(Editor’s note:  Scott Stalker, a retired Marine senior NCO, is one person we follow on LinkedIn.  When he published this article on the wins and losses from his first two years, we wanted to publish it to share with the many who are facing fears about making some wrong choices.  Stalker is the author of “Left of Leadership,” a book we use to assist veterans in transition.)

By Scott Stalker

In 1997, after my first tour in the Marine Corps, I received orders to Hawaii to serve at the Joint Intelligence Center Pacific. As a young man, it was an incredible assignment, a time before the H3 freeway cut through the mountains. Back then, I would often drive the Pali Highway. The beauty was serene, almost prehistoric, often taking me back in time and letting me daydream of a simpler life while navigating the winding roads.

In those days, we didn’t have internet radio, and satellite radio didn’t cover the island. So, my companion on those drives was often AM radio—specifically ESPN. Because Hawaii is several hours behind the East Coast, the noon radio shows would air at 6:00 AM local time. This is where I was first introduced to Colin Cowherd.

I continue to listen to him today—often just a short clip on YouTube—but one of his weekly segments has always stuck with me: “Where Colin Was Right, Where Colin Was Wrong.”

I’ve always found this concept unique in the media landscape and, frankly, rare in society at large. Every week, he doesn’t just take a victory lap to tell you how great his predictions were; he dedicates equal time, with equal volume, to owning exactly where he got it wrong. It is a concept of accountability I try to incorporate into my own outlook on life and leadership.

Imagine a world where leaders and elected officials dedicated time to tell you what they got wrong. What a novel concept.

With that spirit in mind, I want to offer my own version of this segment. As I approach the two-year mark of my retirement, I’ve had time to reflect on the military transition process. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing, and I certainly haven’t batted a thousand.

Here is where Stalker was right, and where Stalker was wrong.

Where I Was Right: Networking with Discipline

I was right to follow Mike Quinn and his specific model for networking. When I first started, it felt unnatural, almost transactional. But I trusted the process. His 10/5/3 rule is gold, and I am convinced it will work for anyone willing to put in the work—regardless of rank or industry.

• 10 connection requests per day.
• 5 thoughtful comments per day.
• 3 original posts per week.

I went beyond the 10/5/3, but you don’t have to. The magic isn’t in the volume; it’s in the consistency. By showing up every day, I built a network that wasn’t just a list of names, but a community of advocates. It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you.

Where I Was Wrong: Trusting Every “Veteran Friendly” Organization

I was naive. I worked with a few 501(c)(3) organizations early on and assumed that because they had the word “Veteran” in their mission statement, they had the best interests of Veterans at heart. They don’t.

I learned this lesson the hard way. One organization took a group of us Veterans out on a hunt, assuring us repeatedly that everything was covered by generous donors. It was a great time of bonding until the phone rang later. They called with a bill and a heavy guilt trip, demanding payment for a trip they explicitly said was covered. Be careful who you donate to. Vetting these organizations is just as important as vetting a business partner.

Where I Was Right: Embracing the Sound of Silence

LTG (Ret) Jeff Buchanan told me while I was still in uniform that I didn’t realize how tired I was. I brushed it off at the time, but he was right, and I was right to finally listen to him.

I took real time off. I turned the phone off. I learned to pause and enjoy the sound of silence without reaching for a device to fill the void. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and you cannot transition effectively if you are still running at a combat operational tempo. Rest is a weapon. Use it.

Where I Was Wrong: The VA Healthcare Maze

I thought VA medical care would be consistently excellent. Early on, it was promising. My VSO was incredible—he was a pitbull on my behalf, even helping me secure a property tax return I had missed the deadline for. I thought, “I’ve got this handled.”

However, once the administrative side was done and I needed consistent medical support for significant pain, the help evaporated. Trying to get someone on the phone became a part-time job. Trying to find someone in the VA hospital to give a straight answer often left me more frustrated than when I arrived. The system has great people in it, but the bureaucracy can be crushing.

Where I Was Right: Choosing Tricare

I listened to Ken Pinckard and decided to go through Tricare for my medical appointments. I have never been treated better.

It makes a difference when your provider sees you as a whole person. My doctor—a former enlisted Infantry Marine turned MD—wants to know about my lifestyle, diet, sleep, and exercise, not just push a pill on me. He speaks my language. I’m grateful I listened. I have an MRI this morning, and for the first time in a long time, I am on the way to actual healing rather than just pain management.

Where I Was Wrong: The “Contractor Only” Bias

I was likely too biased against government civilian (GS) roles early in my transition. My own bias led me to share posts encouraging others to strictly consider the 1099 and/or LLC entrepreneur route like I took.

I’ve realized that there is no “one size fits all” approach. As Greg Smith has said to me, “My way is a way, not the way.” Do what makes you happy. Stability works for some; entrepreneurship works for others. Both are honorable paths. I was wrong to project my own desire for independence onto everyone else’s journey.

