The MILCOM Founders Podcast

John Collins | Your Pay

MilCom Founders Podcast, Episode 43: John Collins, Retired Army Sergeant Major and Author of Your Pay Join host Rod Loges as he sits down with John Collins, a retired Army Sergeant Major who spent 28 years in special operations and turned his passion for financial education into a book for service members. John shares how a 15-minute hallway conversation changed his approach to money and why he went from teaching financial classes during deployments to writing Your Pay: Navigate Your Military Benefits and Take What's Yours. In this episode: * How a winding path from Boston University to Ranger Battalion to Special Forces shaped John's career * The hallway conversation with a finance specialist that changed how John thought about investing * Teaching financial literacy classes during deployments and watching it make an immediate difference * Why John chose to write a book instead of continuing to teach 25 people at a time * The four-year process from first draft during a deployment to publication * How working with an editor through a chaplain's recommendation kept the book on track Key takeaways: * Genuine care for your people is the foundation of leadership; without it, no one follows for long * Micromanagement usually signals a failure to invest in and trust the people you lead * Financial stress pulls focus from the mission; removing it frees service members to do their jobs * Starting imperfectly with investing is far better than waiting for the perfect plan * Knowing where you stand financially and where you want to go creates a usable map for decision-making * Always confirm that a financial advisor is a fiduciary before working with them Guest: John Collins, Retired Army Sergeant Major, Author of Your Pay * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-h-collins [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-h-collins] * Book: Your Pay: Navigate Your Military Benefits and Take What's Yours * Amazon:  https://a.co/d/02aCpQ5R [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fa.co%2Fd%2F02aCpQ5R&data=05%7C02%7Cnanderson%40onedegreecapital.com%7C23bca4a9213340cfa2ed08deb5215684%7C14b0901235c7485d9590323faa88e1f2%7C0%7C0%7C639147352305865960%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fG175Y6pJSn5Kgon%2BgN5CTh1HJXG3BDbZJp4l8IpOwY%3D&reserved=0] * B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/your-pay-john-collins/1150160718?ean=9798295838255 [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.barnesandnoble.com%2Fw%2Fyour-pay-john-collins%2F1150160718%3Fean%3D9798295838255&data=05%7C02%7Cnanderson%40onedegreecapital.com%7C23bca4a9213340cfa2ed08deb5215684%7C14b0901235c7485d9590323faa88e1f2%7C0%7C0%7C639147352305909609%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=6Jmb69TrrRW6O7E2LSPrS3VI1c%2FLnYPVxS8fnBEK4%2BE%3D&reserved=0]  John Collins is a retired Army Sergeant Major and longtime advocate for improving the financial readiness of America's service members. Across a twenty-eight-year career spent mostly in special operations, he saw firsthand how preparation and long-term discipline determine success, both on the battlefield and at home. Born and raised in a small town in upstate New York, John enlisted in the Army after graduating from Boston University. He began his career in 3rd Ranger Battalion, initially serving in the demanding, albeit non-glamorous, role of Ammo Bearer. He went on to attend the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, and complete the Special Forces Qualification Course ("Q" Course). Later in his career, he attended Stanford Graduate School of Business, further expanding his understanding of strategy, leadership, and decision-making. Throughout his service, John recognized a troubling pattern: many highly capable military professionals lacked the financial education necessary to fully use the benefits they had earned. Poor financial outcomes were rarely the result of irresponsibility; more often, they stemmed from incomplete information and a broader education system that overlooks practical financial literacy. In some cases, that confusion created avoidable stress, strained relationships, and diminished focus during critical moments. Motivated by a deep sense of duty, John dedicated himself to simplifying complex financial concepts into practical, actionable guidance for his fellow service members. His approach avoids jargon and theory in favor of clear explanations and real-world examples paired with disciplined frameworks that readers can immediately apply. His book, Your Pay: Navigate Your Military Benefits and Take What's Yours, represents decades of service and mentorship distilled into one resource. John wrote it to be the guide he wished had existed earlier in his own career, one that equips military families with the clarity and confidence to build lasting financial strength. John retired from the Army in 2025 and lives in Idaho with his wife and two sons. Looking ahead: John is building a website to provide additional resources for military families and is exploring partnerships with organizations that support financial readiness for service members. The MilCom Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business founders. Each episode brings practical insights from successful veteran entrepreneurs. Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com [http://www.onedegreefinancial.com] Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at milcomfounders.com

