Veterans Day is a day to honor the men and women who have served bravely on behalf of our country. It is a special time to show our heartfelt appreciation for the sacrifices that the members of our military have made all around the world.
It’s also a day to come together as a nation in support the men and women who are returning home safely, ready to begin the next chapter of their lives.
Secretary of State John Kerry speaks to an audience at an event to open the State Department's new Veterans Innovation Partnership fellowship program.
On Nov. 9, 2009, President Obama signed Executive Order 13518, the Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government, which establishes the Veterans Employment Initiative, a strategic approach to helping those who have served our country in the military find employment in the Federal Government.
Here at the State Department, we are fortunate to work alongside veterans continuing their public service in many different capacities. Their combined experiences, dedication, and unique skills are vital to the advancement and strengthening of important U.S. foreign policy goals.
In recognition of our veterans’ potential as a source of talent for diplomacy and development, and in honor of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, Secretary Kerry – a Vietnam War veteran – announced on Oct. 31 the coming-together of the public and private sectors to create the Veterans Innovation Partnership fellowship program , a new public-private alliance that will serve America’s veterans and separating service members by preparing them for meaningful diplomacy and development careers, providing education, employment resources, and expertise, while enhancing America’s global leadership.
The State Department, in collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the private sector, will help lead this Partnership, which aims to serve veterans who have received masters’ degrees in International Relations or International Business. The one-year program will allow them to receive hands-on experience in an international affairs agency to help secure full-time employment in the field.
We are grateful to those who have already begun to join with us in these efforts. It’s our hope that this cross-sector collaboration will be a support system to our veterans interested in continuing their service, and also a program that will help to guide a new group of global leaders.
This announcement also serves as a call-to-action to other government agencies, the private sector, civil society, and academic institutions to partner with the Department of State to help advance this mission. We welcome your insight, creativity, and resources to help further strengthen the Partnership and help veterans build upon their military and educational knowledge and transition into careers in foreign affairs.
We are excited to recognize the outstanding work of our veterans, and to see yet another public-private alliance move forward with the goal of creating a lasting global impact.
Celebrate our Veterans this Veterans Day. Participate in Veterans Day events across the country on November 11, 2013, and join VA as we #ThankAVet on social media.
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There is no better way to honor Veterans service to our country than continuing to provide them with assistance once they are back from duty and living on home soil. Our biggest mistake would be forgetting the men and women who have served our country so selflessly once they try to regain normalcy stateside.
In this ever expanding international economy, America will continue to need public and private employees with an international background and firsthand experience overseas to support this country. The Veterans Innovation Partnership is a fantastic initiative with such a global intent. The experience armed service veterans have overseas is an invaluable resource this country needs not to forget.
The Alliance among various government agencies like the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development among private institutions establishes the VIP’s commitment to continued diplomacy and education. Our Veterans deserve all of the support we can possibly provide, and initiatives like this are a very important means of providing appropriate gratitude.
I’m not generally a supporter of growing the number of government employees outside the realm of what’s necessary to support our military, but this program has the right idea – take veterans and put them to work. There’s tremendous need in both sectors for the types of individuals military service produces, and employers who acknowledge military service as an asset tend to be above the fold. Hopefully the the Veterans Employment Initiative achieves a measure of effectiveness in making this a widespread mentality.
I THINK THE BEST WAY TO HONOR OUR VETERANS IS.NOT TO FORGET THEM! AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN ON COMBAT SHOULD TRY TO UNDERSTAND THEM. THOMAS GOMEZ SR.
happy veterans day VA. thank you for caring so much about us! we are the best treated veterans in the world! i am truly greatfull for you and all the people at the VA! no matter what! right or wrong! im proud i had a chance to serve my country! i got the best doctor i ever had. DR GAVISH! her and her nurse! they both realy care about us. you can see it in there eyes. thank you for them. thomas gomez sr.