Where I Was Right: Going My Own Way

Fleetwood Mac said it best: “…you can go your own way…”

I couldn’t be happier with the portfolio life I’ve built: consulting, speaking, leadership development, board membership, national security, cyber, space, intelligence, authoring a book, and founding S2-Stalker Solutions.

These were brilliant moves for me. I’m happy I have these options, and I know I’d have fewer of them if I hadn’t followed that networking rule early on. I’m excited for the plethora of opportunities lined up in 2026. (If you want to collaborate or do business in any of these areas, send me a DM).

Where I Was Wrong: Expectations of the Institution

I’m a practicing Stoic, so I should know better than to have expectations of others, but I admit I expected to engage more with my service after retirement.

I should be smarter—the Corps is about the GO/CO and SgtMaj. You don’t have to like it, but you better recognize it. Remember that time the Marine Corps Association had someone from the flat black club giving a keynote? Neither do I.

While I do hear from a ton of individual Marines (13 Ball invites in 2025, thank you all!), I don’t hear from the organization. It’s strange to me, especially since I’ve supported USN, USAF, USSF, and Joint events often since I retired. That’s ok. They owe me nothing. As a SgtMaj friend of mine said, when you don’t have expectations of others, you’ll never be let down. I’m still Always Faithful.

Where I Was Right: Location, Location, Location

Without question, this was the most important decision we made. Not the money. Not the job title. The location.

For us, it has been everything. We are close to the beach. We are close to two airports. We found a great charter school for the kids. It is safe, quiet, no traffic, and has a low cost of living. I have a solid tribe of friends and plenty of golf courses. I definitely got this one right.

Where I Was Wrong: Taxes

Good Lord, I thought I understood taxes. I did not.

If you are going to have several streams of income, get a CPA. We may not be able to find the boogeyman, but trust me, the IRS will find you and remind you of the penny you owed them from two years ago. I spent too much time trying to figure this out myself. Find a professional you trust and turn this from a headache into a simple checklist item. It is worth every penny.

Where I Was Right: Financial Strategy & Investing

The market was incredible this year. I was right to prioritize saving early. Not only was I able to max my investments, but turning 50 allowed for “catch-up” contributions.

I was right to listen to the former Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, Ron Green, and invest with First Command. From post-active-duty life insurance to long-term care and investments, I have peace of mind knowing my family is protected.

I also have to say: God bless the Solo 401(k). It is a powerful tool for business owners with no employees. You can contribute as both the employee and the employer, reducing taxable income and growing tax-deferred. Getting these financial pillars set early was a huge win.

“Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it… he who doesn’t… pays it.” — Albert Einstein.

Where I Was Wrong: The Rating Bandits

I had too much trust in those who claimed they “wanted to help” with VA claims.

The truth is, there are VA rating bandits out there—people who sell their souls to get you a higher rating for a massive fee, while actual combat Veterans struggle to get the care they need. If someone promises to increase your rating for a cut of your benefits, RUN. These people are leeches on the system.

Worse, I’ve seen how easy it is to fall into circles where the primary topic of conversation is how to manipulate the system. Be careful of your circle. There are many out there with a clear character deficit who work harder on “gaming” the system than they do on finding a meaningful second act. I was wrong to spend even a single minute in conversation with these people or listening to their rhetoric. It’s a waste of potential and a stain on the community. Use a reputable VSO or organizations like Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

Where I Was Right: Health is Wealth

Stay clear of the crowd that talks you into accepting your age as a decline. They will convince you that you are bound to get weak, fat, and unhealthy.

Outside of a few injuries, I am in far better health today than I was 20 years ago. I could easily run a high first-class PFT today. I just repped 405 on the squat rack yesterday. Age means something, but it doesn’t mean complacency is your only Course of Action. Walk, lift heavy, run, swim, surf, dance—do something.

If you want to follow someone who motivates without the ego, check out Daniel Whitley. Retired Marine Colonel, Fitness Consigliere, and someone who offers sage advice without posting AI-enhanced selfies, if anything, he mocks himself first.

“It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” — Socrates

Where I Was Wrong: The Timeline of Transition

It’s simple, as U2 told us: “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.”

Transition is more than a word; it is a process that takes more time than I expected. I admit, I want to do so much, but I only have so much time. I care deeply about making an impact. Perhaps what I’m looking for is more of an internal search than an external one.

Who knows? I’m enjoying the process and walking the path. I suspect it may be similar for you. Surround yourself with a solid tribe, with those who are better than you, who may also still be trying to find what they are looking for.

I haven’t always been right, and I’m not always wrong either.

The key is to take a swing. Move. Progress forward. Write the book. Give the speech. Smile. Say thanks. Focus on what you can control. Give yourself grace.

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” — Theodore Roosevelt.

In the book The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, which I encourage you to read going into the New Year, not one person ever regretted spending more time with loved ones, taking care of their health, laughing more, or kissing their spouse with more passion.

The truth is, you don’t only live once—you only die once. You live every single day. Enjoy the life you have and live it for you.

Where were you wrong? Where were you right?