Tom Joyce was an Air Force colonel with 28 years of active duty when he was asked to retire and found himself at a crossroads. Leaving the military didn’t just mean leaving a job; it meant starting over, and finding a new purpose.

So how did Tom go from military service to a career in city management? What resources supported him in finding his new vocation? And what core skills gave him the perfect foundation to make that jump?

To help answer these questions, we continue our conversation with Tom, and bring in Michael Brethorst, one of our recruitment experts here at MGT.

With two decades of experience in public service, and past experience in the Minnesota Army National Guard, Mike has seen both worlds —government and military— and knows exactly how those experiences overlap. Today, Mike helps professionals like Tom identify their strengths and match them with the right opportunities.

In this episode, we speak with Mike about what military leadership really teaches you, and how veteran skills translate into the civilian world. Together, we also discuss how resources like the ICMA, veteran and military civilian fellowship programmes, and MGT’s recruitment services can facilitate career transitions.

This episode offers you tools to recognize the value of your experience, and explore new professional avenues. Whether you’re a veteran, a hiring manager, or just someone considering a career change, there's much to learn from today's guests.

Chapters:

1- Introduction and series recap (00:22)

2- Tom’s first steps post-military: switching to the civilian side to build a new vision (3:43)

3- What government and military life have in common, with Mike Brethorst (9:07)

4- Why a military background might be the most interesting part of your résumé (15:50)

5- Veteran and civilian leadership programs: how Tom found his way to local government (20:53)

Links:

A Veteran Story (2/3): Finding the Next Mission