Transitioning out of the military brings challenges that don't end when the uniform comes off. Benefits, family readiness, and the search for a new purpose can all feel overwhelming. In this conversation, USAF Lt. Gen. (Ret) Brian Kelly, President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America, shares how his decades of service have led him to focus on protecting what veterans and their families have earned.

A key part of that mission is the TotalForce+ conference, a groundbreaking event designed to connect service members, veterans, government leaders, and industry partners. Brian breaks down the four pillars driving the conference: career transition, community support, benefits advocacy, and crisis response, and why bringing all these voices together matters for the future of the military community.

From scholarships for military kids to disaster relief when veterans are displaced, to real solutions being built at TotalForce+, this episode gives you a look at how advocacy and action come together. If you've been searching for hope that someone is fighting for you and your family, this conversation will show you exactly where that work is happening.

Timestamps

• 00:02:30 - Why Brian Kelly chose to continue serving after 33 years in uniform





• 00:06:45 - How MOAA scholarships help military kids overcome constant moves





• 00:08:45 - Crisis relief for veterans who fall through the cracks





• 00:17:15 - The four pillars shaping the Total Force Plus conference





• 00:23:00 - Using new tools to make transition smoother for veterans

Links & Resources

• Veteran Suicide & Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1





• Website: https://totalforceplus.moaa.org/





• Follow MOAA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moaa





• Follow MOAA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moaaofficial/





• Follow MOAA on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/MilitaryOfficer





• Follow MOAA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moaa





• Other links: https://moaa.org/

Transcript

View the transcript for this episode.