From Combat Boots to Stormtrooper Armor: Joe Lara’s Guide to Reinventing Identity

For veterans, transitioning from military service to civilian life can feel like stepping into a new galaxy, far, far away. Joe Lara, co-founder of Vector Accelerator, knows this journey intimately. On a recent episode of the Vector Podcast, Joe shared his insights on identity, transformation, and how his love for Star Wars helped him see his post-military self in a new light.

Identity Beyond the Uniform

Joe started by reflecting on how easy it is for veterans to define themselves solely by their military service. "We put a lot of weight into what we do, and it almost becomes our identity," he explained. Whether it’s on the battlefield or in a civilian networking event, Joe noticed a tendency to ask, “What do you do?” as a shorthand for understanding someone.

For Joe, this realization hit when a civilian introduced himself by saying he’d been “in business for 30 years.” At first, Joe was impressed. But later, he questioned it: “What if he was horrible at it? What if he lost money, failed to lead well, or had no success at all?” That reflection sparked an epiphany: being in the military for 24 years didn’t automatically define him as a person. It was time to think bigger.

A Mosaic of Identities

To illustrate his own complex identity, Joe shared a viral LinkedIn post with four photos: himself as a Marine in Afghanistan, as a business professional in a suit, as a Stormtrooper in a charity event costume, and as a dad having a beer with his son. “Each one of those photos is a sliver of my life,” Joe said. “But the theme that ties them all together is service and impact. That’s who I am.”

The Stormtrooper photo in particular symbolizes something deeply personal. Joe explained, “It’s tied to a love of nerd stuff, but also contributing through charities. Imagine you’re a sick kid in a hospital, and in walks a Stormtrooper or Darth Vader. Even if it’s just for a moment, they might forget their pain.”

Through his passion for Star Wars, Joe found not only a way to express himself but also a means of serving others—a thread that ties together all parts of his identity.

The Importance of Self-Discovery

Joe emphasized that figuring out who you are outside of the military is not easy. “I wish somebody would hold up a picture of success for me, like, ‘Joe, this is what success looks like for you.’ But that’s not how it works,” he admitted.

Instead, Joe described the process of transition as building a mosaic. “It’s these small pieces that normally would be separate, but when you put them together, you step back and see this larger image. That’s you.” He urged veterans to explore the things they love and push away what they don’t. “It’s about looking at your life in sections and not trying to see the whole picture at once.”

Advice for Veterans

For veterans in transition, Joe offered two key pieces of advice. First, don’t settle. “So many veterans are impatient—they want it now,” he said. “But transition is a process for a reason.”

Second, stay curious and open. Joe shared how stepping into something vulnerable, like his Stormtrooper hobby, opened unexpected doors. “You never know who’s watching, observing, or being influenced by you taking that leap of faith.”

Your Next Chapter

Joe’s story reminds us that transitioning out of the military is not just about finding a new job—it’s about rediscovering who you are. Whether it’s stepping into a suit, a Stormtrooper costume, or another role entirely, the key is to embrace the parts of yourself that bring you joy and purpose.

As Joe puts it, “We’re so much more than veterans in transition. Think bigger. Think about impact. Think about how you want to solve problems in the world.”

If you’re navigating your own transition, check out Vector Accelerator to start piecing together your own mosaic of identity. Who knows? Your next chapter might just surprise you.

Watch the full episode here.