The Boot

10/19/2026

Death Valley on a fall Saturday morning -- there’s nothing quite like it.
This weekend, The Boot’s LCE participants experienced Louisiana culture firsthand -- touring LSU’s iconic campus, connecting with employer partners invested in their futures, and taking in a gameday atmosphere that is truly one of a kind. Crisp air, purple and gold everywhere, and the kind of community pride that makes Louisiana feel like home.

This is what we do. We don’t just tell transitioning service members and military families that Louisiana is a great place to build a life -- we show them.

Welcome to Louisiana. We hope you stay. 🐯

10/13/2026

This is why we do what we do. 🎖️
Twenty years of service -- and a whole new mission ahead. We’re proud to walk alongside veterans like this one as they translate their military experience into meaningful civilian careers right here in Louisiana.

If you or someone you know is transitioning out of the military, we’re here to help.

10/08/2026

Louisiana's economy is on the move — and the timing is perfect for transitioning service members ready to put down roots here.
LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott is forecasting 55,000 new Louisiana jobs by the end of 2026, with growth happening across the state — from Baton Rouge and New Orleans to Shreveport-Bossier and Lake Charles.
That's not just good news for Louisiana. That's opportunity for the men and women who've served our country and are now deciding where to build the next chapter.
We broke it down on the blog — what the forecast means, where the jobs are, and why Louisiana is ready for military talent right now.
Read it here: https://hubs.ly/Q04zD4df0

10/06/2026

We are so grateful to the LABI Foundation for another incredible golf tournament in Baton Rouge and for supporting The Boot through mulligan sales! Our team had a great day on the course and at our tent connecting with LABI members about Louisianas workforce needs and how we can help businesses find talented transitioning service members and military families ready to put down roots here. This kind of partnership is exactly what it takes to keep Louisianas workforce strong. Thank you, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry - LABI!

10/01/2026

In case you missed it -- The Boot has been named Louisiana's official Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Through the Louisiana VBOC, The Boot will assist veteran entrepreneurs at every stage of business ownership, from developing a business plan to accessing capital, pursuing government contracts, and scaling an existing company. As CEO Ben Armstrong said: "There's no good reason those two things shouldn't find each other faster. Our job is simple: remove the barriers, connect the right people, and make sure Louisiana keeps and empowers the talent she's already earned." Grateful for LDVA and Secretary Meginley for championing this alongside us. Read the full press release with LDVA here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — September 29, 2026RELEASE # 20260022

09/27/2026

NOW HIRING!!! 📣📣📣

Friday, the SBA named The Boot the Veterans Business Outreach Center for the State of Louisiana. Their announcement is here: https://legacy.sba.gov/article/2026/09/25/sba-announces-49m-grant-awards-expand-vboc-network

Now, we need to hire a high-performing Entrepreneurship Director to lead it…

Job description and application: https://rma3m.share.hsforms.com/28GKoLsNaTjSa_wtS8rdVRw

The Entrepreneurship Director establishes and leads the military and veteran entrepreneurship ecosystem statewide. Federal funding from SBA, state investment from Louisiana Economic Development, and the job of pulling together the resources, organizations and people already doing this work so that transitioning service members, their families, and veterans get one pathway into it instead of a scattered map.

They will hire the staff, build the counseling, training, and capital readiness services, and run the Boots to Business transition classes at Barksdale, Fort Polk and NAS JRB New Orleans.

Please share this with your network and send this to anyone who might belong in this seat. And if this YOUR opportunity, please complete the application above.

09/23/2026

Excited to partner with NextOp Veterans on this event!
Join us on Wednesday, October 8th by RSVP'ing below:

https://nextopvets.org/event/october-8-military-veteran-meet-up/

New Orleans Vets & Service Members! Join us for a joint Social Hour!

Looking to expand your network, navigating your transition to civilian life, or just wanting to kick back with folks who understand the journey? Join The Boot and NextOp for our upcoming Military & Veteran Meetup right here in NOLA!

This is a casual gathering built for networking, sharing stories, and unwinding with local veterans and service members.

Your first two drinks are on us, so don't forget to invite a fellow veteran or service member to tag along! 👉 RSVP here: https://nextopvets.org/event/october-8-military-veteran-meet-up/

09/22/2026

Callin' Baton Rouge? 📣🐯
We're giving active candidates a chance to experience a real LSU gameday in Death Valley — on us.
LSU vs. Mississippi State | October 17 | 11 AM Kickoff
Fill out the interest form below and a Boot Ambassador will reach out. Spots are limited!
https://hubs.ly/Q04y535C0

We've been in your boots. Come live in ours.

09/15/2026

Huge congratulations to Ben Iles on being named a 2026 Friend of the Forge by JRTC and Fort Polk.
Ben brought 25 years of Army service to The Boot, and he's kept that same commitment going every day since, helping more than 200 transitioning service members connect with careers across Louisiana. This recognition is well earned.
Proud to have him on the team.

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago, our nation changed forever. Today, we pause to honor those we lost and the countless lives dedicated to service in the years that followed. We will never forget.