Career Services Hub

There are roughly 6,200 Green Berets serving on active duty and in the National Guard who continue to deploy to over 80 countries. Given the length of the recent and current conflicts, and the known numbers of ill, injured, and wounded, virtually every Green Beret that has served since September 11, 2001, has deployed; been injured, wounded, or become ill; and has recently transitioned, or will transition within the next 5 years. Transitioning from service presents unique challenges due to the highly specialized and confidential nature of the roles of Green Berets, and the mental, physical, and social impact of the austere environments within which they operate. 

Green Berets often enter the military at a young age, with professional experience largely confined to the military. As a result, they may lack traditional civilian work experience, networking opportunities, or familiarity with corporate culture, which can make them less competitive in the civilian job market. Furthermore, while their specialized training provides valuable skills, translating those skills into civilian careers can be challenging. Transitioning to civilian life can create a sense of loss of purpose, identity, and belonging, as few civilian roles replicate the intensity or responsibility experienced in the military.

A private, online Career Services Hub with SmartJobBoard AI features connects transitioning Green Berets with employers offering roles that align with their unique skill sets. Green Berets request access from GBF to create a profile. The AI function known as Resume Parsing automatically fills in the job seeker's online resume from the files they upload. A list of relevant jobs is provided immediately after creating a resume. AI will analyze the job seeker’s resume against job descriptions and display a detailed match score. Employers are provided this detailed match score as well. Identified gaps between a position of interest and the applicant’s skill set can be closed through wrap around services from GBF to include assistance obtaining post-secondary education, licenses, or certifications. Job alerts allow for automated emails to be sent with customized job postings. Job seekers select the "Apply Now," select their saved resume, and utilize the AI function to generate a cover letter. The smart keyword search system carefully scans each candidate’s profile and each listing for keywords, enabling employers to find the best candidates. This AI driven process allows Green Berets to simultaneously fulfill their service obligation while navigating their career transition.

Job Seeker Demo

Employer Demo

Green Berets are members of the U.S. Army Special Forces known for their elite training, adaptability, and leadership in unconventional warfare, counterterrorism, and foreign internal defense. Their experience spans highly complex, high-stakes environments, making them well-suited for leadership roles in diverse industries. However, they are an underserved population, particularly during transition to civilian employment. Many civilian employers struggle to translate these specialized military skills into civilian job qualifications. Further compounding the issue, Green Berets are known as "Quiet Professionals," trained not to discuss their knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs), and instructed not to have a social media presence which limits their access to professional networks outside the military. General veteran support programs do not fully address the depth of their leadership experience or complexity of their service, leaving many Green Berets underemployed. A centralized, AI-powered career services hub serves the global Green Beret community by giving these Quiet Professionals a voice to translate their KSAs; identify gaps in qualifications that can be closed through support from GBF; effectively communicate their values and experience; and connect with aligned employers. Skill-mapping, personalized job matching, cover letter generation, and automated alerts streamline the process, empowering Green Berets to thrive in the civilian workforce.

GBF's deep connection to the Green Beret community is evidenced by a mission focusing exclusively on Green Berets and their families. The foundation's staff possesses firsthand knowledge of Green Berets' unique skills, challenges, and cultural nuances, enabling it to design tailored, impactful services. The Team Lead for this solution is a retired Green Beret with 21 years of military service, and the supporting team members include retired Green Berets and conventional U.S. Army veterans who have all successfully transitioned using available resources and identifying unique hardships faced within the community. Team members are physically located near each of the Special Forces installations, and in most cases, the team members have served in the military with those they are now assisting with career navigation. One such example is our 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) Veteran Service Officer who served as the Group Command Sergeant Major for 1st Group prior to his employment at GBF. Because of these strong community ties, GBF has been able to conduct conversations with Green Berets at various stages of their careers to understand their challenges and aspirations. Transition workshops held bi-annually at each Special Forces installation, including in Germany and Japan, and wellness initiatives are used as platforms to learn about the career challenges faced by Green Berets. Additionally, Green Beret alumni in civilian careers provided actionable advice on structuring the hub to meet real-world needs. With existing employer networks and collaborations with industry leaders, such as Wilcox Industries, OakGrove Technologies, TESLA, and HART Design Group, our team can foster partnerships to establish and scale an AI-driven career hub that provides opportunities for employer education and meaning career placement.

