Mission43 and Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance Announce Partnership to Offer Unmatched Military Entrepreneur Support in Idaho

Mission43 and Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance Partner to Support Military Entrepreneurs

Idaho’s military members, veterans, and their spouses who are launching or growing their own business or nonprofit can now benefit from entrepreneurial support offered by the partnership between Mission43 and Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance (VEA). This collaboration marks a significant step forward in providing comprehensive support for military-connected entrepreneurs, fostering innovation and driving economic growth.

“This partnership represents a pivotal moment for military entrepreneurs in Idaho and beyond. By joining forces, we are setting a new standard for what dedicated support looks like for our military community as they embark on or continue their entrepreneurial journeys. It's an honor to guide fellow military members and their spouses, providing them with the resources, network, and mentorship they need to succeed. Together, we're not only supporting the dreams of military entrepreneurs, we're contributing to a stronger, more vibrant economy.” - Isaac Belden, Founding Executive Director, Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance

What this partnership means for military entrepreneurs

Building upon a history of successful collaboration, Mission43 and VEA have worked together to advance entrepreneurial initiatives to the unique needs of military-affiliated individuals. The formalized partnership with VEA represents a natural progression in Mission43 and VEA’s commitment to supporting and expanding military recognition and awareness in Idaho’s entrepreneurial landscape, offering a wide variety of resources and opportunities to aspiring and established entrepreneurs alike.

“The level of tailored support and services that this partnership creates for military connected entrepreneurs is unparalleled. Instead of being just another number to national services, members are recognized for who they are and what they bring to the table. Whether they’re trying to define their business idea, seek formal entrepreneurial education, grow their network, or receive follow-on mentorship or resources, they will have personal interaction with seasoned entrepreneurs and subject matter experts. The no-strings-attached support is such a rarity, and it is an honor to be able to continue serving those who have served their country and community!” - Alison Garrow, Mission43 Education Director

Military COnnected Entrepreneurs Can Now Access:

Personalized Support: At the heart of this partnership is our commitment to providing personalized outreach and support. Whether you’re in the early stages of brainstorming business ideas or you’re ready to scale your existing venture, our team is here to offer guidance every step of the way. From personalized one-on-one counseling sessions to tailored resources, we’re fully committed to supporting your journey to succeed.

Networking Opportunities: We offer exclusive networking events where you can connect with fellow military entrepreneurs, industry experts, and potential collaborators. These events are tailored to cover key business topics and foster meaningful connections. 

Specialized Programming: The scope of programming now extends beyond the Mission43 Entrepreneur Course, providing ongoing support to further empower entrepreneurs. From educational workshops to guest speaker events, the Mission43 & VEA partnership provides a wide range of specialized programming, including an exclusive military pitch in Boise Entrepreneur Week, for military entrepreneurs. If you’re looking to learn new skills, stay up-to-date on industry trends, or gain insights from seasoned professionals, we’ve got you covered! 

Access to Resources: As part of this partnership, Mission3 entrepreneurs will have access to a wealth of resources. From online learning platforms to a dedicated communication hub known as “The FOB,” we’re committed to providing you with various avenues to learn, grow, and succeed. 

about mission43

Mission43 is dedicated to empowering military members, veterans, and their spouses through a range of programs and initiatives focused on education, employment, and engagement. Mission43 supports entrepreneurs through the Entrepreneur Course with College of Western Idaho, Boise Entrepreneur Week military track, and the newly established partnership with Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance. Opportunities through Mission43 are free for Idaho’s military community. By providing resources, support, and opportunities for growth, Mission43 aims to assist individuals in successfully transitioning to civilian life and achieving their goals in Idaho, after the military.

About Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance

The Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance (VEA) is a nonprofit organization based in Idaho, committed to assisting military members, veterans, and their spouses in their entrepreneurial pursuits. Through mentorship, networking events, and educational programs, VEA empowers both aspiring and established entrepreneurs to launch and expand thriving businesses while also advocating for policies that promote veteran- and military spouse-owned businesses within Idaho’s economy.

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Veterans Earn $10,000 in Boise Entrepreneur Week Military Pitch Competition

Celebrating Success: Boise Entrepreneur Week Military Track

The Military Track at Boise Entrepreneur Week (BEW) recently concluded with resounding success, thanks to the collaboration between Mission43 and the Veteran Entrepreneur Alliance (VEA). The event featured a dedicated military track that provided military-connected business owners with an opportunity to integrate into Idaho’s thriving entrepreneurial community. The track was filled with an informative panel discussion, an exclusive pitch competition, and a total of $10,000 in prize money for deserving participants.

