Ever wondered about military medical retirement? This episode features a candid conversation with Marine Corps veteran Alberto Boy, who shares his firsthand experience navigating the complex medical retirement process. We dive into dispelling common myths, understanding your financial options, and finding your purpose in civilian life.

Key Moments:

[08:40 ] From Infantry to Logistics: A Career Journey: Alberto discusses his 20-year Marine Corps career, including his time in infantry and later as a Distribution Management Officer (DMO), and how it shaped his transition.

[11:23 ] Medical Retirement vs. Regular Retirement: Alberto reveals his decision to pursue 20 years of active service despite being approved for medical retirement, and the financial considerations behind it.

[14:55 ] Dispelling the "Double Pay" Myth: Get the truth about receiving disability payments from both the military and the VA – you can't get double-paid for the same disability.

[18:40 ] Lawyers & Med Boards: Alberto shares insights on the role of disability lawyers during the med board process and the importance of doing your own research.

[24:17 ] Mental State During Transition: The emotional and mental challenges of medical retirement and how a strong support group can make all the difference.

[30:07 ] Finding Purpose as a Civilian: Alberto talks about his "honeymoon stage" after retirement and how he transitioned his military skills into a service manager role at Patterson Dental.

[33:16 ] The Value of Prior Military Colleagues: How working for a company with other prior service members helped ease Alberto's transition into civilian employment.

[36:43 ] SkillBridge & the VA: Alberto's experience with the SkillBridge program, working as a VSR for the VA, and gaining valuable insight into the claims process.

[41:33 ] Top Tips for Medical Retirement: Alberto's key advice for anyone considering military medical retirement, emphasizing research and individual situation assessment.

[46:48 ] The Burden of Medical Retirement: John and Vic discuss the heavy lift involved in medical retirement compared to traditional retirement, and the prevalence of misinformation.

[58:05 ] 2025 Goals: Vic shares his ambitious goals for the podcast, his personal "Green Log Book" channel, and his commitment to physical and mental well-being in retirement.

Resources Mentioned:

Military Retirement Group (Facebook): Connect with other veterans and retirees, share experiences, and get advice on your transition journey.

Alberto Boy (LinkedIn): If you have questions about medical retirement, connect with Alberto on LinkedIn.

WARTECH Program (VA): Learn more about this SkillBridge program at discover.va.gov/transition-programs

"Bottom Line Up Front" Book: Your essential guide to navigating your military transition. Get your copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mqrY5d

Disclaimer:

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