July 21, 2024 • 39 mins
Militaryfares.com President Scott Lara was working at the Kmart camera department when his supervisor asked him what he wanted to do with his life. Scott replied that he had no idea. His supervisor said “Well, join the Navy and see the world!”
Scott DID enlist, serving from 1979 to 1988 as a radar man. Scott never traveled much as a young man but the Navy took him to Spain, Italy and France and would infect him with the travel bug.
He says he loved every minute of this time in the Navy but decided to leave because it was really tough on his wife and young children.
When he left the Navy, he took a job as a healthcare industry lobbyist. His boss also owned a travel agency. When the travel agent left Scott said “put me in coach”. He won a flip phone and in the early days of YouTube he began posting videos of cruises he was taking with his family. His channel exploded to over 1.2 million views. Scott also provides “insider” advice through his website Cruisegenius.com
Last year, Scott was hired as President of Militaryfares.com – his “dream job”. Militaryfares.com was founded in 2002 by military members and their families. It is now the leading travel agency for active and retired service members. Military families and Veterans can view domestic and international options at their website. They work with over 650 airlines and 300,000 hotels to secure discount travel for active duty military members and Veterans. Scott says they are also able to help military members who need to book last minute flights due to a change of station or deployment.
His advice to other Veterans making the transition to the civilian world is “Sometimes you have to start at the bottom and work your way up. You HAVE to be a self-promoter.” He also highly recommends taking advantage of LinkedIn’s free one year premium business subscription for Veterans.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:04):
We all owe them, but very few of
us know them.
They are the men and women of our
military and first responder communities,
and being are their stories.
American warrior radio
is on the air.
(00:25):
While all ladies and gentlemen and welcome to
American Warrior radio, this is your host Ben
B Garcia.
We're broadcasting from the silence are central studios
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today and let the industry experts get you
(00:47):
1 target.
1 of the navy's most common
tried in true recruiting lines that have joined
the Navy the world. I suppose the fact
that 71 percent of the earth's surface is
covered by water. It makes it sound like
a plausible line.
Our guests today joined the navy did a
lot of sailing and fell love the travel.
After leaving the navy, he became a travel
agent. Last year, he landed what he called
(01:08):
his dream job. Leveraging his military experience and
travel expertise help veterans and active duty military
members secure affordable, travel accommodations and vacations. Welcome
to American Warrior Radio Scott Lara, president of
military affairs dot com.
It's the honor to be on? Thank you
so much. So where... Scott, were you from
Originally?
I grew up in Aurora, Illinois, 40 miles
(01:31):
West of Chicago. I'll go, and you're exactly
right what you said. I was working at
the Kmart Camera apartment, my assistant manager said,
hey, Scott. What do you wanna do after
high school? I said, I don't know. I
don't wanna go to college. He goes join
the
the world? But if for forgot to tell
me was 75 percent water, but I loved
every single minute of it I was in
from 79 to 88.
(01:53):
I was a Os, a Ray Arm on
Morrison f g 13, Ty, c g 47.
I went down to Key west that I
was instructor with the Hydro foil Quadrant, and
then I ended up at Tampa june,
87 and 88,
running a hospital barrack. So I had a
great career
2 grown kids, my daughter was born in
(02:13):
Key West. My son was born in North
Carolina,
and, I I really enjoyed being another than
80. Now, so you
You did join the navy to see the
world, But did you have the travel bug
before that? Or is that something you came
to appreciate and your time in the navy?
That's a great question. It it came when
I was in the Navy because I've been
to Italy, Spain, France
(02:35):
Suez canal, Pam canal, But, I, I grew
up outside of Chicago never been to the
beach
never traveled. So the answer of the question
is, yeah. I got the travel bug when
I was in the military.
So you mentioned these different port calls, how
often when you're assigned to a ship? How
long do you have ship duty versus shore
duty? Is it 2 years, and then 2
(02:55):
years shore, 1 and 1 or how does
that work?
Well, being an operation specialist, and, of course,
there's different ratings
so we can change. But for me, it
was called 5 and 2. 5 years at
c, 2 years out of short duty. Yeah.
I joined when as 18 and had quite
a bit of my c time before I
got Married. But, yeah. It's it's kind of
(03:16):
demanding. But then when you go out to
see, you could be out for 6 months,
7 months, And then when you pull into
port, I mean, we were, like, in Naples
Italy for 2 weeks, road to Spain for
a week. We're in, France for, like, 2
weeks,
So even though you may be gone on
a ship for 6 months, depending on what
you're doing now. I mean, nowadays with these
military guys, these navy guys over there, fighting
(03:38):
the Hoodie rebels and stuff. And, you know,
they're not doing ports to call. They're really
doing their thing. But I was very fortunate
when I was in that we were able
to hit the ports. I just read the
the Eisenhower carrier group. They've had their deployment
extended twice. I think there are now looking
10 months at sea. That's unprecedented. It really
is because with everything you got going over
(03:59):
there, Israel, Gaza,
you know, these pirates, people firing, you know,
missiles of ships, It's it's a a totally
different world than when I was in. So
Scott, I know I I have... I've had
the honor of spending some time, went out
to see on board the
Tucson twice, which is a fast attack submarine.
And, you know, they treat us really well.
They fed us exceptionally well. And it was
(04:22):
kind of a thrill, but not some I'd
wanna do for a living. I can imagine
when you're at Sea, there's some
interesting moments. Any any C stories you recall
from your time.
Yeah. I tell you there's a a ton
of them. But I guess 1 of the
ones,
we were in a certain part of the
world, and we thought that, you know, maybe
we needed to take offensive action, and we
(04:44):
were sitting right there with the figure out
the button rate to fire some missiles. So
we didn't have to do it. But I
will tell you
even when we're in the streets of where
moves,
escort tankers up and down, they're trying to
keep them safe. Yeah. So
I don't know. It it was a lot
of fun. I mean, when you're 18 years
old, 19 years old and you're out and
you're you're doing this it... I just got
(05:05):
to the watching band of brothers. For those
of you in the audience, if you have
not watched that Hbo series. I urge you
to do it because, yeah, guys coming from
all over the country. And you get together
and then you start working together,
It's... I I can't even, you know, it's
speechless on this part because
East you worked together as a team. Going
on a sub like you did, I'm sure
(05:25):
you had a great time. It was a
great experience,
but being on the surface Navy. I'll tell
you the food wasn't there great but we
did see the oil.
The the downside from that, Scott is if,
you know, if you're
underwater for 3 3 and a half months,
you're you're down to peanut butter and jelly.
There's not
the food deteriorate pretty rapidly on a submarine
if you can't if he can't surface and
(05:45):
get get resupply.
So when you decide to leave the navy,
Did you already have your mindset or going
into the travel industry or the hospitality industry
or were there some some stops along the
way?
Exactly. There were stops along the way. I
got out of the navy and did a
couple things before I I landed my travel
gig. I was actually a lobby
(06:06):
going to Washington Dc,
in the health care industry. And then,
the friend of mine that on the, trade
Association also owned a travel agency. And this
is, like, 25 years ago. And the travel
agent left and I walked up to my
friend, who was my boss. And I said
hey, put me in coach. And he goes,
sure, Run it. And that's how I started
(06:26):
my website cruise genius dot com.
I want a flip camera.
And this is, you know, 15 years ago,
And this is when Youtube was just starting,
And, this is when Gary Vaynerchuk, who's was
1 of my mentors. He started doing wine
library, mister Beast
started doing his stuff when he was, like,
15, 16 years old. But I got this
split camera, and my wife and I started
(06:48):
going on cruises.
And my motives or
doing Youtube videos was to make my family
and friends jealous.
Sc, Scholar in 19 61 Twitter Board, the
Carnival fascination is 05/15/2000
were going an nassau.
And then boom, it just started exploding
now I have over 1200000.0
views on my Youtube channel and it's been
(07:10):
a lot of fun. Now as a sailor,
when you're on a crew Scott, are you
ever attempted to go in there and up
to the bridge and tell them how to
do a right or? You just...
Can you along the go, But there there
were many times I did go up on
the bridge, and I would steer the ship
or
I would have my, know, microphone thing talking
to the covid information center. But no. I
(07:32):
mean, we we all know our places and
we know our our positions.
Back in the day that he had this
in cole and he still have it and
enlisted surface warfare specialist
where you learn all the different parts of
the ship where you learn the bridge, you
learn engineering, you learn everything.
And so we case hell does come to
breakfast like it did on the Uss stark.
(07:52):
1 of my friends, got killed on that,
with that extra said missile here to get.
You know how to do any kind of
job. And so... Yeah. I mean, it it
was a lot of fun, but yeah, the,
the level of respect was a 10. You
know, I just am doing the math in
my head. At 19 79 you were 18,
that was when the Iranians took over our
embassy.
(08:12):
And and things
we're looking pretty
pretty sporty for a while there.
Absolutely. Hundred a percent. And if you remember
a
Secretary Defense Casper Weinberg was serving back there
in the Reagan Era. At a quick story.
I was on a plane. I don't know.
10 years ago, and we were taken off...