8 military community members participated in the inaugural Boise Entrepreneur Week Military Pitch Competition

Military community members from across Idaho showcased their skills, innovation, and products during the inaugural Military Track at Boise Entrepreneur Week. The event welcomed individuals from various backgrounds, some just starting out on their entrepreneurial journey, and others seeking the extra boost needed to grow their businesses and nonprofit organizations.

First Place $5,000: Lifter’s Loot

Jessica Estes, with Lifter’s Loot, spent 21 years in the Air Force in ground radar. Jessica developed the business from experience in her fitness journey; she realized it can be overwhelming to sort through the multitude of fitness products and supplements available on the market to find something you enjoy - leaving you with a pantry full of partially used, large containers of expensive items. Enter Lifter’s Loot, where subscribers can receive a monthly box of high-quality supplement samples and protein snacks delivered right to their door!

“With so many supplements and snacks for seasoned lifters and bodybuilders, it’s challenging to know what to choose. We do the work for you by carefully curating the highest-quality products with clean ingredients.”

— Lifter's Loot

This is a great way to try something new and sample a variety of items without forking over hundreds of dollars for the full-sized product. Interested in a Lifter’s Loot subscription? We’ve made it easy for you! Click the button below to be taken directly to the Lifter’s Loot subscription page and get “gains fer yer booty!”

Second Place $3,000: Zero Dark Thirty Coffee

Jarad Webb served in the Marine Corps for 4 years as a combat engineer and is passionate about giving back to the military community. Zero Dark Thirty Coffee came to fruition over a cup of coffee and a conversation about how to give back to brothers and sisters in arms. Zero Dark Thirty Coffee’s namesake came from military slang for “really early in the morning,” and is made from higher-quality roasted beans than most mass-produced coffee. Not only are you getting a better quality brew with each sip, but you’re also supporting the veteran community with Zero Dark Thirty’s mission to support service members and bring awareness to veteran and first responder suicide and PTSD.

“Our primary goal here at Zero Dark Thirty Coffee Inc is to provide our customers with the best coffee possible at the current market price. Nobody at Zero Dark Thirty Coffee Inc is trying to get rich and there are no owners or shareholders to keep happy by filling their pockets.”

— Zero Dark Thirty Coffee

There are several purchasing options, which include a monthly subscription. Click the button below to visit Zero Dark Thirty’s website and browse coffee and swag options!

Third Place $2,000: Screen It First

Mac McCabe served in the Marine Corps for 8 years as a MP and musician. Like many great entrepreneurs, Mac set out to solve a problem that he has direct experience with: Ensuring that his children were reading age appropriate books that aligned with family values. The Screen It First Platform helps inform parents and educators about sensitive content in children’s books. In this platform, contributors can anonymously submit screens for books. Information is compiled and available for users to view as they wish, helping to identify sensitive content for others, or to view without having to read the book in its entirety.

“We do not encourage book banning nor censoring, but instead aim to help the adults in a child’s life make informed decisions about which content is appropriate for their child. ”

— Screen It First

Screen It First is a donation based platform that prides itself on the respectful community it has built. If you’re interested in finding out more about the content of your child’s latest book, click below!

Donald Young: Rattler Medical Solutions

Donald Young spent 11 years in the Army as a combat medic and currently serves in the Idaho National Guard as a medic and preventative health specialist. Rattler Medical Solutions aims to expand the capabilities for medical providers who are working in austere environments by giving them the right tool to preserve life. During his time as a combat medic, Donald saw a change starting of giving blood as close to the point of injury as possible. The current solutions to medics carrying blood in combat zones are either large and bulky but have a long storage capability; or, they are small and easily cartable but have a small storage area but also have a short lifespan. Using the smaller options require logistical support to resupply medics with cooling packs that can give away positions of troops in combat areas as well as put more assets in danger.

Rattler Medical Solution’s device, patent pending, is a battery powered device that can both keep blood cool, as well as warm it prior to administration. This will allow more medics to carry blood in combat zones there by expanding the capabilities for these medics to preserve life.

Jeffrey Bledsoe: Sewersleeve

Jeffrey Spent 38 years in the Air Force as a surgical technician and as a nurse in the Navy. His experience gave him a strong understanding about how to confine and contain biological waste. When he made an RV purchase, he immediately recognized the need to confine sewage waste from the sewer hose.

