Beyond the Uniforms is a show where I, Mike Friend, an Air Force veteran and prior law enforcement officer, dive deep into today's topics along with providing military members and veterans the best resources on transitioning, vacations, benefits, traveling, and more.
No topic is off limits. Everything is real, raw, and independent.
So grab your favorite drink, pull up a chair, and be prepared to be entertained.
beyondtheuniforms.substack.com (https://beyondtheuniforms.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)
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Relevant information for military and veterans - from the inside.
Ever wonder how service members score free flights to Germany, Hawaii, or beyond? In this episode, Mike sits down with Colton Williams — a 17-year member of the Massachusetts National Guard and cyber chief — who turned his own frustration with tracking military “Space Available” flights into Fly Space A, a mobile app now used by over 8,000 travelers.
Colton breaks down how Space A travel actually works, the difference between “tentative” and “firm” seats, and why the Patriot Express is the best starting point for first-timers. He also gets candid about the operational security behind the app — why a human is always in the loop, what data gets intentionally left out, and how the platform stays a helpful tool without ever claiming to be the “source of truth” on military travel.
Whether you’re a service member planning your first Space A trip or just curious how one guy’s late-night coding sessions turned into a tool thousands rely on, this conversation is packed with insight, practical tips, and a reminder of how resourceful the military community can be.
Find Fly Space A: Apple App Store, Google Play, or flyspacea.com (https://flyspacea.com/)
If you prefer to watch the full interview, click here. (https://youtu.be/3kPnDrdag60)
Be sure to subscribe to Beyond the Uniforms for exclusive interviews with service members and veterans paving the way towards the next great thing. Click here, it’s free. (https://beyondtheuniforms.substack.com/)
Check out other resources to help you along your journey by visiting my website here. (https://www.mikefriendjr.com/)
Get full access to Beyond the Uniforms at beyondtheuniforms.substack.com/subscribe (https://beyondtheuniforms.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
14 May 2026
Veterans Discovering FREE Alternative to VA Treatments
What if the VA already had access to cutting-edge, non-drug therapies for chronic pain, PTSD-related symptoms, migraines, TBI, inflammation, and recovery… but most Veterans simply never heard about them?
In this episode, I sit down with the team from OPTI Vet Solutions (https://optivetsolutions.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com) to talk about the technologies, education, and advocacy helping Veterans better understand the healthcare options potentially available through the VA system.
We discuss:• FDA-cleared non-pharmaceutical technologies• Red light therapy/photobiomodulation• Therapeutic VR used at home• Brain health and neurological recovery tools• How Veterans can better advocate for themselves inside the VA system• Why education and awareness are often the missing piece• The origin story behind OPTI Vet Solutions and how “two pairs of shoes” sparked the mission
OPTI Vet Solutions focuses on helping Veterans navigate access to science-backed, drug-free health technologies through education and support — while emphasizing collaboration with VA providers, not replacing them.
If you’re a Veteran, caregiver, active-duty service member transitioning out, or someone interested in the future of Veteran healthcare, this conversation is worth hearing.
Learn more about OPTI Vet Solutions here:
https://optivetsolutions.com/ (https://optivetsolutions.com/)
Get full access to Beyond the Uniforms at beyondtheuniforms.substack.com/subscribe (https://beyondtheuniforms.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
3 Dec 2025
How to Turn Your Military Experience into an Award Winning Resume
Military members and veterans looking to turn their experiences into an award winning resume should look no further than Cassie Hatcher!She has won multiple awards with her skills, helping military members land jobs with companies such as Lockheed Martin, Netflix, Cisco, Amazon, L3Harris, and more.🔥 Get in touch if you need someone who has helped veterans land dream jobs by visiting:
https://www.careerconfidence.us/ (https://www.careerconfidence.us/)
If you prefer you can watch the interview on YouTube here. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3JyKSKzGls)
Get full access to Beyond the Uniforms at beyondtheuniforms.substack.com/subscribe (https://beyondtheuniforms.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)
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