Forge Institute’s Post

Highly recommend FourBlock to all transitioning vets. It is complete game changer in your transition experience!

🚨 Attention transitioning service members and recent veterans! 🚨 If you're navigating the transition from military to civilian life, do yourself a favor and check out FourBlock. Their career readiness program is nothing short of amazing! 🎯It offers valuable learning experiences and, more importantly, direct exposure to top organizations and hiring managers you might not otherwise connect with. I had the privilege of graduating from the program in 2021, and it was truly one of the best experiences I've had since retiring from the Army. 🙌The insights, support, and connections I gained have been instrumental in shaping my post-military career. If you're looking for a community that understands the journey and can help you unlock opportunities, FourBlock is the way to go. 💡Don't miss out on this incredible resource! #Veterans #MilitaryTransition #CareerReadiness #FourBlock #Networking

#20 of 30 #MinistersOfDefense joining us on October 23 for a Military Thriving Change Forum at Georgetown University is Katherine Dames, Managing Director of Education and Workforce Development at BlueForge Alliance. Few people sit in a more important role in our nation’s efforts to build submarines. Joining other champions of post secondary education, upskilling and workforce development like — Melissa A. Bryant from VetsinTech, Gregory Summers, the CEO, of Orion Talent, Ashley Huderson from ASME and Meg O'Grady from National University — Katherine will dive deep into the challenges associated with massive skills gap in military-supporting industries and how to leverage veteran and early talent to solve for it In addition to workforce gaps in the military, the critical infrastructure that supports our defense - both legacy infrastructure like the manufacturing of ships, planes and equipment, as well as modern infrastructure including hardware and software engineering to support cybersecurity and intelligence operations - is also suffering a skills gap.  This panel explores how our military veterans can continue leading purposeful lives and serving their country by pursuing these careers after service.  Additionally, the panel will explore how young people who cannot serve - over 80% of the population - might consider these careers as an alternative to military service if they want to serve their country. Join us virtually on 10/23 at the livestream link below ⬇️ and help change the narrative. #MinistersOfDefense #MilitaryThriving

"Innovation is the unrelenting drive to break the status quo and develop anew where few have dared to go." - Steven Jeffes That is a great quote, and something that can fire up Innovators.... but it likely won't work as a #definition of Innovation in a future #InnovationDoctrine for the United States Department of Defense. If not this, then what? And what are the essential elements? I will return to a conversation that I had with one of my favorite #Marines back in 2021 (it made enough of an impression that I took note of the date) when @Dana Sanford and I were at NSIN - National Security Innovation Network and riffing at how we should define Innovation in the #DoD and he said "Something that is new, creates value, and carries risk". 🤯 Something #new seems easy. That's where technology enthusiasts are loving and chasing the CTO's #CriticalTechnology list and all its sub-components, but where the amazing work of people like Kris Saling and Andrea N. Goldstein and others get overlooked because what they do is #peopleCentric YET IT IS NEW!!! Or Sabra Horne's epic "Creating Innovation Navigators" It has to create #value. That value has to be #measurable. God bless all my beloved contracting officers, but dollars on contract are not the only yard stick. For example, about 5 years ago, the DoD changed almost 10 policies related to pregnancy and promotion. An entire generation of Service Members will not leave...... hence they won't need to be replaced. That has value. It is Innovation. It has to carry #risk. This is where it gets the most nuanced, and where a different post will unpack it more...... As service members and DoD civilians, we have a different relationship to risk than the commercial sector. We NEED a different relationship to risk. Can we all agree that delay represents risk to the warfighter? As I discussed with LTG Charlie Costanza on the sidelines of #AUSA24 the risk that is needed in Innovation is the risk that might fall on a person's reputation if they endorse something that is REALLY different. Sometimes that is the risk that is just too great to hazard, and the Innovation dies for the lack of a #SeniorChampion. An Innovation Doctrine gives that idea operational space. A #J10 gives you a Senior Champion, along with a career path to grow up to be that Senior Champion. JoAnne (Jo) Bass JoAnn Naumann Erick Ocasio Sabra Horne Chaveso Cook, Ph.D. Brian Cook Darshan "Dash" Divakaran Julie Vida Gary Brito Gregg Thompson Colonel Trent Mills, Ph.D Gary Lehmann Alex Hult Kourtney Hiser, PMP Steve Gribschaw, MBA Lesley Wilhelm Christopher Zember Marryam Chaudhry Peter Newell Steve Blank Angie Hemphill Lamont Colucci Bryan Leahy Amanda Bowers Michael Quinn Michael Herbek Rob Taber Thomas “Fug” Lee Raphael Cohen Aaron Celaya Sage Miller Demetrio Espinosa Nickel Jaramillo

Thanks 🪖Steven Weston🪖 for the shout out! Check out Steven's post, see what others are saying and how Oplign can help you leverage your job search!

