WELCOME TO THE ALUMNI NETWORK

Once you’ve completed one of our programs—from leading a Service Platoon to participating in a Mass Deployment, and everything in between, there’s still an opportunity for you to serve and connect with other veterans.

Enrollment is now open (Nov 15 – Dec 1) for our Alumni Service Experts National Team (ASE).

CONTINUE TO SERVE ALONGSIDE OTHER ALUMNI

An Alumni of The Mission Continues is anyone who has completed any one of our programs throughout the years—including the following: Fellowship Program, Platoon Leadership Program, Women Veterans Leadership Summit, Mass Deployment as Crew or Ambassador, Service Leadership Corps, Leading For All, or the Women Veterans Leadership Program.  

Sound like you? Then you’re in the right place!  

Have any questions about the program? Send a note to T’Liza Kiel, Director of Alumni Engagement at tkiel@missioncontinues.org

The Opportunity 

Platoon Advisory Alliance will support our frontline volunteers– Platoon Leaders as they navigate leadership through our Platoon Leadership Service component. Through one-on-one interactions and active coaching, the Peer Mentor will be a guide and resource for the active Platoon Leader. The Mission Continues has over 2500+ alumni with the talent skills and preparedness to transform communication and pave the way for the next generation of service leaders. Almost 10% of The Mission Continues Alumni have served in a Platoon Leadership role. Platoon Leader and Leadership team members have first-hand experience. The next wave of leadership is mentorship.  

What You Will Do 

  • Complete PAL training plan to enhance mentoring skills and TMC knowledge base  
  • Establish and maintain a supportive and collaborative relationship with assigned Platoon Leader by maintaining regular communication through phone calls, emails, texts and/or video conferencing  
  • Provide guidance and coaching to Platoon Leaders so they can successfully deliver on their responsibility to recruit and engage volunteers, manage relationships with partners, and plan and execute platoon events.  
  • Be a sounding board or second set of eyes, sharing your knowledge and experience with service projects while also leaving space for the PL to innovate 
  • Use the GROW Model as a coaching tool to empower your Platoon Leader to problem solve, get unstuck and achieve their goals 
  • Enhance the Platoon Leadership Team training by providing expertise and facilitation for both in person and virtual training sessions  
  • Support the PL in networking in the veteran space and developing outreach strategies. Occasionally be willing to step in and support the PL in representing The Mission Continues. 

Who We Are Looking For 

  • A positive and motivational veteran who has great situational awareness and self-awareness. Experience as a coach or mentor is a plus. 
  • An organized and experienced project manager who is willing to learn and grow in their understanding of The Mission Continues evolving approach to work in under-resourced communities. 
  • A brand ambassador who is willing to leverage their connections within the veteran space to support the work of the platoon and occasionally help represent the platoon and make new connections for the Platoon Leader. 
  • A problem-solver with a creative approach who knows there is more than one way to accomplish a task. 
  • A connector who is comfortable working with a diverse group of veterans and stakeholders. 

Preferred Qualifications 

  • U.S. military veteran or currently serving in the National Guard or Reserves who has held a previous leadership role within a TMC platoon. 
  • U.S. resident who currently resides in the Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico 
  • Veterans from all eras and branches of service are welcome 
  • Dedication to weekly check-ins (up to 4 hours monthly) 
  • Eligibility is open to any former Platoon Leaders who completed their term in good standing

Travel Requirements

Willingness to travel locally to support service in your community. There is potential for national training and service opportunities, and these can be expected to require 2-3 days in cities across the country. Travel support and housing is available for these opportunities. 

Physical Requirements 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that are generally necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of this volunteer position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the volunteer is regularly required to talk or hear. The volunteer frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The volunteer is occasionally required to move on uneven terrain; carry objects; sit; reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in many project environments is usually moderate to high. During events, volunteers are expected to be able to move around a job site. If you have questions about accommodations please direct your inquiries to our Director of Alumni Engagement, T’Liza Kiel <tkiel@missioncontinues.org. 

The Mission Continues recognizes that diverse employees, veterans and supporters are critical to our workforce and mission. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where all team members are valued and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We want a team that reflects our diversity, so that we can approach every mission with integrity, compassion and authenticity. 

Enrollment is now open (Nov 15 – Dec 1) for our Alumni Service Experts National Team (ASE)

The Mission Continues has alumni with the talent, skills, and preparedness to transform communities and pave the way for the next generation of service leaders to make an impact. The Alumni Service Expert “ASE Team” provides an opportunity for alumni to lead, share relevant experience, and inform project process management best practices. Selected members of the first ASE Team Cohort will contribute to 2023-2024 service project efforts as a project manager and leader.  

The Opportunity 

The Mission Continues is seeking passionate alumni to lead as members of the ASE team for National Campaigns, Service Projects within our Program Cohorts, and Special Service Project opportunities. If you are looking for a way to apply the knowledge and skills you’ve gained while paying it forward, we want you to apply!  

