Music has long been a source of connection, healing, and strength for veterans. In recent years, several contemporary bands have stepped up not just to entertain, but to actively support those who have served. Whether through benefit concerts, veteran-focused charity work, or simply raising awareness, these bands are proving that music and mission can go hand in hand.🎶 Rock & MetalFive Finger Death Punch (FFDP) – Very active in supporting veterans; their music videos often honor service members, and they’ve partnered with veteran charities like PTSD Foundation of America and Gary Sinise Foundation.Disturbed – Vocal about supporting the troops and…
Author: USVM
When it comes to special offers and discounts, your status as a veteran or active-duty service member gets you more than the special discounts available on Veterans Day— additional benefits often extend to residents of Aliso Viejo assisted living communities. Many retailers, restaurants, services and more offer special benefits for military personnel and their families every day of the year. Here’s a look at some of the best perks you can take advantage of year-round. Please note that the discounts below may require a military ID. Discounts that can be redeemed by spouses and dependents will be noted as such.…
Stepping into the civilian workforce can feel like entering unfamiliar territory, but you’re not starting from scratch. Your military career has equipped you with mission-critical skills: strategic execution, team leadership, operational precision and the ability to perform under pressure.The key is making civilian employers see that. That’s where LinkedIn becomes more than just a platform—it becomes your digital battlefield for opportunity. With a compelling profile and smart engagement, veterans can transform their service record into a powerful professional narrative that resonates across industries.Learn how to harness LinkedIn to elevate your presence, connect with the right people and translate your experience…
Transitioning from military service to a civilian career can be a challenging journey for veterans. Fortunately, numerous specialized resources and websites are available to help veterans find meaningful employment that leverages their unique skills and experiences. Here is a detailed look at some of the most effective platforms and programs tailored to military veterans seeking jobs.Hire Heroes USAHire Heroes USA (hireheroesusa.org) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses find employment. It offers free career coaching, résumé building and job search assistance. Hire Heroes USA provides personalized career coaching tailored to veterans’ military backgrounds.…
By David Raymond I didn’t set out to become a business owner (let alone a franchisee), but looking back, every step I’ve taken seems to have led me here.Growing up, I didn’t have a lot of structure at home. I entered foster care at 10 and bounced around for a while. I wasn’t a bad kid, but I had a tough time finding direction. I got good grades but struggled with discipline, and college just wasn’t something we could afford. So, when I turned 18, my options were pretty clear: go to a community college or go into the…
For U.S. Navy veteran Patrick Eugene Miles, the transition from active duty to civilian life wasn’t without its hurdles. But joining Merck & Co., Inc. in 2017 opened the door to a new kind of service—one rooted in purpose, camaraderie and opportunity.Now an operations specialist at Merck, Miles brings decades of experience from his military career into the pharmaceutical industry, where the company’s commitment to mission-driven work resonated deeply. “A foundational principle at the company is rooted in a quote by George W. Merck, ‘We try never to forget that medicine is for the people. It’s not for the profit.’…
By Paul Peng If you are an owner of a business—regardless of size—you are vested in the ability to have the best available talent at a competitive price point so that your business can remain profitable. That’s why you or perhaps someone who works for you goes through hundreds of resumes and interviews to achieve that goal. Veterans are often touted as the ideal employee for several reasons; however, is that really the case for your business? Let’s dive into the advantages and drawbacks—real or imagined—of having a veteran in your workforce. And for the veterans out there—some advice…
An inside look at Journey to Cabanatuan and the enduring legacy of the 6th Ranger Battalion: By Annie Nelson A Legacy Worth Walking ForSome military operations transcend tactics and strategy. They live on as testaments to valor, brotherhood and sacrifice. One of those stories is the Raid at Cabanatuan—January 1945—when the 6th Ranger Battalion, supported by Filipino guerrillas and Alamo Scouts, rescued over 500 POWs in one of the greatest military operations in American history.Eighty years later, a different kind of mission took place: a journey of remembrance.Retired Command Sergeant Major Mike Burke—Army Ranger, veteran of multiple combat deployments and executive producer—helped…
As a company founded by and for military families, USAA has always been deeply committed to the veteran community. With nearly 25% of its workforce made up of veterans or military spouses, the financial services organization continues to stand out as a Top Veteran-Friendly Employer—not only for its hiring practices but for its thoughtful approach to transition support and professional development.“At USAA, having employees with military skills and experience is essential to our mission,” said Christopher Flores, Assistant Vice President of Military Talent and Strategic Partnerships. “We serve the military and their families, and we prioritize hiring individuals who have…
For Army veteran and MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University) honors student John Farris, service didn’t end when he left the military. Whether working toward his aerospace degree, training service dogs or helping fellow student veterans, Farris has found ways to carry his dedication to others into every corner of his life.Originally from Columbia, Tennessee, Farris graduated from Columbia Academy at just 17 years old. By the time most people his age entered college, he was completing basic training and preparing to serve as a radio transmitter operator at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. After leaving the Army in 2021, Farris…
