Letter from our CEO
After 9/11, you struggled to find a front porch in America without an American flag proudly waving. 9/11 united us, as common foes almost always do.
Since everything today is political, permit me to steal a famous political quote from Lloyd Bentsen to compare 9/11 to the corona.
I served before 9/11. I knew 9/11. 9/11 was no friend of mine. But, coronavirus, you’re no 9/11.
Not only did the coronavirus fail to unite us, we actually figured out ways to let it further divide us!
What a fail.
All I can say is – Thank. God. For. Veterans.
Veterans are the last tribal affiliation that crosses all the lines we have let divide us: racial, political, gender, geographic, religious, socioeconomic status, paper/plastic, meat-eater or vegetarian, favorite color, dogs or cats…wait…what? Wait.
Everybody has a friend or a family member who served. We know them. We love them. We are all thankful for their bravery, for their selfless sacrifice, for keeping us safe…for allowing the rest of America the right to act like spoiled children, fighting over everything. Because they stand the watch.
This inaugural newsletter goes out to all of the wonderful, passionate people in this amazing interwoven fabric of organizations united in support of a common cause to improve the lives of veterans after service. We call the newsletter We Serve. Because We is all of us. Because we did. And because we do.
It’s for the veteran service organizations and military associations supporting veterans and pushing for legislative change.
It’s for the members of Congress, state legislators and their staffs who write the laws affecting veterans.
It’s for DOL-VETS, DOD and other government agencies who shape policy that affects veterans and military spouses.
It’s for the VA who takes care of those who shall have borne the battle.
It’s for the veteran nonprofits who serve our brothers and sisters in arms.
It’s for the people working in the transition assistance programs who prepare veterans to find jobs, schools and entrepreneurship opportunities.
It’s for those working in veteran centers on college campuses who teach us how to go back to school.
It’s for the corporate leaders who create career opportunities for veterans at their companies.
It’s for those who run companies that help veterans transition.
Viqtory salutes you. We’re here to support you. Whether we can help provide data to change laws, provide resources to help in transition assistance or simply to distribute your message of advocacy to a big audience.
Executing our mission to connect the military community to civilian opportunity is only possible because of the work you all do.
You’re an invaluable member of our beloved military community. Let’s unite. Not just for veterans. But because our country needs it. Now and forever.
Yours in service, Chris
Celebrating 20 Years
At Viqtory, we’re celebrating our 20th year of connecting the military community to civilian opportunity.
A Megaphone for Veterans Advocates
In this section of the newsletter, we share the great work our veteran advocates are doing so we can build on that work and create better laws and policies to support veterans in the private sector.
- Veterans Nonprofits: In the January issue, G.I. Jobs featured several nonprofit groups started and operated by veterans. The Mission Continues graduated its first cohort from the Women Veterans Leadership Program, despite the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- We also spotlighted a woman veteran serving with Team Rubicon (if you’re sensing a pattern here, it’s because the January issue focused on women veterans - invisible veterans). Launched by two Marine Corps veterans, Team Rubicon puts the skills of prior military to work helping people and communities recover from disasters.
- Veterans Legislation: Our publications follow veterans legislation and those who create it. The January issue of G.I. Jobs featured the six women veterans who will serve in the 117th Congress. Five of the six were featured on the cover of the January 2020 issue, our very first issue devoted to women veterans.
- In December Congress passed sweeping veterans legislation that addresses education, housing and transition benefits, the coronavirus pandemic, and issues important to women veterans. Among its many provisions, the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 reauthorizes the Transition Assistance Program’s pilot program for off-base transition classes from two years to five years.
Content, Tools & Training for Transitioning Service Members and Military Spouses
In this section of the newsletter, we share tools, content and resources to help veterans make a successful transition into the private sector.
Celebrating America’s Women Veterans
Women veterans are highly visible while serving in the military. When they get out, not so much. The January issue of G.I. Jobs celebrates these Invisible Veterans – starting with JPMorgan Chase’s Nana Adae, a Naval Academy graduate who’s rising through the ranks of a male-dominated industry.
- We also take you inside the VA’s new Women’s Health Transition Training program, introduce you to three millennial women veterans who are writing their own rules for success, and share the inspirational story of a woman veteran who not only survived sexual assault but learned to thrive in its wake.
- Virtual Career Expos for Military Job Seekers: Crowds of service members wandering awkwardly from booth to booth on the floor of a sprawling convention center may be a thing of the past. Our Virtual Career Expos (VCEs) are tailored specifically to transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses. From the comfort of their home, office, smartphone or tablet, job seekers in the military and veteran community can engage in one-on-one chats with recruiters from a variety of organizations that value military talent and experience.
Creating Civilian Opportunity
In this section of the newsletter, we share proprietary data, insightful anecdotes and best practices from the leading companies and schools about how to recruit, promote and advance veterans as employees, students, and franchisees.
- UnitedHealth Group - Military Friendly® Employer Spotlight: Leaders at UnitedHealth Group are dedicated to strengthening and evolving their military program through best practices, guidance and insights gained from Military Friendly®, which encourages organizations to designate centralized program managers to champion their military initiatives. UHG has partnered with Eddie Dunn as their military program champion. Eddie’s mission is to optimize UGH’s current program and, using the Military Friendly® survey as a roadmap, accelerate and build a world-class program. UGH consistently seeks best practices gleaned from Military Friendly® data and is continually evolving their process development and program structure.
- Did You Know? 98% of the 2021 Military Friendly® Employers have a full-time dedicated military program manager. On average, 66% of their time is focused on recruiting, with the balance spent on program roadmapping, outreach, new initiatives, BRG/ERG and CSR functions in their military program.
- Military Friendly® Schools (MFS) - Coming Soon! Military Friendly® is working on a new survey platform that will allow for interactive support functions, question by question explanations and interpretations, summary reporting, and eventually instantaneous designation results. In Q1 we’re also expanding public data collection for assurance.
About VIQTORY: For Veterans, By Veterans
Founded in 2001, VIQTORY is a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that connects the military and veteran community to civilian employment, education and entrepreneurship opportunities. VIQTORY’s brands include G.I. Jobs, Military Spouse and Military Friendly®.
