Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Episode 259 of the Transition Drill podcast explores military transition, career planning, and life after service for veterans and first responders navigating the move into civilian careers. Colin Pena addresses leaving the Marine Corps sooner than expected, rebuilding life as a single father, and what it takes to create a meaningful second career after the uniform comes off.
Colin grew up in San Antonio, Texas, with a fascination for aviation, adventure, and military service. After a rebellious moment in middle school forced him to confront the consequences of his actions, he found direction through JROTC and committed himself to becoming a naval aviator. Following 9/11, that commitment became even stronger. He earned an aerospace engineering degree at Texas A&M through NROTC before ultimately choosing the Marine Corps, where he became an F/A-18 Weapons Systems Officer.
Colin shares what it took to master one of the military's most demanding aviation careers, from flight school and the F/A-18 Hornet to deployments throughout the Indo-Pacific, instructor duty at MCAS Miramar, and advanced tactical training. Along the way, he explains the responsibility of operating in a two-seat fighter, mentoring younger aviators, and leading in an environment where precision, trust, and teamwork have no margin for error.
His transition came from circumstances he never expected. While navigating family challenges and becoming a single father, he also faced the reality that his active duty career was ending after being passed over for promotion. Instead of waiting until separation, Colin built multiple transition plans, leveraged his engineering background and operational experience, and networked his way into the aerospace industry. Today, he serves as a team leader and payload integration engineer, helping develop unmanned aircraft while continuing to lead, mentor, and solve complex problems in a different uniform.
This conversation is an honest look at identity after service, preparing before your transition date arrives, and why your greatest mission may begin after military life ends.
CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:
Instagram: instagram.com/paulpantani
WEBSITE: transitiondrillpodcast.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paulpantani
SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:
transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:
paul@transitiondrillpodcast.com
#transitiondrillpodcast #militarytransition #firstresponders
Episode 259 of the Transition Drill podcast explores military transition, career planning, and life after service for veterans and first responders navigating the move into civilian careers. Colin Pena addresses leaving the Marine Corps sooner than expected, rebuilding life as a single father, and what it takes to create a meaningful second career after the uniform comes off.
Colin grew up in San Antonio, Texas, with a fascination for aviation, adventure, and military service. After a rebellious moment in middle school forced him to confront the consequences of his actions, he found direction through JROTC and committed himself to becoming a naval aviator. Following 9/11, that commitment became even stronger. He earned an aerospace engineering degree at Texas A&M through NROTC before ultimately choosing the Marine Corps, where he became an F/A-18 Weapons Systems Officer.
Colin shares what it took to master one of the military's most demanding aviation careers, from flight school and the F/A-18 Hornet to deployments throughout the Indo-Pacific, instructor duty at MCAS Miramar, and advanced tactical training. Along the way, he explains the responsibility of operating in a two-seat fighter, mentoring younger aviators, and leading in an environment where precision, trust, and teamwork have no margin for error.
His transition came from circumstances he never expected. While navigating family challenges and becoming a single father, he also faced the reality that his active duty career was ending after being passed over for promotion. Instead of waiting until separation, Colin built multiple transition plans, leveraged his engineering background and operational experience, and networked his way into the aerospace industry. Today, he serves as a team leader and payload integration engineer, helping develop unmanned aircraft while continuing to lead, mentor, and solve complex problems in a different uniform.
This conversation is an honest look at identity after service, preparing before your transition date arrives, and why your greatest mission may begin after military life ends.
CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:
Instagram: instagram.com/paulpantani
WEBSITE: transitiondrillpodcast.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paulpantani
SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:
transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#about
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:
paul@transitiondrillpodcast.com
#transitiondrillpodcast #militarytransition #firstresponders