Michael Parks | Daystar Photography

MilCom Founders Podcast — Episode 42: From K-9 Handler to Capturing Stories That Matter with Michael Parks Join host Rod Loges and guest Michael Parks as he shares his journey from Air Force K-9 handler and retired Supervisory Federal Air Marshal to founder of Daystar Photography, a veteran-owned photography, videography, and drone services company serving clients nationwide. In this episode: * How growing up with an active duty Army father gave Michael the foundation to pursue military service * His path from Air Force K-9 handler to Secret Service bomb dog detail to Federal Air Marshal * The moment on a glass-bottom boat in Destin, Florida that sparked his love of photography * How his mom saw the spark before he did and gave him his first camera for Christmas * Why he treats every client like family instead of a transaction, a lesson he learned from his working dogs * The story of Captain Johns, who refused to leave Michael's side during an explosive detection alert in Kuwait * How he founded Vet Fest, a free festival celebrating veterans that has grown from 300 attendees to 550 and is expanding to multiple cities * His advice on balancing the entrepreneurial drive with personal time and family Key takeaways: * The loyalty and focus of a working dog taught Michael how to serve clients: show up fully, earn trust, and give everything to the relationship * Don't treat people as transactions. Treat them as family * God places people in your life to support you when it matters most, whether it's a captain in a war zone or a mom who notices what lights you up * The military teaches pride and excellence, but entrepreneurs also need to learn when to step away and give themselves grace * Learn to have a work-life balance. The business isn't going anywhere, but you can never get back the time you've been given Guest: Michael Parks, Owner and CEO of Daystar Photography LLC, US Air Force veteran (12+ years, K-9 Handler/Security Forces), retired Supervisory Federal Air Marshal (22 years, Department of Homeland Security) * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/professionalphotopgraher-recruiter-law-enforcement-advisor/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/professionalphotopgraher-recruiter-law-enforcement-advisor/] * Website: www.daystarphoto.com [http://www.daystarphoto.com] Michael Parks is the Owner and CEO of Daystar Photography LLC, a Veteran-Owned professional photography, videography, and drone services company serving Atlanta, Tampa, and Orlando. Through Daystar Photography, Michael captures powerful visual stories that spotlight leadership, service, and impact. He is the official photographer for Syracuse University's D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) and proudly serves as a Brand Ambassador for IVMF's Ambassador program.  Throughout his career, Michael has traveled nationwide documenting major veteran and corporate events, working with nationally recognized organizations including Wounded Warrior Project, Walmart, Fiserv, USAA, JPMorgan Chase, and Amazon.  Michael is also a retired Supervisory Federal Air Marshal with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Air Marshal Service (FAMS), serving honorably from January 2002 to November 2023. Over his 22-year career, he held numerous leadership and operational roles, including Federal Air Marshal, Primary Watch Officer, FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) Task Force Supervisor, Program Manager and International Planner for the Middle East & Africa, and ultimately retiring as a Supervisory Federal Air Marshal. His service took him to more than 50 countries and over 350 destinations worldwide, supporting national security and international operations.  In addition to his primary duties, Michael was entrusted with several critical collateral roles, including Law Enforcement Chaplain, Certified Peer & Grief Counselor, EEO Counselor & Investigator, Counter-UAS/Drone Supervisor, and Lead Recruiter & Hiring Specialist. Prior to his federal service, Michael served over 12 years in the United States Air Force, where he built deep expertise as a K-9 Handler (Explosive & Narcotics) and Program Manager. His Air Force career included progressive leadership roles as Kennel Master, Trainer, and Security Forces K-9 Handler. He is also the founder of Vet Fest, a growing annual festival celebrating veterans and connecting them with resources across the country. The MilCom Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from veteran entrepreneurs. Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com [http://www.onedegreefinancial.com] Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Donate to the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund: https://bold.org/funds/dick-loges-veteran-entrepreneur-fund/ [https://bold.org/funds/dick-loges-veteran-entrepreneur-fund/]