Jeffrey’s patented Sewersleeve is a plant-based, biodegradable sleeve that is inserted into the RV sewer hose and then slides out and is thrown away after use. The hose never touches sewage and doesn't need cleaning, no sewer smell to carry from site-to-site, and no sewage dripping on your possessions.

JJ Dela Rosa: Macadoo’s Lumpia Shack

JJ retired from the Air Force after serving 22 years as a radar technician. His passion for sharing his family’s recipes sparked the desire to open a food truck, Macadoo’s Lumpia Shack, which serves handcrafted Filipino eats like pancit, fried rice, pork skewers, and of course, lumpia! Macadoo’s can often be found at Meridian Main Street Market during food truck season, but they also cater. You can find out more by visiting their Facebook and Instagram.

Justin Chilcoat: Elite Firearm Solutions

Justin served in the Marine Corps for 8 years as a communications tech and now owns Elite Firearm Solutions in Garden City, Idaho. Elite just celebrated their grand opening, and offers cerakote certified application, maintenance and repair, and customer builds and modifications. Find out more by visiting their website or stop by their location at 110 East 43rd St., Suite 100, Garden City, ID. 83714.

Vicki White: Whoopie-Ki-Yay Whoopie Pies

Vicki served 31 years in the military between active duty Air Force and Air National Guard. Her love for baking and experience as a pastry chef makes Whoopie-Ki-Yay whoopie pies extra delicious. Vicki bakes out of a commercial kitchen and is preparing her “whoopie wagon” to hit the food truck scene in Boise. You can currently find her whoopie pies in Boise at Alchemist Coffee (Overland), The Hideout Coffee Co on Broadway, or you can order directly from Whoopie-Ki-Yay with local delivery and shipping! The button below takes you directly to the order form. Make sure to like/follow on Facebook and Instagram for pop-up location information!

Whoopie-Ki-Yay features fun seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice, original flavors like churro, PB&J, and birthday cake. If you order soon, you might catch her special-edition savory flavors of Jalapeño cornbread with goat cream cheese and bacon filling or cheddar sage cornbread with cream cheese filling.

Find out more

Interested in supporting military-connected entrepreneurs? Want to find out how you can participate in upcoming entrepreneur events? Contact us at Education@Mission43.org.

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Mission43 Entrepreneur Course alumni creates Boise’s newest sweet sensation: Whoopie-Ki-Yay

Mission43 Entrepreneur Course Alumni Launches Business

Boise’s newest sweet sensation: Whoopie-Ki-Yay

Vicki White is a retired Air Force SMSgt who has embarked on a delicious journey of entrepreneurship with her newly launched business, Whoopie-Ki-Yay, a one-of-a-kind bakery specializing in whoopie pies. 

Vicki’s military journey began in 1983, right after high school, as a means to pay for her college education. She didn’t know then that a 31-year career in the Air Force and Idaho National Guard as a Senior Master Sergeant would equip her with a diverse skill set and prepare her to run her own business. With experience in admin, logistics, plans & scheduling, and as a First Sergeant, Vicki gained invaluable insights and training that she now applies to her own business.

“All of those career fields gave me different insights and training that I could apply to my own business, and I did get that college degree with honors in Business Administration, but not until I turned 40.”

Whoop Whoop for Whoopie Pies!

As a single parent, Vicki always had a side hustle to supplement her income, so she’s no stranger to entrepreneurship, but for years she had been trying to come up with the perfect business that would truly ignite her passion. The lightbulb went off when she stumbled upon the idea of a pumpkin whoopie pie, and recognized the untapped potential for this traditional East Coast treat in Boise’s culinary scene. 

Vicki was accepted into the spring 2023 cohort of the Mission43 Entrepreneur Course, facilitated in partnership with the College of Western Idaho and taught by entrepreneurial expert Ryan Vasso of Reply Pro. Over the six weeks, she was able to build on her knowledge and connect with a group of peers sharing their insight and experience.

“I was really nervous about taking the entrepreneur course. I wasn’t sure how intense it would be, but Ryan made it engaging and interesting! I was able to get an updated version of a business plan, versus what I learned in a 4-year degree. The course made it easy to actually put a working model together sooner.”

The scary and exciting aspects of launching a business

Vicki’s entrepreneurial journey has seen its fair share of highs and lows. The highs are immensely rewarding, from making sales to receiving support from friends and family. However, the stress associated with setting up her first event was an initial challenge. Nevertheless, her determination and resilience have allowed her to learn and adapt with each event, making it easier over time. Vicki anticipates that it will be much more convenient once her food trailer is ready to hit the streets! 

