The following Transition Checklist put out by https://actnoweducation.com will help you plan for what needs to be done when you make the decision to separate or retire. I would also recommend you visit their website as there is a wealth of information available to help you with the transition into civilian life.
To get a downloadable copy click here:
It was an honor to contribute to LCDR Robin Johnson’s article about Veteran Tax Credits (WOTC) in the latest edition of Soldier for Life’s Change of Mission Magazine. See the article on page 13.
https://soldierforlife.army.mil/Documents/ChangeOfMission/latest.pdf
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2020 |
Re4ormed, a Maryland-based company focused on supporting, coaching and advocating for Veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses, and VTC Veteran Tax Credits, a national company that partners with both the Veteran and employer to certify and leverage Veteran Tax Credits, part of the Work Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC) program, are excited to announce their new partnership.
Through the partnership, the two organizations will continue to promote the benefits of hiring highly-skilled Veterans and supporting Veteran-owned businesses, while educating both Veterans and employers on the benefits available to them through the WOTC, which gives employers up to $9600 per Veteran hired to reinvest back into their business.
“Re4ormed is excited to partner with VTC to help deliver their unique service that empowers job-seeking veterans and brings value to the businesses that hire them. We serve the ecosystem of veteran-owned and military-spouse owned businesses and are eager to build partnerships with like-minded businesses, like VTC, to deliver value back into that ecosystem” said Mark Mhley, Founder and CEO of Re4ormed.
Re4ormed’s vision is to create a nationwide enterprise that connects veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses, corporate partners, and municipalities to deliver development assistance and affordable core tools to those entrepreneurs, enabling them to succeed.
“Veteran owned and military spouse owned businesses make a significant impact to our nation and the local economies they serve” said Craig Washburn, CEO, VTC Veteran Tax Credits. “We are so honored to partner with Re4ormed in its mission to serve these amazing companies with resources that allow them to grow and thrive.”
Veterans or companies interested in utilizing the services of either Veteran Tax Credits or Re4ormed can find out more through their respective websites, https://www.veterantaxcredits.com/ and https://re4ormed.com/
VTC’s mission is to help both Veterans and employers leverage the Department of Labor’s Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program. The program allows employers to benefit by selecting candidates from target groups, such as Veterans, disabled Veterans and other non-Veteran groups. Employers can earn up to $9600 per Veteran hired. Our team partners with both the Veteran and employer to connect, educate and create a successful outcome for all. In addition to the tax credit processing, VTC provides a way to source pre-certified Veterans. Over $1 billion in tax credits are dispersed each year by the WOTC program.
Re4ormed is a service-disabled veteran-owned business that serves the ecosystem of Veteran-owned and military-spouse-owned businesses. Through partnerships, they provide affordable tools that help those businesses become resilient, lean, and agile. Through decades of transformational experience in military aviation and special operations, they offer coaching and solutions to address the most pressing challenges in the corporate world. Through advocacy, they encourage and strengthen veteran and military-spouse led entrepreneurship in small business and startups.
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2020 |
VTC Veteran Tax Credits and Sales Platoon announce partnership
VTC Veteran Tax Credits, a national company that partners with both the Veteran and employer to certify and leverage Veteran Tax Credits, part of the Work Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC) program and Sales Platoon, an Illinois-based company focused on sales training and placement for transitioning military service members, are excited to announce their new partnership.
Through the partnership, the two organizations will promote the benefits of hiring highly-skilled Veterans in order to increase the number of companies who hire them. Additionally, they will educate both Veterans and employers on the benefits available to them through the WOTC, which gives employers up to $9600 per Veteran hired to reinvest back into their business.
“Although we approach it from different angles, our missions are very much aligned – to transform the perception of our Veterans as a population in need, to one in demand. Craig and his team at VTC Veteran Tax Credits, have streamlined a complicated system, simplifying the process for Veterans to certify their status and providing businesses with a streamlined platform to track and receive tax credits” said Raleigh Wilkins, Founder of Sales Platoon.
Sales Platoon’s unique boot-camp model combines 14 weeks of sales training and apprenticeship at no cost to the veteran, de-risking critical sales hires for participating companies. VTC’s unique tax credit certification further reduces the cost basis for acquiring Sales Platoon’s talent, while also providing businesses access to VTC’s database of carefully curated prospective candidates across the full spectrum of military experience.
“Fully preparing our Veterans to enter the civilian workforce takes a team” said VTC’s CEO, Craig Washburn. “One of the most financially rewarding careers available to our transitioning leaders is the sales profession. I am so honored to be partnering with Sales Platoon in this endeavor. Another Veteran Owned Small Business giving back by preparing Veterans that want to enter the sales profession with the tools to not only succeed, but thrive!
