Veteran career transition tips, Air Force leadership experience, executive hiring secrets, and mastering the civilian job market—all from Steve Sapko, former USAF enlisted member turned executive coach. In this episode, we dive into how to optimize your post-service journey, avoid the traps of lowball job offers, and unlock real career success.
🎖️🇺🇸 Guest Introduction:
Steve Sapko served as a Contracting Officer (E-5) in the U.S. Air Force from 1987 to 1997. With top test scores and a strong Civil Air Patrol background, his journey began following the economic collapse of Florida’s Space Coast after the Challenger disaster. Stationed in the UK, he became the only uniformed contracting officer west of London — an opportunity that shaped his understanding of leadership and civilian interfacing. After transitioning from military service, Steve grew his career at Dell and Oracle and recently exited a successful startup in 2024. He now coaches veterans and corporate professionals as they redefine purpose and negotiate value.
In this episode, Steve shares:
• How resume-based hiring is outdated post-COVID
• Real reasons why veterans are hired into low-paying jobs
• The difference between leadership and management in the private sector
• Why translating military experience often triggers corporate BS detectors
• How to build the right network and get insider info before applying
🎯 CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Intro: Reliability Over Cleverness
2:18 - Steve Sapko’s Backstory & Space Coast Roots
7:39 - Joining the Air Force After Challenger Disaster
12:55 - Assignments, AFSC, and Choosing Contracting
17:52 - Corporate Transition & Discovering Networking Power
23:28 - Veteran Resume Myths & Hiring Manager Secrets
30:47 - Visionary vs. Integrator: Knowing Your Role
35:43 - Why First Civilian Jobs Often Fail Vets
41:25 - Breaking Free From Military Job Code Mindset
47:36 - Avoiding the Trap of Defense Contractor Offers
54:01 - Final Advice for Mid-Career Veteran Transitioners
1:01:22 - How to Connect With Steve & Closing Remarks
🔑 KEY DISCUSSION POINTS:
• Civilian hiring disconnect: why veterans face barriers
• Resumes are dead: new ways companies evaluate talent
• The truth about first jobs after military service
• Leveraging contracting and networking post-AF service
• Are you a visionary or an integrator entrepreneur?
• How corporations undervalue accountability and leadership
🪖 MILITARY EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS:
Branch: United States Air Force 🇺🇸
Service Years: 1987–1997
Rank: E-5 (Enlisted Contracting Officer)
Notable Roles:
- Only uniformed contracting officer west of London (UK assignment)
- Involved in federal procurement across multiple sectors
- Integral in “profit-center” thinking inside military operations
🏢 EXPERTISE / CIVILIAN SUCCESS:
Current Roles:
- Executive Coach (focus: mid-level corporate + veterans)
- CRO of a commercial space startup (2024)
- Co-founder of a now-exited management consulting firm
- Industry analyst with Hyper Frame Research
Key Impact Areas:
- Empowering service members to build purpose-driven post-military paths
- Coaching Fortune 100 executives and startup founders
- Helping veterans reframe experience into real market value
#VeteranTransition #ExecutiveCoach #AirForceVeteran #MilitaryToCivilian #PostMilitarySuccess
