Vector Accelerator

The Squiggly Line After Service: Chris Spencer on Leaving Oracle, Joining The Honor Foundation, and Helping Veterans Transition

EPISODE OVERVIEW In this episode, Scott Schimmel sits down with Chris Spencer, a former Oracle leader who spent more than 30 years with the company after serving in the Army, to talk about transition, identity, purpose, and the power of finding work that aligns with who you are. Chris shares his path from enlisted Army mechanic to Silicon Valley temp employee to long-term corporate leader supporting sales operations, early-career talent, veteran hiring, and employee resource initiatives. His story becomes a powerful example of how careers rarely unfold in a straight line. Instead, they are shaped by curiosity, relationships, preparation, values, and the willingness to keep showing up. The conversation then turns to Chris’s new role with The Honor Foundation in San Diego, where he now serves as Director of People and Engagement. Chris reflects on what it felt like to leave a 30-year corporate identity behind and step into a mission-driven role that feels deeply aligned with his military experience, corporate leadership, and passion for helping transitioning service members. A major theme throughout the episode is that veterans should not assume their next chapter has to be a direct translation of what they did in uniform. Instead, Chris and Scott emphasize the importance of asking better questions: Who am I? What do I want? What value do I bring? What kind of life do I want to build? That message connects directly to Vector Accelerator’s focus on helping veterans gain clarity around identity, purpose, and community before jumping straight into resumes, LinkedIn, and job interviews. KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Transition is not just a career move — it is an identity shift. Chris describes leaving Oracle after 30 years as something that affected more than his email address or job title. It meant recalibrating after decades of roots, relationships, routines, and identity. That mirrors what many veterans experience when they leave the military. 2. Veterans do not have to do what they did in uniform. One of Chris’s clearest insights is that veterans are often told they can do project management, program management, or similar roles — but the better question is not only “What can I do?” It is “What do I want to do?” 3. Perception can limit transition options. Chris explains that many veterans form assumptions about the corporate world based on secondhand inputs: social media, TV, stereotypes, or incomplete transition advice. Real conversations with people who care can help reshape those assumptions. 4. Careers are often built through curiosity and small steps. Chris entered Oracle through a temp job keying information into spreadsheets. From there, he learned by looking over cubicle walls, asking questions, building websites, understanding operations, supporting teams, and eventually leading major programs. 5. Every interaction can be an interview. Chris’s move to The Honor Foundation was not random. It came after years of relationships, credibility, and aligned work in the veteran transition space. His story reinforces that how you show up over time matters. 6. The “squiggly line” is part of the process. Chris challenges the idea that a career path should be linear. Plans matter, but life rarely moves in a straight line. The unexpected turns often become the most meaningful parts of the story. 7. Companies need better conversations about veteran talent. Chris encourages organizations to look at veteran and military spouse hiring not as charity, but as a strategic opportunity to strengthen culture, leadership, retention, and business outcomes. 8. Vector Accelerator and The Honor Foundation fill a critical gap. The episode reinforces that traditional transition support often skips the deeper questions of identity, purpose, values, and community. Vector broadens access to that kind of introspective work for veterans beyond the SOF community. BEST QUOTES “You don’t have to do what you did. You’ve got to think about what you want to do.” — Chris Spencer “It isn’t until you have a live conversation with those that care about what you actually need to hear where it changes that.” — Chris Spencer “A plan is just a plan… it’s never going to be this direct thing.” — Chris Spencer “I got in because I asked my mom to teach me how to type.” — Chris Spencer “Every interaction is an interview.” — Chris Spencer “Who you are is not a mistake. It’s how you’re wired. And there’s great value in that.” — Scott Schimmel “Figure out who you are and then go do it.” — Scott Schimmel “What was in front of me is I was asked to do a job and do it to my best ability.” — Chris Spencer “Let’s expose you to all those types of things that you haven’t yet been tapped into understanding. Let’s change your perspective.” — Chris Spencer “Vector broadens that… it’s results oriented.” — Chris Spencer ABOUT CHRIS Chris Spencer is the Director of People & Engagement for The Honor Foundation in San Diego, where he supports transitioning Special Operations service members, their families, Fellows, alumni, and the broader THF ecosystem as they navigate life after service with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Born and raised in Northern California, Chris began his professional journey after serving in the U.S. Army, where he worked as a support asset and developed a lasting respect for the mission, precision, and uncompromising standards required of those in uniform. Service runs deep in his family, with generations of Marines and Air Force members before him, though Chris proudly became the first to join the Army. After leaving active duty, Chris joined Oracle, beginning what would become a remarkable 30-year career. Over three decades, he held roles spanning sales support, operations, organizational development, onboarding, veteran hiring initiatives, employee resource groups, coaching, and leadership development. He built and supported high-performing teams, helped create pathways for early-career talent, and became deeply involved in helping veterans and military spouses find meaningful opportunities in the corporate world. Today, Chris brings that same heart for service to The Honor Foundation. His work is rooted in relationship building, transformative thinking, coaching, problem solving, and helping others see the value they bring into their next chapter. For Chris, service is not just something he once did in uniform. It is the throughline of his life. As a son, brother, soldier, leader, husband, father, coach, and mentor, he believes he is most alive when he is helping others move forward with greater clarity and confidence. Chris’s own transition from a 30-year corporate career into mission-driven work with THF gives him a unique perspective on what it means to step into the unknown. He understands that transition is not only about finding the next job. It is about identity, purpose, patience, faith, and trusting that sincere effort applied for the right reasons will lead to what is meant for you. His favorite THF value is “Be You,” because he believes authenticity is the foundation for trust, growth, and meaningful relationships. To Chris, when people show up fully and honestly, everything else becomes possible. Chris can be reached directly at chris.spencer@honor.org.

