Author: USVM Editor

Starting a business can be expensive, but you don’t have to fund your company alone if you’re a veteran business owner. From government-funded business grants to scholarships from nonprofit organizations, here are some top funding opportunities you should take advantage of:Second Service Foundation Military Entrepreneur ChallengeHosted by the Second Service Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping veteran entrepreneurs, the Military Entrepreneur Challenge is an annual coaching and competition event that awards grants to veteran, military spouse and Gold Star family entrepreneurs. Participants are given the opportunity to prepare and present a pitch to a panel of judges that award monetary…

Hiring military veterans has become a key priority for many companies seeking dedicated, skilled and reliable employees. BNSF Railway, a leader in the transportation industry, offers a model for how organizations can successfully attract, support and retain veterans. By exploring the strategies used by BNSF, other companies can learn effective ways to build a veteran-friendly workforce that aligns with their goals and values.Aligning Military Experience with Company RolesOne of the first steps in effectively hiring veterans is recognizing how military skills translate to the private sector. BNSF’s Chief Operations Officer, Matt Igoe, exemplifies this transition. Before joining BNSF in 1998,…

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced that it has updated the process for awarding GI Bill benefits following the 2024 Supreme Court decision. This change provides Veterans who served multiple periods of military service, such as those who reenlisted, the opportunity to receive up to an additional 12 months of education benefits.Previously, Veterans with at least two periods of service were capped at 36 months of GI Bill benefits between the Montgomery GI Bill and the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Under the updated policy, that cap has been removed, allowing eligible Veterans to qualify for up to 48 months…

In the ever-evolving landscape of franchise opportunities, Dream Vacations stands out not only for its commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences but also for its dedication to supporting veterans and military families. Drew Daly, the general manager and senior vice president of Dream Vacations, is at the helm of this dynamic organization. With nearly three decades of experience, Daly has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s franchise division and ensuring its success.Empowering Veterans & Military FamiliesDream Vacations has established itself as a strong supporter of veterans and military families, offering a franchise model that resonates with their unique…

Active-duty service members will have a new benefit in 2025: health care flexible spending accounts. The DoD will make health care flexible spending accounts (FSAs) available to servicemembers for the first time in March 2025 through a special enrollment period, allowing participating military families to set aside up to $3,200 in pretax earnings to pay for qualified medical expenses.The Military Officer’s Association of America (MOAA) affirmed that MOAA and the Military Coalition (TMC), an umbrella group which represents about 5.5 million members of the uniformed services community, have long promoted authorization of these FSAs, which are similar to employment benefits…

As we enter the new year, the job market is shifting with significant opportunities in health care, technology, sustainability and finance. Here’s a snapshot of some of the highest-paying careers expected to thrive in the coming year:Artificial Intelligence & Machine LearningThe demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning experts is skyrocketing as industries incorporate AI in areas like health care, finance and autonomous vehicles. These roles are foundational in tech, with potential for growth across industries as AI integration increases​.AI engineers, who design the algorithms powering these innovations, earn between $100,000 and $150,000 annually, with senior roles often surpassing…

The 2024 Business Beyond the Battlefield Conference (BBBC) culminated in another huge success. More than 250 military-connected entrepreneurs participated in the one-day summit designed to change the narrative of how veterans are perceived. “Veterans are more than the challenges we may have faced; we are capacity builders who continue to serve our nation with an exceptional blend of leadership, resilience and innovation in a variety of ways,” remarked Patrick E. Alcorn, the conference founder. Noting that as of 2023, there were approximately 1.4 million veteran-owned businesses in the United States, employing over 11 million people. These businesses contribute significantly to…

Emceed by Long Island native and FOX News Channel (FNC) top-rated primetime host Sean Hannity, FOX Nation hosted its sixth annual Patriot Awards on Thursday, December 5, at the Tilles Center for Performing Arts in Brookville, New York.The awards show honored and recognized America’s finest patriots, including military veterans, first responders and other inspirational everyday heroes. President-elect Donald Trump was honored with the inaugural “Patriot of the Year” award.In attendance were FOX News Media personalities, including Will Cain, Rachel Campos-Duffy, Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt, Harris Faulkner, Bill Hemmer, Abby Hornacek, Lydia Hu, Laura Ingraham, Johnny Joey Jones, Lawrence Jones, Brian…

Even when utilizing the GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon program and other educational aids, you may still need extra help to cover university expenses. Here are some of the best scholarships you can apply for as a veteran, active-duty service member, military spouse or dependent:Folds of HonorEligible: Dependents and/or spouses of fallen or disabled U.S. service members are eligible to apply for scholarships.Amount: Up to $5,000We’re humbled by the eagerness of spouses and children to honor their service member by working hard toward educational goals. Folds of Honor pledges to stand in the gap financially as you take the next…

Have you ever wondered why you’re not getting responses to all those resumes you’ve been sending to employers? There could be various reasons for this, but one that consistently prevents candidates from securing job interviews is the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).ATS is an AI-powered hiring software tool that helps employers collect, filter and assess candidates’ resumes. While this system can help decrease the amount of unqualified job applicants brought to a recruiter’s attention, quickening the hiring process, it can also make the application process trickier for job seekers.Because employers receive multiple resumes in response to job openings, they often use…