Last week, we announced our partnership with 51 Vets, a nonprofit organization that helps elite military veterans successfully transition to positions in the private sector. 51 Vets, founded in 2019 by Jordan Selleck, provides more than 150 veteran members from across the U.S. with networking opportunities, career placement, mentorship and resources that are unique to their advanced capabilities and capacities. Members of 51 Vets are primarily from Special Units within branches of the U.S. Military, and bring their distinguished leadership skills, sound judgment, attention to detail and problem-solving expertise to financial and investment private-sector roles.
To highlight this unique and rewarding partnership, 51 Vets members Andrew Dugan and Ryan Johnson shared with us how the organization has affected their professional transitions over the last few years.
Dugan, a Massachusetts native, attended West Point, was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 2013, and served in that capacity for four years until assessing for and ultimately becoming a Green Beret. He has deployed multiple times in his 10-year Army career. He initially learned about 51 Vets in May 2022 after coming home from a recent deployment and making the decision to leave the military. He had a phone call with Johnny Todd (current 51 Vets Chief of Staff) and one of his good friends from college. Todd told him about the organization and that Dugan should get involved. “Next thing you know,” said Dugan. “I’m in New York City at a 51 Vets event.”
Originally from Southern California, Ryan Johnson also attended West Point. After entering Active Duty in 2012, he spent several years supporting emergent NATO security challenges in Eastern Europe as an infantry officer before becoming a Green Beret in the 5th Special Forces Group. Johnson said that before entering the private sector, 51 Vets gave him the opportunity to join a network of special operations veterans who were doing incredible things outside of the military. “After 10 years of military service, I started a software company that specializes in volunteer management software for nonprofits. Fortunately, I’ve had the 51 Vets network to lean on and learn from. 51 Vets has been instrumental in both providing mentorship and helping me gain access to capital.”
Dugan said every vet who has gone through the transition understands that it is a massive change professionally and personally. “Talk to fellow vets who have made the jump and get their insight,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
But it’s not just transitioning veterans who need advice. Companies and supporters must take action that goes beyond verbal commitments. Johnson has two recommendations he’d give any employer interested in capitalizing on a capable and driven talent pool: 1) apply to become a Department of Defense (DoD) Skillbridge Partner and 2) if you have veteran employees, invite them to participate in the hiring process for veteran applicants.
Dugan also echoed the opportunity that the DoD Skillbridge Program offers for service members about to enter the private sector, saying it has been an excellent experience for him. “It allows service members to do a six-month unpaid internship while still on active duty. I encourage any company wanting to help veterans (and get some free labor) to look into it. It gives soldiers some real-world experience in a low-stress position before they officially make the jump.”
Find out how you can support 51 Vets at 51Vets.org.
