Supporting Our Heroes: A Community-Driven Employment and Reintegration Model for San Diego Veterans

Executive Summary – A National Imperative

Every year, more than 200,000 Americans transition out of military service, including 19,200 in San Diego — the nation’s largest concentration. They’ve defended our freedoms, yet 66% leave without a job, and too many face unemployment, underemployment, or isolation. Veterans aged 18–34 face 8.9% unemployment, costing our region $875 million annually in lost talent and potential.

This is not just a veterans’ issue — it’s a national responsibility. When our heroes struggle, communities lose leaders, businesses lose talent, and our nation loses strength.

Supporting Our Heroes is a bold, community-driven solution that combines AI-powered career tools, human mentorship, on-site reintegration hubs, and coordinated partnerships with the DoD and VA. Together, we can ensure every veteran transitions with purpose, opportunity, and dignity — and build a stronger America where those who served continue to lead and contribute.

When veterans thrive, we all rise.

The Challenge

San Diego is home to the largest military community in the nation, with 19,200 service members separating annually. Yet:

66% leave without employment.
61% are underemployed.
Veterans 18–34 face 8.9% unemployment — the highest of any cohort.
The region loses $875M annually in unrealized economic potential.

There’s no single cause — but multiple systemic breakdowns: identity loss, cultural disconnection, misaligned skills, fragmented services, and lack of employer readiness.

Our Solution: The San Diego Veteran Talent Pipeline

We’re building a fully integrated ecosystem that reimagines the military-to-civilian journey. Key components:

STARR – Shore-based Transition Assistance & Reintegration Readiness: Bridges the gap between DoD’s TAP and civilian life.

STARR-REBOOT Community Orientations: A five-part framework addressing wellness, identity, mindset, and Career DNA.

Veteran Match AI: Translates military experience into civilian career paths.

MYTT365: Automates transition task management.

CMVR – Centers for Military & Veteran Reintegration: Off-base hubs offering training, case management, and job placement.

Upskilling & Reskilling Partnerships: Build high-demand skills with colleges and workforce boards.

VCIP – Veteran Corporate Integration Program: Prepares employers to hire and retain veterans.

OnwardOps Sponsorship: Trains community sponsors to guide TSMs and families, ensuring warm hand-offs to VA support.

Year-One Impact

Serve 1,200 veterans and spouses
Create 1,000 Career DNA profiles
Place 500 veterans into aligned careers with >85% retention
Achieve 25% average wage growth
Reduce underemployment by 20%
Train 150+ community sponsors
Formalize MOUs with Navy Region Southwest, Marine Corps Installations West, and VA VISN 22

Your Impact

We are seeking $550,000 to launch the San Diego Veteran Talent Pipeline — a project that will change thousands of lives and serve as a national model.

Your support will:

Fund STARR-REBOOT Community Orientations
Expand Veteran Match AI and MYTT365
Operate CMVR hubs
Train and deploy community sponsors
Connect veterans to high-quality careers and supportive employers

Join Us

This is not charity — it’s a shared investment in America’s future. Together, we can ensure every service member transitions with purpose, stability, and opportunity — and that San Diego leads the nation in showing what’s possible when a community stands behind those who served.