Episode 6 | Pathways, Not Handouts: Turning Military Spouses and Veterans into Your Most Dependable Talent Pipeline

This episode of the "Mission San Diego Military" podcast, hosted by David Boone and Drew Schlosberg, features discussions on the challenges faced by transitioning military and veterans in California. They highlight the need to retain veterans, noting a decline from 1.3 million to 600,000 over 20 years. Jeff Forbes from The Patriot Group emphasizes the importance of veteran-friendly businesses and the need for better certification processes. Tracy Steele from Hiring Our Heroes discusses their Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot, which has helped over 1,300 spouses find employment. The conversation underscores the need for community support and flexible employment opportunities for military families and veterans.Guest Introductions and Initial DiscussionJeff Forbes and Tracy Steele introduce themselves and express their excitement about the podcast.David Boone sets the stage for the discussion, mentioning the legislative agenda to retain and attract veterans to California.David talks about the Cal Vet Executive Summit in San Diego, where panel sessions addressed the issues of transitioning military and veterans.Mission of The Patriot Group and Hiring Our HeroesJeff Forbes explains the mission of The Patriot Group: to help employees, especially veterans, buy homes in Southern California.Tracy Steele describes the mission of Hiring Our Heroes: to support military transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses, and caregivers in finding employment.Tracy shares her personal experience as a military spouse, emphasizing the challenges of maintaining a career while moving frequently.Challenges Faced by Military Families and VeteransDavid Boone shares his experience of moving 15 times in 30 years and the challenges faced by military families.Jeff Forbes discusses the lack of training in trades in the U.S. compared to other countries and the need to promote trades to veterans.Tracy highlights the high unemployment rate among military spouses and the misconception that they are only good at administrative roles.Efforts to Retain Veterans in CaliforniaDavid Boone talks about the legislative agenda to retain veterans in California and the importance of community support.Jeff Forbes emphasizes the need for actual partnerships with organizations that hire veterans, not just photo ops.Tracy discusses the importance of relationship development with employers to help military spouses find meaningful employment.Military Spouse Career Accelerator PilotTracy Steele introduces the Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot, which has helped over 1300 military spouses find employment.The program has an 86% follow-on employment rate, and the Department of Defense is transitioning it into an enduring program.David Boone expresses pride in the program and its potential for exponential growth.Promoting Veteran-Friendly Business PracticesJeff Forbes discusses the importance of promoting veteran-friendly business practices and the challenges of veteran certification in California.David Boone talks about the need to streamline the certification process for veteran-owned businesses.Tracy Steele emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique skills and experiences of military spouses.Supporting Veterans and Military SpousesTracy Steele encourages employers to support military spouses and veterans by providing pathways to employment.Jeff Forbes calls on business owners to get involved in the veteran community and ensure their hiring practices are veteran-friendly.David Boone advises business leaders to review their veteran hiring policies and consider the unique skills veterans bring to the table.Final Thoughts and Call to ActionJeff Forbes emphasizes the need for real action to retain veterans in California and the importance of providing pathways for veterans.David Boone encourages business leaders to take a hard look at their veteran hiring practices and consider the unique skills veterans offer.Tracy Steele highlights the importance of meeting military spouses and providing opportunities for them to grow and advance in their careers.Enjoy the episode and get ready for an incredible season ahead. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share! About SDMAC The San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC) was founded in 2004 with a mission to support and promote the mutual business and other interests of the military, their quality of life, and the defense community in the San Diego area. SDMAC advocates on behalf of our military, those who serve or have served, and their families throughout the greater San Diego region.SDMAC’s vision is to create an exemplary model of military-civilian partnership, where the San Diego community and the military are seamlessly integrated, mutually supportive, and thriving together, exemplifying the ideal military-civilian partnership for the rest of the nation to emulate.For more information on SDMAC, please visit them at Home - San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC). About American Military University "We've Got Your Six" is deeply embedded into the ethos of American Military University.  We take great pride in our rich military heritage and have been committed to educating those who serve since 1991.  Whether you are stationed on base, deployed, or transitioning from the military to civilian workforce, our 200+ flexible online programs allow you to learn anywhere and anytime, enabling you to fulfill your commitments to your family, the military, and your career.To learn more about American Military University, please visit them at Home - American Military UniversityAbout Cloudcast Media  "Mission: San Diego Military" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local.  For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. 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