The Tactical Leader

AI Is Changing the Workforce. Are Veterans Ready to Take Advantage?In this ATLVets Speaker Series, AI strategist and veteran coach Steve Cadley explores how veterans can use artificial intelligence to strengthen their careers, grow businesses, and turn their military experience into a competitive advantage.Steve also introduces the concept of AI fluency, explaining why learning to use AI effectively matters more than simply knowing which tools are available.Through practical examples and a live AI demonstration, the session explores how veterans can apply these tools to civilian resumes, business development, research, and everyday problem solving while maintaining human judgment and oversight.The conversation also introduces ATLVets' vision for an AI Empowered Veteran pilot program designed to help veterans build practical AI skills and explore new opportunities.Segments Discussed:00:00 Introduction to AI and Opportunities for Veterans01:38 Meet Steve Cadley and Understanding How People Use AI04:26 What Is Artificial Intelligence and How Do Large Language Models Work?10:13 Understanding ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Other AI Tools11:43 Why AI Is More Than Just a Search Engine13:38 Lessons From History: The Printing Press, Industrialization, and the Internet16:45 Why Critical Thinking and Human Judgment Still Matter19:05 How AI Is Changing Employment and Entry Level Jobs23:35 Why Experience and Judgment Are Becoming More Valuable25:23 How Military Experience Gives Veterans an Advantage27:50 AI Fluency as a Tool for Veteran Career and Business Growth29:14 How ATLVets Plans to Support Veterans Through AI31:44 How AI Can Improve Productivity and Business Operations35:39 Why People Must Remain in Control of AI38:15 Introducing the AI Empowered Veteran Pilot Program39:44 How to Write Better AI Prompts Using the Military Mission Brief Framework41:00 Using AI to Translate Military Experience Into Civilian Resume Skills43:18 Practical AI Exercise and Live Demonstration46:08 Using AI to Find Government Contracting Opportunities50:37 Why AI Works Better as a Thought Partner52:01 Setting Rules, Checking Information, and Improving AI Responses54:17 How to Refine Prompts for Better Results57:24 Why Human Expertise and AI Must Work Together59:27 Audience Q&A: AI Accuracy, Critical Thinking, and Responsible Use1:03:18 AI Privacy, Data Protection, and Information Security1:08:49 Closing Remarks and the Future of the AI Empowered Veteran ProgramGet Involved With ATLVetsMilitary service builds skills that remain valuable long after leaving the uniform. As technology continues to change the workforce, ATLVets is exploring ways to help veterans combine those strengths with practical AI knowledge.Learn more about ATLVets, explore upcoming programs, and discover opportunities to get involved.Visit: https://atlvets.org/Subscribe for more conversations on veteran empowerment, career development, entrepreneurship, leadership, and emerging technologies.#ATLVets #Veterans #ArtificialIntelligence #AIForVeterans #VeteranCareerDevelopment #FutureOfWork #VeteranEntrepreneurs #AIFluency

What happens when years of military leadership and experience meet a completely different world?At Advancing The Line, Matt shares his journey from military service to his current role at Emory University, where he helps senior military leaders prepare for careers beyond the uniform.The conversation explores what makes a great leader, why humility matters, and how mentorship can shape someone's future. Matt also discusses the challenges veterans face when entering the civilian workforce, including recognizing their own value and learning how their military experience applies to business.Beyond career development, this discussion highlights something just as important: the relationships, shared experiences, and sense of purpose that continue long after military service ends.Segments Discussed:00:00 Introduction and Matt's Military Background02:23 Humility and the Qualities of Great Leadership05:04 Leadership Experiences That Shaped His Career08:11 Translating Military Skills Into Civilian Careers10:33 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome as a Veteran12:37 The Importance of Mentorship and Building Relationships16:10 Finding Purpose in Helping Others Succeed17:37 Matt's Journey to Emory University19:50 How Emory's Business Program Supports Veterans22:48 Choosing the Right Education and Career Path26:29 Lessons Learned From Working in Higher Education30:19 Why Military Experience Matters in Business31:16 Supporting Veterans Beyond Their Military Careers33:17 The Lasting Impact of Military Service and Brotherhood36:25 Building a Legacy Through Education and Community39:01 The Future of Veteran Business EducationYour skills, leadership, and sense of service can continue to create opportunities for yourself and others.Watch the full conversation and discover how military experience can become a foundation for continued growth, leadership, and purpose.Subscribe to Advancing The Line for more conversations about leadership, veteran experiences, career development, and life beyond service.#AdvancingTheLine #VeteranLeadership #MilitaryTransition #VeteranCareers #LeadershipDevelopment #VeteranCommunity

