Ep. 45 Unlocking the Value of Veterans in the Workforce: A Chat with Michael Abrams of FourBlock

Welcome to the "Militarily Speaking" podcast with Tom McLean and Jodi Vickery. In this episode of “Militarily Speaking,” Tom, Jodi, and guest Mike Abrams, Founder and President of FourBlock, we delved into how the organizations hands-on approach helps veterans transitioning from military to civilian life. We also discuss the organization's values, offerings, and goals. “Militarily Speaking” is a podcast produced by Armed Forces Bank that is dedicated to the military lifestyle and all the things that makes military community who they are. Ep. 45 – Unlocking the Value of Veterans in the Workforce: A Chat with Michael Abrams of FourBlockEstablished as a non-profit, FourBlock equips military personnel for their post-service career. The organization offers a semester-long course aimed at enabling veterans to establish valuable industry relationships while discovering suitable career options for the future. The name FourBlock represents the fourth and final challenge that service members face in the pursuit of winning wars — returning home and successfully integrating with society. The 'block' concept stems from the military's three-block war model, where each block signifies a type of challenge that service members may face in an era of conflict. The FourBlock Educational Program for Veterans The FourBlock program provides over 30 hours of curriculum and networking breaks to veterans, with each class containing about 20-40 veterans. Each weekly class is hosted by a different company where the attendees get exposed to different industries and opportunities. The curriculum helps the veterans identify their career interests and also equips them with the technical know-how needed for a career search. Aside from this, FourBlock encourages employers and hiring managers to actively participate in the program by hosting classes, engaging with the course's curriculum, and drawing upon their own experiences with their companies. This aspect ensures that the participants gain invaluable, practical industry knowledge and make connections with potential employers. However, the essence of FourBlock goes beyond just the curriculum and classes. The emphasis of the program is relationship building. A significant impact is made when veterans can engage with someone who has successfully made the military-to-civilian transition. Seeing and talking to someone who has experienced the same journey and challenges can help transitioning veterans recognize the potential in themselves. Getting Involved with FourBlock Apart from offering a semester-long course to veterans, FourBlock welcomes corporate partners and alumni to get involved in supporting their initiatives. There are various ways to contribute, from hosting a class and participating in the program as a corporate partner, to becoming a career coach. Overall, FourBlock offers a personalized, hands-on approach to assisting veterans in their journey towards successful career transitions. Their methods are touted by an 84% success rate, denoting that their veterans stay at their first post-military job for more than a year. With a significant focus on culture and finding the right fit, FourBlock reminds veterans and organizations alike that transitioning from military service to a civilian career doesn't have an all-encompassing solution. Instead, it is about collaboration, relationship building, and mutual support. Interested parties can get in touch with FourBlock and find ways to contribute to their cause through their website: www.FourBlock.org. For corporate inquiries on how to host a class or participate in the program, you can reach out to Michael Abrams directly at: [email protected]. Military MinuteJodi introduces the Military Minute segment of the show, beginning by closing out last episode’s Military Minute.●     Last episode’s Military Minute: What defense mechanism do alpacas employ when they are threatened or feel the need to assert dominance within the herd?●     Answer: They spit●     This week’s Military Minute question: Name one famous recipient that received the title of Honorary Marine.●     Watch for Facebook and Instagram posts about this episode.●     Answer with the correct answer and you plus a charity of your choice can each win $50.●     After a winning selection, Military Minute participants are eligible for another selection after 12 months. Tom closes the episode by asking listeners to go to www.afbank.com and subscribe to the show, as well as leave a rating and comment on your favorite podcast platform such as Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Join us to hear how to better navigate your finances, military life, and the crossroads of the two. Visit www.afbank.com