Military Transition Q&A with Ryan Griffiths

Lessons Learned for Vets

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For the first military transition Q&A of the season, Lori speaks with Ryan Griffiths, an Air Force leader 9 months from retirement, to translate a First Sergeant’s responsibilities that include pay issues, emergency leave, recognition and crisis calls, into relevant HR and employee relations skills that land interviews. We dig into how to rename military titles for the market, how to build keyword-rich resumes that pass ATS filters and how to lead with outcomes instead of military jargon.
Ryan’s path spans munitions, recruiting, first sergeant duty, and a first-of-its-kind candidate outreach team inside AF Special Operations Command. That outreach work becomes a blueprint for civilian talent acquisition: launching a program from zero, marketing the value proposition, sourcing in nontraditional places (think CrossFit competitions and large events), and converting interest into qualified pipelines. Lori explains the power of swapping terms, such as FMLA-equivalent instead of military leave or executive leadership instead of command, and shows how a few precise keywords can unlock the right searches without stretching the truth.
We also tackle a growing hazard for transitioning service members, job search scams. We go through some tell-tale signs such as LinkedIn DMs from “recruiters” who can’t name the role, push for phone numbers and use Gmail addresses while claiming big-brand employers. Learn a simple verification process of checking their profile activity, connections, company domains and public job links before you engage. Don't fall for high-pressure deadlines, pay-to-play promises and off-platform chats without clarity.
If you’re aiming at HR, talent acquisition, or operations, this conversation gives you a clear translation guide, a resume tuning checklist, and practical guardrails for vetting opportunities. Subscribe, share with a veteran who needs a boost, and leave a quick review to help more service members find their footing.

If you have an idea for an opportunity that matches Ryan's background, you can connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-griffiths1/

Learn more about Lori's resume and LinkedIn services, where she specializes in helping translate military terminology at www.getresultsresumes.com

Subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://tinyurl.com/llforvets22
Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a 5-star review. Please share this with other veterans who might need help as they transition from the military!

The Lessons Learned for Vets Podcast is sponsored by Seek Now and their Drive Academy. Seek Now is the property inspection industry's leading business and they created Drive Academy DoD SkillBridge and CSP internships to teach transitioning military service members and veterans skills that prepare them for lucrative and rewarding careers in the property inspection and insurance industries. You can learn more and apply today at www.internwithdrive.com.

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1. Military Transition Q&A with Ryan Griffiths (00:00:00)

2. Host Intro & Episode Setup (00:02:19)

3. Ryan’s Background and Career Arc (00:03:52)

4. Translating First Sergeant to HR Roles (00:05:56)

5. Resume Reframing and Keywords (00:09:32)

6. Titles That Fit Civilian Job Markets (00:13:29)

7. Confidence Without Arrogance (00:16:44)

8. LinkedIn DM Red Flags and Scams (00:23:05)

9. Vetting Recruiters and Email Domains (00:27:39)

10. Free Resume Checklist & Next Steps (00:30:04)