What happens when decades of military leadership come to an end, and a completely different chapter of life begins?From commanding thousands of soldiers to navigating everyday civilian life, the transition out of military service brings challenges that even the most experienced leaders are not always prepared for.In this episode Major General (Ret.) Matt Smith, a retired U.S. Army two star general and leader of Emory University's Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) program shares his perspective on how warfare has changed, why military leadership must continue to evolve, and what it really takes to adjust to life after service.Beyond military service, this discussion is about leadership, adaptability, continued growth, and finding meaningful ways to serve in the next chapter of life.Segment Discussed: 00:00 Welcome to Advancing the Line at the Buckhead Club02:20 Introduction to ATL Vets and its leadership programs04:16 Meet Major General (Ret.) Matt Smith06:13 A lifelong commitment to service07:31 Why Matt Smith chose the U.S. Army10:35 Military career, Iraq deployment, and becoming a two star general12:48 How modern warfare has changed over the decades13:50 Drone technology and emerging security threats17:35 Preparing the next generation of military leaders18:57 The reality of transitioning from military to civilian life21:08 How trust and relationships differ outside the military22:03 Life after commanding thousands of soldiers23:41 Identity, family, and adjusting to a new routine26:23 Understanding Emory University's Master of Business for Veterans program29:17 The value of professional networks and business connections30:05 Learning the language of business after military service33:36 Connecting military experience with civilian career opportunities37:11 Real moments of growth and learning among veterans39:37 The future of Emory's veteran education programs43:41 Lessons from leadership at the Pentagon45:54 The reality behind major national decisions47:10 Final reflections on leadership, service, and responsibilityLeaving the military does not mean leaving behind the leadership, discipline, and experience built through years of service. Those strengths can continue to create opportunities in business, education, and the communities we serve.If you're a veteran preparing for civilian life, a business leader working with veterans, or someone interested in leadership and personal growth, this conversation offers valuable perspectives worth hearing.What do you think is the biggest challenge veterans face when transitioning to civilian life? Share your thoughts in the comments.#AdvancingTheLine #ATLVets #VeteranTransition #MilitaryLeadership #MattSmith #VeteranEducation #LifeAfterMilitary #VeteranSuccess

Your experience shaped you. Your next chapter requires you to understand how to use it.What happens when the structure, mission, and identity you relied on suddenly change?In this conversation, we go beyond emotional intelligence and explore emotional dexterity, the ability to better understand your emotions, recognize what drives them, and choose how you respond.The discussion also goes deeper into one of the biggest challenges veterans can face after leaving the military: figuring out who they are outside the uniform.The skills are still there. Leadership, problem solving, decision making, discipline, communication, change management, and the ability to operate under pressure do not disappear. The challenge is learning how to recognize those skills, translate them, and apply them to a new mission.From mindset and emotional control to career transition, AI, leadership, communication, TEDx, and personal growth, this conversation is ultimately about learning how to adapt without losing the strengths that got you here.Segment Discussed:00:00 Opening Conversation & Introduction 06:20 Emotional Intelligence vs. Emotional Dexterity 09:36 Changing Habits & Emotional Responses 10:37 Understanding Your Emotional Drivers 13:07 Can You Change How You Respond? 18:46 Military Transition, Identity & Purpose 20:15 Recognizing the Skills You Already Have 30:15 Using AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement 39:34 Marketing Yourself & Telling Your Story 46:07 Why Veterans Have Stories Worth Sharing 47:25 Collaboration & Creating New Opportunities 49:30 Why You Need to Ask and Open Doors 51:50 Learning to Communicate Emotions After Service 52:54 Disconnecting Your Past From Your Present 56:50 Bridging Military and Civilian Communication 57:26 Rebuilding Your Personal Leadership Framework 1:00:33 Three Things to Rebuild Purpose After the Military 1:01:59 Continuous Learning & Self Discovery 1:03:27 Building Structure in Your Next Chapter 1:04:18 Rediscovering Who You Are Beyond the UniformYour next chapter does not require you to erase the person you became through service. It requires you to understand what you built,

What happens when the uniform comes off, but the skills, discipline, and drive to serve stay with you? At Advancing The Line, Elizabeth Stephens shares her journey from the U.S. Marine Corps to corporate leadership, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and international business.The conversation goes beyond career transition.Elizabeth talks about what it means to be a woman in the military, stepping into spaces where you may be the first or only one, and learning how to carry military experience into a civilian world that operates very differently.She also shares how she moved from corporate life into entrepreneurship, why she built DVS Cyber, and how her work expanded into cybersecurity, AI, global supply chains, risk, and projects across Africa.Segment Discussed:00:00 Opening and Advancing The Line Introduction05:06 Meet Elizabeth Stephens and Her Journey07:51 Women in Service and Women’s History Month11:26 Being the First and Breaking New Ground13:06 Reframing Challenges and Operating in Chaos15:28 Understanding the Female Veteran Transition18:01 Identity, Confidence and Life After the Uniform23:08 Entering the Corporate World as a Woman25:34 The Need for Better Support for Female Veterans26:34 From Corporate Career to Entrepreneurship26:50 Why Elizabeth Built DVS Cyber30:23 Bringing Cybersecurity and Technology to More People31:40 Expanding Business and Technology Into Africa33:44 Adapting to Change and Finding New Opportunities35:06 Global Supply Chains, Mining and Responsible Business37:04 Government Contracting and Creating Global Impact38:18 Finding Opportunity in Changing Markets39:32 Culture, Community and Commerce40:20 Building Stronger Supply Chains and Managing Risk41:49 What It Really Means to Invest in Security43:16 Workforce Development and Community Opportunity44:02 Showing Up as Yourself Without Trying to Fit the Room47:23 Collaboration, Community and Closing Remarks Watch the full conversation with Elizabeth Stephens and hear how her experience moved from military service into technology, entrepreneurship, global business, and continued service to others.Subscribe for more conversations with veterans, business leaders, entrepreneurs, and people building their next chapter beyond the uniform