Of course, I a civilian. And we're taken
(08:34):
off out of Washington to the right engine
cut catches on fire. We diverted to Dull
and we're getting off the plane in a
couple steps ahead me with former secretary of
the defense casper Weinberg.
So I I kinda quickly walked up to
him and said mister Secretary. I served with
you back in the eighties and honored to
serve with you. He was short, but he
put his hand up on my shoulder he
goes, we almost bit the dust back didn't
(08:55):
we son and said, yes, sir. So, yeah.
I've met a lot of people secretary Hague.
He famously said I'm in control at the
White House and then Reagan with shots. Yeah.
And so Yeah. I saw him in the
hotel lobby somewhere in, you know, Joe Hicks
Sc, Us Navy. Nice to meet Son. And
so, it's been a fun ride. It really
has. Why did you decide to leave?
(09:17):
Well, I tell you to be honest with
you, it was really tough on my wife
and my 2 young children
And so I went ahead and got out
because it was just... Because, you know, you
get that question a lot. Usually, it's from
these, you know, older guys, you know, I,
Yeah. Were you in for 30 were you
in for 25 and no. It's just... It
was really hard on the wife. So I
made the decision to get out, and I'm
(09:38):
glad I did. Scott, we come back. I'd
like to talk more about what you're doing
now and and and your transition. I know
a lot of veterans we have on the
show have trouble transitioning and see if you
have any advice that ladies and gentlemen, is
your host Ben be garcia. We're talking with
Scott Lara, who was the president of military
affairs dot com. Just like a sounds, check
it out military affairs dot com we'll be
right back.
(10:11):
Welcome back to American Warrior Radio ladies and
gentlemen. This is your host Ben B Garcia
We're very pleased be talking with Scott Lara,
Scott as the president of military affairs dot
com the premier
organization in the country providing discount fares for
veterans,
military members and their families.
Scott, so often I've had veterans on, you
know, particularly the the tip of the spear
(10:32):
folks
who just have a real hard time transitioning.
It appears. They feel like they've lost their
purpose. They've lost their sense of mission. They've
lost their tribe. You talked about band of
brothers and and the relationship you develop with
your ship mates. And I would suspect it's
very difficult to replicate that. And the private
sector.
Did you have any issues? It's a brilliant
(10:55):
question because a lot of times,
men and women get out of the military
and they think just because you know, they
went to boot camp. They go to work
on time and they walk straight, and they
polish their shoes that you're automatically gonna get
a job. And
guys and ladies listening to this broadcast, you
have to be realistic.
Just because you have those talents that skill
(11:15):
set,
you're not gonna get a job automatically. You've
gotta work hard to get that job and
don't just go walking in there and say,
hey, you know, I was in e 6
and I was E7I wanna lead. A lot
of times, you gotta start at the bottom.
And that's kind what I did. Couple my
first jobs. I started the bottom work my
way up, But I will give you this
super secret tip,
(11:37):
linkedin.
You've gotta get on Linkedin and veterans get
1 year of Linkedin for free, so there's
no excuse That's how I led to this
job with military affairs dot com.
A lot of people don't promote themselves.
They're just not I like that. They're they're
quiet. They are not out there. My deal
is I love to be on Tv Love
(11:58):
to be on radio. I love to be
on Podcasts.
So I'm a self promoter, and you've gotta
learn to sell promote because no 1 is
going to
promote you
accept yourself. Your wife is probably the the
worst person to promote you. She's gonna point
out every bad thing about you. Your mother
W not saying nice things about you. But
the thing is
go on Linkedin and get that free year
(12:20):
and then
blow yourself up, talk about
everything that you did and and everything,
and then get the word out about you
and start networking.
I've gotta say,
Gary
Vaynerchuk, Gary V,
look him up right now, listen to everything
Gary says because Gary talks about promoting yourself.
(12:42):
It's a 400000000000000
to 1 shot
that you are in this body.
And so do not discount that. And that's
kind of the way I've I've approached my
whole life I've been very successful at it.
Scott, I'm I'm curious.
Going back a little bit, but having
watered the halls of the state legislature in
City Council's myself quite a bit. I suppose
(13:05):
I get the transition from radar man lobbyists.
Well, that's a that's an inch... That's that's
an interesting thing... Because we're on radio. I'm
sure.
You've all heard the name Rush
limbaugh.
And I actually talked to Rush probably 10
times on a year during the time He
was alive. I was very fortunate I do
a boast stern his call street, and I
(13:26):
knew kid Carson, his chief staff before he
passed away. But I've boys left politics.
Oh, when I was a kid, I met
Leonard N of Star trek. When he came
to Chicago,
to talk about George Mc governed for p.
So I've always had this thing about politics.
And so when I got out of the
navy and I met this guy who not
(13:48):
only owns a travel agency and a home
health care company, he went to the church
I went to. And so this is back
during the clinton years when they were doing
the hillary care And I walked up to
my friend, I said, hey. If you had
Hillary,
do this stuff with health care, it's gonna
really mess up your business. He goes, Well,
what are you saying? I said, I wanna
be a lobby. I wanna go to Dc
(14:09):
and lobby on behalf of the home health
industry. We could just formed Home care Association
of America
that represented home health agencies. And I made
a phone call mixing, you know we were
in the West wing talking to Ira Magazine
and other people in the White House about
health here. And then, like, success story on
that, ben, was that I knew that if
(14:30):
I had a political action committee,
I would be able to have influence. So
I talked to all these home health agency
owners, they all start shipping in money, I
formed a political collection committee, and then members
of congress were calling me. And so that...
That's kinda how I I got into that.
Talking about self promotion you... I mean, you've
been very successful and and just getting started
(14:50):
and travel.
Is there some kind of a certification or
You know, how do I know that the
travel agent I'm talking to, Scott is just
some knuckle head with a a laptop in
his mom's basement?
You know, the the vacuum managers is you
don't know that. I mean, there are a
lot of traveling links that do we have
certifications.
Like, for me, I have Ia,
International Association you know, blah blah. You'd be
(15:13):
clear as certified.
So, I mean, you do wanna ask those
questions. But for the most part,
Like, with military affairs dot com, you're gonna
see our online, you do have to be
mindful of the people you're talking to
There are certifications out there that people can
get. Yes. But there's nothing that they no
hoops they have to jump. I mean, amy
you can throughout a shin or we're set
(15:34):
up a website, I guess, more timely statement.
That is great. There... Yeah. I mean, if
you wanna be a travel agent, but then
you gotta get with a host agency. You
gotta get with, you know, cruise planners or
you gotta get in with you know, Ex
ex cruise or somebody, and there's training.
But again, yeah. You're gonna know pretty quick
if somebody's legitimate or not. It... That's pretty
easy. So, Scott, I'm about your age, and
(15:56):
I remember back on the days before the
inner inter webs and cell phones. I was
on a
I was trying to get from Sioux falls
back to Tucson,
and I'm in the sioux falls airport and
and the flights canceled.
And I just really wanted to get home,
so I asked the young lady behind the
counter if I could use their phone and
I called my travel agent who'd say everything
up for me. And I said, look, can
(16:18):
you just
get, you know, fly me into Phoenix, and
then I'll take the stage coach from Phoenix
to Tucson. Well, the stage coach here is
on the stage coach is a you're, like,
a van limo service.
But this little girl who must have been
20 years old behind the counter in South
The dakota. She heard me, you, she things
arizona and she sees me asking be booked
on the stage coach and her eyes got
(16:38):
real wide and I don't know what she
had in her mind's eye, but it was
not probably what. What you saying in John
Wayne was not gonna drive me from from
Phoenix to Tucson. I mean, I guess, back
in those days,
you
I mean, right now with the Internet, pretty
much anybody can be their own travel agent
if they have the time and the inclination.
But
the convenience. I mean, I I...
(17:01):
Back back in those days,
you almost had to use a travel agent
if if you wanted have a good trip.
Ben, you make a very good point because
a lot of people, you'll jump on Ex
ex, jump on T velocity. Click click click.
You know what really frustrate me is when
people wanna buy a cruise and they go
tu costco.
(17:22):
And the Costco guys behind the counter, And,
hey, I wanna buy a cruise to, you
know, Jamaica, and I'm Go and the guy
at costco says, okay. Here, you know, I'll
sell you a cruise and here's a hundred
dollar gift card to costco.
The question is this, is that guy at
the Costco
store, ben Jamaica. Has he been Rub curse
on Martin mixing parts he gets.
(17:43):
Scott Has, and Scott is gonna give you
the super secret tips
to make your vacation good. And so the
fact
of the matter is, is that sure, You
can book stuff yourself, but you know what
happens been, people jump on Facebook groups.
The same bart group or the, you know,
carnival
election group, and they'll say, tell me the
(18:05):
hidden jams.
They hidden and jams
You're tell me the best cabin to get.
So in the hopes of saving 1 or
2 pennies,
they'll go to Costco or they'll book something
you know, and then they ask everybody else
for advice. And that's what travel agents like
myself are for
because I've been there. I've done that, and
(18:25):
I share those tips with my
with my audience on the careers genius dot
com.
And also on military fears dot com, and
of course, you know, on my Youtube channel.
Scott, we come back. I I've heard stories
about how
vacations are very important, particularly for military families
because I spend a lot of time separated.
