MilitaryStars Blog

Affordable Veteran Housing Program

We're very happy to be heading to Baltimore this week, and it was great to read this local story of veterans getting some much-needed help.  The VA has created a program in Maryland which assists homeless veterans in moving into rental housing - the veteran pays a percentage of the rent from income or benefits, and a voucher picks up the rest.  The link (Baltimore Sun) shows how much the program has helped everyone from a Vietnam veteran to a young veteran single mother, and how all they often need is a little help in getting out of a crisis.  Great to see them getting that help; have a great week!

Thriving Small Business By And For Veterans

The brutal economic news in Michigan gets sent out constantly - it was great to see this profile of a small business success story in the state.  Run by a service-disabled veteran, the company has made hiring and working with fellow veterans its calling.  It's a growing organization in construction and housing - that might seem pretty unbelievable these days, but, as the link notes, the veteran in charge has had a plan from day one and learned unbelievable toughness and resiliency in the service.   Congratulations to him and may many be inspired by it! 

Free Vocational Training For Bay Area Veterans

We're excited to be heading back to San Francisco soon, so it was fantastic to read about this Bay Area non-profit organization.  Inter-City Services fully pays for vocational training for veterans, perfect for anyone looking to start one of many in-demand technical careers offered by our client employers.  The link (Oakland Tribune) also wisely points out that this free training is available without any effect on your current veterans' benefits.  Inter-City Services wants more veterans to know about them, so consider this doing our part!        

Starting Over: Nothing New For Transitioning Military

Countless people are entering completely new career fields right now - they're finding the best fit with their skills and interests but leaving behind years of familiarity and comfort.  Sound familiar?  Everyone who transitions from the service has always faced this same process, regardless of economic conditions.  Many of these tips on starting a new career apply seamlessly to the transition from the military, especially thinking of your skillset in general terms, not industry-specific ones (the industry in this case being the military - when people advise you to remove military acronyms from your resume, this is what they mean).  Hope you find it useful - have a great week!

Veteran Support On Campus and Into Careers

I've spoken with the young veteran profiled here in the past, and it's fantastic to see him get this recognition!  Former Marine Nathaniel Donnelly helps head the Veterans' Center at San Diego State, and the link, from the school site, shows just how much they've been able to accomplish and what else is in the works for veteran students.  One program will offer an online professional graduate program for those interested in high-paying science and technology careers, a great way for veterans with training in these fields to maximize their civilian earning potential!