Military Spouses Transition, Too: A Conversation with Lacey Craig

EPISODE SHOW NOTES MILITARY SPOUSES TRANSITION, TOO: A CONVERSATION WITH LACEY CRAIG EPISODE SUMMARY In this Military Spouse Appreciation Day episode, Scott Schimmel sits down with Lacey Craig, Senior Program Manager of Military & Partnership Recruiting at T-Mobile, to talk about a part of transition that often gets overlooked: the military spouse experience. Lacey brings a rare and personal perspective to the conversation. As the daughter of a 38-year Army veteran, she grew up watching her mother carry the weight of deployments, relocations, family responsibilities, and constant adaptation. Today, Lacey has turned that lived experience into a professional mission: helping veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses access meaningful employment and support. The conversation explores what military families sacrifice, why military spouses are often forced to rebuild their careers again and again, and how employers can better recognize the resilience, adaptability, leadership, and problem-solving skills spouses bring to the workforce. Lacey also challenges Vector Accelerator to consider how its work around identity, purpose, and transition might also serve military spouses—not just service members. KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. MILITARY SPOUSES EXPERIENCE TRANSITION, TOO Transition is not limited to the person wearing the uniform. Military spouses navigate relocations, employment disruption, shifting family roles, community loss, and constant reinvention alongside the service member. 2. MILITARY SPOUSES ARE OFTEN FORCED TO RESTART Lacey describes seeing military spouses enter the workforce saying, “I just moved here, I lost my job, I need another job,” which helped her recognize the systemic employment challenges facing the spouse community. 3. THE SACRIFICES OF MILITARY FAMILIES ARE OFTEN INVISIBLE Lacey reflects on her mother’s strength during long deployments, noting that her mom played both parental roles while her father was away. Those sacrifices shaped Lacey’s understanding of service, family, and resilience. 4. EMPLOYERS SHOULD SEE MILITARY SPOUSES AS HIGH-VALUE TALENT Military spouses bring adaptability, maturity, resourcefulness, emotional intelligence, and the ability to manage complexity. They often operate under pressure, solve problems quickly, and build community wherever they go. 5. SUPPORT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE COMPLICATED Lacey’s story shows that serving the military community can start simply: volunteering, hosting resume workshops, opening doors, connecting people, and staying curious about what others need. 6. VECTOR ACCELERATOR HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INCLUDE SPOUSES IN THE TRANSITION CONVERSATION Scott acknowledges that Vector has not yet focused deeply on military spouses, and Lacey’s perspective opens the door to thinking more intentionally about how spouses also need clarity, identity work, community, and support through transition. BEST QUOTES “Networking is the most important thing that you could ever do because you never know who you’re going to run into or need at some point.” — Lacey Craig “I was seeing military spouses just come through as a revolving door in terms of trying to find employment. I just moved here, I lost my job, I need another job.” — Lacey Craig “The things that she sacrificed and gave up that we don’t have to have our military spouses do today is really what drives me to do this work.” — Lacey Craig “If we can hire one spouse, if we can get one spouse the resources they need, it’s a win in my opinion.” — Lacey Craig “My mom is a rock star.” — Lacey Craig “There’s a lot that I missed in this community, just having my own experience, that people are going through.” — Lacey Craig “We have a responsibility, every single one of us, to support our service members and their families.” — Lacey Craig “Your kid’s gonna be fine… there’s not going to be a lack of love and support and communication.” — Lacey Craig “We are not doing a good job as a society in helping our service members be ready for work after the military.” — Lacey Craig “Military families transition together.” — Suggested episode theme GUEST BIO Lacey Craig is the Senior Program Manager of Military & Partnership Recruiting at T-Mobile, where she helps drive employment initiatives for veterans, military spouses, and active-duty service members across the organization. In her role, she manages key partnerships with organizations including Hiring Our Heroes and Blue Star Families, while also developing programs that support the military community both within and outside of T-Mobile. A passionate advocate for military-connected families, Lacey is the daughter of a 38-year serving veteran. She is also the Co-Lead of T-Mobile’s Southern California DEI Council, sits on the Board of Advisors for the Veterans Legal Institute and the University of Arizona, and serves as co-chair of the Military Spouse Employment Advisory Council with Hiring Our Heroes.

