Beneath the Service

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Beneath the Service National 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides world class leadership development to advance veterans’ leadership journeys.

Day 3 - Graduation We woke up knowing the weekend was coming to an end but somehow that made it feel more real.Breakfast...
08/30/2026

Day 3 - Graduation

We woke up knowing the weekend was coming to an end but somehow that made it feel more real.

Breakfast looked different this morning. Everyone knew what was coming, the moment we’d have to let go of this bubble and step back into the world.

But then came Leading Change. One more lesson. One more reminder that the work starts with the woman in the mirror.

The Closing Reflection hit different. This wasn’t theory anymore. This was every women sitting with the weight of their own transformation. Looking back at who they were when they first started and seeing who they’ve become. Some cried. Some laughed.

And then it was time. Graduation.

Names were called. Certificates were handed over. Hugs happened that felt like promises. Because they were.

Every embrace said: I’m not letting you do this alone. Every smile said: We’re in this together.
Every tear said: This matters.

Cohort 9 graduated today. But the real gift wasn’t the certificate. It was looking around that room and knowing…truly knowing…that no matter where life takes these women, they have others who will show up, speak truth, and lift them up.

They’re walking back into their lives as individuals. But they’re doing it as a community. They’re carrying Beneath the Service with them. They’re carrying each other.

The weekend is over. But Cohort 9? They’re just getting started.

To every woman in this cohort: You didn’t just graduate today. You became part of something that will outlast this weekend, this year, this decade. Your sisters are everywhere now. And they’re always one call, one text, one moment away.

Congratulations, Cohort 9 🎉🥳🎊



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Over the past few days, Cohort 9 did something brave.They worked with Brit and Guy to write a song. Not because they’re ...
08/30/2026

Over the past few days, Cohort 9 did something brave.

They worked with Brit and Guy to write a song. Not because they’re musicians. But because they had something to say. Something to feel. Something to share.

There was laughter in the brainstorming sessions. The kind where ideas flow and nothing feels too big or too small. There were tears when they got real about what this journey means. There was so much heart poured into every lyric, every line, every moment of vulnerability.

They wrote about service. About sisterhood. About becoming who they’re meant to be. They wrote about Cohort 9, the women who showed up, showed out, and changed each other forever.

And then Brit and Guy performed it. At the reception. Their voices carrying Cohort 9’s story and captured everything Cohort 9 is.

That song? That’s not just a memory. That’s a testament to what happens when women leaders get brave enough to be vulnerable together.

Brit and Guy didn’t just help Cohort 9 write a song. They brought it to life in a way that will stay with these women forever.

This is what leadership sounds like. This is what Cohort 9 sounds like.



Women veterans empowerment through music and creative expression at WVLP leadership development.

Day 2. Where remembrance meets celebration. Where reflection becomes action. We started with breakfast and intention. Th...
08/30/2026

Day 2. Where remembrance meets celebration. Where reflection becomes action.

We started with breakfast and intention. Then we made our way to Arlington. Standing together as Cohort 9, we laid a wreath to honor the women who came before us. The women whose sacrifice made our leadership possible.

The silence hit different.
The weight of it. The gratitude. The responsibility.

From Arlington, we moved through the Military Women’s Memorial. Walking through the stories of women who served. Women who led. Women who changed everything. We were walking through our own legacy: past, present, and future, all in one space.

We came back together for lunch and then came (re)Orient: Pathways to Purpose and the energy shifted. We talked about who we’re becoming. The internal work. The kind of session where you start being honest about what you actually want.

By 3 PM, we were in Applied Leadership Project Groups building, brainstorming, turning insight into action. The energy was alive. Ideas were flowing.

And then? The reception.

We celebrated. We danced. We took photos that captured the joy of becoming who we’re meant to be. Patricia Faison Hewlin was there, signing copies of “Staying True to You,” reminding us that your middle self isn’t a compromise… it’s your superpower.

one moment stood out: Cohort 9 presented Niki with a gift, a thank you for holding the vision, for creating the space, for believing in us before we believed in ourselves. For building Beneath the Service into something that changes lives. Niki’s face said everything. This is what happens when leaders show up for leaders.

