#116 - From Uniform to IT: Mark Casper on Tech For Troops & Scaling Veteran Nonprofits

In this high-impact episode, John and Vic welcome Mark Casper, President and CEO of Tech For Troops. This incredible nonprofit is on a mission to bridge the digital divide for veterans and their families by providing free hardware, guaranteed data destruction, and thousands of professional training courses.

If you are a veteran looking to break into the tech industry—or if you simply need the tools to navigate the modern job market—this is an essential watch.

Key Topics and Timestamps:

[03:45] The "Five Bullets" Update: John and Vic discuss the new federal requirement for employees to submit weekly achievement bullets.

[06:23] O*NET for Career Research: How to use the O*NET "Bright Outlook" tool to find high-growth careers that match your skills.

[10:45] Introducing Tech For Troops: Mark Casper details the four core pillars of the organization: Data Destruction, Suicide Prevention (GameCore), Workforce Development, and E-Waste Recycling.

[13:35] 5,000 Free Classes for Veterans: Learn how to access a massive library of online courses covering everything from Microsoft Office and Python to leadership and mindfulness.

[19:34] Bridging the Digital Divide: Mark explains how Tech For Troops put over 1,200 computers into the hands of veterans and active-duty families last year.

[22:31] The "Dishonorable Discharge" Conversation: Mark’s unique approach to helping veterans with less-than-honorable discharges by listening to their stories and providing a path forward.

[30:16] Tech 200 Giveaways: Highlighting the massive laptop giveaway events that provide entire families with the tools they need for school and work.

[41:02] The Reality of Cyber Security Careers: Mark gives a reality check on the "10 years of experience" requirement and how to work your way into the field through project management or risk roles.

[01:05:40] The Power of Volunteering: Vic and John discuss how humble volunteering (even "making coffee" in the room you want to be in) can lead to high-level networking and career pivots.

Resources Mentioned:

Tech For Troops Official Website: https://techfortroops.org/

O*NET Online: Research career outlooks and skills.

Dennis Spohn (VeteranAI.co : AI-powered resume building for veterans.

Military Retirement Group on Facebook: Join our community for transition support.

#Veterans #VeteranSupport #MilitaryTransition #MilitaryToCivilian