You Can’t Do This Alone: The Power of Community in Finding Your Next Mission

EPISODE OVERVIEW In this episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast, Scott and Joe unpack a powerful realization from their recent Azimuth Chats—most people don’t see themselves as clearly as they think they do. After hosting live sessions with 500+ veterans, they witnessed firsthand how transformative it can be when others reflect back what they see in you. What started as a simple storytelling exercise turned into a breakthrough moment: veterans discovering strengths, patterns, and identity traits they had never fully recognized. This conversation dives into why self-reflection is so difficult during transition, why resumes alone fall short, and how community plays a critical role in helping you gain clarity. If you’re navigating your next chapter, this episode will challenge how you think about yourself—and show you a better way forward. KEY TAKEAWAYS * You don’t see the full picture of yourself It often takes other people to reflect back your strengths, patterns, and identity in ways you can’t see on your own. * Your story matters more than your resume Skills get you considered—but your character, values, and experiences are what truly connect in interviews and relationships. * Transition requires a new level of self-reflection Many veterans have never had to deeply reflect on who they are until leaving the military—and that can feel overwhelming. * Community accelerates clarity Hearing feedback from others—whether peers, mentors, or friends—can unlock insights that would take years to discover alone. * You need to actively seek feedback A simple conversation with someone you trust can become a powerful tool for gaining clarity and direction. BEST QUOTES * “We think we see ourselves clearly—and yet we often don’t.” * “We need each other to see ourselves clearly.” * “That’s not going to show up on your resume… but that’s who you are.” * “I’ve never had to reflect on myself until this whole transition thing.” * “This isn’t just about talking—it’s about actionable things you can implement immediately.” CALL TO ACTION If you’re in transition right now, don’t try to figure it out alone. Start simple: Text someone you trust—a friend, mentor, or family member—and ask them to sit down with you. Share your story and ask for honest feedback on what they see in you. And if you want a proven process to guide that reflection, join Vector Accelerator. We’ll help you gain clarity on your identity, purpose, and next mission—so you can move forward with confidence and conviction. 👉 Learn more and get started at vectoraccelerator.org