Launching a business is not for the faint of heart, and Vicki understands the apprehension that comes with it. Announcing her venture to the world and hoping for success was a nerve-wracking experience; yet, the most exciting part is hearing directly from customers and friends how much they love her whoopie pies. The sheer joy and satisfaction she witnesses with each order motivates her and fuels the growth of Whoopie-Ki-Yay.

How to get your hands on a Whoopie-Ki-Yay whoopie pie

Getting your hands on a fresh-baked Whoopie-Ki-Yay is easy as pie! You can place an order on Instagram and Facebook by sending a direct message, or you can reach out via email whoopiepiekiyay@gmail.com. Vicki is more than happy to take your orders and ensure you get your fill of goodies!

Headed out to any of the Idaho summer markets? You can catch Vicki and her whoopie pies at various upcoming events, like the Ontario Saturday Market and Middleton Harvest Festival. Whoopie-Ki-Yay pies are also located at Boise’s Hideout Coffee CO. on Broadway - and personally, we couldn’t think of a better combo than a whoopie pie and hot cup o’ joe! 

The Whoopie-Ki-Yay food trailer is in the works and once completed, you’ll be seeing more treats at large venues and popular food truck spots. 

Support local businesses, experience the joy of homemade goodness, and follow Whoopie-Ki-Yay on social media. Place your order(s) and be part of Vicki’s exciting journey as she spreads love and happiness one whoopie pie at a time.

Thinking of starting your own business?

If you’re an Idaho veteran, service member, or spouse thinking about launching your own business, connect with a Mission43 Education Specialist by emailing education@mission43.org.

Mission43 Welcomes April 2023 Cohort of PMP Certification Course Participants

15 Mission43 members SELECTED to receive a scholarship to attend project management professional course

We are thrilled to announce the newest group of scholarship recipients of the Mission43 PMP Certification Course. This program provides scholarships for up to 60 Idaho military members, veterans, and their spouses each year to attend a 4-day PMP exam preparation course and sit for the PMP certification exam, valued at over $3,000 per participant. Not only does this program eliminate the financial barrier to earning the PMP certification, but it also equips participants with highly sought-after skills in project management. 

With a 92% first-time exam pass rate, 100% second-time pass rate, and salary increases of over 35% on average, the Mission43 PMP Certification Course has already demonstrated tremendous value to both course participants and Idaho employers. 

By participating in this program, members have the opportunity to hone their project management skills and prove their leadership experience and expertise. The Mission43 PMP Certification Course brings together professionals from a variety of industries, enabling them to demonstrate that they have the globally recognized body of knowledge employers need to succeed in managing projects. In turn, employers benefit from hiring dedicated individuals with the capacity to perform at the highest level. As the need for PMP certified employees continues to grow, military members, veterans, and their spouses are an excellent source of talent for Idaho businesses looking to build an adept and diverse workforce.

Meet the Cohort

Amy Gilbert

Amy Gilbert has a background in nursing leadership. She serves the community that is close to her heart as an Education Specialist at Mission43, supporting military members, veterans, and their spouses as they pursue educational and professional development opportunities. Amy is an Idaho Army National Guard military spouse with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, BSN, and Master’s in Healthcare Administration and Leadership. She plans to combine her education and experience to lead others with positive, informed decision making skills.

Brandon Nipper

Brandon Nipper is a retired Army National Guard CW3 with 25 years of service as a military aviator. Brandon has transitioned to the City of Boise as a Building Inspector and holds a Bachelor’s in Management and Organizational Leadership, is a Certified Plans Examiner, Residential and Commercial Building Inspector. He would like to continue to grow his knowledge and skillset and promote to a managerial or supervisor role, and looks forward to the PMP certification strengthening his resumé and adding certifications that actualize the experience he has into employable skills.

Chris Davis

Chris Davis is a retired United States Air Force Intelligence Officer that is currently seeking new opportunities after transitioning from the military. Chris holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Master’s in Military Operational Art as well as a Master’s in Theology. His goal is to use his extensive leadership background and project management experience to gain a position where he can effect positive change in an organization in Idaho.

“As I transitioned into civilian life I realized I did not have some of the certifications to go along with things I had done. The PMP certification will help to professionalize my experience and open doors to management opportunities.”

