and development. Mike is an avid reader and champions reading as a way to gain new perspectives, develop leadership skills, and cultivate a reflective mindset. He also says that, unlike when he and I transitioned 20+ years ago, to use other mediums like podcasts and videos for learning and self-development. The key is to be intentional and directed in consuming information that fosters growth.

Mike’s career is an excellent example of a successful transition from military to civilian life. His emphasis on preparation, thoughtful decision-making, and continuous learning provides valuable guidance for current JMOs navigating this significant life change. By engaging with resources like those offered by Cameron-Brooks and embracing a mindset of continuous growth, individuals can confidently embark on their post-military careers.

Thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoy the podcast!

To stay connected, we encourage you to check out our website and YouTube Channel and follow us on LinkedIn.

If you want to learn more about your transition options, please get in touch with us.

You can also check out our Transition Guide on “3 Game-Changing Strategies for JMOs Making the Jump to Business” for additional transition tips.

To stay connected, I recommend subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following us on LinkedIn.

Joel

Learn how Fran Lawler went from JMO to C-Suite. This former officer is an incredibly successful leader. She is a 1995 West Point Graduate, served six successful years in the Army as a Medical Service Corps Officer, and transitioned to a business career in 2001 through Cameron-Brooks. She earned her MBA at Harvard and has held high-level human resources roles, including several Chief Human Resources Officer positions. She recently founded her own leadership consulting and coaching company, Harvest Cove Talent Partners.

Fran is also the first officer I recruited to participate in the Cameron-Brooks program. I met her in Leesville, LA, just outside Fort Polk, LA (now Fort Johnson) in May 2000. She agreed to be a podcast guest to share her experience and leadership lessons. She shares her incredible story, filled with lessons on resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of personal growth. Fran’s insights shed light on what it takes to lead with authenticity and impact. Identify Personal Purpose A pivotal moment in Fran’s career was crafting her personal purpose statement. This exercise helped her align her career aspirations with her deeper values, transforming her approach to leadership and teamwork. As Fran shares, finding purpose was a professional milestone and a personal breakthrough that shaped her trajectory. The Power of Coaching and Leadership Development Fran’s passion for coaching stems from her own transformative experiences. She highlights the importance of asking probing questions, fostering self-reflection, and empowering clients to discover their own solutions. As Fran emphasizes, the role of a coach is to guide, not to dictate, creating a safe space for others to explore and grow.

In our discussion, Fran reflects on how coaching has enhanced her professional relationships and deepened her connection with friends and family. This underscores the broader impact of coaching—its ability to enrich lives beyond the workplace. Harvest Cove Talent Partners: A Vision for Growth and Community Fran recently took a bold step by launching her firm, Harvest Cove Talent Partners. Inspired by her commitment to growth and human connection, Harvest Cove aims to support leaders and teams in achieving their full potential. The firm’s name reflects Fran’s mission to create a “harvest” of blessings and opportunities, cultivating a space where vulnerability and authenticity thrive. Leadership Rooted in Purpose Fran Lawler’s journey from JMO to C-suite is a testament to the power of adaptability, purpose, and continuous growth. Her story reminds us that true leadership goes beyond achieving goals—it’s about fostering connection, empowering others, and staying grounded in one’s values.

Through her coaching work and the creation of Harvest Cove, Fran exemplifies how leaders can inspire transformation while staying true to their purpose. Fran's story is an inspiration for anyone navigating transitions or seeking greater meaning in their work.

Learn more about Fran’s journey and her insights on leadership and coaching by tuning into the full podcast episode.

Thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoy the podcast!

To stay connected, we encourage you to check out our website and YouTube Channel and follow us on LinkedIn.

If you want to learn more about your transition options, please get in touch with us.

You can also check out our Transition Guide on “3 Game-Changing Strategies for JMOs Making the Jump to Business” for additional transition tips.

To stay connected, I recommend subscribing to our YouTube Channel and following us on LinkedIn.

Joel