Wednesday, 20 August 2025 Issue#045

Transition Smarter. Tech-Driven Guidance for What’s Next.

Transition is rarely about one thing. It isn’t just finding a job, and it isn’t only about learning to navigate VA systems. It’s about managing a whole series of changes at once: new routines, new responsibilities, and unfortunately, new risks. In this week’s edition we look at both sides of that experience. First, the practical ways technology can make everyday challenges of transition easier, from translating your MOS/AFSC/Rate/Specialty into civilian language to keeping your network organized. Then, the darker side of technology, where scams aimed at veterans are becoming more sophisticated and harder to spot. Both perspectives matter, because navigating transition means knowing how to take advantage of what helps while protecting yourself against what could bite you.

Weekly Spotlight

Tech Tools That Make Military Transition Easier in 2025

Leaving the military isn’t just about turning in your gear and walking away. It’s a massive life change: new career, new healthcare, new money systems, new identity. For a lot of us, that transition feels like being dropped into a foreign country with no map.

The good news? Technology can help remove some of the uncertainty. Over the last few years, we’ve seen an explosion of tools designed to solve real pain points for service members making the jump to civilian life. These aren’t just shiny apps, they’re practical solutions that can save time, reduce stress, and help you hit the ground running.

Here are 10 tech tools that can smooth out the bumps in your transition journey.

1. VA Health & Benefits App – Healthcare Made Simple

Pain Point: Civilian healthcare is confusing, and VA systems can be overwhelming. How Tech Helps: The VA’s official app lets you check claims, refill prescriptions, message providers, and access your records, all in one place. No more waiting on hold for hours.

Tip: Download this before you separate. You’ll thank yourself when you’re juggling appointments and paperwork.

2. RallyPoint – Community & Purpose After Service

Pain Point: Many vets struggle with losing community and purpose after leaving the uniform. How Tech Helps: RallyPoint is like LinkedIn, but built for service members, vets, and their families. It’s a place to share advice, ask questions, and connect with mentors who’ve been through transition themselves.

Tip: Treat it like a warm-up to LinkedIn; start here, then expand your network outward.

3. Payscale + Levels.fyi – Salary Transparency Tools

Pain Point: Military pay is transparent; civilian pay isn’t. That makes negotiations intimidating. How Tech Helps: Payscale and Levels.fyi crowdsource verified compensation data so you know what a fair salary looks like in your industry and location. Armed with real numbers, you can walk into negotiations with confidence.

Tip: Use these tools before your first interview. Knowing your market value changes the whole conversation.

4. Clay (or Dex) – Networking Without the Awkwardness

Pain Point: Networking feels unnatural for most veterans. And it’s easy to forget who you talked to or when you should follow up. How Tech Helps: Clay and Dex are AI-powered contact managers that track your professional relationships. They remind you to check in, help you organize connections, and keep your network alive without the stress.

Tip: Every time you meet someone, add them to Clay or Dex. Over time, you’ll build a living network you can actually use.

5. O*NET Military Crosswalk – Translating Your MOS

Pain Point: “How do I explain my MOS to a civilian recruiter?” is one of the most common questions vets have. How Tech Helps: O*NET’s Military Crosswalk tool takes your MOS/AFSC/Rating and shows you the closest civilian occupations. It’s not perfect, but it’s a great starting point.

Tip: Use this tool to brainstorm job titles, then plug those into job boards or LinkedIn to see what’s out there.

6. Teal Resume Builder – Civilian-Friendly Resume Help

Pain Point: Writing a resume that doesn’t sound like alphabet soup. How Tech Helps: Teal uses AI to translate your military experience into clear, civilian-friendly language. It also tailors resumes to specific job postings so you don’t waste hours tweaking every detail.

Tip: Keep a “master resume” with everything you’ve done, then let Teal build job-specific versions as needed.

7. YNAB (You Need A Budget) – Civilian Pay Adjustment

Pain Point: Going from steady military pay and allowances to civilian paychecks is a shock. How Tech Helps: YNAB helps you take control of your money by teaching you to “give every dollar a job.” It’s especially useful if you’re dealing with variable income, like hourly work or freelance gigs.

Tip: Try the free trial during your transition leave to build new money habits before that first civilian paycheck hits.

8. Coursera & VetTech Programs – Targeted Upskilling

Pain Point: Many vets jump into degrees or certifications without a clear plan, wasting time and GI Bill benefits. How Tech Helps: Platforms like Coursera and edX offer tailored learning paths, while VA’s VetTech program funds fast-track bootcamps for high-demand careers like cybersecurity and data analytics.

Tip: Look for “career track” programs that end with a certification employers recognize.

9. PTSD Coach – Mental Health Support in Your Pocket

Pain Point: Transition stress, anxiety, and PTSD are real — and often go unspoken. How Tech Helps: PTSD Coach (built by the VA and DoD) offers evidence-based tools you can use anytime — breathing exercises, symptom tracking, and crisis resources. It’s free, private, and always available.

Tip: Even if you don’t think you need it, keep this app on your phone. You never know when you, or a buddy, might benefit.

10. PCSgrades – Housing & Relocation Help

Pain Point: Finding housing off base can feel like a guessing game. How Tech Helps: PCSgrades crowdsources reviews from other military families about neighborhoods, schools, and realtors. It takes the mystery out of relocation and helps you avoid bad moves.