— Chris Davis

Christina Latta

Christina Latta is a military spouse with experience in Oncology Research as well as a Military Protocol Specialist. Christina holds a Bachelor’s from the University of Illinois in Cultural Anthropology and a certification as a Tumor Registrar. She is no stranger to professional flexibility and is grateful for the many opportunities that have presented themselves to facilitate change and growth as she has experienced military relocation. She is excited to participate in the Mission43 PMP Certification Course to gain skills as she pursues Project Management in the Oncology Research industry.

David Jones

David Jones is a U.S. Army veteran, where he served as a Pacific Training Advisor and retired after a 22-year career. David has a passion for corporate training and development and worked as a Training and Development Specialist for Booz Allen Hamilton. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social and Behavioral Studies and a Master Trainer Certification from The Association for Talent Development. David would like to apply his leadership, training, and project management skills to his next role, with the goal of leading a team of training specialists as part of a larger program.

Doug Brock

Doug Brock has over 20 years of service in the United States Air Force, with experience in signals intelligence, vehicle operations, and tactical air control. Outside of his military service, he works as a Senior Associate of Design for L3Harris Technologies and is a small business owner of DOPE, LLC, “Daily Outdoor Packs for Everyone,” where you can find fanny packs and other gear for all of your outdoor activities. Doug has earned an MBA and SSYB. Earning the PMP certification will be reaching a goal that he has had since 2014, and feels it’s the perfect certification to showcase his skills as he transitions from the military.

“I feel like there is a tremendous benefit for me to earn a PMP and apply the knowledge gained to my small business. So, earning a PMP is two-fold: A professional certification to bolster my resume as well as help me run a more successful small business.”

— Doug Brock

Gloria Alvarez

Gloria Alvarez is an Air Force veteran and currently works with the Idaho Army National Guard as a Traffic Specialist. Gloria holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Information Systems, Radioactive Commodity Identification Certification, and Hazardous Materials Technician Certification. She is seeking to earn the PMP certification to refine her skill set, take on new challenges, and grow professionally. Gloria is excited about the opportunity to work towards her career aspirations and potentially open doors for movement and promotability.

Jaime Lima

Jaime Lima spent 12 years in the United States Marine Corps as an Assaultman and then as a Marine Raider. He has a breadth of professional experience in leading high-performing teams in insurance and technical industries. He also gives back to the community through nonprofit board service. Jaime is a Muay Thai Coach, and is establishing a team building and private events program. As Jaime’s team and partners look to grow and scale, he is excited to expand his skillset and use project management concepts to efficiently and effectively introduce this new venture to the Treasure Valley.

Jay Swanson

Jay Swanson transitioned out of the military, where he served as Cyber Operations in the United States Army, to work in the Risk and Compliance area of cybersecurity as an IT Risk Analyst with Blue Cross of Idaho. Jay has a B.A. in Religion and Theology as well as the CompTia SEC+ certification. Jay is a Certified Information Intrusion Analyst (GCIA) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). He feels the PMP certification as a critical aspect of management roles within his organization, as well as a key to developing the mindset necessary for the roles he wishes to pursue.

Joseph Bledsoe III

Joseph Bledsoe is an active duty officer in the United States Air Force and currently serves as the Director of Staff to the 366th Fighter Wing at Mountain Home AFB. Joseph attended the United States Air Force Academy and graduate school at the University of Maryland, focusing on International Security and Economic Policy. Joseph has served as a congressional aide, F15E/F15SG evaluator pilot, and board member of the Air Force Academy Associate of Graduates. He looks forward to fostering the growth of future leaders through the Project Everest Seminar Series.

Kacey Nelson

Kacey Nelson is a military spouse with significant leadership and project management experience. Kacey is a Project Manager at HP and Logistics Coordinator for the Aaron Butler Memorial Foundation. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering along with EIT, GD&T, and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certifications. Kacey plans to combine her experience and education with the PMP certification to grow within her current industry. She is excited about the implications for direct application to the projects she manages on a daily basis.

Kevin Kirkendall

Kevin Kirkendall is a prior Air Force service member, with 15 years of service in both Active Duty and Guard capacities. Kevin is a Contracts Administrator at Brookhaven National Laboratory and holds a Master’s of Business Administration. He is interested in expanding his project management knowledge to increase his professional growth potential.

“Earning my PMP is the first step in the direction of heading into a new field that I have been paralleling my entire career.”

— Kevin Kirkendall

Lauren Samson

Lauren Samson is an Idaho National Guard military spouse. Lauren owns her business, Mental Push Plan, which empowers women to use mindfulness and mental tools to navigate pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Lauren holds a PhD in Sport Psychology from the University of Minnesota. Her professional goals include maintaining and building Mental Push Plan, as well as seeking full-time employment in a mission-driven organization. 