Michael Segal | Eagle Law Group

MILCOM Founders Podcast, Episode 41: From F-15 Fighter Pilot to Founder of Eagle Law Group with Michael Segal Join host Rod Loges and guest Michael Segal as he shares his path from flying F-15s in the United States Air Force to founding Eagle Law Group, P.C., a law firm in Los Angeles that serves the aerospace and defense industry. Michael also discusses building BizVets LA, a nonprofit connecting veteran professionals across the city. In this episode: * Michael's journey from the Air Force Academy to F-15 pilot training, Big Law at Loeb & Loeb, and eventually starting his own firm * How his 22-year Air Force career, including combat operations and managing billions in DoD resources, prepared him to lead a legal practice * The leadership lessons he took from his first fighter squadron commander at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa * Why he founded BizVets LA, a nonprofit that has grown to 92 paid members in its first year and a half * The legal mistakes startup founders make most often, from loose contracts to unclear equity structures * How AI is changing the legal profession and why the billable hour model may be on borrowed time Key takeaways: * Contracts exist for a reason, and shortcuts with legal documents work until they don't * Founders should figure out their organizational structure, equity splits, and decision-making processes before going to an attorney * Litigation is expensive in every way: financially, emotionally, and operationally * Veterans naturally trust and want to do business with each other, and that instinct is worth building on * AI is making legal work faster, but interpersonal skills and client trust are becoming more important as a result Guest: Michael Segal, Founder, Eagle Law Group, P.C., USAF F-15 Fighter Pilot (retired Major, 22 years of service) * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-segal-f15/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-segal-f15/] * Business Website: https://eagle.law/ [https://eagle.law/] Michael Segal is a former USAF F-15 fighter pilot who served 22 years in the Air Force, including time at the Air Force Academy, active duty flying F-15Cs and Es, and Reserve service. He earned his MBA during his military career and later attended UCLA School of Law. After working at Loeb & Loeb and several smaller firms, he founded Eagle Law Group in November 2023, focusing on complex commercial litigation and transactional work for aerospace, defense, and technology companies. He also founded BizVets LA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects veteran professionals in Los Angeles through monthly meetings, business education, and networking. Michael retired from the Air Force Reserves as a Major in August 2024. The MILCOM Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from veteran entrepreneurs. Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com [http://www.onedegreefinancial.com] Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/ [https://www.milcomfounders.com/] For each podcast guest, One Degree Financial donates $100 to the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund.

Dr. Lori Smith | Acu-Elligent

MILCOM Founders Podcast, Episode 40: Dr. Lori A. Smith, Founder of Acu-Elligent LLC and Sowing Our Seeds Empowerment Join host Rod Loges as he sits down with Dr. Lori A. Smith, a retired federal contracting officer, US Air Force veteran, and one of the most authoritative voices in government contracting today. Over a career spanning decades across military and federal service, Dr. Smith exercised direct oversight of more than $143 billion in federal contracts, including the $128 billion Community Care Network at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the single largest healthcare contract portfolio in the federal government. In this episode: * How a high school job at Robins Air Force Base planted the seed for a career in military service and contracting * The buddy program that took Dr. Smith from the Air Force Reserves to 22 years of active duty across six bases on four continents * A leadership lesson from Master Sergeant Karen Armstrong that shaped Dr. Smith's entire career * Building a dual-engine ecosystem with Acu-Elligent (government contracting strategy) and Sowing Our Seeds Empowerment (nonprofit focused on closing gaps for underresourced entrepreneurs) * Why readiness, not hustle, is what separates sustainable businesses from struggling ones * The role of AI in government contracting and why the human element still matters more than the tool Key takeaways: * The seat you sit in was never designed for you alone; your job as a leader is to prepare the person who comes after you * Hustle is not a business model; it may be a short-term emergency posture, but it should never be the standard * When proposals lack a real human story, evaluators notice; your response needs authenticity and feeling, not a recycled prompt * Coachability is the only way to get value from any investment in coaching or consulting * AI can make you more efficient, but you still need to teach it your story and hold it accountable for accuracy * Soft skills training belongs inside every business development program, not alongside it Guest: Dr. Lori A. Smith, Founder, Acu-Elligent LLC and Sowing Our Seeds Empowerment * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acuelligent/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/acuelligent/] * Website: https://acuelligent.com/ [https://acuelligent.com/] * Podcast: GovCon Clarity Dr. Lori A. Smith is a retired federal Contracting Officer, U.S. Air Force veteran, and one of the most authoritative voices in government contracting today. Over a career spanning decades across military and federal service, she exercised direct oversight of more than $143 billion in federal contracts — including the $128 billion Community Care Network at the Department of Veterans Affairs, the single largest healthcare contract portfolio in the federal government, delivering care across 49 states. Dr. Smith's career began at age 16, working as a clerk at Robins Air Force Base near her hometown of Macon, Georgia. She went on to serve 22 years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force across six bases on four continents — from Italy and Japan to Turkey and Honduras. She managed disaster recovery contracting for nine hurricanes at FEMA, directed contracting operations at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, and was hand-selected by name for the most critical acquisition assignments at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Her contracting officer response to a vendor protest on a $27.5 billion contract was so thorough that the vendor withdrew entirely. Today, Dr. Smith leads a dual-engine ecosystem built to serve women-, veteran-, and minority-owned businesses. Acu-Elligent LLC is the economic engine — providing government contracting strategy, the VETR Framework for AI-powered proposal management, The Readiness Room membership community, and certification training including the Narrative Blueprint Workshop. Sowing Our Seeds Empowerment is the empowerment engine — a nonprofit that runs the SOS Convergence, a structured 4-day business intervention addressing funding access, network gaps, and the systemic barriers that keep capable entrepreneurs underresourced and overextended. Dr. Smith is a published author of Winning Business Proposal Strategies for Success and is currently writing a memoir tracing her journey from a single-parent home in Macon, Georgia to the table where $128 billion in decisions were made. She hosts GovCon Clarity, a podcast and video series focused on the readiness gap in federal contracting. Her recognitions include Black Impact Magazine's 100 Entrepreneurs to Know in 2025, the 2024 IMPACT Award, the FORUM Women in Leadership 2024 Award, Georgia Woman Veteran of the Year nominee, the Department of Veterans Affairs Outstanding Career Award, the Army Commander's Award for Civilian Service, and multiple Meritorious Service Medals. She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from National University, serves as a Women in Leadership Program Advisor at the University of North Georgia, and is certified in NLP, Time Line Therapy, and Hypnotherapy. "I've sat on every side of the table — and I've read every line of the contract." Looking ahead: Dr. Smith is launching The Readiness Room membership, the VETR Framework platform, and the GovCon Master Library book series. She also hosts GovCon Clarity, a podcast and video series focused on closing the readiness gap in federal contracting. The MilCom Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business founders. Each episode brings practical insights from successful veteran entrepreneurs. Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com [http://www.onedegreefinancial.com] Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at milcomfounders.com