This day was everything: remembrance and celebration, reflection and action, honoring what was and building what’s next.

Two days of becoming. Two days of remembering. Two days of building something that’s going to ripple far beyond this weekend. This is Cohort 9.

What started as a competition between six teams became something bigger.It started with one question and one voice and f...
08/29/2026

What started as a competition between six teams became something bigger.

It started with one question and one voice and from there, the teams began bringing different perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the table.

Instead of staying inside the box or focusing only on their own team, everyone started thinking outside the box and asking, “What if we worked together?”

Teamwork isn’t just about dividing up the work or figuring out who gets the win. It’s about listening, building on each other’s ideas, challenging the obvious, and finding a way forward together.

And somewhere along the way, the competition became collaboration.

Because the goal wasn’t just for one team to come out on top.

Everyone won when we worked together. 🤝



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Day 1 with Cohort 9 ✨And just like that, the Women Veterans Leadership Program is officially underway.The first day was ...
08/29/2026

Day 1 with Cohort 9 ✨

And just like that, the Women Veterans Leadership Program is officially underway.

The first day was packed with opportunities to learn, connect, and challenge the way we think about leadership from Strategic Influence and Practical AI for Leaders to Effective Teaming, an Applied Leadership Lunch, and a Songwriting Workshop.

But honestly, some of the most meaningful moments happened in between the sessions.

The conversations over meals. The introductions that turned into connections. The stories shared between women veterans who may have taken completely different paths, but understand something about one another because of their shared experience.

That’s what makes the Women Veterans Leadership Program so special. It isn’t just about leadership training. This program is about creating a space where women veterans can connect, learn from one another, discover new perspectives, and build relationships that extend far beyond the weekend.

And if Day 1 was any indication… Cohort 9 is going to be one to remember. 👀

If you weren’t here, you’re already missing out.

Want to be part of the next cohort? Keep an eye out for next year’s Women Veterans Leadership Program applications and follow Beneath the Service for updates on how to apply. 🇺🇸



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03/09/2026

Please join us in celebrating the upcoming cohort of Beneath the Service’s 2026 Women Veterans Leadership Program!

This year’s cohort combines 528 years of military service, represents 31 states, every branch of service, both enlisted and officer ranks, and 40 organizations across the public and private sectors.

The Women Veterans Leadership Program creates a space where women veterans are seen and supported in their shared experience of service. Over the next 5 months, this cohort will earn a 3-credit course through Virginia Tech while developing their leadership identity, building strong connections with fellow women veterans, and gaining the tools to shape their leadership impact within their organizations and communities.

We’re also proud to introduce our WVLP Alumni Ambassadors who will support Cohort 9 throughout the journey ahead. Darnella Melancon, Melissa Antalek, Keyshuna Cole, Angela Renee Dickson, and Crystal Reidy bring the valuable perspective of alumni who’ve completed the program, part of a community of more than 500 women veterans! They will share their insight, encourage growth, and help guide this group as they strengthen their leadership.

We can’t wait to welcome you. Congratulations Cohort 9!

Applications are now open for the Cohort 9 Women Veterans Leadership Program Alumni Ambassadorship!This program represen...
12/09/2025

Applications are now open for the Cohort 9 Women Veterans Leadership Program Alumni Ambassadorship!

This program represents our continued investment in Beneath the Service graduates. By leveraging the lived experiences of our WVLP alumni to mentor the incoming cohort, we provide a platform for past participants to practice and apply their coaching and facilitation skills in real-time.

The Role: WVLP Alumni Ambassadors play an active role in the five-month program, using the skills gained during their own experience to elevate the journey of Cohort 9.

Key Responsibilities:

Mentorship and Coaching: Lead small groups and provide one-on-one support as participants navigate the curriculum.
Facilitation: Facilitate activities and promote a supportive environment during virtual meetings and two required in-person sessions.
Curriculum Insight: Share your unique perspective to help refine the program and contribute to panels.
Commitment: Expect a weekly commitment of roughly 2–3 hours during the program.

