The ETS Sponsorship Program – Bridging the Gap

BG Mike Eastman — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 12:47:41 -0400

None of us is born wearing a uniform. Whether out of a sense of patriotic duty, the desire for better opportunities, or simply the search for adventure, the reasons we raise our right hand and volunteer for military service are very personal and always unique. Regardless of motivation, we all start as civilians, hailing from some small town or big city we call home. When our time in uniform is up, we return to communities like that as Veterans. Different for the experiences we gained along the way, to be sure, but civilians once again.

For many of us, the transition back to civilian life is a difficult one. Not hard in the way that Hollywood would have you believe. We are not all suffering from combat trauma, ready to snap at the first loud noise. Some are, and we owe them the very best support we can offer, but the vast majority of new Veterans are not. When I speak with servicemembers on the verge of leaving the military, most are anxious about the sorts of issues familiar to anyone undergoing a major life change. Where will I live? How will I support my family? What sort of medical coverage should I get? How do the skills and leadership I gained in uniform translate into the civilian world?

The reality is we don’t do a great job preparing servicemembers for the transition back to civilian life. The Department of Defense is a well-oiled machine when it comes to taking new recruits and turning them into warfighters, regardless of service. The Department of Veterans Affairs has enormous resources at the ready to support Veterans once they arrive in their new community. But aside from a few mandatory classes, the resources dedicated to assisting servicemembers in their transition to civilian life are meager by comparison. We at the ETS Sponsorship Program want to close this gap.

It is our belief that Veterans are tremendous assets in any community. They make great civilians, not only because of their leadership abilities and technical skills, but because they believed in America enough to serve, sometimes at great personal danger. Often for less money. Always caring for the teammates on their left and right, regardless of race, religion, or gender.

Our program is designed to help each new Veteran reach their potential. Modeled after the sponsors we each received when conducting a move from base to base, the ETS Sponsorship Program links transitioning servicemembers with certified sponsors from their future hometown. It establishes a one-on-one relationship with them up to 12 months before leaving active duty, providing time to work through all those difficult questions about employment, education, and housing that, at the moment, most are left to find answers to on their own. It gives communities the heads up that a new Veteran and their family are inbound, setting conditions for a positive reception. It gives hometowns the chance to highlight opportunities that might attract a new Veteran to moving there, and it doesn’t cost the Veteran a thing.

If you are interested in joining our team, consider signing up to be a sponsor. If you are leaving the military in the next year, please check us out. Our country produces almost 200,000 new Veterans each year. Each one has the potential to be an awesome civilian, and their success will inspire future generations to military service. We aim to help them do that.

#etssponsorship.com

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 16 at 2021 12:52 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 12:52:52 -0400

Fortuntantly for me it was a problem being in the Guard sir, thank you for your informative share BG Mike Eastman

Response by PFC David Foster made Sep 16 at 2021 12:53 PM

PFC David Foster — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 12:53:38 -0400

Salute

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Sep 16 at 2021 6:48 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 18:48:17 -0400

BG Mike Eastman I am a Veteran. I am also a Civilian.
I served this Great Nation of Ours: during the Cold War.
Dear Brigadier General Mike Eastman: Thank You; for the Great Honor You Have Bestowed Upon Us; by
visiting Rally Point!

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 17 at 2021 9:57 AM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 09:57:59 -0400

Thanks for sharing General. I have time on my hands, and would be honored to help anyone, within my capabilities. RAT EOM.

Response by SSG Eddye Royal made Sep 17 at 2021 3:40 PM

SSG Eddye Royal — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 15:40:50 -0400

BG Mike Eastman, that is a great and wonderful thing you and your team have come up with. in saying that Sir. I would be honored if I could send you a LinkedIn request, for review, I been in Army over 21 Years. Allowed to go corporate and come back for IT. Belong to the FT. Gordon, COMMO Organization. Then went Cyber over the last few years.

Response by MCPO Hilary Kunz made Sep 18 at 2021 11:47 AM

MCPO Hilary Kunz — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 11:47:45 -0400

A program like this would have been quite helpful for me. It’s a little too late for me, but it’s a good thing to start up.

Response by Bobby Ch made Sep 23 at 2021 11:23 AM

Bobby Ch — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 11:23:50 -0400

THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR GOOD INFORMATION MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Sep 23 at 2021 5:53 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 17:53:41 -0400

Society is the result of all of us living together. It is what we are, those who tell us what it should be are full of it.. When I was disabled the State put me though a series of aptitude tests. The result was that I should be in Law Enforcement or the military. I am a soldier, anything else is not going to work. My wife understands me. She married a soldier, trying to be something else is wasted

Response by Sgt Jennifer Locker made Nov 27 at 2021 10:35 AM

Sgt Jennifer Locker — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 10:35:38 -0500

The VA also has Peer Support teams to assist active duty transitioning to civilian life and jobs. Call your local VA and ask for Peer Support. For many, it can be a culture shock. Veterans helping Veterans via The ETS Sponsorship Program etssponsorship.com and the VA Peer Support Program make the transition less daunting and transitioning active to civilian service members are with people who understand the challenges. Job placement assistance is also available. Good luck and thank you for your service.