Game changers. Cheat codes. Fail-safes.

That’s how entrepreneurs and business leaders describe the mentors who helped guide them through the often daunting and lonely journey of founding a business.

The value of mentorship is exponential for founders in the military and veteran community. While their entrepreneurial peers went to business school and learned firsthand from corporate leaders, men and women in uniform—and the spouses who support them—dedicated those years to their country.

That sacrifice is why DAV Patriot Boot Camp offers no-cost education and one-on-one mentorship through three-day cohorts held throughout the year. Program mentors are volunteers, and many say they get as much from the experience as the founders they mentor. Meet three of them, and learn how you can become a program mentor or mentee.

TO TEACH IS TO LEARN

Former Army Ranger David Reid is the co-founder of Terra Arma, a high-end, hard-use apparel brand. It’s a venture he took on in large part because of the man he calls his No. 1 mentor—acclaimed chef and entrepreneur Robert Irvine of Food Network’s “Restaurant: Impossible.”

“He’s exposed me to a world that I never knew was possible,” Reid said, noting that post-military career options can feel limiting. Through Irvine, he witnessed the potential and reward of business ownership and how to succeed.

Now, one of Reid’s biggest pieces of advice for founders is to latch onto a mentor—and that could be him. He and Irvine volunteer as mentors for DAV Patriot Boot Camp.

“I find it to be an incredibly rewarding experience,” Reid said. “The best way to learn is to teach.”

For Reid, Irvine has also set an example of how to mentor others.

“He wants to help wherever he can,” Reid said. “The guy will give you his own shirt off his back.”

That was proven true when Reid and Irvine teamed up to mentor a military spouse who founded a line of baking mixes. After suggesting a product packaging overhaul, Reid and Irvine offered to provide new designs and delivered within days of the cohort.

TO GIVE BACK

Dr. Arielle Jordan knows what’s it like to start down the path of entrepreneurship on your own. Soon after the Army veteran’s military career ended unexpectedly, she endured the loss of both her father and daughter.

Jordan took her personal experiences of trauma and grief and turned them into a mission to help others. She’s now a licensed therapist, trauma expert, consultant, speaker and author.

But it wasn’t until she attended DAV Patriot Boot Camp as a participant that Jordan found a mentor. The two have stayed in touch since, and she credits him with helping her build confidence and advance her vision.

“It’s not just about lectures or coming to hear people talk at you. It really is about the mentorship,” she said.

As a program alumna, Jordan quickly jumped at the chance to return as a mentor. She also presented a session on mental wellness and leadership, areas she specializes in.

“I felt really honored,” she said. “As a veteran, I understand the unique challenges that come with transitioning into entrepreneurship after service. So there’s identity shifts, there’s imposter syndrome, there’s navigating civilian systems, like those kind of things. And being able to support fellow veterans on that journey … I felt like I’m giving back to a community that has also shaped me.”

TO REINVIGORATE

Former Army helicopter pilot Tim Best has dedicated his career to helping veterans find new purpose after military service. As CEO of RecruitMilitary for more than a quarter-century, Best has helped empower millions of veterans to find meaningful employment that honors their unique skills and experiences.

DAV partners with RecruitMilitary to host dozens of in-person and virtual job fairs across the country every year. These events are designed specifically for service members, veterans and spouses, matching them with employers who understand their experiences and skills.

Given the two organizations’ shared mission to empower veterans, it was only natural for Best to support DAV Patriot Boot Camp as a mentor. Working with and for veterans for so many years has shown him how equipped they are to build successful, impactful businesses.

“DAV Patriot Boot Camp gives them a space to translate those strengths into a startup environment, and I’ve seen some incredible momentum come from it,” Best said. “They solve real problems, build strong teams and create value that lasts.”

Like most mentors, Best said he often walks away learning something new and building valuable connections.

“It’s reinvigorating every time, and honestly, I probably gain as much from the experience as they do.”

 

Learn more about DAV Patriot Boot Camp opportunities and sign up for our newsletter at patriotbootcamp.org. Mentors don’t have to have served to serve those who did.