It’s been quite a few years since I took off the uniform for the last time after nine years of active duty. And I have always had mixed feelings whenever someone refers to me as a “vet.” It may be…

Kat went from mechanic to working as a career coach. Rob worked as a trainer and now helps non-profits raise money. Melton went from pilot to working as a human rights investigator. Kiara managed logistics and today works with at-risk…

The next few weeks at National Able Network (Able) promise to be quite busy, as Operation Career Launch goes into high gear. From now until Veterans Day (November 11), Able is accepting donations to benefit Veterans Forward, the innovative program…

As the winter chill began to loosen its grip on Chicago, I started walking home from work more often. My urban hikes weren’t motivated by vanity or concern about my personal carbon footprint. Mile-by-mile I was preparing for a much…

On Thursday, Dec. 10, Illinois Joining Forces (IJF) hosted its 2015 Re-Boot Summit for a group of organizations and individuals that contribute to veterans philanthropy throughout Illinois. The Re-Boot Summit was appropriately held at the Union League Club of Chicago which…

Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2015 was my first Veterans Day in more than two decades not on active duty. My retirement from the U.S. Army was effective Dec. 1, 2014, but I started my job search a few months prior. It was a…

Two months ago, I got to meet the first two women to graduate from Ranger School – arguably one of the toughest leadership schools in the world. About 90 women graduates from West Point, representing almost every class since the first…

When I exited the Marine Corps in 2011, I never thought that I would end up working in workforce development and helping veterans find civilian jobs. Now that I am, I couldn’t be happier that this is where I’ve ended…

At National Able Network (Able), we help make careers happen. As a Career Coach for Veterans Forward, I personally help my clients make their career goals a reality. There’s no such thing as a typical day at a nonprofit agency….

Veterans Forward hosted its new Job-Ready Boot Camp last week! Job-Ready Boot Camp is a small-group program designed to help veteran job seekers navigate today’s job market with an intensive, two-day workshop that helps build the foundation for a successful job search. The…

The toughest part of running a successful business is getting the right talent. A great hire is what we call a “force multiplier” in the military: someone who immediately makes everyone else better. In the military, things like extraordinary leadership,…

One year ago this month, National Able Network began talking with John Fakhoury, President and Chief Executive Officer of Framework Communications, about a possible partnership between his telecom and networking support company and the workforce services at National Able Network….