Author: USVM Editor

The veteran entrepreneurs we do business with make Walmart a stronger company. Veteran suppliers are an important part of our mission to deliver the products and services our customers want and need. Walmart spent $1.2 billion with veteran-owned suppliers in FY23.Honoring service members is in our DNA. We’re committed to supporting those who serve, and we have been since the very beginning. Our founder, Sam Walton, served in the U.S. Army during the second World War.The skills our military veterans developed while serving our country like leading diverse teams and making critical decisions under pressure naturally align with the entrepreneurial…

By Annie Nelson, Founder, American Soldier Network   In 1917, Loretta Perfectus Walsh became the first woman to enlist in the military when she joined the Navy. As of 2022, women constituted an average of 17.5% of all active-duty military personnel, totaling nearly 229,000 members. For context, women were first granted the ability to serve as permanent members of the armed services under the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, signed into law on June 12, 1948. One of these esteemed women is U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant Danielle Hopkins. Hopkins is an Intelligence Analyst with the 118th Operational Support Squadron, 118th Wing at Berry…

Graduating from college and entering the workforce is an exciting, yet often overwhelming, transition. As you take the first steps into your professional life, it’s important to be equipped with the right strategies to set yourself up for success. If you’re a recent graduate, here are 10 tips below to help you navigate the beginning of your career and make a positive impact: Conduct Informational MeetingsInstead of jumping straight into job applications, take time to conduct informational meetings with professionals in your desired field. These casual conversations provide insights into different roles, company cultures and industry expectations, and they can…

Updated 10-9-2024: Navy Federal Careers link.Transitioning from military service to a civilian career can be a challenging journey. Christopher “CJ” Kane, a veteran and current talent scout supervisor at Navy Federal Credit Union, offers a compelling narrative on how he completed the transition and is now helping others do the same. In an in-depth conversation, Kane shares insights into his position at the credit union, the importance of veteran support in the workforce, and Navy Federal’s commitment to military communities.From Military Service to Talent AcquisitionKane’s journey is marked by a blend of military discipline and a passion for human resources.…

October marks the start of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a time that raises awareness on disability employment. People with disabilities have always had a harder time obtaining work, mostly due to preconceived notions of their capabilities and unconscious bias.While 2023 saw the highest rate of disability employment in history—averaging at about 37%—there is still so much work to be done to further inclusion and independence opportunities for the community. This year’s NDEAM theme, “Access and Good Jobs for All” will be focusing on this idea—promoting fair access to well-paying jobs for people with disabilities to further raise these…

By Dr. Katie Cagle-Holtcamp    His heart races as Jason (name changed for anonymity) puts his foot in the stirrup and swings his leg over the saddle. He’s never ridden a horse before, but that’s not the issue. Extreme anxiety has become a normal part of everyday life ever since he returned from deployment. He’s constantly on edge, can’t sleep and his mind races. The only thing that seems to help is alcohol, but that’s become habitual and unsustainable.Today, he’s looking for a fresh start. As part of his addiction treatment, Jason is participating in a special program that combines therapist-led…

According to the Harvard Business Review, nearly 50 million Americans quit their jobs or changed careers in 2021. Of employed adults 18 and older, more than 60% changed their fields entirely to try something new.There are still many out there today attempting to make a career change for a variety of reasons. If you’re one of them, Ticket to Work offers some of the best ways to get started:Identify Your WhyWhen switching or exploring new careers, ask yourself why you want to do so in the first place. Perhaps you want to learn new skills, increase your earnings or have…

By Mark Robbins     A Marine lost both hands and still wanted to ride a bicycle, but his prosthetic hands made it difficult for him to shift gears. He later received a new device that allowed him to give a command to a microphone that he was wearing, and the gears shifted up or down as needed.A Soldier was blinded while on patrol and wanted to continue skiing after leaving the military. Instead of being tethered to a rope or having a guide yell instructions on a noisy ski slope, a special vest was made with vibrating discs controlled by a…

Let’s be honest—if you’re applying for a job, you’re probably not the only person qualified for the position. How can you stand out among the competition before an employer even gets to meet you? One technique you can use to your advantage is to write an attention-grabbing cover letter. Ticket to Work reports that a  cover letter is a one-page document that introduces you to a potential employer. Your resume describes the facts of your work experience (either paid or volunteer work), while your cover letter gives the hiring manager some insight into your personality.While your resume tells what you did, the cover…

You seek the honor of service — protecting America and helping make the world a safer place. You’ll find it at Leidos, a company that has been tackling some of our nation’s biggest problems for over 50 years. Operation MVP is our company-wide initiative to hire and support military veterans and spouses.We’re hiring innovative professionals for engineering, IT, cyber, and healthcare opportunities. Nearly 20% of our employees are military veterans or spouses – join us and together, we can solve some of the world’s most vexing challenges.Thousands of veterans and military spouses have joined Leidos to support vital missions for…