Episode 34 · Season 1
Purpose After Service Jon Macaskill on Military Transition & Mindfulness
Military transition is more than finding a job, it’s rebuilding purpose. Retired Navy SEAL commander Jon Macaskill shares what he didn’t see coming after leaving the teams, and the practical tools that helped him move forward.
What you’ll learn:
- How to start early and “backward plan” your transition (even if you feel too busy)
- Transition resources Jon recommends: The Honor Foundation, Commit Foundation, ACP, Tuck Next Step, and more
- A practical purpose-finding exercise (from Designing Your Life) that helped clarify his path
Who it’s for: Service members, veterans, and military spouses preparing for or living through military transition.
Guest + credibility: Jon Macaskill is a retired Navy SEAL commander (service from 1996–2020) who shares his transition story, lessons on identity and purpose, and why mindfulness became central in his life after service.
CTA: Follow Cirrius Talk: The Military Minute and share this episode with a veteran, transitioning service member or military spouse who needs it.
Recommended Links
- The Honor Foundation
- Commit Foundation
- American Corporate Partners
- Tuck (Dartmouth) Next Step
- Stanford Ignite
- Cirrius Solutions: Learn More or Connect
- The Military Minute
- Greg Banks on LinkedIn
- Jason Fowler Music
For questions or feedback, please contact us at CirriusTalk@CirriusSolutions.com
We cover
- John’s Navy Career and 9/11 Impact
- Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
- Mindfulness and Finding Purpose
- Resources for Veterans’ Transition
- The Journey of Self-Discovery
- The Power of Journaling
Chapters
- 0:00Introduction to John McCaskill
- 2:23John’s Navy Career and 9/11 Impact
- 9:58Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
- 14:03Mindfulness and Finding Purpose
- 21:53Resources for Veterans’ Transition
- 25:13The Journey of Self-Discovery
- 25:56The Power of Journaling
- 27:47Navigating Civilian Life After Military Service
- 30:13Understanding Loss of Purpose and Identity
- 37:58Building Connections and Overcoming Isolation
- 42:52Preparing for Transition: Practical Steps
- 48:18Painting by Invader Girl on his wall
Jon Macaskill
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