OCS Connect > Podcasts & Events
Podcasts & Events
Stay connected with upcoming events, webinars, and live Q&As designed to equip and empower military families. Don’t miss chances to learn, engage, and connect with experts and peers.
October Podcast & Event
Dealing with the Holidays: Navigating Leave, Separation & Family Expectations
Wellness Support / The First 12 Months
The holidays can look very different when military life becomes part of the family. Hear from a military spouse and mom who has experienced the realities of military life, multiple moves, separation, and raising a family while her husband serves. We’ll talk about adjusting expectations, staying connected, and finding ways to make the holidays meaningful; even when traditions, plans, and who is around the table may look different.
Event Topic: Holidays in Uniform: Coping & Celebrating Creatively
Event Description: Join us for a practical conversation about navigating the holiday season as a military family. We’ll discuss leave and changing plans, managing family expectations, coping when your service member can’t be home, and creative ways to stay connected and build new traditions. Bring your questions and experiences as we talk about making the most of the holidays, whatever military life may bring.
Event Date: October 20, 2026 6:30pm (EDT)
Previous Podcast & Events
September Podcast & Event
From Service to Success: Tonda Navarrete’s Journey Through Military Service, Education & Career
Education Planning
Join OCS Connect for a conversation with Tonda Navarrete, a U.S. Army veteran and AMU leader, as she shares her journey from military service to education and career success. Tonda will discuss balancing education while serving, transitioning to civilian life, and what she wishes she had known when she first entered the military. Learn how service members and their families can make education part of their long-term future.
Event Topic: Building Your Future While Serving: Education, Benefits & Career Opportunities
Event Description: This event will build on the podcast conversation and provide parents and young service members with practical information about pursuing education while serving, understanding education benefits, balancing school and military responsibilities, and preparing for long-term career success. We’ll also include time for audience questions.
Event Date: September 23, 2026 6:30pm (EDT)
August Podcast & Event
The Next Chapter: Graduation, Orders, and Transition to Military Life
The First 12 Months
Explore the significance of military graduation, what families can expect during graduation events, travel planning tips, and the transition into technical training or a first duty assignment. Learn how to prepare for the next phase of your service member's journey.
Event Topic: After Graduation: Preparing for Tech School, Duty Stations, and New Expectations
Event Description: A practical discussion focused on what happens after graduation, including communication changes, travel considerations, training pipelines, and how parents can continue supporting their service member's transition.
Event Date: August 25, 2026 6:30pm (EDT)
July Podcast & Event
Beyond the Letters: Understanding Your Recruit's Basic Training Journey
The First 12 Months
An in-depth look at the basic training experience, including key milestones, communication expectations, emotional challenges, and the personal growth recruits experience along the way. Parents will gain a clearer understanding of what their child is experiencing and how to provide meaningful support from home.
Event Topic: Staying Connected While Letting Go: Supporting Your Recruit Through Basic Training
Event Description: Practical guidance for parents navigating the communication gap, managing worry, and supporting their recruit's success while fostering independence.
Event Date: July 29, 2026 6:30pm (EDT)
June Podcast & Event
Basic Training Prep: What Every Parent Needs to Know Before They Go
The First 12 Months
This episode walks parents through what to expect in the weeks and months leading up to basic training. We’ll cover logistics, emotional preparation, communication expectations, and how to support your child while respecting their independence. Whether you’re just starting this journey or counting down the days, this conversation will help you feel more prepared and grounded.
Event Topic: Your Questions Answered: Getting Ready for Basic Training
Event Date: June 24, 2026 6:30pm (EDT)
May Podcast & Event
OCS Connect: Through the Eyes of Those Who Built It
The First 12 Months
This episode brings together long-time volunteers who have been part of both Our Community Salutes and OCS Connect since the beginning. Through an open and authentic conversation, they share how they first connected, what has kept them committed over the years, and the foundation that led to the creation of OCS Connect. Rooted in years of service and relationships, this discussion highlights why supporting families—especially through the first 12 months of military life—remains at the heart of this work.
