Veteran to Police Officer: A Step-By-Step Guide With Frank McGaha

In this episode of Veteran Voices: SITREP, Navy veteran and former federal law enforcement officer Frank McGaha joins us to share a raw, unfiltered look at transition, failure, purpose, and the realities of life after the uniform.

Frank takes us through his journey from BUD/S and SEAL training, to aviation, to multiple deployments, to a career-ending set of injuries — and the moment he realized he could no longer safely do the job he loved. What followed was a complete reinvention: rebuilding his identity, finding new purpose, and creating a coaching program for law enforcement candidates, including veterans navigating the toughest hiring process in the country.

If you’ve ever struggled with transition, questioned your purpose, or wondered how to keep serving when your body or circumstances say otherwise — this conversation is going to hit home.

🎙️ In this episode we cover:

• The brutal truth Frank learned the first time he truly failed
• How injury forced him to rethink everything he thought he was meant to do
• The culture shock veterans face when entering law enforcement
• Why so many military skills don’t translate on paper — and what actually does
• What departments really look for in the psych eval, polygraph, and background check
• How veterans can still find purpose, camaraderie, and service after the military
• The role mentors played in shaping Frank’s entire career
• The one mindset shift that helped him rebuild from the ground up

🔥 Key episode themes:
Failure as growth • Veteran transition • Law enforcement careers • Mental toughness • Injury & resilience • Identity after service • Purpose • Mentorship • Preparing for a second mission

Who This Episode Is For

✔ Veterans struggling with transition
✔ Active-duty service members preparing to ETS
✔ Veterans considering law enforcement careers
✔ Officers looking for stronger mindset, leadership, and preparation
✔ Anyone who’s ever felt stuck between who they were and who they’re becoming

About Veteran Voices: SITREP

Hosted by Army veterans Tom Faust and Chris Faust, Veteran Voices: SITREP exists to support, encourage, and empower veterans in their next chapter. Each episode dives into stories, tools, and conversations that help veterans navigate life after service with purpose, clarity, and community.

You’re not alone.
You have a mission.
And this is your SITREP.

https://www.veteranvoices.us
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Connect With Frank

👉 Armogan Consulting & Training LLC (https://www.armoganct.com/)

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