Why Transition Can Feel Like High School Again

EPISODE OVERVIEW Transitioning out of the military isn’t just a career change—it’s a complete identity shift. In this episode, Joe and Scott unpack a powerful insight from a recent session with over 500 transitioning service members: why so many veterans feel like they’re back in high school again. That uncertainty, pressure to choose the “right” path, and fear of getting it wrong—it’s more common than you think. They dive into why traditional transition advice (resumes, LinkedIn, job hunting) often misses the mark—and what actually needs to happen before any of that. This conversation explores the internal side of transition: identity, autonomy, comparison, and the often-overlooked process of looking backward to move forward. If you’ve ever thought, “Just tell me what to do next,” this episode will challenge that—and give you a better path forward. KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Transition can trigger a “high school” mindset Many veterans feel like they’re starting over—facing pressure, comparison, and uncertainty similar to being 18 again. But this time, the stakes feel higher. 2. The real question isn’t “What should I do?”—it’s “What do I want?” After years of structured environments, being handed full autonomy can feel overwhelming. But clarity starts by answering that question for yourself. 3. Resumes and LinkedIn come too early for most veterans Jumping straight into job search tactics skips a critical step—understanding your identity, values, and priorities. 4. Comparison quietly shapes bad decisions Whether it’s peers, expectations, or perceived status, external voices can distort your path if you’re not aware of them. 5. Looking backward is the fastest way forward Veterans who transition best take time to process their experiences, extract meaning, and build a coherent personal story before chasing the next role. 6. You already have more value than you think When veterans reflect on their experiences—leadership, resilience, problem-solving—they begin to see the depth of what they bring to the table. 7. Clarity creates confidence and better decisions The goal isn’t just getting a job—it’s defining success on your terms and pursuing it with intention. BEST QUOTES “I feel like I’m graduating from high school again.” “It’s not about resumes and LinkedIn—that’s the last thing they need.” “There’s something that goes in front of that.” “I don’t know if I can afford to dream.” “What do you want? That’s the real question.” “People want to hand over their resume and say, ‘Where do I fit?’” “We’re not picking dodgeball teams.” “The best way to move forward is to actually look backward first.” “Clarity is when the veteran defines what success looks like—not us.”

Veteran Transition and the Voices in Your Head

Episode Overview In this conversation, Joe and Scott unpack the complicated role comparison plays in the veteran transition journey. They explore the difference between healthy comparison that inspires growth and unhealthy comparison that fuels insecurity, ego, and poor decision-making. Through stories about mentors, role models, identity, and personal pressure, they show how veterans can stop measuring themselves against someone else’s timeline and start making decisions rooted in values, clarity, and conviction. Highlights * Scott opens by reframing comparison as something that can actually be helpful when it points you toward the kind of person you want to become, especially during transition. * Joe shares how leaders like Ken Blanchard and Father Greg Boyle gave him a model for the kind of life and leadership he wanted to emulate after military service. * The conversation shifts to the darker side of comparison: insecurity, envy, and the pressure to keep up with other people’s income, possessions, and milestones. * Joe opens up about feeling behind in transition, including concerns about pay cuts, status, and not yet owning a home—an honest picture of how comparison can hit the ego. * Scott explains how unspoken fears can become decision-makers, causing veterans to compromise their values, vision, and long-term goals just to feel secure or accepted. * Joe offers one of the episode’s clearest takeaways: admire the people ahead of you, borrow what is useful, but do not compare your beginning to someone else’s mastery. * The episode closes with a practical invitation: identify your role models, ask what qualities you want to emulate, and begin doing the reflective work that helps you transition with intention. Key Quotes * “Don’t compare your chapter one to somebody else’s chapter 10.” * “Those people that do it really well that look like they’re doing it perfectly, they did a lot of things to get there.” * “The chances go up that you’ll make choices that violate your values, your vision for your life, kind of person you want to be.” * “I’m gonna be starting over again. I’m gonna be taking potentially a pay cut. So that hits the ego.” * “Guess what? It’s free. Just get started. All it costs is your time and humility.” Call to Action If you’re a transitioning veteran, start the work of getting clear on who you want to become before you make your next big move. Vector Accelerator is built to help veterans reflect on identity, values, motivations, and priorities so they can pursue their next mission with clarity, confidence, and conviction. Visit Vector Accelerator to get started, and if you support veterans through hiring or service organizations, reach out to explore partnership opportunities.