ZeroMils

On March 6th our CEO Kevin Schmiegel will be giving the keynote at Viasat’s annual Transition Conference in Carlsbad California. More than 50 transitioning service members, Veterans and Military Spouses along with dozens of nonprofit leaders will join us. For companies and nonprofits in southern California that want to learn more about ZeroMils’ efforts to create Military Thriving cultures and communities we are also hosting a small group roundtable on the afternoon of March 5th. Hit up Tommy Jones for more information. Pictured here at last year’s conference with Marine Veterans — Bridget Guerrero, CBCP at Viasat and Queta Rodriguez at FourBlock As well as Adam Rodriguez and Nubia Simmons at Orion Talent.

Growing our impact is what matters most. Our mantra is simple — actions speak louder than words. Any movement — to include a “narrative- changing” Military Thriving® one — is possible with repeat engagements at the local level, where all hiring, growth, and impact occur. While we can’t be in all 50 states our 5th and final #BHAG for 2025 is to explore 5 regions of the country with the goal of identifying just one state or city committed to model a true #MilitaryThriving community. Below are a list of upcoming engagements from California to Texas, to DC, Maryland, Virginia, and NC. Hold on to your hats and get ready to #Thrive in 2025: ▶️ Military Thriving Stakeholder Meeting in partnership with Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs and Platoon 22 in Frederick Maryland – February 25, 2025 ▶️ Military Thriving Stakeholder Meeting and Viasat Transition Conference in Carlsbad CA - March 5 and 6 ▶️ Military Thriving Hampton Roads - Anchoring Growth & Change - March 13 in Williamsburg VA in partnership with William & Mary and wear blue: run to remember ▶️ Military Thriving Community-Wide Engagement in Dallas - March 19. ▶️ Military Thriving Stakeholder Meeting in Austin Texas - March 20 Our events page ⬇️ is the best place to learn more. Photos from the last time ZeroMils was in each of those places. 1 and 2) with Paul and Team OG in San Diego; 3) with Gordon Logan in Austin: 4) Hampton Roads with Rob "Butch" Bracknell, Brian Wieters and Shirley Campbell; 5) with Platoon 22 in Frederick; 6) With Medal of Honor recipient Sal Giunta in Dallas.

This first in a series of Military Thriving Community Wide Engagements across the country features a community run, hands-on service projects, and leadership development programs—all aimed at creating a nationwide movement that changes the narrative and perceptions about Veterans and strengthens propensity to serve.

Unemployment rate for Veterans spiked more than a percentage point to 4.2% in January. As this week’s article in Military .com suggests, Veteran unemployment rates may climb in the coming months due to a number of factors, including higher rates of service in government jobs. But let’s not give the microphone to Chicken Little just yet. I’ve been studying Veteran unemployment rates for Veterans every month since 2011 — a year when post 9/11 Veterans under the age of 24 had close to 30% unemployment and much higher than non-veterans the same age. This was the reason we started Hiring Our Heroes in the first place. Never once in the past 14 years have I not taken the time to compare Veteran unemployment data with our civilian counterparts. ▶️ The fact is: Veterans have historically had a lower unemployment rate than non-veterans since 2000. Saying Veterans are suffering from high unemployment without comparing to our civilian neighbors is careless, lazy, and unempathetic. Before saying the sky is falling, we should take a second to pause, and consider the data comparison shown in the second photo.

On February 25, 2025 ZeroMils is joining forces with Platoon 22 and MD VA Secretary Anthony Woods to discuss what it takes to attract and retain military talent and families by creating. a Military Thriving community with nonprofits and MD’s 14 military installations — using our whole of region playbook in western Maryland. If you’re a MD company with a skills gap or a national employer with interests in growing in the region — you can join us for a small group roundtable that includes dozens of best in class companies and nonprofits working together to effect greater change. Photos: 1) Executive Director of Platoon 22 Marine Veteran Niki Falzone with Governor Wes Moore at the Veterans Service Center in Frederick; 2) Our CEO Kevin Schmiegel with MD VA Secretary Anthony Woods at the inaugural #MilitaryThriving Change Forum at Georgetown on 10.23.24.

Here are ZeroMils' 2025 Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAG) -- and how our network of #MilitaryThriving Veterans, service members, and their families can be a part of the movement and help change the narrative with us!

Our Director of Partnerships Monica Shea joined Trish Bautista, her husband Navy Corpsman Brian Bautista, and their extended family and friends on a beautiful Saturday in Jacksonville FL. Monica represented our growing team at ZeroMils — #showering Trish, Brian, and baby Emsley with our love and blessings! We can’t wait to welcome Emsley into the world — and into our growing family this April!

I’ve always been a “glass half empty” person. In leading organizations I “worst case” everything before launching a big idea, campaign, or initiative. It creates a mindset that even in “failure” — the outcome will be a good one. This holds true for ZeroMils Military Thrivimg movement. Let’s be honest: there is no downside to changing the narrative from “broken” to #thriving. Over the past two decades, our community has accepted a glass half empty mindset. We’ve let organizations and communities say they’re“Military Friendly” — as if they are doing us a favor by allowing us to work for them or live in their states. All the while — Veterans, military spouses and our families have been driving growth and impact in the workplace and in communities. if we continue to approach creating a Military Thriving movement as “glass half full” — we will start to realize our full potential as a community and find much needed balance in how we are perceived. Worst case we’ll get to a point where we recognize that while some of us do struggle and face challenges from time to time - a vast majority of us are #thriving and as a strong connected community can help those who aren’t get back on track and thrive again. Photos: Veterans and military spouses holding glasses half full. #MilitaryThriving

Happy 28th Birthday to Captain Nick Cucinotta! Pictured here with our President and COO (then Colonel) Paul Cucinotta. #MilitaryThriving #SemperFidelis

A logo on a t-shirt or a sign that describes your organization or your community as “military friendy” isn’t good enough. They are words that imply charity. #Military #Thriving goes a step beyond, recognizing the unique value that Veterans and Military Spouses bring to the workplace and society. This is why we are joining forces with MD VA Secretary Anthony Woods who “showed up” for our community at ZeroMils’ inaugural National #MilitaryThriving Change Forum at Georgetown — and made a commitment to host a Military Thriving Stakeholders Meeting at the Veterans Service Center in Frederick with Platoon 22 led by Niki Falzone. We will be focused on the topic of attracting and retaining military talent and families and creating. Military Thriving communities with nonprofits and MD’s 14 military installations — using our whole of region playbook. If you’re a MD company with a skills gap or a national employer with interests in growing in the region — you can join us for a small group roundtable that includes dozens of best in class companies and nonprofits working together to effect greater change. Opening remarks from Secretary Woods followed by a lively discussion - Tuesday February 25, 2025 at 10:30 am - 12 pm EST. Give me or Trish Bautista a shout if you’re interested in participating and leading change.