Institute for Veterans and Military Families - IVMF

06/18/2026

Military spouse employment challenges don't begin with a PCS move, and they don't end with finding a new job.

They show up at every stage of military life.

A first relocation can interrupt a career before it begins. Frequent moves can mean starting over again and again. Childcare, deployments, and unpredictable schedules shape what's possible. Over time, lost income and missed opportunities can have lasting financial consequences.

The latest Military Spouse Employment Longitudinal Study from the Institute for Veterans and Military Families - IVMF and Blue Star Families found that while the challenges may change over time, the pattern remains.

Swipe through to see how military spouse careers are shaped across the military lifecycle. https://bit.ly/3ShpuwA

06/17/2026

Congratulations to the six recipients of the 2026 Military Founders Lab – Skilled Trades Microgrants!

Awarded through the support of The Home Depot Foundation, these microgrants provide funding for tools, equipment, and other business resources that help military-connected entrepreneurs move their businesses forward.

Please join us in celebrating:
• Alicia Powers, Price Builders
• Crystal Torrence
• Joey Warren, JW Turf Specialist
• Michael Palaguachi, MBA, Veterans Construction Group, LLC.
• Teneasha Hayes
• Al-Quan Pierce

We're proud to support veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs as they turn their skills, experience, and vision into thriving businesses.

06/15/2026

What would you say if you could call your past self?

IVMF alum Jesse Trevino, President of SolutionPoint +, LLC knows exactly what he'd tell the version of himself who was weighing a difficult decision: stay in a stable career with a steady paycheck and benefits or take a chance on building something of his own.

Looking back, he knows which choice changed his life.

In this video, Jesse leaves a voicemail for the person he was before the business, before the growth, and before he knew where the journey would lead.

His advice?

Bet. On. Yourself.

Sometimes the conversation we need most is the one we'd have with the person we used to be.

06/14/2026

Happy 251st Birthday to the United States Army!

Since 1775, the Army has played a vital role in defending our nation and developing generations of leaders whose impact continues long after their service ends.

Today, we honor that legacy and all those who have served.

06/12/2026

After three combat deployments and completing the Ranger Indoctrination Program, Nick Green returned home to rural Minnesota ready for his next challenge: building businesses.

What he needed wasn't more determination. He needed to learn how to turn his experience and work ethic into a successful business.

Through IVMF's Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans (EBV), Nick gained the knowledge, network, and support to grow a self-storage business, expand a plumbing and HVAC company, and eventually sell both.

Today, he's helping other veterans navigate their own entrepreneurial journeys and showing what's possible after military service.

Nick is one of more than 100,000 veterans and military spouses who have been supported through IVMF programs.

Read his story at the link below.

Nick Green built one of the largest self-storage operations in outstate Minnesota, growing it from 24 units behind his father's shop to 454 units across 100,000 square feet. He bought and scaled a family plumbing company, acquired his largest competitor, merged them into a full-service HVAC firm, an...

06/11/2026

Looking to expand your network, explore career opportunities, or connect with fellow veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs?

Join our LinkedIn communities and be part of the conversation.

- Entrepreneurship Community: https://lnkd.in/egusSttj
- O2O Career Community: https://lnkd.in/eq_DNrN2

We look forward to connecting with you.

06/10/2026

The right mentor can change the trajectory of your business.

Join us June 26 for our Fourth Friday Masterclass with Jennifer Vollbrecht, USMC veteran and founder of J Vollbrecht Consulting, to learn how mentorship, strategic partnerships, and strong networks can help you grow with purpose.

Open to all IVMF alumni and military-connected entrepreneurs. Register with the link in our comments!

06/09/2026

"There is an implicit trust in the room."

That's the experience CEOcircle is built around, according to Matthew Brown, CEO of Chimney Trail Health and CEOcircle alum.

CEOcircle is a peer community for veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs leading growth-stage companies with $1M+ in revenue. A space to share real challenges, exchange insights, and grow alongside people who get it.

Apply now: https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/entrepreneurship/bunker-labs/ceocircle/

06/08/2026

Meet our 2026 IVMF Ambassadors! 🎉

We're excited to welcome 42 veteran and military spouse leaders to this year's Ambassador Program.

Over the next year, they'll help connect entrepreneurs to local resources, strengthen business ecosystems, and create opportunities for military-connected business owners in communities across the country.

If you're a veteran or military spouse entrepreneur, connect with your local Ambassador and get involved.

Read more here: https://bit.ly/3Q3Sck0

06/05/2026

This work doesn't happen in isolation.

At this year's Community of Practice Gathering, leaders from across sectors came together in Washington, D.C., to share knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and explore ways to better serve veterans and military families.

Over three days, attendees exchanged ideas, discussed challenges facing the field, and learned from one another's experiences. These conversations help strengthen the connections and collaboration needed to support military-connected communities across the country.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the discussion. We're grateful for your commitment to this work and the impact you're making every day.