From Confused to Clear: A 3-Hour Reset for Veterans in Transition

When veterans separate from the military, they’re often rushed into the logistics of transition—updating resumes, practicing interview questions, and signing up for LinkedIn workshops. But Joe Lara, Navy veteran and co-creator of Vector Accelerator, says we’re starting in the wrong place.

“It’s not just about what you were doing,” Joe says. “It’s about how you were doing it—the feelings that were involved, the strengths you were using, and what made you feel like, ‘I want to replicate that.’ That’s where the gold is.”

In a recent episode of the Vector Accelerator Podcast, Joe sat down with co-creator Scott Schimmel to talk about a quiet truth behind veteran transition: most people never stop to reflect on who they are and what they want before they start applying for jobs.

And that’s a problem.

Why Veterans Get Stuck

From the outside, it seems like veterans should thrive in their post-military careers. They’re disciplined, experienced, and mission-focused. But many find themselves spinning their wheels—taking jobs that don’t align with their values, jumping industries every year, or feeling a deep sense of loss.

According to Joe, the disconnect often comes from skipping over the internal questions.

“I remember journaling during my transition and writing down the word creativity,” he says. “At the time, I didn’t know what it meant for me. But ten years later, it’s showing up everywhere in my life. That’s the power of reflection—you’re planting seeds, even if they don’t bloom right away.”

Scott adds, “The stories from your past—the ones that made you feel proud, focused, alive—those are the breadcrumbs. If you don’t follow them, you risk building a life that looks good on paper but feels wrong in your gut.”

Introducing the Vector Accelerator Short Course

That’s why Vector Accelerator launched a new Short Course—a streamlined version of their full 10-chapter journey, designed to help veterans get clarity in just three hours.

This course is built around three powerful questions:

1. What drives you?
   Look back at the life-shaping stories—military and beyond—that reveal your true motivations.

2. What guides you?
   Clarify your values, priorities, and the people who help you stay grounded, especially in uncertain times.

3. What kind of life do you want to have?
   Imagine your future through three possible paths: the most likely, the better, and the boldest version of your life.

This isn’t a career development course—it’s a clarity course. And that distinction matters. Before you decide what you want to do, you need to understand who you are and why it matters.

Who the Short Course Is For

This course is designed for:

• Active-duty service members preparing for transition

• Veterans who feel stuck in their current path

• Spouses and partners seeking clarity alongside their veteran

• Advisors, coaches, or mentors supporting others through transition

It’s ideal for anyone who has thought, “I just need to figure out what’s next—but I don’t know where to start.”

You can complete it at your own pace, on your own time. All you need is about three hours and a willingness to get honest with yourself.

What You’ll Walk Away With

• A better understanding of your story and what truly motivates you

• A personal compass to guide future decisions

• Three imagined futures—one of which could be your next chapter

• Renewed confidence and clarity about your direction

• A free invitation to Azimuth Chats: live community meetups where you can reflect with others

Plus, for those who want to go deeper, the full 10-chapter Vector Accelerator course is always available.

Final Thought: Your Life Is Worth This Work

“This isn’t just about a career,” Scott says. “It’s about your life. You only get one transition—why not do it well?”

If you're tired of surface-level advice and ready to uncover what really drives you, start the Short Course today.

👉 It’s free. It’s real. And it might just change everything.
Get started at vectoraccelerator.org