Tip: If you’re moving to a completely new city, start here before calling realtors or signing a lease.

Bottom Line

Transition isn’t just about landing a job; it’s about rebuilding your entire support system in a new world. The right tech tools can take a lot of the friction out of that process.

You don’t have to do this alone. These 10 apps and platforms can save time, reduce stress, and give you back some control during one of life’s biggest changes.

What We Are Tracking

Scam Watch 2025: How Technology is Being Used to Target Veterans

The transition from military to civilian life is already full of challenges. Unfortunately, scammers know that veterans are managing new systems for pay, benefits, and healthcare, and they are actively using technology to exploit those pain points. Over the past year, government watchdogs, veteran organizations, and consumer protection agencies have issued repeated warnings about fraud schemes aimed directly at the military community. Many of these scams are high-tech, sophisticated, and convincing.

Impostor calls, texts, and emails

One of the fastest growing threats involves criminals posing as representatives of the Department of Veterans Affairs. They call, text, or email veterans claiming that a benefit overpayment has occurred, or that they can expedite a claim if a fee is paid. These scams often use spoofed phone numbers and official-looking logos to appear legitimate. The Federal Trade Commission issued a warning in July 2025 about these tactics, noting that many veterans have been tricked into sharing personal information or changing their direct deposit details.

PACT Act and benefits filing schemes

Another common fraud involves companies or individuals who promise to help veterans secure compensation under the PACT Act or other benefits programs. While filing a claim with the VA or through an accredited representative is free, these operators charge substantial fees and often guarantee unrealistic results such as a “100 percent rating.” Not only are the fees illegal in many cases, but veterans who sign contracts with these firms can end up locked into financial arrangements that harm them in the long run.

Pension-poaching and financial exploitation

The VA Office of Inspector General has also highlighted pension-poaching scams, where so-called advisers claim they can restructure a veteran’s finances to qualify for Aid and Assistance or other pension benefits. In reality, the arrangements often strip veterans of assets, push them into unsuitable investments, and leave them worse off.

Healthcare and medical equipment fraud

Healthcare fraud has become another major avenue. Veterans are being targeted by calls and texts offering “free” medical equipment, genetic testing, or wellness kits. Once a veteran shares personal details, the scammers bill the VA or other insurers for unnecessary or nonexistent services. The VA OIG issued a specific fraud alert this year about durable medical equipment schemes of this kind.

QR code bait and mail scams

A newer tactic uses physical postcards or mailers that look like official veteran communications. They advertise programs such as “Veteran Giveback 2025” and encourage recipients to call a number or scan a QR code for additional benefits. Scanning the code often leads to credential-stealing websites or downloads malware. The FBI and the VA have both issued warnings that malicious QR codes are being placed not only in mailers but also on public surfaces like parking meters and packages.

AI-assisted voice scams

Artificial intelligence has added another layer of risk. Criminals are now cloning voices to impersonate VA employees or even relatives of veterans, pressuring them to provide one-time codes, passwords, or banking information. The FBI released a public service announcement this spring about AI-driven “vishing” and “smishing” campaigns that have already cost people significant sums.

Education and GI Bill scams

Finally, education benefits remain a frequent target. Some schools and training programs advertise aggressively to veterans while making inflated claims about graduation rates, job placement, or salaries. In the worst cases, they bill the VA for programs that are poorly run or fail to deliver what was promised. The OIG continues to track and expose these abuses.

How to protect yourself

The patterns behind these scams share a few common warning signs. Be cautious of anyone charging fees to file or expedite VA benefits. The VA and accredited representatives provide this service at no cost. Be wary of urgent messages that demand immediate action, whether they come by phone, text, or email. Do not scan QR codes from unsolicited mail or packages. Most importantly, the VA will never ask for banking login codes, passwords, or one-time security codes over the phone or by text.

If you are ever unsure about a communication, hang up and call the VA directly using the number listed on VA.gov or on your official correspondence.

Where to report

Veterans who suspect fraud should take action quickly. The Federal Trade Commission accepts reports at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center handles online and technology-related scams at ic3.gov, and the VA Office of Inspector General hotline takes reports of fraud involving VA programs and benefits. Reporting not only protects you but also helps prevent other veterans from becoming victims.

The bottom line

Scammers are constantly adapting their methods, and technology is giving them new tools to appear credible. Veterans, who are often navigating new financial and healthcare systems during transition, are attractive targets. Staying alert, recognizing the warning signs, and knowing where to verify information are the best defenses against becoming the next victim.

Bonus Feature

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In today's information overflow era it is sometimes very difficult to tell what information is real or not. Once reliable news sources have become bias and sometimes just outright lazy in their own source vetting.
Why not use AI tools to help separate out all the noise and get to the actual truth. I ran across this prompt and it has worked pretty well at cleaning up some articles, even ones from large media outlets.
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​Prompt:

I want you to fact check the article below in full. Leave no stone unturned. To do so, first, look at the text of the article and parse out each individual fact — after this, you should have a list of facts. Then, for each fact, do comprehensive research and use web search to determine whether it is true, false, or unclear. Aim for at least three independent, high quality and trustworthy sources for each fact.

Then, once you’ve done this for every fact, return a table with each fact and its corresponding results (including sources for each check).

[Enter article]

Try this with articles you read or when doing research for your transition. You may just be surprised at what it delivers.

Source: shumerprompt

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