Jary Jackson | Thurion Capital

MilCom Founders Podcast — Episode 39: From Special Forces to Independent Sponsor with Jary Jackson Join host Rod Loges and guest Jary Jackson as he shares his journey from Army infantry to firefighter to 22-year Special Forces career to entrepreneur acquiring and scaling lower-middle-market businesses through entrepreneurship through acquisition. In this episode: * How Jary left the Army after four years, became a firefighter, and then re-enlisted post-9/11 and made it through Special Forces selection * The rejection he faced after retirement, including being told he was "too old at 42" and "unproven" by a veteran recruiter * How he discovered the search fund and ETA model, and acquired an $8M company with $35K out of pocket * Why he founded Intrepid Prosperity the day after realizing his own company was bad at recruiting * How he's building Thurion Capital as an independent sponsor focused on dual-use services and defense technology Key takeaways: * Talent is what drives outcomes, and resumes are mostly noise. Hire for the attributes that make someone successful and train the rest * The military runs the most developed leadership development program in the world, and that translates directly into running a business * News doesn't get better with time. The first time you think someone needs to go is usually the right time * You have to remove the self-limiting factors. The only person telling you to wait five years is usually you * After the military, you have to find a new tribe. Other veteran business owners get it in a way nobody else can Guest: Jary Jackson, Founder of Thurion Capital, CEO of TCS, Founder of Intrepid Prosperity, retired US Army Special Forces veteran (22 years) * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarytjackson78/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarytjackson78/] * Thurion Capital: https://www.thurioncapital.com/ [https://www.thurioncapital.com/] * Intrepid Prosperity: https://www.intrepidprosperity.com/ [https://www.intrepidprosperity.com/] * TCS: https://www.tcsgovcon.com/ [https://www.tcsgovcon.com/] Jary Jackson is a retired Special Forces veteran, entrepreneur, and independent sponsor focused on building mission-critical businesses that create lasting value. He leads Thurion Capital (founded Aug 2025), where he acquires and scales lower-middle-market companies across logistics, sustainment, technical services, and other dual-use sectors serving both commercial and government markets.  Through TCS (CEO since Mar 2024), his defense platform, he delivers integrated logistics and sustainment solutions for public sector clients requiring world-class engineering, logistics, and management solutions. He also founded Intrepid Prosperity (Apr 2015), a talent management and human capital platform dedicated to placing high-performing veterans and elite operators into roles where they can make a meaningful impact. The firm provides affordable, scalable talent solutions for small businesses, M&A, and defense contractors. The MilCom Founders Podcast champions and celebrates military community business owners. Each episode brings practical insights and lessons learned from successful veteran entrepreneurs. Sponsored by One Degree Financial www.onedegreefinancial.com [http://www.onedegreefinancial.com] Want to support veteran entrepreneurs? Learn about the Dick Loges Veteran Entrepreneur Scholarship Fund at https://www.milcomfounders.com/ [https://www.milcomfounders.com/]