In this episode of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You, Kathleen chats with Joe Hogge, an Army combat engineer who turned a love of Bavarian beer into a Texas Hill Country brewery named after his old MOS. He shares memories of his first-year transition, the hidden trauma from years of explosives training, and the decision to start the Fireside Chat Support Network—sparked by a local veteran's suicide. Joe’s story reminds us that finding (or creating) your family is key to thriving post-service.

Chapters

• 02:25 – Military Roots & German Beer Awakening
• 06:13 – Family as a Lifeline & Fighting Hidden Trauma
• 11:02 – Choosing Between the GI Bill and a Job Offer
• 14:39 – Home-Building Crash to Wedding Venue Pivot
• 16:22 – The Birth of Fireside Chat Support Network
• 22:15 – Final Advice on Finding Your Family

Key Takeaways

• Support Is Essential for Transition: Joe’s wife and in-laws became his first civilian unit. Having support is key to navigating life after losing your military family. Family can be built, not just born, so actively seek it out to avoid isolation.
• Hidden Trauma Adds Up—Even Without "Big" Combat: Years of routine explosives training can leave lasting effects. Recognize it, talk about it, and lean on support—it's not always obvious until someone points it out.
• Military Communication Doesn't Always Translate: The direct, profane style that works in the military can end careers in the civilian world. Adapt your language to avoid HR issues around the water cooler.
• Step Out & Find Your Tribe: Whatever your interest, get online, attend meetups, and show up. You might find friends, partners, or purpose—don't stay home alone.

Follow us for more real veteran stories to guide your transition, and share this episode with a service member who needs a reminder to find their post-service community.

Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Exit Buddy: Veteran Voices, to stay updated and connect with other listeners and guests.

Until next time, keep connecting—your Exit Buddy is right here with you.

#VeteranStories #MilitaryTransition #ExitBuddy

Send us a text

Visit us at https://exitbuddy.buzzsprout.com to learn more about the show.

Have feedback or questions for us? Email us at ashleyjones.creative@gmail.com.

In this episode of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You, Kathleen flies solo to sit down with an Army Reservist whose career reads like a masterclass in relentless effort and reinvention. From active-duty tanker and All-Army wrestler to Iraq deployment as an embedded advisor, drill sergeant, roofing/construction business owner, and now equity partner at a law firm, Anthony "Tony" Kuhn shares the twists, setbacks, and hard-won lessons that shaped his path. Hear how a near-miss with the Buffalo Police Department became the spark for law school, why he still credits military work ethic as his biggest edge, and what he’s looking forward to most as retirement nears. This story is packed with practical wisdom for anyone facing transition: do the work, push your comfort zone, and never stop moving forward.

Chapters

• 01:52 – Tony’s Early Active Duty Days
• 03:31 – First Civilian Pivot: Roofing, Re-Enlisting as a Drill Sergeant
• 05:25 – The Windy Road: Construction, Iraq Deployment, Starting His Own Company
• 05:59 – Embedded Advisor in Iraq, Family Impact, Police Dream Derailed, Pivot to Law
• 11:23 – Top Tip: Be the Hardest-Working Person in the Room
• 12:47 – Military Experiences That Prepared Tony for Law
• 14:49 – Inner Tools: Time Never Stops, Push Your Comfort Zone
• 17:14 – Retirement on the Horizon: Reclaiming Family Time After Years of Sacrifice

Key Takeaways

• Lean Into Your Military Work Ethic: The single most universal advantage veterans bring to any civilian role is a rock-solid work ethic. Show up ready to outwork the room, and doors will open—whether you start your own business or join an established one.
• Push Your Comfort Zone Relentlessly: Growth happens outside what feels safe. From wrestling injuries to writing SOPs in Iraq, to launching a veterans law practicum, stepping into discomfort led to extraordinary rewards for Tony.
• Time Never Stops—Neither Should You: When adversity hits, remember the clock keeps ticking. Hang on one more second, one more minute—perseverance compounds.
• Military Skills Translate Farther Than You Think: Leadership under pressure, teaching troops, managing teams in chaos, and self-taught business development all became tools for success in law and beyond for Tony. Don’t sell your experience short.

Follow us for more real veteran stories to guide your transition, and share this episode with a service member who needs a reminder that relentless effort pays off. Until next time, keep pushing—your Exit Buddy is right here with you.

#VeteranStories #MilitaryTransition #ExitBuddy

Resources & Links

Subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Exit Buddy: Veteran Voices, to stay updated and connect with other listeners and guests.

Check out Tony's previous appearance on Security Cleared Jobs: Who’s Hiring & How to hear his legal advice for security-cleared military personnel.

Send us a text

Visit us at https://exitbuddy.buzzsprout.com to learn more about the show.

Have feedback or questions for us? Email us at ashleyjones.creative@gmail.com.

Welcome to this special edition of Exit Buddy: Veteran Stories to Guide You. As we gear up for our second season (airing January 26, 2026), we’re excited to share a “producer pick” featuring one of our first and favorite episodes.

If you missed it the first time around, buckle up and enjoy learning from Navy veteran Shanon Raab. You can view the show notes and transcript from the original airing of this episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2535619/episodes/17838415

Follow us for more veteran stories to guide your transition journey in season two, and text this episode to a fellow service member who’s navigating their exit.

Send us a text

Visit us at https://exitbuddy.buzzsprout.com to learn more about the show.

Have feedback or questions for us? Email us at ashleyjones.creative@gmail.com.