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When the uniform comes off, the mission doesn't end, it just changes. We often see veterans through the narrow lens of their service, either as heroes defined by their past or as figures needing help. But this view misses a vital truth; in towns and cities across the country, thousands of "ordinary" veterans are quietly applying their military honed skills to become extraordinary leaders. They aren't waiting for permission. They are identifying new missions in their communities, in business, and in the recovery of their fellow service members, and they are executing with the same discipline and drive that defined their time in service.
The Mission - Rebuilding Community
The oath to support and defend doesn't expire. For many veterans, that mission now translates to defending the most vulnerable in their own communities. Look no further than the Veterans Community Project, co-founded by Army veteran Bryan Meyer. Meyer and his team saw a critical failure in the traditional support system for homeless veterans and created a new, radically effective solution: villages of tiny homes.
This isn't just about shelter. VCP builds communities and provides comprehensive, wraparound support services, from medical and mental health care to financial literacy and job training. As highlighted in their 2024 impact report, VCP served a record 1,665 veterans last year alone. Meyer, like so many others, identified a broken system, designed a practical solution, and is now scaling that model nationwide. He is leading a new kind of charge, proving that the skills used to build a forward operating base are just as effective at building a community.
The Mission - Driving the Economy
In the military, entrepreneurship is a core skill, even if it's not called that. It's the squad leader who finds an innovative way to solve a complex problem with limited resources. Today, veterans are translating that ingenuity into a powerful economic force. Army veteran James Bendel, founder of Crazy Horse Coffee, is a prime example; In 2023, Bendel was named the Vetrepreneur of the Year, a prestigious award recognizing successful veteran-owned businesses.
Bendel didn't just start a company; he built a brand rooted in the ethos of quality and resilience. This is a common thread; veterans are nearly 50% more likely than their civilian counterparts to start their own business. Leaders like Army veteran Regina Rembert are ensuring that trend continues. Rembert founded Think Veterans First, a nonprofit that advocates for and supports veteran-owned businesses, creating an ecosystem where fellow veterans can thrive. They aren't just participating in the economy; they are actively building and reinforcing it.
The Mission - Leading Recovery
Perhaps the most personal mission is the one veteran leaders undertake for each other. Having navigated the complex and often lonely transition back to civilian life, they are uniquely positioned to guide those who come after them. This is the work of leaders like Vincent Perrone, President and CEO of Veterans Inc.
Perrone, whose organization provides a broad spectrum of care for veterans in need, was honored with the 2024 Meritorious Service Award from The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. This award was given for his profound and visionary leadership. This isn't corporate, top-down-style leadership, but leadership from the front driven by a deep, personal understanding of the challenges. These veterans are creating lifelines, ensuring that the promise of "leave no one behind" is honored long after the battlefield is left.
From business to community service to mental health advocacy, veterans are still on watch. They are the entrepreneurs, the nonprofit founders, and the community organizers who see a problem and, instead of waiting, build the solution. They are the warriors still among us, and their new mission is changing America for the better.
