BTM236 – Chris Jachimiec – Suicide Prevention and MCON
Description
Show Summary
On today’s episode, we’re featuring a conversation with Air Force Veteran Chris Jachimiec, a dedicated speaker and proponent for suicide prevention based on his own experience as a suicide loss survivor, and will be sharing his role at the upcoming event MCON, a live event in Las Vegas Nevada from October 23rd to October 26th, 2025
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About Today’s Guest
Chris Jachimiec devoted 20 years to the United States Air Force, serving in critical leadership roles throughout his career. A veteran of Operation Southern Watch and the war in Afghanistan, he spent over 15 years stationed in Las Vegas, where he shaped the next generation of Airmen through mentorship and operational excellence. His dedication earned him three Meritorious Service Medals, three Air Force Commendation Medals, and the Air Force Achievement Medal, among numerous other accolades. He was also recognized as Air Combat Command First Sergeant of the Year (2016), the United States Air Force Warfare Center NCO of the Year (2012) and was a Distinguished Graduate at every level of Air Force Professional Military Education, demonstrating his leadership at the highest levels.
After his medical retirement in 2020, Chris
transformed personal adversity into a mission of advocacy and support for
fellow service members. Following the tragic loss of his brother, a Marine
veteran, to suicide in 2017, he dedicated himself to mental health awareness
and suicide prevention. As a distinguished member of both the Governor’s and
Mayor’s Suicide Prevention Challenge teams, he works to create real change in
veteran mental health initiatives. His commitment to this cause also led him to
work with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), providing
compassionate support to military families dealing with loss. His advocacy
reached a national audience through his participation in the Ad Council’s
"Service Never Stops" campaign, which promotes responsible firearm
storage as a means of suicide prevention. Chris currently provides lived
experience and subject matter expert support to a Department of Veteran’s
Affairs led suicide prevention pilot program.
Beyond his advocacy, Chris is also a champion in
adaptive sports, competing in the 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games,
where he claimed multiple gold medals. His resilience, both physically and
mentally, embodies the spirit of perseverance. Whether leading on the
battlefield, mentoring fellow veterans, or competing as an athlete, Chris
continues to demonstrate that service extends far beyond active duty; it is a
lifelong commitment to supporting others and strengthening the veteran
community.
Links Mentioned During the Episode
PsychArmor Resource of the Week
This week’s PsychArmor Resource of the Week is a recently released episode as part of our MCON Series, episode 235 with Marine Corps veteran Melissa Hawkins. Melissa is a member of the board of advisors of MCON, and shares her perspective on the event.
You can find the resource here:
https://psycharmor.org/podcast/melissa-hawkins
Episode Partner:
Are you an organization that engages with or supports the military affiliated community? Would you like to partner with an engaged and dynamic audience of like-minded professionals? Reach out to Inquire about Partnership Opportunities
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Theme Music
Our theme music Don’t Kill the Messenger was written and performed by Navy Veteran Jerry Maniscalco, in cooperation with Operation Encore, a non profit committed to supporting singer/songwriter and musicians across the military and Veteran communities.
Producer and Host Duane France is a retired Army Noncommissioned Officer, combat veteran, and clinical mental health counselor for service members, veterans, and their families. You can find more about the work that he is doing at www.veteranmentalhealth.com
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