As military engagements start to wind down after more than a decade of active combat, and as improved technology and weapons systems decrease our need for “boots on the ground,”?the composition and size of the U.S. military is quickly changing. With these changes, more of our military veterans are leaving the service and entering the civilian workforce.
While many veterans will seek and find traditional jobs at existing companies, some are breaking out on their own and starting new enterprises.
Historically, entrepreneurial veterans start brick-and-mortar businesses, such as restaurants, construction contractors?and other service-related companies. Increasingly, however, some are looking to the technology industry to launch an idea.
One such veteran is Sean Maday, who after serving four years as an Air Force intelligence officer moved to Silicon Valley in 2009 to work for a variety of tech companies, including Google, Gnip and Mapbox, and to pursue his entrepreneurial aspirations.
Maday?s journey was not easy, and even as an experienced entrepreneur and technologist, he saw firsthand the challenges many veterans face while trying to break into the technology industry.
As Maday puts it, ?The military and the technology industries?are two very different communities with unique languages, cultures and stakeholders.?
Maday?s experience and strong relationship with other returning veterans who share his entrepreneurial aspirations is what prompted him to join Patriot Boot Camp (PBC), a nonprofit entrepreneurship program whose mission is to equip military veterans and their spouses with the education, resources?and community needed to be successful technology entrepreneurs.
?My goal?and the goal of the Patriot Boot Camp is to bridge that divide between military and technology experience and assist those veterans who wish to pursue their entrepreneurial dream,? he says.
As mentor for PBC, Maday says that veterans, through their training,?have a natural ability to be entrepreneurs. Often, however, many know little about where or how to start. For this reason, Maday?gives each of the veterans he councils this advice:
1. Focus on execution
All too often, inexperienced entrepreneurs are afraid that someone will steal their ideas. This fear causes them to feverishly guard their thoughts and consequently insulates their planning from outside influences.
Whether you have an idea for an app, a new device or a new service, you should take advantage of every opportunity?to speak about your concept with others, especially those who can add value and assist in putting your?idea in motion. In general, people will be supportive and look for ways to help.
Maybe more important, sharing your idea with others invites criticism. Honest feedback about your idea helps you avoid idea lock. In the end, your critics will force you to refine the idea and hone your pitch.
Military veterans know the power of execution and what it takes to get a job done. Someone may eventually steal your idea, but they can?t steal your resolve and resourcefulness. You will beat your competition based on your ability to execute.
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