"Connect the global Veteran community in order to bring balance, pride and positivity."
Garrath Williams
Veterans Can… Co-founder & Dir of JobOppO. Veteran Advocate | Former Expert Adviser to Min VA | Adviser to VTRN RESET | Convener | Dual Veteran
Veterans Can... as an idea, was bobbing around in my head and heart for years. After speaking with Veterans, of all ages, shapes and sizes, about life after service and becoming increasingly frustrated by the way Veteran life, and our lives, are painted, I decided to do something.
I'm convinced the time is right for an independent, collective and representative voice to bring together the global Veteran network, counter the negative noise, instil pride and focus on the positives of life after (and because of) military service.
Since Veterans Can... was incorporated as a CIC in mid January, planning started in earnest, several positive and inspiring conversations happened and Veterans from around the world got in touch to say what a great idea it was. Our mission is “to connect the global Veteran community in order to bring balance, pride and positivity” and many people have told us we’re on to something, including UK Veteran Jim who asked;
"Why are we always portrayed as losers and so many people make it seem as though we're stuck in the rut and destined to fail on civvy street? I don't want any favours, just a fair crack of the whip. I'm 36 have done some tough things in some tough situations - but that makes me better, so why do people think I'll struggle? Veterans Can... is exactly what’s needed. Thanks."
In my view, when military personnel are rinsed and returned, it's up to us Veterans to look after our own, regardless of where we are in the world, what uniform we wore, when, or for how long. We have a mutual mindset, shared experiences, a common language and have all worked towards a unifying purpose. Veterans Can... will bring those Veterans together, wherever they are. Because we can.
"I honestly can’t think of a global effort of uniting veterans that I have seen or heard of. Great idea, I hope this campaign accomplishes everything you have envisioned it to, plus much more." – US Veteran, Nate.
As well as connecting our community, Veterans Can... will re-set the balance. Almost 2.5 million Veterans live in the UK, with many more millions worldwide, and while a majority of us go on to forge successful post military lives, societal bias, stigma, and negative perceptions can affect our move into the real world - impacting the silent majority.
For far too long, organisations who purport to represent the Veteran community, to have our backs and to support us, have benefited from peddling disproportionate negativity that is at best counterintuitive and at worst, harmful. Below is just one example of a grossly incorrect statistic incorporated into a graphic used last year across social media by one of our largest service charities - this helps little, except perhaps their own fundraising agenda. Veterans Can... will bring balance. Because we can.
With balance will come pride in being a Veteran, pride in what we did, pride in what we do now, how well we do it - and why. This pride will inspire those beside and behind us to think and talk more positively – all while celebrating Veteranism.
What is Veterans Can...?
It is an independent, collective and representative body established to bring together the global Veteran network, to balance the negative noise, instil pride and focus on the positives of life after (and because of) military service. Veterans Can... is a community driven social enterprise, guided by its members to amplify the Veteran spirit and effect positive change, offering a viable and innovative alternative to represent the Veteran community and acknowledge the service it provides.
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Why is Veterans Can... needed?
We worked together in uniform and should stay together. The silent majority must have each other’s backs, celebrate success, showcase what we can do, offer balance to change the pervading negative narrative - and change perceptions.
When will Veterans Can... do it?
2024/25 will see Veterans Can... develop a UK centric mission while advancing global interest and influence via a number of activities, with the initial phase culminating in a huge 5000+ strong Veterans Can... Summit in the UK in June 2025. From there concurrently to domestic growth, the campaign will expand globally establishing a unique, collaborative and powerful body for positivity.
How will Veterans Can... do it?
As a social-enterprise revenue will be recycled back into the CIC to increase engagement and enhance growth. Through a number of means Veterans Can... will raise the funds necessary to carry the mission forward from rewards based crowd-funding, sponsorship, donations, investment opportunities, fundraising activities and membership options.
Effective and ethical corporate governance measures will be implemented with a small, agile and experienced board at the helm, supported by a select team of advisors. Additionally influential “Veterambassadors” from all walks of life and around the world will work with us to share their stories, furthering the case for balance, pride and positivity.
The Veterans Can... message will be delivered, and brand developed, via regional and national live networking and celebratory events acknowledging the service Veterans continue to provide and engaging virtual engagement. In addition to this, compelling social media activities will commence in early 2024, appealing short biographical human-interest video stories will be recorded and shared and a Veterans Can... merchandise line further developed via partnerships with Veteran owned brands. In time, a book will also be published drawing together the positive stories of the Veteran community through the ages and demonstrating how far more of us are made by than broken by our time in uniform.
Veterans Can... is new, it’s fresh, it’s Veteran driven and the only agenda it has (on top of having fun trying) is to celebrate Veteranism around the globe. While we build we have a presence on LinkedIn and Twitter/X and a light touch website – so if you’d like to know more please look us up or visit www.veterans-can.com and leave your details, let us know your thoughts or how you might be assist.
--Multi Skilled Mechanical Engineer, Machinist, Welder, Designer, Creator, Inventer and Open Source Contributor.
11 个月I really appreciate you reaching out to connect with myself. Love the idea of a global veteran community especially for those just getting out, as those first few years can be quite isolating. But once you get through it and adapt to the new mission called...life. Things get better. You just have to adapt the same frame of mind and skill sets to the new objective you have before you. Great idea to set up a community like this. Don't forget..you are not alone.
Values-driven Leader | People Strategy | Culture | Values | EQ | EX | Veteran Spouse | FCIPD | HR Ninja | ???????? ?? Reach out to hear how our Process experts supported our own HRIS implementation ??
1 年A great initiative Garrath, well done for taking action. Happy to lean into my Aussie network if it’d add value.
Strategic design | Resilience | Sustainability | Value creation
1 年This is great Garrath. I have just left a Corporate which had a desire to recruit, retain and develop Veterans in its global workforce. Most of the effort, and success was centered in North America but we did manage to branch out and I formed a Europe Veterans ERG which we launched a couple of years ago with some success including signing the UK business up to the Armed Forces Covenant. I would be happy to share my/our experience in support of Veterans Can value proposition. ??
Empowering people to boost their self-confidence, step into the online spotlight, and cultivate a magnetic personal brand ??
1 年It's so great to hear more about this initiative and get to know whats behind and the driving mission of Veterans Can... I can totally relate with a lot of this, when I left the military after serving 12 years there was a lot of scary discussions and what will you do's. The thoughts at the time were leaning more towards the grass isn't always greener (which sometimes it isn't), but I feel like a lot of it stemmed from a fear of the unknown, not that leaving is actually a bad move. I loved my time serving, I would choose that path every time, but it was also the right time to leave and I've had such a great experience on the outside too ??
Consultant Advisor and Trainer | Soft skills for tough times | Strategic planning, training, coaching | MSc Organizational Psychology |
1 年Veterans Can is precisely the kind of initiative that seems to be be yearned for, so we can make this work. Veterans do have a network that others may envy. However, we all need to exercise it positively and with care to not create another out group. To positively represent ourselves and other veterans in work. In recent research I conducted for my MSc in Organizational Psychology, the value of networking as part of transition was highlighted in different ways by some well established veterans. Networking is but it can be double edged with issues over organisational politics. Veterans often start new relationships with each other from assumed trust whereas it seems that with others it takes more time to build it. This is powerful stuff. DM me if you are interested in the research or a summary of it, which interviewed nine veterans about their transition and new career experiences. In this research some interesting insights were generously shared about some common experiences including family impact, leadership value and politics at work.