Veterans or companies interested in utilizing the services of either Veteran Tax Credits or Sales Platoon can find out more through their respective websites, https://www.veterantaxcredits.com/ and https://www.salesplatoon.org/
About VTC Veteran Tax Credits
VTC’s mission is to help both Veterans and employers leverage the Department of Labor’s Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program. The program allows employers to benefit by selecting candidates from target groups, such as Veterans, disabled Veterans and other non-Veteran groups. Employers can earn up to $9600 per Veteran hired. Our team partners with both the Veteran and employer to connect, educate and create a successful outcome for all. In addition to the tax credit processing, VTC provides a way to source pre-certified Veterans. Over $1 billion in tax credits are dispersed each year by the WOTC program.
About Sales Platoon
Sales Platoon focuses on leveraging highly skilled, resilient, dedicated, adaptive and disciplined men and women from active duty military to a career in sales. Sales professionals with 20+ years of experience teach Veterans the skills necessary to thrive in a modern sales culture and speak the language of the business world in this highly customizable program. They have onboarded thousands of reps across a wide variety of industries.
Their program enables trainees to perform at a higher level, ramp quicker and obtain quota faster by learning modern sales systems, techniques and processes. Sales Platoon provides candidate access to organizations seeking high-quality, high-potential sales talent.
An interview with Ted Robertson of KRDO News on how to leverage the Veteran Tax Credit program.
VTC Veteran Tax Credits is a group bringing veterans and employers together. Through his own experience, owner and Veteran Craig Washburn has become an authority on the Workers Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). Veterans gain an edge in becoming employed. Business owners hiring them gain a highly skilled employee and benefit from the incentive the tax credit provides.
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2020 |
The RECON Network and VTC Veteran Tax Credits announce partnership
The RECON Network, a South Carolina-based company focused on purposeful veteran transition and employment, and VTC Veteran Tax Credits, a national company that partners with both the Veteran and employer to certify and leverage Veteran Tax Credits, part of the Work Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC) program, are excited to announce our new partnership.
Through the partnership, the two organizations hope to educate both the veteran community and employers across the U.S. about the benefits available to them through WOTC, and to increase the number of companies who hire veterans and take advantage of this benefit. The tax credits give employers up to $9600 per Veteran hired to reinvest back into their business.
“Teaching our veteran communities how to ‘get a job’ is only one part of a larger equation; we also need to educate our employers on why they should be hiring veterans,” said Jordana Megonigal, Founder and CEO of The RECON Network. “We are excited to partner with VTC Veteran Tax Credits as a way to show employers just one more reason they should be looking into the veteran community for their next hire.”
“The men and women that have proudly served our nation are great assets to the companies that employ them. We believe we owe it to them to do our part to help make the process of finding their next career easier on them and the companies that hire them.” said VTC Veteran Tax Credit’s CEO, Craig Washburn. “We are looking forward to working with the RECON Network to achieve our common mission to help our Veterans find their purpose then marrying that with the right profession and employer.”
Veterans or companies interested in utilizing the services of either The RECON Network or Veteran Tax Credits can find out more through their respective websites, www.RECON.vet and https://www.veterantaxcredits.com/
About The RECON Network
The RECON Network is a South Carolina-based company focused on purpose-based career planning, transition resources and consulting for military veterans and their spouses. From the online Compass purpose-finding program to live events, tools and resources, The RECON Network provides events focused on career placement, education and entrepreneurial paths to purpose-based careers and an incorporated lifestyle with local communities—all with a focus on providing meaningful connections and opportunities to the veteran community.
About VTC Veteran Tax Credits
VTC’s mission is to help both Veterans and employers leverage the Department of Labor’s Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program. The program allows employers to benefit by selecting candidates from target groups, such as Veterans, disabled Veterans and other non-Veteran groups. Employers can earn up to $9600 per Veteran hired. Our team partners with both the Veteran and employer to connect, educate and create a successful outcome for all. In addition to the tax credit processing, VTC provides a way to source pre-certified Veterans. Over $1 billion in tax credits are dispersed each year by the WOTC program.
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Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) have been around for over 100 years, and many Veterans don’t realize all of the services they can receive through these organizations. VSOs can assist with various things including counseling, claims, benefits, transition assistance, career support, and free training programs, among many other types of aid.
The Funding Challenge for VSOs
The need for VSOs is as high as it ever has been, but the number of these organizations is declining. According to Task & Purpose, there are 41,000 Veteran Service Organizations in the United States, but that number has decreased from a high of 48,000 about a decade ago, mainly due to lack of funding. Giving to VSOs through corporate sponsorships and fundraising campaigns has been falling-off for the last 15 years. Philanthropy Journal noted that in a recent survey from BDO Institute for Nonprofit Excellence, nearly half of nonprofits surveyed said that funding is at least a moderate challenge.
