Who We Are:
We are dedicated to helping our military members and their spouses in the transition so they can find a successful landing after their service; whether that is higher education, a dream job, or the ability to start their own business.
How We Help:
American Dream U offers two main services for transitioning veterans: Online programs and educational workshop events.
American Dream U’s online programs are catered to helping veterans become successful professionals in the world of business, with breadth in courses; everything from entrepreneurship to the intricacies of setting up a LinkedIn profile.
American Dream U’s workshop events are fueled by the same purpose; offering unique, differentiating benefits when paired with the online courses such as networking and connecting with other veterans, as well as hearing personal success stories of post-service careers.
Who We Help:
Military, Veteran and spouses are our mission and the stats below reflect the need. Here at American Dream U, we believe that a smoother transition will go a long way in improving these stats in the future.
– 2 out of 3 new veterans will find it difficult to transition
– About 400,000 veterans remained unemployed at the end of 2017
– 22 – 28 veterans will commit suicide each day.
– Approximately 245,000 Service men and women will transition out of the military in 2018.
Boots to Business (B2B) is an entrepreneurial education and training program offered by SBA as part of the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP). B2B provides participants with an overview of business ownership and is open to transitioning service members (including National Guard and Reserve) and their spouses.
Begin your journey
Introduction to Entrepreneurship: The foundational two-day, in-person course provides you with an introductory understanding of business ownership.
Continue your journey
Optional Follow-on Courses: “B2B: Revenue Readiness” is an online course delivered through a partnership with Mississippi State University. Receive sign-up information once you complete the in-person introductory course. B2B and B2BR participants are also encouraged to take advantage of the many resources offered by the SBA and its partner network.
If you don’t have access to a military installation, read about Boots to Business Reboot (https://sbavets.force.com/s/reboot-course-information).
Boots to Business is delivered in partnership with SBA’s Resource Partners, SCORE Mentors, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers and the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University. It is available free of charge at participating installations to service members and their dependents transitioning or retiring from the U.S. military.
To learn more information about Boots to Business, please email us at boots-to-business@sba.gov or call 202-205-VET1 (202-205-8381).
For more SBA resources for veterans, visit SBA.gov/vets.
A national initiative that supports the success of veteran, service member, and military spouse-owned businesses by connecting them with entrepreneurial education and training, small business resources and solutions, and commerce and supplier opportunities.
About DoD TAP
The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) provides information and training to ensure Service members transitioning from active-duty are prepared for their next step in life – whether pursuing additional education, finding a job in the public or private sector or starting their own business.
TAP is a cohesive, modular, outcome-based program that bolsters and standardizes the opportunities, services and training that Service members receive to better prepare them to pursue their post-military career goals.
The TAP curriculum is an outcome-based curriculum that transforms the way the military prepares Service members for transition back to civilian life. The curriculum is designed to provide Service members with the resources, tools, services and skill-building training needed to meet Career Readiness Standards (CRS). Shortly before departing the military, Service members demonstrate achievement of these standards to their command through a verification process called Capstone. This process includes an opportunity to connect Service members who may need additional assistance to agency partners who provide them with additional support.
The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (FY19 NDAA) authorized many changes to the TAP, to be implemented late 2019. The purpose of the program will remain the same, but the TAP process will be updated to reflect the requirements in the NDAA.
About the Military-Civilian Transition Office
The DoD Military-Civilian Transition Office (MCTO) formed as a result of a merger between two DoD programs under the Defense Human Resources Activity’s Defense Personnel and Family Support Center to provide streamlined services to members of the armed forces and their families.
The Office for Reintegration Programs (ORP) combined with the Department of Defense (DoD) Transition to Veterans Program Office (TVPO) to efficiently deliver resources to transitioning Service members, members of the National Guard and Reserve, their families and communities worldwide in January 2020.
The DoD Military-Civilian Transition Office (MCTO) is responsible for designing, overseeing, and evaluating TAP. MCTO provides transition assistance policy and program oversight to promote, advance, and instill a culture of career-ready Service members.
Transition Assistance Curriculum
The TAP curriculum for Service members transitioning to civilian life.
Online Transition Assistance Curriculum
The Transition Assistance Program Curriculum has moved from Joint Knowledge Online.
Service members looking to receive official credit/certification for TAP courses, can take the courses online via the new Transition Training Portal (https://tapevents.org/courses).
Veterans, Family Members, and Caregivers can also access the curriculum online.
Select ‘Get Started’ to start a course. If you want to resume a course you previously started, use the link that was sent in your registration confirmation email, or complete the registration form with the same information.
Transition Services
Managing Your Transition Timeline (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=Managing_Your_Transition_Timeline.pdf)
Download your VMET (https://www.dodtap.mil/login.html)
milConnect (https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect)
Veterans Administration Careers and Employment (VEC) (https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/)
Veterans’ Employment and Training Services (VETS) (https://www.dol.gov/vets)
The following Resources and Tools provide additional information and planning assistance for transitioning Service members and their spouses.
he following links to external sources provide additional information and resources to transitioning Service members, their spouses, and Veterans.
Service-specific Transition Assistance Program Sites
Army TAP (https://www.sfl-tap.army.mil/)
Navy TAP (https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/family_readiness/fleet_and_family_support_program/work-and-family-life/transition_assistance.html)
Air Force TAP (http://www.afpc.af.mil/Transition-Assistance-Program)
Marines TAP (http://www.usmc-mccs.org/services/career/transition-readiness/)
Coast Guard TAP (http://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-Resources-CG-1/Health-Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-of-Work-Life-CG-111/Transition-Assistance-Program/)
Resources for Veterans
Veterans Education and Training (http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/)
Submit feedback (http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/feedback.asp) on problems with schools when using Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and the Military Tuition Assistance Program
FedsHireVets.gov (https://www.fedshirevets.gov/)
Partnering Agencies
Department of Veterans Affairs (http://www.benefits.va.gov/VOW/tap.asp)
Department of Labor (http://www.dol.gov/vets)
Office of Personnel Management (https://www.opm.gov/)
Department of Education (http://www.ed.gov/veterans-and-military-families)
Small Business Administration, Boots to Business Entrepreneurship Track (http://www.sba.gov/bootstobusiness)
Department of Defense Resources
Department of Reserve Affairs (http://www.people.mil/)
milConnect (https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/milconnect)
Military OneSource (http://www.militaryonesource.mil/)
Military Crisis Line (http://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ActiveDuty.aspx) (1-800-273-8255, Press 1)
DoD’s Compensation and Benefits Handbook (http://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/benefits/compensation-and-benefits/)
DoD SkillBridge (https://dodskillbridge.usalearning.gov/)
TAP Events (https://tapevents.org/)
Resources
Transition Assistance Program Curriculum Overview (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=TAP_Curriculum_Overview.pdf)
Managing Your Transition Timeline (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=Managing_Your_Transition_Timeline.pdf)
Statement of Benefits for Military Members (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=Statement_of_Benefits.pdf)
Benefits Guide for Reserve Component Military Members (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=Benefits_Guide_Reserve_Component.docx)
Career Readiness Standards (CRS) Overview Info Sheet (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=CRS_and_Capstone.pdf)
DoDI 1332.35 (https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/133235p.pdf?ver=2018-11-08-133557-850)
TAP/CRS Compliance (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=VOW-CRS_Compliance_Info_Sheet–DoDTAP_Perf_Meas.pdf)
Financial Planning Worksheet (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=Transition_GPS_Financial_Planning_Worksheet.xlsx)
DoD Self-Assessment Worksheet (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=DoD_Self-Assessment_Worksheet.pdf)
TAP Counselor Tool_Locked_Updated Scoring 10_3 (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=TAP_Counselor_Tool_Locked_Updated_Scoring_10_3.xlsx)
Tools
Military Career Fields and Civilian Equivalents – A Primer (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=Intangible_Skills_and_Military_Fields_Primer_Handout.pdf)
Transition Forms
The following forms are used by TAP staff to document Service members’ separations.
DD eForm 2648 (https://www.dodtap.mil/rest/docs?filename=Blank_eForm_PDF_Print_Out.pdf)- Service Member Pre-Separation / Transition Counseling and Career Readiness Standards eForm for Service Members Separating, Retiring, Released from Active Duty (REFRAD)
The following forms have been superseded by the above DD eForm 2648, and are no longer utilized to document a Service member’s separation.
DD Form 2648 – Active Duty Pre-Separation Checklist
DD Form 2648-1 – National Guard and Reserve Pre-Separation Checklist
DD Form 2958 – Individual Transition Plan (ITP) Checklist
Partnering Agencies
In addition to the military departments, the Transition Assistance Program is the result of an interagency partnership between the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Labor (DOL), Department of Education (ED), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in conjunction with the Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
U.S. Department of Labor:
• The DOL conducts a one day employment overview that teaches Service members vital skills such as how to build a resume and prepare for an interview. Their contribution to the curriculum also includes the DOL Employment Track and the DOL Vocational Track. After transition, DOL’s local One-Stop Career Centers located across the nation continue to assist veterans in meeting their employment goals through a range of services including job placement, career counseling, and occupational training.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:
• The VA is responsible for educating transitioning Service members on the wide range of veterans’ benefits available to them and assisting with the process of applying for benefits during the transition process. The VA contributions to the TAP curriculum includes the VA Benefits and Services brief. After separation, the VA continues to provide educational and vocational counseling to Service members.
U.S. Office of Personnel Management:
• OPM provides Service members with an overview of Federal employment, the careers offered within the Federal government and a linkage to the kinds of occupations and competencies transitioning Service members and veterans have. It also acquaints transitioning Service members and veterans with resources to support them in obtaining work with the Federal Government, including the Veterans Employment Program Office, which offers career tools such as a Military Skills Translator, a Resume Builder and a federal job search database.