We come back when talk about that a
(18:45):
little bit get your perspective. And then also
share what's available military affairs dot com. Ladies
and gentlemen, is your host, Ben garcia I
will be right back.
(19:11):
Welcome back to American Warrior Radio ladies and
gentlemen. This is your host, Ben Buick. Seal.
Just a reminder, you can protect your hearing
and increase the accuracy of your hunting rifle
with the suppressor from Silence or central. They'll
walk you through the paperwork file your paperwork
with the Atf and send your new sounds
right to your front door. To get started,
go to silence or central dot com or
call 8666938882
(19:34):
today. They even provide financing.
We're back, talking with Scott lara, Scott is
the president of military affairs dot com. I'll
spell that for you. I shouldn't have to,
but it's military, FARES
dot com.
Scott, as I mentioned, I'm a civilian, but
I interact quite a bit with with the
military.
And I've been told that, you know, put
your like we mentioned, the Uss Eisenhower carrier
(19:56):
group at c for going on 10 months
now.
And for that reason, I've been told
that military families... I mean, they really take
their vacation time seriously because they're separated so
often. You know, particularly in those early years,
you might be gone 6 months and, you
know, your kids sprout like a weed. And
it's like, where did that time go. I
mean, I maybe miss that opportunity.
(20:18):
Do you get a sense that that is
the case you hear that from your clients?
A hundred and 10 percent. Yeah. My kids
are growing now, but what I would in
the navy, and we did have those vacations,
They meant a lot to my wife and
my kids. And I'll tell you, I read
a statistic dinner day been that 75
percent of the time,
you know your kids only, like, from the
(20:40):
age of 12 and below. And then when
they get older than that, you'll only know
them, like, 25 percent. And what that means
is that once they grow up, they're moving
out. They're doing this, they wanna hang with
their friends and they don't want anything to
do with the parents. So you gotta take
advantage those younger years.
And so
The time you're on leave, you'll take your
kids if it's disney, or if it's to
(21:01):
Europe or if it's all a cruise. Whatever
it is, you've gotta maximize that time,
And I will say, and I know I'm
going a little bit dark on this, but
1 of my friends in the Navy his
grandson passed away before the age of 8
years old of a brain tumor.
We only have
today. And so I urge people. It's kinda
(21:21):
like, wait to have kids. Right? I'm gotta
wait till have kids so I can afford
it. I have a news flash for you.
You'll never be able to afford kids. My
daughter was born when I was 23. My
cell was born when last 25.
I'm now gonna be 63 at August.
And I'm so glad we had our kids
early because we're able to spend quality time
with them. And now I have 3 grandchildren,
(21:43):
a 6 year old 4 year old a
little 6 month old, and bad I could
tell you I spent as less time as
I can with those grandkids.
Because it it's so important to me. What
is the coolest
vacation? You've probably hard to say it's like,
asking who your favorite child is, which 1
you love the most. But What's the coolest
vacation if you had to pick 1 that
you booked for a military family?
(22:04):
Well, I'd have to say of the 14
days Southern Caribbean cruises for, like, a ar,
but Air San
Gets. Because the back of matter is jan
pack once, You know, and then you hit
all these islands,
foods included,
entertainment included, your lodging included. So, yeah, I
think 14 day Southern caribbean cruises, also virgin
voyages.
(22:25):
They are adults on,
no kids, no tipping, no g gratuitous. And
I ask actually booked my daughter and son
Wall on 2 virgin voyages Cruises, and they
loved it because we are babysitting sitting their
kids at the time, which is fine with
us. But, yeah, Cruises are just... There are
10 for me that, you know, everybody's different.
Like, you may like pepperoni on your pizza
(22:45):
than I want pineapple.
And it just depends. And that's my job
is when I talk to people, you know,
what... What do you want? What are you
looking for? What's your expectations and then I
kinda line up the stars and get them
what they like. If you mentioned pineapple and
pizza in the same sentence, Again, this interview
is over, Scott.
Yes, sir.
(23:06):
Something just should not should not happen. So
I I do briefings at at our local
Air force space kinda chamber commerce briefings.
And you know, a lot of us, we're
headquartered out of Tucson that's our flagship station.
So I can be on the beaches of
Mexico
I can drive down there and but 2
hours and 20 minutes. But for a long
(23:27):
time,
military personnel were were prohibited from crossing of
the border
into Northern Mexico because it's just such a
mess. Are there other
unique challenges that members of the military might
experience when their plan to travel they hadn't
thought about. I mean, if I have a
significantly
higher security clearance or there places of the
world that I'm just allowed to go to.
(23:48):
You've gotta really be mindful of what's going
on because, like, with Covid, a friend of
mine who was, like, a lieutenant in the
navy. She was not able to go to
Cancun and Ko,
during Covid. And so,
again, you gotta check with your base commander
or your superior officer and just say, hey,
Know, I got my 2 weeks sleeve. I'm
thinking of going year going there. But a
a friend of mine is a colonel in
(24:10):
the army, and he was just in cancun,
and there was no problem. But again,
as far as security clearances as I really
don't think there's any limitations. But, of course,
you know, you don't wanna be going to
Russia, and I wanna be going to China,
know, there's some places that... I mean, just,
you know, that's hanging fruit, you know, not
to where to go. But what I recommend
(24:31):
is military members talk to their friends. And
say, hey. Where did you go and did
you have a good tie? And I think
word mouth is kind of a a great
thing. And By means make sure you clear
out your luggage and that there's no shell
casings.
Left like. It's had an amazing story and
ever the folks in the audience said don't
know about this. And ben, I'm glad you
brought that up.
These folks were out cruise, and they went
(24:52):
to Turks and ty
and about 6 months ago, they passed a
along that, you know, if you have ammunition,
you know, we could keep you a jail
up to 12 years.
And so these guys, you know, blah they're
1 guy was. And I didn't know. And
there were some shells. It is carry on.
And next thing get know the... What blows
(25:13):
me away Ban is that Tsa at the
airports didn't catch it. The cruise line didn't
catch it. But turks and ke, they got
some good x extra machines, and they nailed
them. So, yeah, Definitely be mines. Was this...
I fault very closely, Scott. Was this live
ammunition or just the shell casings.
No. No. There were... Was live alabama. Oh
boy. Yeah. Yeah. Don't be that guy. So
(25:33):
military affairs dot com was founded in 2002
by military members and their families. So I'm
getting it was... I mean, origin story is
sort of you're sort of like, the Usa
of the travel world.
Yeah. That's a good analogy because, yeah. Military
affairs was was founded back then, and then
came board about a year ago because, you
know, after Covid, you know, we got you
(25:55):
know, what happened, You know, when travel was
down. And so, the person you saw me
out of Linkedin and again, to those of
the audience jump on Linkedin and promote yourselves,
but I was on there and he saw
that, not only a Us navy veteran, but
heavily in the in the travel industry, you,
hundred and 50 days on Holland in America
line 75 days carnival of a number of
(26:16):
voyages of been on C, been on Nc,
and he goes, wow. You you kinda check
all the boxes.
And I said, put me in coach. Let
me you know, build it, and it's spent,
I tell you this is not work. It
just plain fun,
helping fellow, veterans and active duty people get
discounts on tray travel. That's that's my payday.
(26:37):
I love to help people save money. And,
yeah. I go to a Jaguar Horse being
here in Jacksonville
And if you remembered a Johnny Carson back
in the day, he'd go out there after
he walked out the curtain, and he had
his he hands down to his side and
his people more clap informed me to have
his fingers like, you know, moving up, You
know, like, get, more, more and more. And
that's what I do at a January game
when they say, you know, Hey, members of
(26:58):
the military stand up, you know, Okay. Thank
you. And and it's nice and I... I've
never
insulted by it or or anything like that.
I I respect that, you know. But
if I can help a member of the
military or a veteran save money on travel,
that's really money in their pocket.
Now this... Yet... As I mentioned, I at
least from what I saw in the inter
webs, you're you're the leading online travel latency
(27:20):
for for active and retired service members.
Are your services only available exclusively
to members of the military or veterans and
their families?
You know, if if a civilian calls in,
You know, they're gonna help you out. But
again, we talk to members of the military.
They get verified,
because the,
hotels and the airlines
(27:42):
we have special agreements with them. And so...
You know, But again,
anybody that calls in, we're gonna be able
to help them But again, my job with
military affairs dot com is to promote this
on this program on others
for active duty,
and veterans and family members of the the
members at because we negotiated great deals with
them. And so how many
(28:04):
how does this work as as part of
your job scouring the world for
hotels or resorts or cruise lines or or
airlines And I think you've got relationship with
over
650
airlines from what I read online. That's that's
a ton.
Well, you know, myself and my team worked
diligently
daily
You know, like, I've been on the phone
with Palladium hotel group. I've been out a
(28:25):
phone with sandals. I've been on the phone
with Virgin Voyages.