VTC’s Funding Solution
Veteran Tax Credits has a solution that can help! VTC’s nonprofit funding program for Veteran Support Organizations allows VSOs to leverage their existing relationships in the community and refer companies to us that need our help. VTC offers employers assistance with WOTC processing and access to an applicant tracking system, searchable Veteran database, and a job board. VTC’s services reduce the tax burden of our employer clients through qualified tax credits by hiring both Veteran and Non-Veteran candidates. Those dollar for dollar tax credits are returned to the company’s budget to help them grow.
The nonprofit will receive 10% of the revenue on the monthly subscription and tax credit processing fees that we earn from the referred company for as long as they are a client of VTC. It’s a win for the Veteran that gets hired. It’s a win for the referred employer. It’s ongoing funding for your VSO to help you continue to support the men and women who have served our country.
We would love to talk to you more about partnership and funding opportunities! Please contact us at https://www.veterantaxcredits.com/non-profit-funding-program/ to learn more.
Transitioning from the military into the corporate environment can have some unanticipated challenges and surprises for many veterans. There are several misconceptions that you as a service member may face, but once you learn the ropes of the civilian job search, it gets easier! Following are three common misconceptions and some tips to overcome the challenges:
Misconception #1
When I retire from the military, because of my rank and experience, I will easily move right into a VP or Director level role with a corporation.
Moving right into an executive role is possible, but unlikely for most. Although you may have years of leadership experience, you have to look at it from the employer’s perspective. You have no experience in the corporate environment. Many companies want you to adapt to the new culture and prove yourself first, so you may have to take a lesser position than you are qualified for to start with. Don’t get discouraged. The culture is so different from the military that during your first year you are learning and adapting to the differences.
With all of the transferable skills you have, if you work hard and prove yourself with the right company, moving up should not prove difficult. The most important thing is to take a position with a military friendly company whose culture is a good fit for you, and you will soon have the corporate career you hoped for!
Misconception 2
It will only take me a couple of weeks to find a job.
This is not typically true. For professional level positions, it can take several months to find your fit. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ August 2019 report, the average duration of unemployment was 22.1 weeks. Hiring managers are busy and they are never in as big of a hurry as the candidates are. You may go through multiple interviews for the same position. Start looking early and do everything you can to position yourself a step above the rest.
Positions with companies who are highly sought after may have hundreds of applicants for a position and sometimes only the first few candidates who apply and meet the qualifications will be considered.
Whether an Applicant Tracking System or human eye is looking at your resume, they are looking for key words and experiences to determine if you are a good fit for the position. One resume does not fit all jobs.
The most important things relative to the job should be in the top half of the resume. It should not read like a job description, and should include quantifiable results that you achieved. Have a civilian read over it for you to ensure you have clearly translated your military experience into something a civilian will understand.
Little things can make the difference if there are many great candidates to choose from. If they request a cover letter, write one! Be personable in the interview and send a thank you note afterward. Become pre-certified through VTC for the Veteran Tax Credit to show an employer that by hiring you, they may qualify for a tax credit.
According to a LinkedIn survey, the primary way that candidates found their positions was through networking. Take every opportunity to network with other people, both in person and on LinkedIn. You never know when you may hit it off with someone that can connect you to the perfect job. Don’t be afraid to reach out to recruiters. Sometimes you will get a response and sometimes you won’t, but the more people you reach out to, the more likely you will make those connections.
Misconception #3
I did something like this in the military, so I won’t need a certification.
Certain positions in the civilian workplace either require or prefer a certification. Even if they don’t require them, a certification can be used as a tool to stand out above the competition and lead to higher pay or promotion. For example, if you are seeking a position as a Project Manager, some companies do not require certifications, but others will require or prefer the PMP (Project Management Professional) certification. Lack of a certification could be what gets you eliminated from consideration. Don’t put off working toward these certifications because it can greatly enhance your job prospects.
Each branch of the service promotes credentialing opportunities for service members as part of a joint service initiative through the Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) program. Service members can locate civilian credentials that coincide with their military career field, find information about bridging the gap between military experience and civilian credentials, and learn about available resources for these certifications at the following sites:
Navy:
Army:
Marines:
https://www.cool.navy.mil/usmc/
Air Force:
https://afvec.langley.af.mil/afvec/Public/COOL/
Veteran led organizations like VETS2PM also offer multiple certification programs.
The bottom line is, a job is not going to land in your lap. You have to work as hard on your job search as you do on the actual job. Don’t give up! The good news is that employers love to hire Veterans, so you have an advantage from the start! And remember: Get registered today at VTC Veteran Tax Credits!
http://usarmysoldierforlife.libsyn.com/work-opportunity-tax-credit
In the very first episode of the the US Army Soldier For Life Podcast series, CEO, Craig Washburn sat down with LTC Robin Johnson to talk about teaching transitioning service members, Veterans and employers how to leverage the Department of Labor’s Veteran Tax Credits Program (WOTC). Thank you to LTC Johnson and the entire Soldier For Life Team for the opportunity to spread the word of this amazing program to help bring together Veterans and employers in a win win scenario.