✨ Transitioning from military service to the civilian workforce can be challenging, but with the right guidance, it becomes a game-changing opportunity. If you’re a veteran or active-duty service member looking to take the next step in your career, I can’t recommend this program enough! It’s by far one of the best transition programs out there. Through personalized coaching from seasoned business professionals, you’ll gain: ✅ Valuable insights to navigate the job market. ✅ A clear strategy to land the role you’re aiming for. ✅ Tools to confidently position yourself for success. This program equips you to not just find a job, but to thrive in your next chapter. If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, I encourage you to explore this opportunity! #Veterans #MilitaryTransition #Leadership #CareerGrowth #VeteranSupport #MilitaryToCivilian

For those getting ready for Hiring Our Heroes COHORT 3-2024. Are you researching companies to find your fit? Well, let me help put Verizon to the front of your mind. When I began my transition, the #Vteam was not on my radar. Fortunately I had some previous comrades from my military service who had retired ahead of me and brought this wonderful employer into view. Here is our publicly shared fast facts one pager. If you are a #veteran, #transitioning #servicemember, or #milspouse…you can attend one of our Information sessions to learn about our hiring process and how to compete for our Military Fellowships, #dodskillbridge, and Direct Hire positions.

Always gonna support this program. If you’re thinking about transitioning from the service, or if you’re a veteran looking to sharpen the tools to advance your career, you owe it to yourself to check into this.

⚠ To anyone who's transitioned from the military, you know it can be a bit of a whirlwind. Having served over 20 years and currently navigating my own transition from the Army, I can confirm—it's stressful 😅 ! But here's the good news: there are allies all around, and some fantastic programs that connect you with companies and expand your network. Over the past month, while searching for my next career, I’ve met some truly amazing people. I just want to take a moment to say thank you! I know we’re all busy, and the fact that you took the time to mentor, coach, and provide feedback does not go unnoticed. Ray Jokie with Lockheed Martin 🛰 Kyle Kinder, Winston Lam, and Andrew Vance with McKesson ⚕ Joseph "Joe" King with Wells Fargo 🏦 Marcus Castilla with ROGER Bank 🏦 Cody Ledbetter with O'Reilly Auto Parts 🚗 Thank you! For those making the transition (or will be soon), I highly recommend programs like FourBlock and Hiring Hiring Our Heroes. Also, get comfortable with platforms like LinkedIn. A former leader Eric Lopez once told me that social media can expand your impact and reach—don’t be afraid to reach out to strangers! The right people will respond. My career search journey goes on, but I am trusting the process and putting in the work! #VeteranTransition #Army #Networking #FourBlock #HiringOurHeroes #Grateful #CareerJourney #LinkedInTips

Shawn Farson, MSSL's journey from Navy SEAL to USC Marshall student beautifully captures the spirit of new beginnings. Just 5 months into retirement after 20 years of service, he's channeling his "never-quit attitude" into education and entrepreneurship, while staying dedicated to helping fellow veterans through his AI company FindAFitt. His story shows how USC provides a new sense of belonging for those who've served. Key Points: - Retired Navy SEAL pursuing MBV '25 at USC Marshall - Owns three businesses including FindAFitt (veteran career matching) - Plans to continue at USC with EdD after MBV - Balances education, business, and family life Key Takeaways: 1. Military experience provides strong foundation for business education 2. USC Marshall offers specialized veteran support network 3. Program knowledge immediately applies to business ventures 4. Strong veteran community support system USC Fight On Spirit: Exemplified through Farson's resilience and community-focused mindset: "Me winning equals you winning, and we win together." His transition from SEAL training to academics demonstrates the persistent determination that defines both military and Trojan values.