Yes. That's part of my job to negotiate
these deep discounts
for the military. Are you specifically looking for
organizations or the the name escapes to me
but there's a,
kind of a
outdoor log cabin hunting fishing place that... Well,
(28:45):
I try you, let's let's come back to
that after the break. I gotta take a
break and pick the show, Scott I'm sure
you understand. Ladies and gentlemen is your host
Ben Garcia. We're talking Scott Lara, who the
president of military affairs dot com, just like
a sounds, check it out military affairs dot
com we'll be right back.
(29:12):
Welcome back to American Warrior Radio ladies gentlemen.
This is Ben B garcia having a great
learning experience with Scott Lara, who is the
president of military affairs dot com. They are
the leading online travel agency providing discounted and
cost saving vacations and travel for members of
our military and the veteran community.
Scott, 1 of the other things I I
(29:33):
wanna bring up real quick. You mentioned
you verify these folks? How does that work?
Do you do you need, like, a Dd
02:14 or how do they... How can you
confirm that they've earned
these discounts?
That's a good question. And again, that's kind
of a behind the curtain kind of stuff.
We do have a systems in place that
went a member the military or a veteran
(29:54):
goes to military affairs dot com and they're
going click click click. There is a way
that we are able to determine that, and
that's proprietary.
But if somebody calls in, you know, the
upper right hand corner, you can either click
to call in or call in, you know,
regular, my staff will be asking questions
and then letting the members of the military
know alyssa, when you get to the airport,
(30:15):
you know, you gotta show your, your know,
military Id. And so, yes, we do cover
that because As I mentioned earlier,
the airlines, the hotels, the cruise lines,
they're willing to give discounts, but,
you know, to those that are eligible. Let's
let's talk about Carnival, for example. You know,
if you... Somebody was a call immediately and
say, Scott, I wanna book a cruise carnival,
(30:36):
You know, yes. I'm gonna need your Dd
d 02:14,
and then I would fax that in to
Carnival to confirm it. I mean, that's what
I've done myself because I'm a Navy veteran.
So if I wanna get that military discount
on carnival or on Msc or on celebrity,
you do need to prove it. But again,
with military affairs, that's that's kind of, you
know, behind the current and how we do
(30:57):
that, but we do verify military status.
Do most of these
organizations that you work with already offer military
discounts just as part of their corporate policy,
or
they provide a great service. You wanna recruit
them to your
portfolio if you will, and then you encourage
them to
offer a discount.
Some do, some will offer it But others,
(31:19):
you, they don't waive the flag in off
it. You know, when you offer a discount,
you know, it's gonna come from somewhere. And
so I think most people
don't know that Carnival offers an military discount.
But when I'm on my social media when
I'm on a Youtube channel and On my
Twitter, On Linkedin, And I promote that Carnival
will gives a military discount.
That's that's what what I do.
(31:41):
But to answer your question directly, yes, some
do
and some don't, and the ones that don't,
Scott larry is making a call to those
folks and saying, hey, listen, you know, I've
got a large
group of people who have purchased
from me before, would you like for me
to promote
your travel services to my audience and they're
(32:02):
like, absolutely. And so, it's cool.
Scott, as long as you don't put
ammunition in your luggage,
sometimes on vacation things can go wrong. I
would guess the customer service is very important,
and your line of work overall. Particular given
that you're a fellow veteran, you wanna make
sure to to take care of them.
(32:23):
Yeah, the reviews on your website are are
outstanding
what kind of customer support infrastructure does military
affairs dot com have to
jump in when something? Because, you know, don't
want that family of 5 blaming Scott for
a terrible vacation. Well, you make a very
good point. I have a team of dedicated
staff when you call that number, they've been
(32:44):
trained by me.
And I've told them what I
expect. And a friend of mine said it's
not what you expect what you inspect.
And so I make sure that my staff
is up to speed on how you take
care of members and the military. And then,
of course, the firewall is And I am
available. I get my email out, Scott at
(33:04):
military affairs dot com. And if somebody's got
a problem, I will move heaven any earth.
To make sure it's right. Because
all we are is our reputation, Ben. You
never have a second chance to make a
good first impression. And if somebody goes to
military affairs. I want them to to feel
great about the service, the customer service they
get,
and
(33:24):
I want them to tell all their friends
that you and I both know that people
tend to leave bad reviews more than good
reviews. And I'm a kind of person I
will leave good reviews.
If you look at my Google reviews for
me, I leave a lot of good reviews
when they're earned. And so on a scale
of 1 to 10,
Customer service is a 50 for me. Scott,
(33:45):
the other kinda unique thing about being the
military. Sometimes you got a book. You know,
you got a a sudden deployment or a
a change of station or, you know, things
come up. Are you able to help with
that as well as not just a vacations
just like Scott, I gotta go here right
away, and can you save me some money?
Hundred percent. We have a lot of guys
and ladies that will call you Hey. I
(34:06):
got orders.
I need to move quick, and we move
heaven earth to get them from a to
b. Happens all the time.
I wanna save some time and because... I'm
hoping that I can get... I mean, clearly,
you're a very salty sailor. Your your seasoned
as we say.
You know, I wanna get saved some time
for some for some tips. But, again, are
there any other things that I should be
concerned about that might be particular
(34:28):
to me as a member of the military.
Or I mean, for example, if I'm... You
know, I spent 6 weeks touring India, and
I I made sure that the doctor gave
me those those magic little white pills
just in case. Is that part of the
the briefing that you give to your
your clients, okay. You're going hear hear some
things that are particular to that region that
(34:49):
you need to be aware of.
We point them in the right direction on
that.
My staff doesn't have, you know, that data,
but what we will tell them is, like,
for example, if you're going like to the
Amazon or something, you need to get these
your, shots or whatever. You know, we point
him in the right direction because they're... That's
their best their and the people that that
know this stuff. And there's different places of
(35:11):
the world that you do have to be,
you know, vaccinated,
and there are folks that do that are
my my main concern is to take care
of our military and our veterans
to make sure that they're, you know, getting
the travel they need, you know, with their
a layover and making sure all the stars
lined up. Well, I would think that would
maybe be an advantage of working with military
(35:32):
clients if they've deployed. I mean, they probably
have all their all their vaccinations. Right? I
mean, unless... The most part, the most part
they do unless they're going unless they're at
a duty station right now where they don't
need them. You know, it goes back to
Band the brothers, I made,
and it been folks, If you have not
watch that mini series. Again, I know I
said it before. Watch it. It that has
changed my life. But the point I say
(35:54):
is that, yes, if you're active duty military,
times out of tandem the You know, the
medical base there will get you up to
speed on your shots and vaccinations. But for
the most part, Ben, when people travel, a
rub bone air Mar San Bart kits. You
know, they're they're not gonna require, you know,
over the top shots. Now, Ko during and
Covid.
(36:15):
I mean, I went to Jamaica. I had
to be tested for Covid at the Plate
resort
and there's a whole mess on that and
unfortunately, hopefully, that's in the rearview view mirror.
Scott, got about 3 minutes left. What what
are the tips I mean, if there was
a
4 page paper back manual that Scott Lara
is gonna provide me if I was particularly
taking a vacation overseas.
(36:36):
That I'd need to think about it and
prepare for, what what would be some of
those suggestions, particularly if I'm traveling with a
family with maybe younger kids?
Yeah. That's a very good question because I
got AA6 year old and a 4 year
old. Number 1
preparation, a hundred percent. I don't know, friend
of mine today about this. You've gotta prepare.
You gotta take time away from your job
and away from watching the kiss and delve
(36:58):
into where you're going.
And I could tell you before I went
to cancun and,
I learned as much as I could about
it. Before I went to Jamaica before I
went to the Dominican Republic.
Take time out of your day to learn
about the destinations because a lot of times
you go, and you miss so much stuff.
For example, my daughter and son just returned
from Greece. They were on a verge of
voyages cruise. And my daughter took the time
(37:21):
to learn about to to do things to
to go to the places
and in Italy, you know, there's a huge
issue with pick pocket.
So be sure that you will either have
a strap or something to protect your passport
in your credit card. So all I'm saying
is to do the research
to to make sure that when you do
take that trip, it was to Alaska or
Iceland,
(37:42):
go there with a handful of knowledge
so you come back with great memories.
Scott, it's been a real pleasure here We're
running out of time. In fact. I've got
a
I've had an author on who was a
form of Delta force operator who is written.
Gosh. I don't know, 10:12 best selling thriller.
At he's he's gotta go visit the locations
that he puts in his book. So I'm
(38:02):
gonna send him an email and I'm saying
and he's to contact you and make sure
he gets some discount and travel
next time. I tell you 1 of the
best vacations I ever took in my life
was a wind jam cruise. I was on
the fan home, which unfortunately now is sitting
at the bottom of of the caribbean after
a a batting encounter with the hurricane. What
would be if you're were to pick your
top 2 domestic
(38:23):
destinations, what would they be?
Oh my gosh. That's so. I mean,
I'm from Chicago.
So I'd love to go back to Chicago
and they'll go to a couple cubs games
and eat some great pizza.
And then...
I tell a second 1 That'd be a
tough 1. I mean, I wanna go to
Las Vegas at the it's a hundred 17
degrees out there. So I wouldn't have... I've
(38:45):
been of Vegas many times
boy that's a tough 1. Chicago and
don't make. I wisconsin. I think Wisconsin school.
