What Veterans group do you think does the most for ALL Veterans outside the VA itself ?

I agree with many on this post. More so in the fact that there are many organizations out there that helps Vets, but in what venue. The DAV, VFW and others along those lines are great advocates in a broad area of "help." However, there are more specific veterans groups out there that are not widely known.

For instance, if you are transitioning (or have transitioned) and ever thought of opening your own business, but don't know where to start, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) which is hosted by Syracuse University and sponsored by SBA and Citi Group is a great place to go. They have a program called "Boots 2 Business." It focuses on helping you build a solid outline/shell of a business plan and the course is Free. It is a college level course, it's online, it is independent/self-starter type work, but there is no college credit. The course is, however, taught by active on campus professors of Syracuse University. Other programs for disabled veterans, also sponsored by Syracuse, is Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV). 30 days online and 10 days on campus either at Syracuse, FSU, UCLA, LSU, Perdue, Cornell, and a couple of other colleges. Very detailed, very informative, and again it is free to include travel, lodging, and meals. However, there is limited space. Usually about 60+ people per site trying to get into an EBV course, but they can only facilitate 25 per site. Upon graduation you get Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in business and you become an official alumni of the university; yes it is a sanctioned alumni status conferred by the University in which you attend.

Of course I am into business so that is why I have spoken in length about the above opportunities. Believe me, there are a LOT of veteran opportunities out there and there are a lot of things within the transition process that is not widely known because from what I have seen, each base may have a Transition Program, but the information passed is not the same. This is why networking is key.

This is certainly not to exclude the other great services out there but in my experience, the VFW has done so much to support our troops of today, ensuring we NEVER receive the homecoming our Vietnam vets received plus fighting ruthlessly on Capital Hill for our rights.

I was worried they wouldnt take kindly to an FNG coming around much less a woman but not only were they grateful to have a fresh face, they were thrilled to have a woman veteran amongst them. Such nice gentlemen :)

While there are plenty of different organizations out there, it's hard to give a list because what one person may consider as helping; someone else might not agree. With the VFW, American Legions, AMVETS, and others there are plenty of groups doing great things.

The one question I would like to follow up with is, what is wrong with an organization basing it's membership on when the Veteran served? Peer support is one of the most important things when someone is transitioning and the best peer support comes from those around your age.