As a Volunteer ASE team member, you will serve for one year as part of a cohort of 5-7 alumni who will play a key role with the Projects Team. You will provide high-level service project management and operations support, engage in public speaking opportunities, and execute various service projects. The ideal candidates for this role will have a passion for working with veterans and communities, a strong desire to grow, lead, and support others, and a strong background in project operations. They will work with ambiguity while maintaining an adaptable and positive mindset.  

Volunteering as an ASE team member requires strong organizational and project management skills, service project expertise, the ability to ‘adapt and overcome,’ and the willingness to get dirty and have fun!  

How this will work: 

The National ASE Team exists because leaders like you are ready to answer the call at every opportunity. We see an opportunity for Alumni experts like yourself to lead in a project management role when the need arises. Your commitment is the willingness to raise your hand when the opportunity strikes. Below are the current opportunities for ASE team member(s). Please only apply if you have availability for at least one or more dates.  

Current 2024-2025 Opportunities  

Please note selected members will be notified of opportunities as they arise and will have the flexibility to opt in or out.  

Likely Project opportunities  
January MLK National Day of Service  
March Field Training  
April Earth Day National Campaigns  
June Mass Deployment  
Corporate Projects To be determined, upon request 

Who we are looking for:  

  • Alumni who successfully met program requirements 
  • Enthusiastic and passionate leaders with a strong desire to support others  
  • Thrives in ambiguous environments while maintaining an adaptable and positive mindset 
  • Ability to travel and actively support volunteer service events  
  • Comfortable with public speaking  
  • Subject Matter Experts in various Service Project roles 
  • Ability and willingness to contribute to long service/ event days—both indoors and outdoors 
  • Ability to communicate with diverse audiences in a way that builds cohesion and connectedness 

Bonus Qualifications: 

  • Ability to drive large vehicles such as pickup trucks, cargo vans, and box trucks 
  • Comfortable utilizing power tools 
  • Familiarity with TMC Build plans and instructions 

Physical Demands: 

  • Being able to move equipment weighing 50-100 lbs, lift 25-30 lbs repetitively. 
  • Ability to stand/walk for long periods, stoop, kneel/crouch, crawl, and climb up and down ladders. 
  • Ability to move safely over uneven terrain  
  • Possible exposure to extreme temperature changes 

What’s in it for you?  

  • Travel, lodging and meals included  
  • Expand your nationwide network by building relationships with TMC Staff, other alumni, and volunteers  
  • Leverage and enhance skills  
  • Enhance your mentorship, peer support, and problem-solving skills  
  • Help shape the future of the program by providing input and feedback to TMC staff  

Travel/Time requirements:  

  • Must be willing and able to commit to traveling on at least one of the dates above  
  • Must be willing to meet with Project team member(s) in preparation for events via phone call or Microsoft Teams. 

THE MISSION CONTINUES GRADUATION OF WOMEN VETERANS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM TO WOMAN VETERAN-LED BENEATH THE SERVICE

Washington, D.C. — May 17, 2024 — The Mission Continues, a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering veterans as community-based leaders, announced a strategic transition of the Women Veterans Leadership Program (WVLP) to Beneath the Service. This transition is designed to focus and enhance the impact of WVLP, ensuring its continued success and alignment with organizational missions.

This transition to Beneath the Service marks a pivotal moment to ensure that WVLP continues to grow and serve the evolving needs of women veterans. Although nearly 400 participants have completed WVLP, the program has received almost 4,200 applications in four years, highlighting the tremendous demand and the importance of its mission to empower women veterans.

If you have participated in WVLP and would like to stay connected with this program then please click here to register for WVLP Alumni on their website.

MORE WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED

Join your fellow Alumni in our Facebook Group, or attend our frequent Town Halls and programming! We have events and gatherings throughout the year (virtually, and/or in person when able too) so join us to connect and learn.

We’re always on the lookout for alumni ready to share, and we’ve launched the Alumni Speaker Series to share that expertise in our network with the wider world!

Watch some of the Alumni Speaker Series:

Do you want to help organize an Alumni Social Convening in your area? Are you great at social media and want to help manage the Alumni Facebook Group? Or perhaps you have great resources for the greater veteran community that you want to share via a blog post or a webinar? Please let us know here.

If you are interested in being featured during our Alumni Spotlight or would like to nominate another Alumni, we’d love to hear it. We welcome stories ranging from personal successes to interesting resources available for other veterans. Head here to fill out the form!

Have another idea of how you can get involved? Send a note to T’Liza Kiel, Director of Alumni Engagement at tkiel@missioncontinues.org.

TMC Alumni Staff

 

 

T’Liza Kiel

Director, Alumni Engagement

Contact: tkiel@missioncontinues.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT TO EXPECT ON #BootsOnTheGround

Boots On The Ground Podcast sparks conversations with veterans and organizations who are working to address the critical issues and challenges affecting veterans, our families, and communities-in-need nationwide.

This show is hosted by an Army veteran and offers an opportunity to connect with veteran community members, highlight and educate our audience on military culture, meaning, and purpose.

The subject of any given episode may range from veteran mental health, the transition from active-duty to veteran, women veterans, veteran service organizations, leadership/ professional/ personal growth no name a few.

Read what other Alumni are up to: