Governor Whitmer joined the Michigan National Guard (MING) at Camp Grayling earlier this month for the 2023 Memorial Pass in Review Ceremony. 

“The men and women of the Michigan National Guard have stepped up to serve, reassure, and defend their fellow Michiganders with distinction through historic challenges,” said Governor Whitmer. “Together, we will ensure our service members, veterans and their families have the resources they need to thrive in Michigan.” 

The Memorial Pass in Review Ceremony is a time-honored tradition of the MING during which accomplishments of the previous calendar year are acknowledged, outstanding performers are recognized, and deceased and fallen members of the MING are honored.

Read more about the ceremony here.

Veterans are highly skilled, possessing many traits that businesses actively seek, such as character, discipline, resilience, and teamwork. However, there are biases and misconceptions surrounding the hiring of veterans –  especially when it comes to military resumes.

Explaining to would-be employers what you did in the military in a way that makes sense to them can be difficult. Often, skills, experiences and accomplishments get lost in translation or in the lack thereof.

Read this Military.com article for tips on translating your military experience onto a civilian resume. 

Boots to Business Training Program

Boots to Business (B2B) is an educational and training program focused on entrepreneurship, made available by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as a key component of the Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program.

This comprehensive course aims to equip active-duty service members (including National Guard and Reserve), veterans from all eras, as well as their spouses, with the essential knowledge and skills required to embark on a successful business ownership journey.

By providing a thorough overview of entrepreneurship and its applicable business fundamentals, B2B empowers participants to confidently navigate the realm of business ownership and take proactive steps towards achieving their entrepreneurial aspirations. Read more at SBA.com. 

National Veterans' Entrepreneurship Program

The National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP) is a comprehensive entrepreneurship training and support program for veterans with a service-connected disability. It includes a self-study portion, eight-day residency program in Oklahoma, Tennessee or Florida, followed by five months of support and mentorship. All travel, accommodation, meals, materials, and instructional costs are covered by the VEP. 

Any veteran with a service-connected disability qualifies or the program. Learn more about VEP at Oklahoma State University, VEP at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and VEP at University of Florida.

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Avery Bielen stopped by U.P. Michigan Works! for support on his job search. Once he was identified as a veteran, Talent Specialist Andrew Bowe provided him with priority of service and determined that he was eligible for Veterans' Employment Services (VES).

Andrew introduced Avery to Veterans' Career Advisor William Mourufas, and together they completed a person-centered comprehensive assessment and created an action plan to help Avery reach his employment goals. After working together on Avery's resume and improving his job search skills, Avery quickly began receiving calls or interviews. 

Avery participated in several interviews, and after careful consideration, he eventually accepted a position as a Customer Service Manager with a newly opened U-Haul business in Sault Ste. Marie that offered paid training and significant opportunities for growth.

Despite the challenges of a complicated and competitive job market in rural areas, Avery's determination allowed him to secure gainful employment just fifteen days after entering case management with VES. He is extremely satisfied with his new job and appreciative of the efforts made by VES to protect and enhance his health, safety, and economic security.

If you live in Oakland County, don't miss your chance to connect with veteran-specific resources at the monthly Oakland County Veterans Resource Fairs. The free events are open to all veterans, active duty, guard, and reserves, as well as their families.

Stop by the June 29 event from 9 a.m. to noon to connect with career services from Oakland County Michigan Works!. Other resources include:

• Detroit VA Healthcare System will be offering registration assistance and exams for non-enrolled Veterans.
• Oakland County Veterans’ Services will be providing information and claims assistance regarding veteran benefits and distributing $50 Meijer gift cards. To be eligible, you must be a veteran and Oakland County resident, and must present a copy of your DD214.
• Oakland County Neighborhood & Housing Development will be providing housing counseling and other related services.
• Oakland Community Health Network will be addressing behavioral health issues and concerns, including health screenings.
• Oakland County Parks & Recreation will be distributing free annual vehicle permits.
• VA Suicide Prevention will be providing free gun locks.
• Ride SMART will be offering information on their veteran transportation program.
• Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency will be providing on-site printing of DD214s.

Other resources include free dental appointments for veterans and much more! Learn more about the June 29 event here.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency worked together to highlight quieter camping options over the Fourth of July.

The idea came to the DNR from a veteran whose own combat experience helped him understand how fireworks and other loud noises could stir up past memories.

The locations are perfect for veterans, those who experience PTSD, pet owners, or those just looking for a quieter alternative. Explore the list of state parks where you won't be disturbed by the fireworks at Michigan.gov/FireworksFreeFourth. 

The Washtenaw Vet Fest 2023 will be held on Saturday, July 22 at Washtenaw Community College, located at 4800 E. Huron River Drive. The event is co-sponsored and hosted by Wayne Community College and multiple Washtenaw County veteran organizations.

Veterans and their families are encouraged to attend free of charge. The festivities will kick off at 10 a.m. and continue until 3 p.m., with live bands providing music throughout the event.

This exciting event will offer a variety of activities and attractions, including repurposed ambulances and military vehicles to explore, face painting, ice cream, raffles, a bounce house, and even a complimentary lunch for all attendees.

Learn more and register for the free event here.

Welcome to the Veterans’ Employment Services (VES) Newsletter. Our mission is to assist you and your family secure meaningful careers in Michigan.

The concept of veterans helping veterans is a trademark of the VES team and one of the keys to its success. Veterans face many challenges when transitioning out of the military – finding meaningful employment should not be one of them.

• Veterans in need of employment assistance should contact the nearest Michigan Works! One-Stop Service Center by calling 800-285-WORKS (9675) or visiting MichiganWorks.org.
• More information about Veterans’ Employment Services is available at Michigan.gov/VES.
• Register today and start your job search at Pure Michigan Talent Connect at MiTalent.org.