I tell you what. I... I encourage folks
just... Ladies and gentlemen. Just go to military
affairs dot com. And explore the options they
got available there. And again, I wanna emphasize,
you don't have to be active duty military
to take advantage of their programs. You can
(39:05):
be a veteran as well. And look at
your Great race. Scott Lara. Thanks so much
for spending your time with our listeners today.
Thank Ben.
By the way, there's that very cool submarine
museum. In Chicago with the German... Yes. There's
ABI bet they're million there. They go Ladies
and Gentlemen don't forget. You can find over
500
at america warrior dot com, you can also
(39:26):
stream us on your favorite platform. Until next
time, all policies and procedures are remain your
place. Take care.
You've been listening to American warrior radio.
Archived episode may be found at american warrior
radio dot com or your favorite podcast platform.
We all owe them, but very few of
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They are the men and women of our
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American warrior radio
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(00:25):
While all ladies and gentlemen and welcome to
American Warrior radio, this is your host Ben
B Garcia.
We're broadcasting from the silence are central studios
whether you work in security law enforcement training,
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today and let the industry experts get you
(00:47):
1 target.
1 of the navy's most common
tried in true recruiting lines that have joined
the Navy the world. I suppose the fact
that 71 percent of the earth's surface is
covered by water. It makes it sound like
a plausible line.
Our guests today joined the navy did a
lot of sailing and fell love the travel.
After leaving the navy, he became a travel
agent. Last year, he landed what he called
(01:08):
his dream job. Leveraging his military experience and
travel expertise help veterans and active duty military
members secure affordable, travel accommodations and vacations. Welcome
to American Warrior Radio Scott Lara, president of
military affairs dot com.
It's the honor to be on? Thank you
so much. So where... Scott, were you from
Originally?
I grew up in Aurora, Illinois, 40 miles
(01:31):
West of Chicago. I'll go, and you're exactly
right what you said. I was working at
the Kmart Camera apartment, my assistant manager said,
hey, Scott. What do you wanna do after
high school? I said, I don't know. I
don't wanna go to college. He goes join
the
the world? But if for forgot to tell
me was 75 percent water, but I loved
every single minute of it I was in
from 79 to 88.
(01:53):
I was a Os, a Ray Arm on
Morrison f g 13, Ty, c g 47.
I went down to Key west that I
was instructor with the Hydro foil Quadrant, and
then I ended up at Tampa june,
87 and 88,
running a hospital barrack. So I had a
great career
2 grown kids, my daughter was born in
(02:13):
Key West. My son was born in North
Carolina,
and, I I really enjoyed being another than
80. Now, so you
You did join the navy to see the
world, But did you have the travel bug
before that? Or is that something you came
to appreciate and your time in the navy?
That's a great question. It it came when
I was in the Navy because I've been
to Italy, Spain, France
(02:35):
Suez canal, Pam canal, But, I, I grew
up outside of Chicago never been to the
beach
never traveled. So the answer of the question
is, yeah. I got the travel bug when
I was in the military.
So you mentioned these different port calls, how
often when you're assigned to a ship? How
long do you have ship duty versus shore
duty? Is it 2 years, and then 2
(02:55):
years shore, 1 and 1 or how does
that work?
Well, being an operation specialist, and, of course,
there's different ratings
so we can change. But for me, it
was called 5 and 2. 5 years at
c, 2 years out of short duty. Yeah.
I joined when as 18 and had quite
a bit of my c time before I
got Married. But, yeah. It's it's kind of
(03:16):
demanding. But then when you go out to
see, you could be out for 6 months,
7 months, And then when you pull into
port, I mean, we were, like, in Naples
Italy for 2 weeks, road to Spain for
a week. We're in, France for, like, 2
weeks,
So even though you may be gone on
a ship for 6 months, depending on what
you're doing now. I mean, nowadays with these
military guys, these navy guys over there, fighting
(03:38):
the Hoodie rebels and stuff. And, you know,
they're not doing ports to call. They're really
doing their thing. But I was very fortunate
when I was in that we were able
to hit the ports. I just read the
the Eisenhower carrier group. They've had their deployment
extended twice. I think there are now looking
10 months at sea. That's unprecedented. It really
is because with everything you got going over
(03:59):
there, Israel, Gaza,
you know, these pirates, people firing, you know,
missiles of ships, It's it's a a totally
different world than when I was in. So
Scott, I know I I have... I've had
the honor of spending some time, went out
to see on board the
Tucson twice, which is a fast attack submarine.
And, you know, they treat us really well.
They fed us exceptionally well. And it was
(04:22):
kind of a thrill, but not some I'd
wanna do for a living. I can imagine
when you're at Sea, there's some
interesting moments. Any any C stories you recall
from your time.
Yeah. I tell you there's a a ton
of them. But I guess 1 of the
ones,
we were in a certain part of the
world, and we thought that, you know, maybe
we needed to take offensive action, and we
(04:44):
were sitting right there with the figure out
the button rate to fire some missiles. So
we didn't have to do it. But I
will tell you
even when we're in the streets of where
moves,
escort tankers up and down, they're trying to
keep them safe. Yeah. So
I don't know. It it was a lot
of fun. I mean, when you're 18 years
old, 19 years old and you're out and
you're you're doing this it... I just got
(05:05):
to the watching band of brothers. For those
of you in the audience, if you have
not watched that Hbo series. I urge you
to do it because, yeah, guys coming from
all over the country. And you get together
and then you start working together,
It's... I I can't even, you know, it's
speechless on this part because
East you worked together as a team. Going
on a sub like you did, I'm sure
(05:25):
you had a great time. It was a
great experience,
but being on the surface Navy. I'll tell
you the food wasn't there great but we
did see the oil.
The the downside from that, Scott is if,
you know, if you're
underwater for 3 3 and a half months,
you're you're down to peanut butter and jelly.
There's not
the food deteriorate pretty rapidly on a submarine
if you can't if he can't surface and
(05:45):
get get resupply.
So when you decide to leave the navy,
Did you already have your mindset or going
into the travel industry or the hospitality industry
or were there some some stops along the
way?
Exactly. There were stops along the way. I
got out of the navy and did a
couple things before I I landed my travel
gig. I was actually a lobby
(06:06):
going to Washington Dc,
in the health care industry. And then,
the friend of mine that on the, trade
Association also owned a travel agency. And this
is, like, 25 years ago. And the travel
agent left and I walked up to my
friend, who was my boss. And I said
hey, put me in coach. And he goes,
sure, Run it. And that's how I started
(06:26):
my website cruise genius dot com.
I want a flip camera.
And this is, you know, 15 years ago,
And this is when Youtube was just starting,
And, this is when Gary Vaynerchuk, who's was
1 of my mentors. He started doing wine
library, mister Beast
started doing his stuff when he was, like,
15, 16 years old. But I got this
split camera, and my wife and I started
(06:48):
going on cruises.
And my motives or
doing Youtube videos was to make my family
and friends jealous.
Sc, Scholar in 19 61 Twitter Board, the
Carnival fascination is 05/15/2000
were going an nassau.
And then boom, it just started exploding
now I have over 1200000.0
views on my Youtube channel and it's been
(07:10):
a lot of fun. Now as a sailor,
when you're on a crew Scott, are you
ever attempted to go in there and up
to the bridge and tell them how to
do a right or? You just...
Can you along the go, But there there
were many times I did go up on
the bridge, and I would steer the ship
or
I would have my, know, microphone thing talking
to the covid information center. But no. I
(07:32):
mean, we we all know our places and
we know our our positions.
Back in the day that he had this
in cole and he still have it and
enlisted surface warfare specialist
where you learn all the different parts of
the ship where you learn the bridge, you
learn engineering, you learn everything.
And so we case hell does come to
breakfast like it did on the Uss stark.
(07:52):
1 of my friends, got killed on that,
with that extra said missile here to get.
You know how to do any kind of
job. And so... Yeah. I mean, it it
was a lot of fun, but yeah, the,
the level of respect was a 10. You
know, I just am doing the math in
my head. At 19 79 you were 18,
that was when the Iranians took over our
embassy.
(08:12):
And and things
we're looking pretty
pretty sporty for a while there.
Absolutely. Hundred a percent. And if you remember
a
Secretary Defense Casper Weinberg was serving back there
in the Reagan Era. At a quick story.
I was on a plane. I don't know.
10 years ago, and we were taken off...
Of course, I a civilian. And we're taken
(08:34):
off out of Washington to the right engine
cut catches on fire. We diverted to Dull
and we're getting off the plane in a
couple steps ahead me with former secretary of
the defense casper Weinberg.
So I I kinda quickly walked up to
him and said mister Secretary. I served with
you back in the eighties and honored to
serve with you. He was short, but he
put his hand up on my shoulder he
goes, we almost bit the dust back didn't
(08:55):
we son and said, yes, sir. So, yeah.
I've met a lot of people secretary Hague.
He famously said I'm in control at the
White House and then Reagan with shots. Yeah.
And so Yeah. I saw him in the
hotel lobby somewhere in, you know, Joe Hicks
Sc, Us Navy. Nice to meet Son. And
so, it's been a fun ride. It really
has. Why did you decide to leave?
