Ep. 154 From Scout Sniper to Startup Founder: Jake Wilmes on Coding, AI, and Meaningful Job Applications

In this episode of TheMilVet Podcast, host Beau Higgins sits down with Jacob “Jake” Wilmes, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, former scout sniper, self-taught coder, AI and machine learning engineer, and founder of Hire Calling.

Jake shares his journey from serving in elite combat roles to navigating the complexities of civilian life, learning to code from scratch, and breaking into the tech industry with no formal background. He candidly discusses the challenges of transitioning from the military, the frustrations veterans face when applying to civilian jobs, and how perseverance, mentorship, and creative problem-solving shaped his path from startup roles to launching his own company.

Throughout the conversation, Jake walks through his non-linear career: learning coding and AI on his own, interning and working at tech startups, tackling diverse roles from software development to hardware troubleshooting, earning a master’s degree in data science to formalize his credentials, and ultimately founding Hire Calling — a platform designed to make the hiring process more transparent and engaging for both job seekers and employers.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• How military problem-solving skills translate to entrepreneurship, tech, and startup environments
• The realities of learning coding, AI, and machine learning from scratch while pivoting into civilian careers
• Why veterans often face “application black holes” and what can be done to bridge the gap
• How Hire Calling links job applications to nonprofit donations to increase transparency and trust
• The challenges of raising capital, selling your vision to investors, and building a product pre-launch
• Lessons learned about mentorship, persistence, and creative networking in both tech and entrepreneurship
  
  

Jake also shares practical advice for veterans considering entrepreneurship, from leveraging your military skills, building networks, and navigating funding, to understanding startup life and market opportunities.

If you’re a veteran exploring technology, AI, startups, or your next mission after service, this episode delivers actionable insights, inspiring stories, and real-world guidance from someone who’s navigated the transition, learned to code from the ground up, and is now building a platform to help other veterans succeed.

🔗 Connect with TheMilVet → themilvet.org
 🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn → @The Military Veteran
 🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more conversations empowering veterans to win after service.

#Veterans #MarineCorps #Leadership #CareerTransition #Entrepreneurship #TechStartups #AI #MachineLearning #VeteranFounders #MilitaryToTech #StartupLife #ServiceAfterService #Resilience #HireCalling #TheMilVetPodcast

Thanks for listening!

Here's how you can find us to continue the conversation:

Tweet us at @brendan_aronson
Follow us on Instagram at @themilitaryvet
Subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter at https://www.themilvet.org/resources-for-veterans
Check out our video content on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@themilitaryvet