U.S. Small Business Administration:
• The SBA’s “Boots to Business” is the Entrepreneurship Track that helps Service members understand the dynamics involved in developing and sustaining a business. It includes discussion of the key components of a business plan and has information on identifying required resources. It also provides the opportunity for Service members to learn from other business owners. Service members can continue their education with an eight-week online course covering the principles of accounting, finance, market analysis, planning, business operations, sales, and more. SBA’s support for veteran entrepreneurs continues after TAP, providing veterans with counseling and training services, access to capital and preparing them to compete for government contracts.
U.S. Department of Education:
• The ED promotes the success of TAP for Service members and their families by communicating available information and expertise regarding college access, success, and affordability, financial aid and programs specifically sponsored or overseen by ED for the benefit of Service members.
Dog Tag Inc. seeks to build a bridge to employment and a productive civilian life for veterans and military families that have served our country so well. We provide a transformative opportunity for veterans with service-connected disabilities, military spouses, and caregivers through a five-month fellowship, offering an education at Georgetown University and real life work experience in our small business, Dog Tag Bakery. Upon completion of our program, our fellows are business ready, competitive and employable.
SWVBRC IS AN ALL VOLUNTEER PUBLIC BENEFIT NATIONAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
The Southwest Veterans’ Business Resource Center, Inc., Fallbrook, California in concert with the support of communities was established May 21, 2008 in honor of Memorial Day and its doors first opened November 1, 2008 in honor of Veterans Day. To assist veterans and active duty military members that have served in any military component, and with exception, spouses through outreach and education programs.
Our Mission
Empower communities with knowledge and best practices to serve Veterans
Provide a means to communities to learn about Veteran benefits and services available
Shape the future of communities serving Veterans
Our Vision
Be the nations’ premier Veterans’ Business Resource Center, providing world-class services; anytime, anywhere
Guiding Principles
We believe:
Communities are our most important resource
Veterans are our focus
Success is judged by those we serve
Service, professionalism, respect, teamwork, safety and compassion are valued
Building a veteran force, preventing homelessness, and harvesting knowledge are the cornerstones of our service
Quality service is centered on families and communities
Structured and disciplined resource decisions lead to sound business practices
Communication, coordination, and cooperation are critical to our success
Continuous improvement is essential to quality service and veterans’ success
Who we are
We are a national public benefit nonprofit organization that educates American Communities about best practices to serve Veterans. We honor their service by empowering Veterans to apply their training and skills to successfully transition to productive careers and enterprises.
We provide free vocational training 24/7 to all of our members through our website, in addition to local events. We believe the tenet that American Communities are the ultimate beneficiaries when Veterans claim their benefits and invest in productive endeavors.
The SWVBRC enlists the support of members of local Communities like you to increase Veteran awareness of the value of obtaining a VA card and receiving earned benefits.
Sponsorships, donations, volunteers and support from communities like yours enable us to reach out to Veterans and empower them to transition back into successful, productive enterprises that ultimately benefit all Americans and support future generations.
About Us
The Veterans Business Outreach Center Region IV, representing the State of Florida, has twice been honored as the VBOC of the year, in 2014 and 2018.
Under the leadership of Brenton Peacock, the staff strives to continuously meet the needs of its clients. We consider it an honor and a privilege to serve you and provide the necessary skills to start or grow your own business.
Following a 1999 law to promote veteran participation in the entrepreneurship and small business field, the Small Business Association created and established a number of VBOCs. The Florida program, which is one of twenty-two in the country, finds that success is reflected in many start-ups throughout the State. Our clients have cumulatively received millions of dollars in contract awards, the bulk of which is through federal government contracting and loans. We help strengthen our clients’ business by providing education and resources, with the understanding that military service has set-up veterans to be fine entrepreneurs.
Consulting services are free, and we offer one-on-one communications with clients. Our consultants have been entrepreneurs, were in the military or closely related to the military, have worked in various industries, and have a wide range of education and skills to assist with almost any type of business venture.
The Veterans Business Outreach Center at Gulf Coast State College
Proudly Empowering Veteran Entrepreneurship in Florida
Our Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) serves active duty personnel, veterans, and military spouses who want to learn more about, then start and grow a small business of their own in the State of Florida. We serve the entire State of Florida, from our headquarters in Panama City at Gulf Coast State College.
WHAT CAN THE VBOC DO FOR YOU?
We are your tax dollars at work. The VBOC is funded in part by the US Small Business Administration (SBA). We stand ready to help with FREE business counseling and assistance to Florida’s veterans and military spouses to help you.
Test the feasibility and potential profitability of your start-up idea or expansion of an existing business.
Write a solid business plan before you spend any money.
Take the right steps to start and successfully manage a small business in Florida.
Identify funding sources (banks, credit unions, non-traditional business lenders) and SBA loan programs. VBOC is not a lender nor do we represent any lenders.
Understand business taxes and your financial statements.
Develop marketing and customer acquisition strategies to grow your business.
Consider government contracting and take advantage of your veteran-owned small business status in procurement at all levels (federal, state and local).