Shownotes
From combat engineer to combat medic, flight medic, Army officer, recruiting commander, and now military and veteran recruiter, Peter Mahmood’s career is a story of adaptability, service, and being willing to take the next opportunity, even when it wasn’t part of the original plan.
In this episode of the Tango Tango Podcast, sponsored by CareSource Military & Veterans, host Lloyd Knight sits down with Army veteran and Cox Enterprises military relations leader Peter Mahmood to explore his remarkable 24-year military career and the pivots that shaped his path. Peter shares stories from assignments in Germany, Korea, West Point, Washington, D.C., and Iraq, along with his transition from enlisted soldier to officer and eventually into Army recruiting. The conversation then turns to Peter’s civilian career, his work connecting veterans and military spouses with opportunities at Cox Enterprises, and practical advice for service members preparing to leave the military. Peter also discusses why translating the full scope of military experience, not simply an MOS, is critical to finding the right civilian career.
Key Takeaways
- Embrace the pivot: Peter’s career demonstrates how stepping outside your comfort zone and remaining open to unexpected opportunities can lead to an entirely different and rewarding career path.
- Your MOS doesn’t tell your whole story: Transitioning service members should consider their additional duties, leadership experience, certifications, and skills when determining how their military experience translates to civilian careers.
- Start transition planning early: Service members should use the year before separation to research careers and companies, refine their resumes and interview skills, build their LinkedIn presence, and understand their VA benefits.
- Military skills translate across industries: From automotive and logistics to cybersecurity, IT, sales, agriculture, and operations, veterans bring valuable skills to a wide variety of civilian roles.
- Veteran hiring is about talent—not charity: Peter emphasizes that companies should hire veterans because of the experience, leadership, adaptability, and qualifications they bring to the job.
- Relationships open doors: From Peter’s Army recruiting experience to his civilian career, building connections and developing strong community relationships have remained central to his success.
Peter’s journey is proof that a career doesn’t have to follow a straight line to be successful. Whether you’re a service member preparing to transition, a veteran considering your next career move, a military spouse, or an employer looking to better understand military talent, this conversation offers practical insights and encouragement. Tune in for a candid look at navigating career pivots, translating military experience, building meaningful relationships, and finding opportunities beyond the uniform.
Additional Links & Resources:
Tango Tango is proudly sponsored by CareSource Military & Veterans and Supply Chain Now. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/veterans-arc-army-life-corporate-transition-hiring-instincts-2tt17