Event Topic: OCS Connect Overview: Who We Are & How We Support Military Families
Event Date: May 26, 2026 6:30pm (EDT)
April Podcast & Event
Mental Health Matters: Supporting Your Child’s Wellness in the Military
Wellness Support
Mental fitness in the military is critical—this episode explores common stressors, signs of burnout, and how families can help while respecting boundaries.
Event Topic: Wellness Check: Tools for Parents to Support Mental Health
Event Date: April 29, 2026 6:30pm (EDT)
March Podcast & Event
Life After Basic: First Duty Stations, Orders, and Adjustments
The First 12 Months
A practical guide to navigating a service member’s first post—housing, routines, and how parents can stay connected across the miles.
Event Topic: Duty Station Transitions: From Uncertainty to Confidence
Event Date: March 25, 2026 6:30pm (EDT)
February Podcast & Event
Higher Learning in Uniform: Education Pathways for Service Members
Educational Planning
Discover options for continued education while serving—online programs, certifications, and how to help your child find their academic path while in uniform.
Event Topic: College While Serving: Helping Your Child Plan Ahead
Event Date: February 24, 2026 6:30pm (EST)
January Podcast & Event
Balancing Independence: Supporting Without Hovering
Wellness Support
Explore the fine line between being supportive and letting go. We’ll talk about trust, boundaries, and healthy communication with young adults in service.
Event Topic: Letting Go, Staying Close: Emotional Transitions for Parents
Event Date: January 28, 2026 6:30pm (EST)
December Podcast & Event
Holiday Realities: Navigating First Leave, Missed Holidays, and Staying Connected
Wellness Support
Hear from families who’ve lived through their first military holiday season—how to stay close, set expectations, and keep spirits high during leave or separation.
Event Topic: Holidays in Uniform: Coping & Celebrating Creatively
Event Date: December 8, 2025 6:30pm (EST)
November Podcast & Event
Military Pay and Budgeting Basics: What Parents Should Know
Financial Literacy
This episode simplifies how military pay works, including BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) and LES (Leave and Earnings Statement), and shares smart saving strategies for new enlistees. Learn how parents can encourage financial literacy and independence—without overstepping.
Event Topic: Helping Your Child Build Financial Independence
Event Date: November 19, 2025 6:30pm (EST)
October Podcast & Event
Military Traditions & Language: Decoding Your Child’s New World
The First 12 Months
A cultural guide for military parents—covering customs, acronyms, ranks, and routines to help loved ones speak the language and understand the environment.
Event Topic: Culture Shock: Helping Your Child—and Yourself—Adjust
Event Date: October 29, 2025 6:30pm (EDT)
September Podcast & Event
Graduation Day 101: Traditions, Travel, and What Comes Next
The First 12 Months
Covering the logistics and meaning behind basic training graduation, this episode helps parents prepare for the big day and understand what follows: AIT or first duty station.
Event Topic: From Graduation to Next Steps: What Parents Should Expect
Event Date: Sept. 24, 2025 6:30pm (EDT)
August Podcast & Event
Boot Camp Breakdown: Understanding the Process and the Progress
The First 12 Months
An inside look at the phases of basic training, emotional and physical transformations, and the milestones to watch for. We’ll hear from a recent graduate and their parent.
Event Topic: Supporting from Afar: Parent Strategies During Basic
Event Date: August 26, 2025 6:30pm (EDT)
July Podcast & Event
Preparing for Goodbye: What Every Parent Should Know Before Basic Training
The First 12 Months
This episode will walk parents through what to expect during the final weeks before their child leaves for basic training—logistics, emotions, communication tips, and how to offer support without overstepping.
Event Topic: Your Questions Answered: Getting Ready for Basic Training
Event Date: July 30, 2025 6:30pm (EDT)