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As complex as military health care can be, servicemembers don't have to worry about the Department of Defense shutting down overnight. Contractors who work for smaller private military or security firms have faced exactly that, leaving them without continued care. Even though that was an extreme case, contractors commonly face a tangled web of regulations, insurance policies and legal loopholes when seeking health care. A trio of experts joins hosts Michelle Harven and Desmon Farris to help explain the intricacies of contractor health care, provide tips for those in the industry and clear up some of the murkier aspects of the current system. Among those is Doug Grauel, a lawyer who specializes in helping contractors with injury claims. He'll talk about a little-understood policy that helps safeguard government workers and will provide advice for any contractors facing medical issues. Also joining us this week are the two researchers behind a Rand Corp. study about the health of contractors operating in conflict areas. Molly Dunnigan, senior political scientist for Rand, and Carrie Farmer, a senior policy researcher for the nonprofit think tank, talk about the report and what it means for anyone considering a job in the private sector.
As complex as military health care can be, servicemembers don’t have to worry about the Department of Defense shutting down overnight. Contractors who work for smaller private military or security firms have faced exactly that, leaving them without continued care. Even though that was an extreme case, contractors commonly face a tangled web of regulations, insurance policies and legal loopholes when seeking health care. A trio of experts joins hosts Michelle Harven and Desmon Farris to help explain the intricacies of contractor health care, provide tips for those in the industry and clear up some of the murkier aspects of the current system. Among those is Doug Grauel, a lawyer who specializes in helping contractors with injury claims. He’ll talk about a little-understood policy that helps safeguard government workers and will provide advice for any contractors facing medical issues. Also joining us this week are the two researchers behind a Rand Corp. study about the health of contractors operating in conflict areas. Molly Dunnigan, senior political scientist for Rand, and Carrie Farmer, a senior policy researcher for the nonprofit think tank, talk about the report and what it means for anyone considering a job in the private sector.
With Force for Hire, we've covered the modern history of military and security contracting, talked to veterans of the industry and spoke to the families affected by the realities of the business. Now, it's time to find out what it takes to become a military contractor: the skills needed, the attitudes recruiters are looking for and what challenges veterans can expect to face when looking to make the leap into the industry. Many veterans have designs on using the skills they've picked up in the service after hanging up the uniform. Private security and military contracting remains a high-profile landing spot for veterans, especially those in combat arms who might find their skill sets undervalued in a civilian workforce. So how, exactly, does an infantryman make the change from servicemember to military contractor? To get that information, we brought back Adam Gonzales, a military veteran who transitioned into the private military world. He and his wife, Susan Gonzales, also a veteran, now run the security and military company Silent Professionals. Together with hosts Desmon Farris and Michelle Harven, they talk about what veterans and transitioning servicemembers can do to become better candidates in the private sector, dispel some common misconceptions and touch on what turns off potential recruiters.
With Force for Hire, we’ve covered the modern history of military and security contracting, talked to veterans of the industry and spoke to the families affected by the realities of the business. Now, it’s time to find out what it takes to become a military contractor: the skills needed, the attitudes recruiters are looking for and what challenges veterans can expect to face when looking to make the leap into the industry. Many veterans have designs on using the skills they’ve picked up in the service after hanging up the uniform. Private security and military contracting remains a high-profile landing spot for veterans, especially those in combat arms who might find their skill sets undervalued in a civilian workforce. So how, exactly, does an infantryman make the change from servicemember to military contractor? To get that information, we brought back Adam Gonzales, a military veteran who transitioned into the private military world. He and his wife, Susan Gonzales, also a veteran, now run the security and military company Silent Professionals. Together with hosts Desmon Farris and Michelle Harven, they talk about what veterans and transitioning servicemembers can do to become better candidates in the private sector, dispel some common misconceptions and touch on what turns off potential recruiters.
Over the past few episodes of Force for Hire, hosts Michelle Harven and Desmon Farris have broached a number of topics pertaining to private military contracting. Throughout, they've briefly touched on the issue of money, from guest Adam Gonzales talking about his salary as a private security operator to author Sean McFate talking about the profit of doing business downrange. Now, it's time to dive headfirst into the topic that has bubbled beneath the surface of nearly every conversation about private military contracting. Money.