GBF Team

Our team strategically aligned with SmartJobBoard to launch the online, private Career Services Hub available to transitioning Green Berets, and Green Beret veterans who are considering a career change, in November 2024. There are 43 Green Beret job seekers who have successfully created job profiles to include resume generation.The platform currently has 7 employers including Wilcox Industries; Global SOF Foundation; HART Design Group; Clandestine Media Group, LLC; Oak Grove Technologies; Salient Global Technologies; and Staccato. Fifty-nine career opportunities have been posted by those employers. This has been accomplished without the use of AI features. Green Berets are educated about this service through direct communication between the Green Beret and their GBF Veteran Service Officer, through participation in GBF's Next Ridgeline 2.0 military to civilian transition program, and when receiving support through GBF's other programs and services when an impending transition is identified through one-on-one communication.

Green Beret Foundation Career Services Hub

Unlike generic veteran career platforms, our AI hub will be uniquely tailored to the specialized skills, experiences, and needs of Green Berets. It translates complex military roles, such as leadership in high-stakes missions, cultural adaptability, and strategic problem-solving, into civilian job qualifications, bridging a significant gap often overlooked by similar tools. It will serve as the translator for these Quiet Professionals as it produces resumes and cover letters that effectively communicate what Green Berets are otherwise trained to keep confidential. Additionally, it is a private platform accessible only to vetted Green Berets, and employers seeking their specific KSAs. 

The hub will leverage AI to deliver highly personalized job matches based on each individual’s military background, certifications, and aspirations. It will produce immediate feedback, in the form of a Match Score, for use by job seekers to aid them in recognizing gaps in education and experience. When such gaps are identified, the platform can be used to connect with GBF for wrap-around services, such as educational scholarships, to help them remain competitive in their desired fields. It also integrates employer education, helping companies recognize the unique value of hiring Green Berets. Employers are provided a list of best candidate matches immediately after posting a job. This distinguishes GBF’s platform from others by simultaneously addressing the demand and supply sides of the employment equation. 

Our goal is for employers to hire Green Beret veterans and empower them to thrive as veterans, not force them to fit into a civilian mold. Their military identity is a strength, not something to shed. Being able to maintain one's military identity safeguards against declining mental, physical, and social health. This is for the greater good of the Green Beret community, the employer, and the communities within which Green Beret veterans live and work

The Career Services Hub aims to facilitate the meaningful transition of Green Berets into civilian employment by connecting them with roles that align with their unique skill sets, and employers who understand their value. We hope to achieve the following goals:  reduced number of underemployed Green Beret veterans, increased demand for Green Beret veterans among industry leading employers, enhanced mental well-being of Green Beret veterans. 

Reduced number of underemployed Green Beret veterans - 
Indicator 1 - Number of Job Seeker Profiles Created
Indicator 2 - Number of Applications Sent
Indicator 3 - Number of Green Berets hired as a result of Hub utilization

Increased demand for Green Beret veterans among industry leading employers -
Indicator 1 -  Number of industry leading employers creating profiles on Hub
Indicator 2 - Number of jobs created by employers on Hub by each employer
Indicator 3 - Number of Green Berets hired by employer as a result of job posting on Hub

Enhanced mental well-being of transitioning Green Berets and Green Beret veterans -
Indicator 1 - Score on Mental Readiness for Military Transition Scale 
Indicator 2 - Score on Military-Civilian Adjustment & Reintegration Measure 

The Career Services Hub dashboard presents Employer Profiles Created, Job Created, Jobs Posted, Job Seeker Profiles Created, and Applications Sent. This data can be filtered to reflect the current day, last 7 days, last 30 days, or a custom date range. Reports are run on Employer Performance that depict the jobs it has posted, number of views of those jobs, applications submitted to the employer, and percentage of apply rate. Job Performance reports can also be run to depict the same information pertaining to specific jobs offered by each employer. These figures provide feedback about the applicability of the employers and jobs hosted on the platform to the KSAs and interests of Green Beret veterans.

Nine full-time staff members work on our solution team. Members include GBF's CEO, Director of Mission and Program Delivery, Director of Communications and Marketing, Development and Scholarships Director, and 5 Veteran Services Officers. Additionally, the CEO of SmartJobBoard is a member of our solutions team. 

Our team has been working on this specific solution to the underemployment of Green Beret veterans for 1 year. In 2024, the Hub was developed with employers posting career opportunities beginning in May. The official launch of the Hub and announcement of our strategic partnership with SmartJobBoard took place in November of 2024. Prior to the development and launch of the Hub, our team has been addressing the physical, mental, social, and financial health of Green Berets and their families since GBF's inception in 2009. 