(09:17):
Well, I tell you to be honest with
you, it was really tough on my wife
and my 2 young children
And so I went ahead and got out
because it was just... Because, you know, you
get that question a lot. Usually, it's from
these, you know, older guys, you know, I,
Yeah. Were you in for 30 were you
in for 25 and no. It's just... It
was really hard on the wife. So I
made the decision to get out, and I'm
(09:38):
glad I did. Scott, we come back. I'd
like to talk more about what you're doing
now and and and your transition. I know
a lot of veterans we have on the
show have trouble transitioning and see if you
have any advice that ladies and gentlemen, is
your host Ben be garcia. We're talking with
Scott Lara, who was the president of military
affairs dot com. Just like a sounds, check
it out military affairs dot com we'll be
right back.
(10:11):
Welcome back to American Warrior Radio ladies and
gentlemen. This is your host Ben B Garcia
We're very pleased be talking with Scott Lara,
Scott as the president of military affairs dot
com the premier
organization in the country providing discount fares for
veterans,
military members and their families.
Scott, so often I've had veterans on, you
know, particularly the the tip of the spear
(10:32):
folks
who just have a real hard time transitioning.
It appears. They feel like they've lost their
purpose. They've lost their sense of mission. They've
lost their tribe. You talked about band of
brothers and and the relationship you develop with
your ship mates. And I would suspect it's
very difficult to replicate that. And the private
sector.
Did you have any issues? It's a brilliant
(10:55):
question because a lot of times,
men and women get out of the military
and they think just because you know, they
went to boot camp. They go to work
on time and they walk straight, and they
polish their shoes that you're automatically gonna get
a job. And
guys and ladies listening to this broadcast, you
have to be realistic.
Just because you have those talents that skill
(11:15):
set,
you're not gonna get a job automatically. You've
gotta work hard to get that job and
don't just go walking in there and say,
hey, you know, I was in e 6
and I was E7I wanna lead. A lot
of times, you gotta start at the bottom.
And that's kind what I did. Couple my
first jobs. I started the bottom work my
way up, But I will give you this
super secret tip,
(11:37):
linkedin.
You've gotta get on Linkedin and veterans get
1 year of Linkedin for free, so there's
no excuse That's how I led to this
job with military affairs dot com.
A lot of people don't promote themselves.
They're just not I like that. They're they're
quiet. They are not out there. My deal
is I love to be on Tv Love
(11:58):
to be on radio. I love to be
on Podcasts.
So I'm a self promoter, and you've gotta
learn to sell promote because no 1 is
going to
promote you
accept yourself. Your wife is probably the the
worst person to promote you. She's gonna point
out every bad thing about you. Your mother
W not saying nice things about you. But
the thing is
go on Linkedin and get that free year
(12:20):
and then
blow yourself up, talk about
everything that you did and and everything,
and then get the word out about you
and start networking.
I've gotta say,
Gary
Vaynerchuk, Gary V,
look him up right now, listen to everything
Gary says because Gary talks about promoting yourself.
(12:42):
It's a 400000000000000
to 1 shot
that you are in this body.
And so do not discount that. And that's
kind of the way I've I've approached my
whole life I've been very successful at it.
Scott, I'm I'm curious.
Going back a little bit, but having
watered the halls of the state legislature in
City Council's myself quite a bit. I suppose
(13:05):
I get the transition from radar man lobbyists.
Well, that's a that's an inch... That's that's
an interesting thing... Because we're on radio. I'm
sure.
You've all heard the name Rush
limbaugh.
And I actually talked to Rush probably 10
times on a year during the time He
was alive. I was very fortunate I do
a boast stern his call street, and I
(13:26):
knew kid Carson, his chief staff before he
passed away. But I've boys left politics.
Oh, when I was a kid, I met
Leonard N of Star trek. When he came
to Chicago,
to talk about George Mc governed for p.
So I've always had this thing about politics.
And so when I got out of the
navy and I met this guy who not
(13:48):
only owns a travel agency and a home
health care company, he went to the church
I went to. And so this is back
during the clinton years when they were doing
the hillary care And I walked up to
my friend, I said, hey. If you had
Hillary,
do this stuff with health care, it's gonna
really mess up your business. He goes, Well,
what are you saying? I said, I wanna
be a lobby. I wanna go to Dc
(14:09):
and lobby on behalf of the home health
industry. We could just formed Home care Association
of America
that represented home health agencies. And I made
a phone call mixing, you know we were
in the West wing talking to Ira Magazine
and other people in the White House about
health here. And then, like, success story on
that, ben, was that I knew that if
(14:30):
I had a political action committee,
I would be able to have influence. So
I talked to all these home health agency
owners, they all start shipping in money, I
formed a political collection committee, and then members
of congress were calling me. And so that...
That's kinda how I I got into that.
Talking about self promotion you... I mean, you've
been very successful and and just getting started
(14:50):
and travel.
Is there some kind of a certification or
You know, how do I know that the
travel agent I'm talking to, Scott is just
some knuckle head with a a laptop in
his mom's basement?
You know, the the vacuum managers is you
don't know that. I mean, there are a
lot of traveling links that do we have
certifications.
Like, for me, I have Ia,
International Association you know, blah blah. You'd be
(15:13):
clear as certified.
So, I mean, you do wanna ask those
questions. But for the most part,
Like, with military affairs dot com, you're gonna
see our online, you do have to be
mindful of the people you're talking to
There are certifications out there that people can
get. Yes. But there's nothing that they no
hoops they have to jump. I mean, amy
you can throughout a shin or we're set
(15:34):
up a website, I guess, more timely statement.
That is great. There... Yeah. I mean, if
you wanna be a travel agent, but then
you gotta get with a host agency. You
gotta get with, you know, cruise planners or
you gotta get in with you know, Ex
ex cruise or somebody, and there's training.
But again, yeah. You're gonna know pretty quick
if somebody's legitimate or not. It... That's pretty
easy. So, Scott, I'm about your age, and
(15:56):
I remember back on the days before the
inner inter webs and cell phones. I was
on a
I was trying to get from Sioux falls
back to Tucson,
and I'm in the sioux falls airport and
and the flights canceled.
And I just really wanted to get home,
so I asked the young lady behind the
counter if I could use their phone and
I called my travel agent who'd say everything
up for me. And I said, look, can
(16:18):
you just
get, you know, fly me into Phoenix, and
then I'll take the stage coach from Phoenix
to Tucson. Well, the stage coach here is
on the stage coach is a you're, like,
a van limo service.
But this little girl who must have been
20 years old behind the counter in South
The dakota. She heard me, you, she things
arizona and she sees me asking be booked
on the stage coach and her eyes got
(16:38):
real wide and I don't know what she
had in her mind's eye, but it was
not probably what. What you saying in John
Wayne was not gonna drive me from from
Phoenix to Tucson. I mean, I guess, back
in those days,
you
I mean, right now with the Internet, pretty
much anybody can be their own travel agent
if they have the time and the inclination.
But
the convenience. I mean, I I...
(17:01):
Back back in those days,
you almost had to use a travel agent
if if you wanted have a good trip.
Ben, you make a very good point because
a lot of people, you'll jump on Ex
ex, jump on T velocity. Click click click.
You know what really frustrate me is when
people wanna buy a cruise and they go
tu costco.
(17:22):
And the Costco guys behind the counter, And,
hey, I wanna buy a cruise to, you
know, Jamaica, and I'm Go and the guy
at costco says, okay. Here, you know, I'll
sell you a cruise and here's a hundred
dollar gift card to costco.
The question is this, is that guy at
the Costco
store, ben Jamaica. Has he been Rub curse
on Martin mixing parts he gets.
(17:43):
Scott Has, and Scott is gonna give you
the super secret tips
to make your vacation good. And so the
fact
of the matter is, is that sure, You
can book stuff yourself, but you know what
happens been, people jump on Facebook groups.
The same bart group or the, you know,
carnival
election group, and they'll say, tell me the
(18:05):
hidden jams.
They hidden and jams
You're tell me the best cabin to get.
So in the hopes of saving 1 or
2 pennies,
they'll go to Costco or they'll book something
you know, and then they ask everybody else
for advice. And that's what travel agents like
myself are for
because I've been there. I've done that, and
(18:25):
I share those tips with my
with my audience on the careers genius dot
com.
And also on military fears dot com, and
of course, you know, on my Youtube channel.
Scott, we come back. I I've heard stories
about how
vacations are very important, particularly for military families
because I spend a lot of time separated.
We come back when talk about that a
(18:45):
little bit get your perspective. And then also
share what's available military affairs dot com. Ladies
and gentlemen, is your host, Ben garcia I
will be right back.
(19:11):
Welcome back to American Warrior Radio ladies and
gentlemen. This is your host, Ben Buick. Seal.
Just a reminder, you can protect your hearing
and increase the accuracy of your hunting rifle
with the suppressor from Silence or central. They'll
walk you through the paperwork file your paperwork
with the Atf and send your new sounds
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(19:34):
today. They even provide financing.
We're back, talking with Scott lara, Scott is
the president of military affairs dot com. I'll
spell that for you. I shouldn't have to,
but it's military, FARES
dot com.
