Wounded Warrior Program

The Wounded Warrior Program was established to create fellowships that provide employment opportunities within the House of Representatives. The fellowships will provide veterans with experience and exposure to ultimately broaden their scope of transition opportunities. Positions are available in Congressional Member district offices nationwide. Wherever possible, those selected for the program will be given the opportunity to transition into full-time employment. However, full-time employment is not guaranteed at the conclusion of the two-year fellowship.

Applicants must have served on active duty since September 11, 2001, have a 30 percent or greater service-connected disability rating and less than 20 years of service. If a fellowship is located within a Member’s district, the appointment is contingent on the Representative’s continuous representation of that district. In addition to a current resumé, applicants must submit a copy of their DD214 and a VA letter confirming that they have at least a 30% service-connected disability rating.

NBC Nightly News recently did a piece on the program. Click here to view it.

Please follow the link below to see positions that are currently open in various locations.

• Learn about the new Director of the Wounded Warrior Program, Patricia Orsini.
• Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions to learn how to be considered for one of these fellowships.
• View the current Available Fellowship Positions.

Point of Contact: Jorge Caridad at (202) 226-1965 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

SBA Vet Issues Update 10:

The Obama administration is renewing efforts to expand opportunities for veteran-owned small businesses, hoping that a little aid to those who own or want to own their own businesses will help fuel a larger boost in the U.S. economy. Two executive orders signed 26 APR by President Obama create task forces that will recommend specific improvements in how small businesses are created, including expanded access to capital, advice on how to cash in on lucrative federal contracts and better counseling so that businesses remain on a strong economic footing. One of the two task forces specifically will look at veteran-owned small businesses, including those owned by disabled veterans. Veterans’ Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki said veterans, especially those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, have training and experience from the military that make them potentially strong small-businesses owners, including the ability to remain calm and innovative in a crisis, knowing how to take risks and knowing how to run a competent organization. There are, he said, “significant opportunities for good outcomes” if the federal government can provide assistance. Helping one veteran become a small-business owner has larger impacts on the economy, he said, because “veterans hire veterans. They know what they are getting.”



Shinseki said the Veterans Affairs Department and other federal agencies have been trying to help small businesses through contracting. About 19% of VA contracts last year went to small businesses, 80% of them owned by veterans, he said. Karen Mills, head of the Small Business Administration, said one of the task forces being created by Obama will look at ways to improve outreach to small businesses so they can learn about more opportunities to compete for federal contracts. Mills noted that over the past 15 years, 64% of all new jobs created were created by small businesses. The two task forces are interagency groups that in some cases will be able to make policy changes to help small businesses. But some recommendations could require a change in law or additional funding to take effect. [Source: MarineCorpsTimes Rick Maze article 26 Apr 2010 ++]

Here are the fine ladies and gentlemen who attended one of our weekly networking groups, the Dallas Business Networking Morning Formation, hosted by Ambassador Grant Seabolt, pose for a photo with special guest Jim Mingey, the President/CEO of the Veterans Economic Development Corporation. Don Watson, a senior regional administrator for the Department of Labor Veterans Employment and Training Service was also on hand to provide counsel on the Department’s programs.

The National Veterans Business Development Corporation (also now known as The Veterans Corporation and “TVC”) was established by Congress under Public Law 106-50 to expand the provision of and improve access to technical assistance regarding entrepreneurship for veterans. TVC works with and organizes public and private resources and the business development staffs of each Federal department and assists veterans and service-disabled veterans with the formation and expansion of small businesses.