The Green Beret Foundation has a non-discrimination policy that drives its hiring practices as well as its application of programmatic support to the Green Beret community. Our programs and services are available to all generations of Green Berets, as well as their families, caregivers, and survivors.

Applicants, employees, and former employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability and genetic information (including family medical history).

Job applicants are interviewed by multiple members of the team to minimize individual biases, leading to a more balanced and fair evaluation of candidates. This process also gives candidates a chance to learn more about the organization's policies and ensure that they're suitable for the role.

Team members work remotely, and are provided with accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act when a need is identified.

GBF's CEO has an open door policy, and holds a meeting each Friday that is open to all employees for the purpose of connecting about the previous week's work, catching up on outstanding needs, and connecting about plans for the weekend, and week ahead. Leadership meets bi-monthly to ensure that all voices are heard, and incorporated into the goals and mission of the organization. 

As of January 2025, out of 12 full-time GBF staff, 58% identify as women and 58% identify as veterans, and 58% identify as having a physical and/or mental health disability rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.  Additionally, 50% of GBF's leadership team identify as women. 

The Green Beret Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers (Green Berets) and their families. Its business model focuses on generating revenue through donations, fundraising events, grants, corporate partnerships, and merchandise sales. Key fundraising activities include athletic events and galas, which also raise awareness about its mission. GBF applies for grants from private foundations and organizations like the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards to fund specific initiatives.

GBF creates value through a range of support programs provided to all generations of current and former Green Berets, as well as their families, caregivers, and survivors. These programs include casualty support for active duty Green Berets who are wounded or injured while deployed or in training; assistance for health and wellness support Green Berets battling the visible and invisible wounds of war; family support programs like Steel Mags, and the Next Ridgeline 2.0 program (NRL) that aids in career transitions to civilian life. A notable component of NRL is its AI-powered Career Services Hub, which connects transitioning Green Berets to civilian employment opportunities that align with their unique skill sets are permit them to retain their identities as Green Berets. 

GBF allocates most of its funds, currently 84%, to program delivery while minimizing administrative and fundraising costs to ensure maximum impact. It emphasizes accountability and transparency, publishing annual financial reports and adhering to high ethical standards to maintain donor trust.

As a mission-driven organization, GBF prioritizes the well-being of the Green Beret community over profit. Its primary goal is to empower Special Forces soldiers and their families by providing the resources and support needed to navigate challenges during and after military service. By combining efficient operations with impactful programming, GBF sustains its mission to serve those who have served the nation.

The Green Beret Foundation remains steadfast in advocating for the needs of the Green Beret community. We continue to work to earn funding through numerous revenue streams. This includes pursuing government grants, corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and revenue-generating activities such as product sales and events. We continuously work to create a sense of ownership and involvement within our community as well. The Foundation has dedicated staff to facilitate grant requests, donor cultivation, and fundraising events.

In 2024, we secured grants totaling $447,000 from notable organizations and family foundations to include Wounded Warrior Project, PenFed Military Heroes Program, Ketchum Charitable Foundation, Myer Family Charitable Foundation Fund, San Francisco Fund, Synchrony Foundation, Roy A. Hunt Foundation, and Patriot Foundation.

Most recently, we are able to raise $120,850 through our end of year giving initiative.

GBF is applying to the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards to secure funding and support for its AI-powered Career Services Hub, which assists Green Beret veterans transitioning to civilian employment. The Truist Foundation's 2025 Inspire Awards challenge seeks innovative nonprofit solutions that enhance resources for adults undergoing career transitions, including reskilling, upskilling, and career navigation. GBF's Career Services Hub aligns with the Inspire Awards' objectives by providing tailored career navigation and support services to Green Beret veterans, facilitating their integration into the civilian workforce. By participating in the Inspire Awards, GBF aims to obtain resources that will enable it to expand and enhance the Career Services Hub with the incorporation of AI technology to provide a voice to Quiet Professionals, thereby improving employment outcomes for Green Beret veterans. 

Our community uses the term Force Multiplier to describe elements that support our ability to accomplish greater feats than without it. The Truist Foundation Inspire Awards' structured program to help nonprofits develop and implement their solutions effectively by providing a comprehensive needs assessment, learning and development modules to refine business plans, access to a network of resource partners and coaches, and the opportunity to showcase our solution at a live pitch event is the epitome of a Force Multiplier. 

By applying to the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards, GBF seeks to leverage this support to advance its mission of providing comprehensive transition assistance to Green Beret veterans, ensuring they have access to the necessary resources and opportunities for successful civilian careers.