National Invest In Veterans Week®

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Douglas County Commissioners Honor Veterans During National Invest In Veterans Week® 2022

National Invest In Veterans Week Staff

National Invest In Veterans Week® is a time when we come together as a nation to honor the brave men and women who have served in our armed forces. From March 1st to March 7th, we celebrated our heroes with a series of virtual events that highlighted the best of what our veterans have to offer.

The week kicked off with a powerful keynote address from Brigadier General (Ret.) Carol Eggert. Brigadier General Eggert shared her experiences as a military leader and discussed the importance of supporting veterans as they transition to civilian life. She emphasized the need for businesses to hire veterans and recognize the valuable skills and experiences they bring to the workforce.

The National Invest In Veterans Week® featured several noteworthy events that focused on empowering and assisting veterans. Here are seven of the best events that took place during the week.

Fran Tarkenton, founder of GoSmallBiz, shared his insights on how veterans can leverage their unique experiences to create a compelling value proposition in the job market. Tarkenton, a former NFL quarterback and successful entrepreneur, emphasized the importance of resilience, adaptability, and leadership in the business world. He urged veterans to use their military training and experience as a competitive advantage and offered practical tips on networking and building a personal brand.

Allyson Lawson, a military spouse and marketing communications associate at the San Diego & Imperial SBDC Network, spoke about the challenges faced by military spouses in building a professional identity. She shared her own experiences and offered tips on how to establish oneself as a professional or entrepreneur despite frequent relocations and other obstacles. Lawson encouraged military spouses to pursue their passions and leverage their unique strengths to achieve their career goals.

Colonel (Ret.) Rob Campbell, President of the Military Officers Association of America, highlighted the important role played by military spouses and the challenges they face in finding employment and pursuing their own careers. He discussed the various initiatives undertaken by his organization to support military spouses and urged employers to recognize the valuable skills and experiences that military spouses bring to the table.

Dr. Benjamin Keyes, a licensed clinical psychologist and founder of Keyes Psychology, spoke about the importance of self-care in the transition from military to civilian life. He emphasized the need for veterans to prioritize their physical, emotional, and mental well-being as they navigate the challenges of transitioning to a new phase of their lives. Dr. Keyes offered practical tips on managing stress, building resilience, and developing a positive mindset.

Colonel (Ret.) Michael S. Hartmann, CEO of Hartmann Industries LLC, shared his insights on leadership and management in the private sector, drawing on his experience in the military and in business. He emphasized the importance of building strong relationships, setting clear goals, and fostering a culture of accountability and trust. Colonel Hartmann encouraged veterans to bring their leadership skills and experiences to the private sector and offered practical tips on how to succeed in the business world.

Elizabeth Cotton, Executive Director of Black Tech Link, spoke about the power of public diplomacy in advancing STEM education and resources around the world. She discussed the various grant opportunities available through the federal government and offered practical advice on navigating the application process. Cotton shared examples of successful public diplomacy projects and encouraged veterans to get involved in this important work.

Evan Hafer, a former Green Beret and founder and CEO of Black Rifle Coffee Company, spoke about his journey from military service to entrepreneurship. He emphasized the importance of leveraging the skills and experiences gained in the military to succeed in the business world. Hafer shared insights on how he built his coffee company from scratch and grew it into a multi-million dollar business with a loyal following. He also discussed his commitment to hiring veterans and how Black Rifle Coffee Company is giving back to the military community through various initiatives.

Another standout event was the "Veterans in Technology" panel discussion. This event featured veterans who have successfully transitioned into careers in the tech industry. They shared their stories and provided valuable insights for other veterans who are interested in pursuing careers in technology. The panelists emphasized the importance of networking and continuous learning in order to succeed in this rapidly evolving industry.

The "Entrepreneurship and Veterans" panel discussion was another highlight of the week. This event brought together veterans who have started their own businesses to share their experiences and provide advice for other veterans who are interested in entrepreneurship. The panelists discussed the challenges they faced in starting their businesses and emphasized the importance of perseverance and adaptability.

A particularly unique event was the "Virtual Tour of the National World War II Museum." This event provided participants with a virtual tour of the museum's exhibits, which highlight the experiences of veterans who served in World War II. The tour emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by our veterans and preserving their stories for future generations.

Finally, the week concluded with an event focused on supporting military spouses. "Finding Your Professional Identity as a Military Spouse" featured Allyson Lawson, who shared her experiences as a military spouse and provided valuable advice for others who are navigating their own careers while supporting their significant others. This event emphasized the importance of recognizing and supporting the sacrifices made by military spouses.

Overall, National Invest In Veterans Week® was a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. It highlighted the valuable skills and experiences that veterans bring to the workforce and emphasized the need for businesses to support and hire veterans. The week also provided valuable insights and advice for veterans who are interested in pursuing careers in technology or entrepreneurship. And, importantly, it recognized and supported the sacrifices made by military spouses.

As the staff of National Invest In Veterans Week®, we are proud to have organized this series of events and to have had the opportunity to honor our heroes in this way. We hope that this week has inspired others to support and invest in our veterans, and we look forward to continuing this important work in the years to come.

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