DAV Employment Program 10 Years Strong

When I served as a benefits advocate in Waco, Texas, I regularly attended DAV job fairs in Dallas for transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses. It was always exciting to speak with job seekers about the benefits they earned through service and to have the privilege of helping secure them.

Making sure veterans and their families can access their earned benefits is an essential part of DAV’s mission, but those job fairs reminded me that DAV goes above and beyond to empower veterans to take on new missions in life, in spite of the challenges they face as a result of their service. I learned that the role employment plays in that mission cannot be overstated.

This year, we mark 10 years since the creation of DAV’s National Employment Program. Our series of nationwide job fairs remains at the heart of what we do. Since 2014, more than 184,000 job offers have been extended to fair attendees across over 1,000 events. And these aren’t just any events. (https://rly.pt/DAVemployment)

DAV job fairs welcome thousands of employers who appreciate and understand the value the military community brings to the workplace. When they see a veteran’s unconventional resume or a spouse’s frequent changes in address, they are not deterred. Instead, they see the leadership, resilience and soft skills those families have developed through the demands of military service. They know that when they hire and invest in veterans and spouses, their companies and those they serve will reap great rewards.

Understanding the critical role employers play in our mission, DAV established the Patriot Employer Program, which recognizes companies that demonstrate an unwavering commitment and passion to hire, retain and support veterans. Of the hundreds of nominations received since the program’s inception in 2021, DAV has recognized 110 such employers. Through our national hiring guide and year-round speaking engagements, we’re committed to educating more employers about the value military and veteran families bring to the workplace. We want every employer to be a “patriot employer.” (https://rly.pt/DAVpatriotemployerprogram)

In fact, DAV now helps veterans and military spouses become employers. With DAV Patriot Boot Camp, we are supporting them in their journeys as mission-driven entrepreneurs. As they grow and scale their businesses, they often hire the people they know will best help them succeed: fellow veterans and military spouses.

As we mark 10 years of the DAV National Employment Program, we want to thank all of our partners, including RecruitMilitary, our dedicated employers and our incredible host venues. Each job offer represents a key moment in someone’s transition from military service to the civilian world. If we help them land that moment, we fulfill our mission and change lives.