Scott, as I mentioned, I'm a civilian, but
I interact quite a bit with with the
military.
And I've been told that, you know, put
your like we mentioned, the Uss Eisenhower carrier
(19:56):
group at c for going on 10 months
now.
And for that reason, I've been told
that military families... I mean, they really take
their vacation time seriously because they're separated so
often. You know, particularly in those early years,
you might be gone 6 months and, you
know, your kids sprout like a weed. And
it's like, where did that time go. I
mean, I maybe miss that opportunity.
(20:18):
Do you get a sense that that is
the case you hear that from your clients?
A hundred and 10 percent. Yeah. My kids
are growing now, but what I would in
the navy, and we did have those vacations,
They meant a lot to my wife and
my kids. And I'll tell you, I read
a statistic dinner day been that 75
percent of the time,
you know your kids only, like, from the
(20:40):
age of 12 and below. And then when
they get older than that, you'll only know
them, like, 25 percent. And what that means
is that once they grow up, they're moving
out. They're doing this, they wanna hang with
their friends and they don't want anything to
do with the parents. So you gotta take
advantage those younger years.
And so
The time you're on leave, you'll take your
kids if it's disney, or if it's to
(21:01):
Europe or if it's all a cruise. Whatever
it is, you've gotta maximize that time,
And I will say, and I know I'm
going a little bit dark on this, but
1 of my friends in the Navy his
grandson passed away before the age of 8
years old of a brain tumor.
We only have
today. And so I urge people. It's kinda
(21:21):
like, wait to have kids. Right? I'm gotta
wait till have kids so I can afford
it. I have a news flash for you.
You'll never be able to afford kids. My
daughter was born when I was 23. My
cell was born when last 25.
I'm now gonna be 63 at August.
And I'm so glad we had our kids
early because we're able to spend quality time
with them. And now I have 3 grandchildren,
(21:43):
a 6 year old 4 year old a
little 6 month old, and bad I could
tell you I spent as less time as
I can with those grandkids.
Because it it's so important to me. What
is the coolest
vacation? You've probably hard to say it's like,
asking who your favorite child is, which 1
you love the most. But What's the coolest
vacation if you had to pick 1 that
you booked for a military family?
(22:04):
Well, I'd have to say of the 14
days Southern Caribbean cruises for, like, a ar,
but Air San
Gets. Because the back of matter is jan
pack once, You know, and then you hit
all these islands,
foods included,
entertainment included, your lodging included. So, yeah, I
think 14 day Southern caribbean cruises, also virgin
voyages.
(22:25):
They are adults on,
no kids, no tipping, no g gratuitous. And
I ask actually booked my daughter and son
Wall on 2 virgin voyages Cruises, and they
loved it because we are babysitting sitting their
kids at the time, which is fine with
us. But, yeah, Cruises are just... There are
10 for me that, you know, everybody's different.
Like, you may like pepperoni on your pizza
(22:45):
than I want pineapple.
And it just depends. And that's my job
is when I talk to people, you know,
what... What do you want? What are you
looking for? What's your expectations and then I
kinda line up the stars and get them
what they like. If you mentioned pineapple and
pizza in the same sentence, Again, this interview
is over, Scott.
Yes, sir.
(23:06):
Something just should not should not happen. So
I I do briefings at at our local
Air force space kinda chamber commerce briefings.
And you know, a lot of us, we're
headquartered out of Tucson that's our flagship station.
So I can be on the beaches of
Mexico
I can drive down there and but 2
hours and 20 minutes. But for a long
(23:27):
time,
military personnel were were prohibited from crossing of
the border
into Northern Mexico because it's just such a
mess. Are there other
unique challenges that members of the military might
experience when their plan to travel they hadn't
thought about. I mean, if I have a
significantly
higher security clearance or there places of the
world that I'm just allowed to go to.
(23:48):
You've gotta really be mindful of what's going
on because, like, with Covid, a friend of
mine who was, like, a lieutenant in the
navy. She was not able to go to
Cancun and Ko,
during Covid. And so,
again, you gotta check with your base commander
or your superior officer and just say, hey,
Know, I got my 2 weeks sleeve. I'm
thinking of going year going there. But a
a friend of mine is a colonel in
(24:10):
the army, and he was just in cancun,
and there was no problem. But again,
as far as security clearances as I really
don't think there's any limitations. But, of course,
you know, you don't wanna be going to
Russia, and I wanna be going to China,
know, there's some places that... I mean, just,
you know, that's hanging fruit, you know, not
to where to go. But what I recommend
(24:31):
is military members talk to their friends. And
say, hey. Where did you go and did
you have a good tie? And I think
word mouth is kind of a a great
thing. And By means make sure you clear
out your luggage and that there's no shell
casings.
Left like. It's had an amazing story and
ever the folks in the audience said don't
know about this. And ben, I'm glad you
brought that up.
These folks were out cruise, and they went
(24:52):
to Turks and ty
and about 6 months ago, they passed a
along that, you know, if you have ammunition,
you know, we could keep you a jail
up to 12 years.
And so these guys, you know, blah they're
1 guy was. And I didn't know. And
there were some shells. It is carry on.
And next thing get know the... What blows
(25:13):
me away Ban is that Tsa at the
airports didn't catch it. The cruise line didn't
catch it. But turks and ke, they got
some good x extra machines, and they nailed
them. So, yeah, Definitely be mines. Was this...
I fault very closely, Scott. Was this live
ammunition or just the shell casings.
No. No. There were... Was live alabama. Oh
boy. Yeah. Yeah. Don't be that guy. So
(25:33):
military affairs dot com was founded in 2002
by military members and their families. So I'm
getting it was... I mean, origin story is
sort of you're sort of like, the Usa
of the travel world.
Yeah. That's a good analogy because, yeah. Military
affairs was was founded back then, and then
came board about a year ago because, you
know, after Covid, you know, we got you
(25:55):
know, what happened, You know, when travel was
down. And so, the person you saw me
out of Linkedin and again, to those of
the audience jump on Linkedin and promote yourselves,
but I was on there and he saw
that, not only a Us navy veteran, but
heavily in the in the travel industry, you,
hundred and 50 days on Holland in America
line 75 days carnival of a number of
(26:16):
voyages of been on C, been on Nc,
and he goes, wow. You you kinda check
all the boxes.
And I said, put me in coach. Let
me you know, build it, and it's spent,
I tell you this is not work. It
just plain fun,
helping fellow, veterans and active duty people get
discounts on tray travel. That's that's my payday.
(26:37):
I love to help people save money. And,
yeah. I go to a Jaguar Horse being
here in Jacksonville
And if you remembered a Johnny Carson back
in the day, he'd go out there after
he walked out the curtain, and he had
his he hands down to his side and
his people more clap informed me to have
his fingers like, you know, moving up, You
know, like, get, more, more and more. And
that's what I do at a January game
when they say, you know, Hey, members of
(26:58):
the military stand up, you know, Okay. Thank
you. And and it's nice and I... I've
never
insulted by it or or anything like that.
I I respect that, you know. But
if I can help a member of the
military or a veteran save money on travel,
that's really money in their pocket.
Now this... Yet... As I mentioned, I at
least from what I saw in the inter
webs, you're you're the leading online travel latency
(27:20):
for for active and retired service members.
Are your services only available exclusively
to members of the military or veterans and
their families?
You know, if if a civilian calls in,
You know, they're gonna help you out. But
again, we talk to members of the military.
They get verified,
because the,
hotels and the airlines
(27:42):
we have special agreements with them. And so...
You know, But again,
anybody that calls in, we're gonna be able
to help them But again, my job with
military affairs dot com is to promote this
on this program on others
for active duty,
and veterans and family members of the the
members at because we negotiated great deals with
them. And so how many
(28:04):
how does this work as as part of
your job scouring the world for
hotels or resorts or cruise lines or or
airlines And I think you've got relationship with
over
650
airlines from what I read online. That's that's
a ton.
Well, you know, myself and my team worked
diligently
daily
You know, like, I've been on the phone
with Palladium hotel group. I've been out a
(28:25):
phone with sandals. I've been on the phone
with Virgin Voyages.
Yes. That's part of my job to negotiate
these deep discounts
for the military. Are you specifically looking for
organizations or the the name escapes to me
but there's a,
kind of a
outdoor log cabin hunting fishing place that... Well,
(28:45):
I try you, let's let's come back to
that after the break. I gotta take a
break and pick the show, Scott I'm sure
you understand. Ladies and gentlemen is your host
Ben Garcia. We're talking Scott Lara, who the
president of military affairs dot com, just like
a sounds, check it out military affairs dot
com we'll be right back.
(29:12):
Welcome back to American Warrior Radio ladies gentlemen.
This is Ben B garcia having a great
learning experience with Scott Lara, who is the
president of military affairs dot com. They are
the leading online travel agency providing discounted and
cost saving vacations and travel for members of
our military and the veteran community.
Scott, 1 of the other things I I
(29:33):
wanna bring up real quick. You mentioned
you verify these folks? How does that work?
Do you do you need, like, a Dd
02:14 or how do they... How can you
confirm that they've earned
these discounts?
