LinkedInMilCity: More Than Just a Meetup in Military City USA

Recently, I attended my fourth LinkedInMilCity event, during the Military Mixer Event hosted by The Alamo. Each venue has been getting bigger than the last as word about this monthly meet-up event is catching on in the veteran community. Catching on with such momentum it's rumored that other cities outside of San Antonio TX are beginning to organize something similar, recognizing the significance of such events.

I first arrived in San Antonio, Texas in August, retiring from the Navy after 21 years of service. I was attracted to San Antonio due to the affordable cost of living, job opportunities, and the well known fact that the state of Texas treats their veterans very well. I found those facts intriguing. So intriguing that I left the breathtaking beaches of Oahu for the plains of Texas. Without much of a plan or a network, I quickly found myself feeling alone and without guidance. A feeling I haven't had in over 21 years. I didn't realize just how big San Antonio was until I found myself walking the streets alone. It wasn't a feeling I was prepared for. For many years, my uniform explained exactly who I was and what I did. I didn't have to market myself at all. Now, I felt I had no identity, no purpose. This feeling was new, and I certainly didn't like it. Was I alone? I wasn't before, so why now? Did I do something wrong?

The first LinkenInMilCity that I attended was held at the Alamo Beer Company. I approached the table, got my name tape, and immediately I felt overwhelmed. So many people, so many voices, I immediately grabbed a drink to look as if I'm doing something other than standing there like a Secret Service agent who forgot what time he's supposed to get the President to a luncheon. The first person to approach me was Matt Scherer. We talked about the Texas Veterans Commission and getting disability filed, and he offered to view my LinkenIn profile and gave me some pointers on how to make my profile more noticeable. Next I approached the only person at the event I recognized from trading messages on LinkenIn; Rey Domingo.

Rey welcomed me to the event and upon hearing me talk a little about myself, he immediately started pointing out a few folks and what they do or what they want to do. I met Chuck Bunch, someone I would seek mentorship from. Quincy Harper, someone I would run into at job fairs and USO events and just about any veteran event in San Antonio. R.T. McClain, someone I would collaborate with later in the USO Pathfinder program, Mubota Watson, the man behind the Onward 2 Opportunity program, Laurie Pimentel-Johnson and James Szecsi from Texas Veterans Commission, Tony Garcia from Purepost, Stephan Porter, a veteran advocate from Hill Country. At some point during the event, Rey recommended that we pull out our phones, make our LinkedIn profiles visible and connect with the entire room. This is essential because if you do this event right, it's very difficult to recall everyone you met, so being connected on LinkedIn will help jog your memory.

After a few introductions, Chuck Bunch, Quincy Harper, Rey and Samantha Domingo address the room and discuss what LinkedInMilCity is all about. Sam Domingo begins to tell the story and journey her and Rey encountered on their arrival to San Antonio after the military. Told with endless passion and emotion, I went from feeling overwhelmed at my arrival to feeling overcome with emotion, holding back tears, because they got it. They understood. Their story was like mine, and I was not alone. I may have left the uniform behind, but I still had all my brothers and sisters in arms. It was then I realized that this was not a job fair. This was not a corporate sponsored for-profit event. This wasn't even a meet up. It was more than just a meet up.

If you're in the San Antonio area, and you have a few hours to spare in an evening, if you're a veteran looking for guidance, looking to network, share your story, or looking to mentor fellow veterans, come join us at this extraordinary monthly event! Look for #LinkedInMilCity on LinkedIn. Hope to see you there.