happyveteransday

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Veterans Day one year later

Last December I was invited by Tech Cocktail and Tony Hsieh’s Downtown Project in Las Vegas to share some thoughts about Veterans, education, and the future. I wanted to share this talk today, on Veterans Day, because the answers still ring true. 

What hasn’t changed: 

1) There is a demand for skills-based talent in the Tech Sector that reflects a lack of relevant education not a lack of motivation to learn. 

2) There is a large gap for transitioning military veterans who leave the service. They have the skills but not the know-how on how to sell it into the marketplace.

3) The marketplace is still slow to adopt their processes to accept non-traditional educational backgrounds - both military service and non-credentialed education. 

4) “Just-in-time training” will only become more important as educational institutions fail to build skillsets that the market demands. 

5) I’m honored and humbled to have the opportunity to work with military veterans. The Americans who choose to serve in harms way for the great good are heroes. The families who support them on that journey are too. 

What has changed: 

1) The tech sector is recognizing the natural leadership abilities and strong skill sets of military veterans and working to recruit them. Hat tip to Hirepurpose and Microsoft. 

2) The mission at Incline, build a bridge between returning veterans and the technology industry, has found a new home. We joined forces with SF-based Vets In Tech to launch six new chapters: New York, DC, Austin, San Diego, Seattle, and Portland. We’re working with ViT to deliver opportunities in education, employment and entrepreneurship within the technology sector. 

3) The NYC organization WeAreNYTech is honoring Veterans this November by profiling NYC Tech community members who have US military service. If you know someone who fits that criteria, encourage them to sign up. You can help support others by sharing the stories of those who’ve made the transition.  

Today, we remember those we’ve lost, those on active duty and those who have come back. We’ve lost a lot of amazing men and women on the battlefield, let’s make sure those who return are not also lost.

Get involved: 

- If you work in technology, subscribe to the ViT newsletter to find out about upcoming opportunities to teach, mentor or hack alongside military veterans looking to join the tech community. 

- Even if you’re not in tech, you can volunteer through Give An Hour. Sharing one hour might just change your life.  

Thank you to all who have served and are bravely serving today.

Thank you to my Grandfathers and Father who have served in the US military. Thank you to my younger Brother who is starting active duty now. Thank you to the spouses, parents and families who support them in their service. You’ve all inspired me to find ways to serve those who’ve served. I’m grateful to all who’ve put their lives on the line to protect my freedom. Thank you.

Happy Veterans Day. 

I’m a sister, daughter, granddaughter and friend of people who’ve served or are serving in the military. I’m so thankful for their dedication and sacrifice for our country. The more I learn about the world, the more I appreciate how lucky I am to be born in a democratic country where human rights are respected, upheld, and fought for. I’m so fortunate that as a woman, not only can I vote, but I also have the opportunity to get an education, have a bank account and raise a family how I choose. Even things like access to information and an uncensored internet cannot be taken for granted these days. Now, no matter what your opinion is on the war, military spending or the decisions being made in Washington, I urge you to recognize the sacrifices and dedication of the military. Every single day, service men and women wake up to serve our nation, to serve our freedom. They do as directed and fight so we don’t have to. I not only admire the courage of those who serve but the dedication of those who love and support them to fufill their duties. For every solider there is a family- a husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, child, mother, father, sister, brother- worried about their safety, missing them on holidays, and somewhere emotionally and mentally bracing themselves for the worst case scenario. We’ve lost many young, brilliant and ambitious Americans since this country started. We will likely lose many more. Signing up knowing the risks is sometimes beyond my comprehension. When asked, most speak about their call of duty, their call to serve. I personally cannot tell you what’s driven so many people in my life to join the ranks but I can tell you that I have the utmost respect and gratitude for their service. Although one day of recognition doesn’t seem enough, Happy Veteran’s Day and thank you to those who serve! [Picture: My Brother- officer and student at the Naval Academy, Father- retired Navy LT, and Mother- Navy daughter, wife and mother.] High-res

I’m a sister, daughter, granddaughter and friend of people who’ve served or are serving in the military. I’m so thankful for their dedication and sacrifice for our country.

The more I learn about the world, the more I appreciate how lucky I am to be born in a democratic country where human rights are respected, upheld, and fought for. I’m so fortunate that as a woman, not only can I vote, but I also have the opportunity to get an education, have a bank account and raise a family how I choose. Even things like access to information and an uncensored internet cannot be taken for granted these days.

Now, no matter what your opinion is on the war, military spending or the decisions being made in Washington, I urge you to recognize the sacrifices and dedication of the military. Every single day, service men and women wake up to serve our nation, to serve our freedom. They do as directed and fight so we don’t have to.

I not only admire the courage of those who serve but the dedication of those who love and support them to fufill their duties. For every solider there is a family- a husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, child, mother, father, sister, brother- worried about their safety, missing them on holidays, and somewhere emotionally and mentally bracing themselves for the worst case scenario. We’ve lost many young, brilliant and ambitious Americans since this country started. We will likely lose many more. Signing up knowing the risks is sometimes beyond my comprehension. When asked, most speak about their call of duty, their call to serve.

I personally cannot tell you what’s driven so many people in my life to join the ranks but I can tell you that I have the utmost respect and gratitude for their service. Although one day of recognition doesn’t seem enough, Happy Veteran’s Day and thank you to those who serve!

[Picture: My Brother- officer and student at the Naval Academy, Father- retired Navy LT, and Mother- Navy daughter, wife and mother.]