That's a good question. And again, that's kind
of a behind the curtain kind of stuff.
We do have a systems in place that
went a member the military or a veteran
(29:54):
goes to military affairs dot com and they're
going click click click. There is a way
that we are able to determine that, and
that's proprietary.
But if somebody calls in, you know, the
upper right hand corner, you can either click
to call in or call in, you know,
regular, my staff will be asking questions
and then letting the members of the military
know alyssa, when you get to the airport,
(30:15):
you know, you gotta show your, your know,
military Id. And so, yes, we do cover
that because As I mentioned earlier,
the airlines, the hotels, the cruise lines,
they're willing to give discounts, but,
you know, to those that are eligible. Let's
let's talk about Carnival, for example. You know,
if you... Somebody was a call immediately and
say, Scott, I wanna book a cruise carnival,
(30:36):
You know, yes. I'm gonna need your Dd
d 02:14,
and then I would fax that in to
Carnival to confirm it. I mean, that's what
I've done myself because I'm a Navy veteran.
So if I wanna get that military discount
on carnival or on Msc or on celebrity,
you do need to prove it. But again,
with military affairs, that's that's kind of, you
know, behind the current and how we do
(30:57):
that, but we do verify military status.
Do most of these
organizations that you work with already offer military
discounts just as part of their corporate policy,
or
they provide a great service. You wanna recruit
them to your
portfolio if you will, and then you encourage
them to
offer a discount.
Some do, some will offer it But others,
(31:19):
you, they don't waive the flag in off
it. You know, when you offer a discount,
you know, it's gonna come from somewhere. And
so I think most people
don't know that Carnival offers an military discount.
But when I'm on my social media when
I'm on a Youtube channel and On my
Twitter, On Linkedin, And I promote that Carnival
will gives a military discount.
That's that's what what I do.
(31:41):
But to answer your question directly, yes, some
do
and some don't, and the ones that don't,
Scott larry is making a call to those
folks and saying, hey, listen, you know, I've
got a large
group of people who have purchased
from me before, would you like for me
to promote
your travel services to my audience and they're
(32:02):
like, absolutely. And so, it's cool.
Scott, as long as you don't put
ammunition in your luggage,
sometimes on vacation things can go wrong. I
would guess the customer service is very important,
and your line of work overall. Particular given
that you're a fellow veteran, you wanna make
sure to to take care of them.
(32:23):
Yeah, the reviews on your website are are
outstanding
what kind of customer support infrastructure does military
affairs dot com have to
jump in when something? Because, you know, don't
want that family of 5 blaming Scott for
a terrible vacation. Well, you make a very
good point. I have a team of dedicated
staff when you call that number, they've been
(32:44):
trained by me.
And I've told them what I
expect. And a friend of mine said it's
not what you expect what you inspect.
And so I make sure that my staff
is up to speed on how you take
care of members and the military. And then,
of course, the firewall is And I am
available. I get my email out, Scott at
(33:04):
military affairs dot com. And if somebody's got
a problem, I will move heaven any earth.
To make sure it's right. Because
all we are is our reputation, Ben. You
never have a second chance to make a
good first impression. And if somebody goes to
military affairs. I want them to to feel
great about the service, the customer service they
get,
and
(33:24):
I want them to tell all their friends
that you and I both know that people
tend to leave bad reviews more than good
reviews. And I'm a kind of person I
will leave good reviews.
If you look at my Google reviews for
me, I leave a lot of good reviews
when they're earned. And so on a scale
of 1 to 10,
Customer service is a 50 for me. Scott,
(33:45):
the other kinda unique thing about being the
military. Sometimes you got a book. You know,
you got a a sudden deployment or a
a change of station or, you know, things
come up. Are you able to help with
that as well as not just a vacations
just like Scott, I gotta go here right
away, and can you save me some money?
Hundred percent. We have a lot of guys
and ladies that will call you Hey. I
(34:06):
got orders.
I need to move quick, and we move
heaven earth to get them from a to
b. Happens all the time.
I wanna save some time and because... I'm
hoping that I can get... I mean, clearly,
you're a very salty sailor. Your your seasoned
as we say.
You know, I wanna get saved some time
for some for some tips. But, again, are
there any other things that I should be
concerned about that might be particular
(34:28):
to me as a member of the military.
Or I mean, for example, if I'm... You
know, I spent 6 weeks touring India, and
I I made sure that the doctor gave
me those those magic little white pills
just in case. Is that part of the
the briefing that you give to your
your clients, okay. You're going hear hear some
things that are particular to that region that
(34:49):
you need to be aware of.
We point them in the right direction on
that.
My staff doesn't have, you know, that data,
but what we will tell them is, like,
for example, if you're going like to the
Amazon or something, you need to get these
your, shots or whatever. You know, we point
him in the right direction because they're... That's
their best their and the people that that
know this stuff. And there's different places of
(35:11):
the world that you do have to be,
you know, vaccinated,
and there are folks that do that are
my my main concern is to take care
of our military and our veterans
to make sure that they're, you know, getting
the travel they need, you know, with their
a layover and making sure all the stars
lined up. Well, I would think that would
maybe be an advantage of working with military
(35:32):
clients if they've deployed. I mean, they probably
have all their all their vaccinations. Right? I
mean, unless... The most part, the most part
they do unless they're going unless they're at
a duty station right now where they don't
need them. You know, it goes back to
Band the brothers, I made,
and it been folks, If you have not
watch that mini series. Again, I know I
said it before. Watch it. It that has
changed my life. But the point I say
(35:54):
is that, yes, if you're active duty military,
times out of tandem the You know, the
medical base there will get you up to
speed on your shots and vaccinations. But for
the most part, Ben, when people travel, a
rub bone air Mar San Bart kits. You
know, they're they're not gonna require, you know,
over the top shots. Now, Ko during and
Covid.
(36:15):
I mean, I went to Jamaica. I had
to be tested for Covid at the Plate
resort
and there's a whole mess on that and
unfortunately, hopefully, that's in the rearview view mirror.
Scott, got about 3 minutes left. What what
are the tips I mean, if there was
a
4 page paper back manual that Scott Lara
is gonna provide me if I was particularly
taking a vacation overseas.
(36:36):
That I'd need to think about it and
prepare for, what what would be some of
those suggestions, particularly if I'm traveling with a
family with maybe younger kids?
Yeah. That's a very good question because I
got AA6 year old and a 4 year
old. Number 1
preparation, a hundred percent. I don't know, friend
of mine today about this. You've gotta prepare.
You gotta take time away from your job
and away from watching the kiss and delve
(36:58):
into where you're going.
And I could tell you before I went
to cancun and,
I learned as much as I could about
it. Before I went to Jamaica before I
went to the Dominican Republic.
Take time out of your day to learn
about the destinations because a lot of times
you go, and you miss so much stuff.
For example, my daughter and son just returned
from Greece. They were on a verge of
voyages cruise. And my daughter took the time
(37:21):
to learn about to to do things to
to go to the places
and in Italy, you know, there's a huge
issue with pick pocket.
So be sure that you will either have
a strap or something to protect your passport
in your credit card. So all I'm saying
is to do the research
to to make sure that when you do
take that trip, it was to Alaska or
Iceland,
(37:42):
go there with a handful of knowledge
so you come back with great memories.
Scott, it's been a real pleasure here We're
running out of time. In fact. I've got
a
I've had an author on who was a
form of Delta force operator who is written.
Gosh. I don't know, 10:12 best selling thriller.
At he's he's gotta go visit the locations
that he puts in his book. So I'm
(38:02):
gonna send him an email and I'm saying
and he's to contact you and make sure
he gets some discount and travel
next time. I tell you 1 of the
best vacations I ever took in my life
was a wind jam cruise. I was on
the fan home, which unfortunately now is sitting
at the bottom of of the caribbean after
a a batting encounter with the hurricane. What
would be if you're were to pick your
top 2 domestic
(38:23):
destinations, what would they be?
Oh my gosh. That's so. I mean,
I'm from Chicago.
So I'd love to go back to Chicago
and they'll go to a couple cubs games
and eat some great pizza.
And then...
I tell a second 1 That'd be a
tough 1. I mean, I wanna go to
Las Vegas at the it's a hundred 17
degrees out there. So I wouldn't have... I've
(38:45):
been of Vegas many times
boy that's a tough 1. Chicago and
don't make. I wisconsin. I think Wisconsin school.
I tell you what. I... I encourage folks
just... Ladies and gentlemen. Just go to military
affairs dot com. And explore the options they
got available there. And again, I wanna emphasize,
you don't have to be active duty military
to take advantage of their programs. You can
(39:05):
be a veteran as well. And look at
your Great race. Scott Lara. Thanks so much
for spending your time with our listeners today.
Thank Ben.
By the way, there's that very cool submarine
museum. In Chicago with the German... Yes. There's
ABI bet they're million there. They go Ladies
and Gentlemen don't forget. You can find over
500
at america warrior dot com, you can also
(39:26):
stream us on your favorite platform. Until next
time, all policies and procedures are remain your
place. Take care.
You've been listening to American warrior radio.
Archived episode may be found at american warrior
radio dot com or your favorite podcast platform.
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