Our Investment in You: We ensure Cohort 9 Alumni Ambassadors are equipped to lead with confidence through specific training and ongoing guidance. All travel, lodging, and meal expenses for the required in-person sessions are fully covered.

How to Apply: If you are ready to apply your leadership skills to support the next wave of women veterans, please apply at the link below.

🔗 https://lnkd.in/ep49Gr9j

Application Deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026 by 11:59 PM PST
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🌱 Support Veteran Leaders today, on Giving Tuesday!Our goal for the coming year is to provide fully funded professional ...
12/02/2025

🌱 Support Veteran Leaders today, on Giving Tuesday!

Our goal for the coming year is to provide fully funded professional and leadership development programs for 1,000 veterans across the country in 2026. To do this, we need a community behind us. In recognition of Giving Tuesday, we’d like to celebrate supporters with an extra thank you. When you make a donation this week, you’ll be eligible to receive exclusive Beneath the Service items:

$150 Donation: Beneath the Service Tote Bag
$250 Donation: Beneath the Service Backpack
$500 Donation: Beneath the Service Backpack and Pullover Fleece

We’d love your help in sharing the work with your networks!

📣 (re) Orient Community Program (new!)

Our (re)Orient sessions provide space to renew your sense of self and build momentum to move forward with purpose. Connection matters, and knowing you’re not alone often makes all the difference. That’s why in 2026 we’re expanding our efforts to combine community gatherings with (re) Orient activities.

🧠 Give Smart

Did you know you can support this mission in ways that might also benefit your financial planning? In addition to standard donations, we gratefully accept:

Stock Transfers > Save on capital gains taxes while supporting veterans.
Donor Advised Funds (DAF) > Recommend a grant directly to Beneath the Service.
Cryptocurrency > The modern way to fuel our future operations.

💪 🪖 Today, lead the way in advancing leadership journeys for the military veteran community.

Next week is Giving Tuesday, the global day of generosity. This year we are raising funds to continue changing the traje...
11/26/2025

Next week is Giving Tuesday, the global day of generosity. This year we are raising funds to continue changing the trajectory of veterans’ lives. At Beneath the Service, we know that transition out of the military means rediscovering purpose and community, beyond finding a new job.

Our goal for the coming year is bold: to provide fully funded support and reintegration programs for 1,000 veterans across the country in 2026. To do this, we need a community behind us.

Why now? Because the need has never been greater:

"Being part of the program through Beneath the Service was truly transformative for me. It gave me the space to pause, reflect on how my service shaped me as a leader, and reconnect with the power of my own voice. I walked away with not only a certificate from Virginia Tech, but also a stronger sense of clarity, confidence, and community."

This quote reminds us why we do this work. We also asked graduates of our programs what the biggest changes they’ve noticed in themselves were, and they replied with:

* A significant increase in confidence.
* Greater self-awareness and intentional use of their time.
* Renewed purpose and clearer direction in life.
* Embracing the veteran identity with pride.

But we cannot reach those 1,000 veterans without you. Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, December 2nd, and invite a friend to join our email list so they can be part of Giving Tuesday too.

If you are ready to lead the way now, you don’t have to wait. You can make an early gift today to help us build momentum.

Thank you for standing with those who stood for us.

11/20/2025

👏 We are happy to celebrate Kathryn Morrison, MaryStahnke, MediaMeighan, Monique Jackson, Raven Holstick, Robin Cody , Shirley Baez, and Tawanay Bryant as the inaugural members of the WVLP Alumni Leadership Committee!

In order to continue strengthening connections, share information, and create opportunity across the alumni network, the WVLP Alumni Leadership Committee will serve to sustain the program’s continued impact and be a source of sustenance for our graduates’ ongoing leadership journeys.

To date, the WVLP boasts over 450 alumni across the United States and represents all military services across generations. We are excited for the creativity, energy, and care that the leadership committee will offer in the coming months.

Please help us celebrate them!

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