Over the past few episodes of Force for Hire, hosts Michelle Harven and Desmon Farris have broached a number of topics pertaining to private military contracting. Throughout, they’ve briefly touched on the issue of money, from guest Adam Gonzales talking about his salary as a private security operator to author Sean McFate talking about the profit of doing business downrange. Now, it’s time to dive headfirst into the topic that has bubbled beneath the surface of nearly every conversation about private military contracting. Money.
Launching soon, the Business 20/20 podcast is a series that explores the changing relationship between business and society from 1999 to today. Each episode unpacks a key event—from the Seattle WTO protests to the global financial crisis and beyond—to find insights for the future. Produced by the Aspen Institute’s Business & Society Program and hosted by Michelle Harven.
Welcome to Force for Hire, where we will take you on a deep dive into the shadowy world of private military contracting. Join hosts Michelle Harven and Desmon Farris as they talk to military contractors, defense experts and servicemembers to help clear up the myths surrounding private military contracting and find out the truth behind the legends. In this first episode Michelle and Desmon talk to Sean McFate, former self-proclaimed mercenary and author of "New Rules of War" and David Isenberg, a Navy veteran and international security affairs analyst. Together, they'll talk about what private military contracting is, what it's capable of and how it has helped shape the modern battlefield.
Welcome to Force for Hire, where we will take you on a deep dive into the shadowy world of private military contracting. Join hosts Michelle Harven and Desmon Farris as they talk to military contractors, defense experts and servicemembers to help clear up the myths surrounding private military contracting and find out the truth behind the legends. In this first episode Michelle and Desmon talk to Sean McFate, former self-proclaimed mercenary and author of "New Rules of War" and David Isenberg, a Navy veteran and international security affairs analyst. Together, they'll talk about what private military contracting is, what it's capable of and how it has helped shape the modern battlefield.
It's not exactly clear what we mean when we say "self care." By popular usage, it could mean anything from going to yoga to spending a Saturday in bed. Self care is front and center in our conversations about work-life balance, and it's all over our Instagram feeds. In this episode of DC Diary, we talk about what exactly self care is with Self Care Coach Gracy Obuchowicz. Then, Ronald Young Jr., host of the podcast Time Well Spent, tells a story about how he came to prioritize self care in his daily life. This episode was produced by Michelle Harven. Our theme song was composed by Bryson Kemp.
Giving back to our communities is sometimes like exercising and eating well - we know we should do it, it makes us feel good, but if we're not in the habit, it can be hard to know where to start. This episode is about volunteering and giving back. Featuring Friends of the Soldiers Home, a community volunteer group at the Armed Forces Retirement Home, and Paws and Read, a volunteer opportunity for kids at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington. This episode was produced by Michelle Harven. Our theme song is by Bryson Kemp at https://www.brysonkempmusic.com/.
Creative side hustles can range from stand up comedy to painting, writing to podcasting, baking to music. We pursue side hustles for any number of reasons: to build a career, to scratch that creative itch, or to share our unique voice. This episode explores the creative side hustles we pursue and why we pursue them. Check out Mike Whitfield online at whitfieldcomedy.com, and on twitter at @cmikewhitfield. He’s also part of the comedy group definitely real comedy, find them at definitelyrealcomedy.com. You can find Carlos online at carmonamedina.com. This episode is produced by Michelle Harven. Theme song by Bryson Kemp. Other music in the episode by Poddington Bear, Jeris, Daddy Scramble, and Blue Dot Sessions.
Young professionals in DC play social sports as a way to meet new people, stay in shape, and have fun. Sometimes, the focus is fun. In the league Project Black Flag, the focus is winning. On this episode of DC Diary, we follow two teams in their bid for the 2018 Spring Championship for Project Black Flag, a flag football league. This episode was mixed and produced by Michelle Harven. Melody Rowell helped with field production. Our theme music was composed by Bryson Kemp.