“The PMP certification will help me in both of my professional goals by accelerating Mental Push Plan and increase my marketability to other companies. Having participated in Mission43’s Entrepreneur Course last year, and finding it to be extremely helpful, I anticipate the PMP Course will be the same!”

— Lauren Samson

Nathan Jessee

Nathan Jessee is an active duty Air Force service member of 14 years, currently serving as a Deputy Communications Director. Nathan has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Master’s in Public Administration. Upon conclusion of his military career, he plans to seek employment in the public sector, with an ultimate goal of gaining a role in public works projects for a metropolitan area. Nathan feels the PMP certification will expand his career and education portfolio and further his understanding and application of project management.

Winston Tuggle

Winston Tuggle is retiring from the Air Force after 24 years of active duty service. Winston holds a Bachelor’s of Business Management, CompTIA Security+, and IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) certifications. Winston is hoping to start his post-military career as an IT Project Manager for a government agency or industry partner. With a breadth of IT Project Management experience combined with workcenter project management, he feels earning the PMP certification will enhance his marketability and increase the value and knowledge base he will bring to an organization.

Learn More

The Mission43 PMP Certification Course is hosted at various times throughout the year in the Treasure Valley, East Idaho, and North Idaho and is open to eligible Mission43 members who are transitioning military members, veterans, and their spouses. Click here to find out more about the next cohort!

If you’re an employer seeking to hire certified project managers, reach out to the Mission43 team at education@mission43.org.

3 Tips to Translate Military Experience on the PMP Exam Application

Translate your military experience into project management success

Project Management is a growing field in Idaho. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, management level occupations in Idaho are projected to increase 10.3% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all other occupations. Examples include Project Manager, Construction Manager, and IT Project Manager positions.

Military members and veterans possess many transferable skills, such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving, which are critical to project management success. These skills, combined with the training and experience gained from earning a PMP certification, make them ideal candidates for project management positions.

It can be intimidating to sit down and fill out the PMP exam application without knowing exactly how to summarize and translate military-specific project management skills into commonly recognized civilian terminology. We’ve taken some of the guess-work out of the process and outlined key tips to help you tackle the PMP exam application.

Tip 1: focus on your project experience

A project is something that you might perform in your job role, even without the formal title of “project manager,” that is not considered part of your normal day-to-day operations. The PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) Guide defines a project as a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. 

• Projects are temporary: They have a definite start date and a definite end date - whether they meet those dates is another topic, but they are designed to be completed within a certain timeframe.

• Projects create a unique product, service, or result: This is what sets a project apart from operations. Where operations would be considered the “norm-” what is necessary to perform daily to sustain an organization, projects achieve something outside of the daily grind. For example: Upgrading an existing radar system or establishing a forward operating base (FOB). Yes, this could be part of your duties, but it isn’t typically something performed on a daily basis with the same or similar goal/outcome.

Be sure to reference the PMP Exam Content Outline. This document provides a detailed breakdown of the topics covered on the exam and can help you identify areas where your military experience may apply.

Tip 2: translate Military jargon to Civilian language

One of the best ways to make sure your PMP exam application is accepted without revision requests from PMI is to avoid military acronyms, abbreviations, and using military “jargon.” Be sure to use the terms that are commonly used in the civilian workforce. 

Check out this table of examples:

Tip 3: Use the 5 project management process groups

The current standard for PMP exam applications calls for using tasks associated with the 5 project management processes in your project description, which comes directly from the Project Management Body of Knowledge. For example:

• Initiating: Describe how you secured project resources, identified project stakeholders, and established project governance.

• Planning: Describe how you worked with your team to establish project objectives, define project scope, and develop project plans and schedules.

• Monitoring and Controlling: Describe how you tracked project progress, monitored project risks, mentored the team, and adjusted project plans and schedules as needed.

• Executing: Describe how you coordinated project activities, managed project resources, and executed project tasks and deliverables.

• Closing: Describe how you finalized project deliverables, closed project contracts, and conducted retrospectives.

By providing specific examples of your experience in each of these areas using civilian project management terminology, military members can demonstrate their project management skills and experience to civilian employers in a clear and concise manner.

examples of PMI Accepted Military Projects

Below are some samples of real projects that have been accepted by PMI as approved project descriptions. You’ll notice that templates vary, but they all cover typical elements of a project, such as project title, role, description, budget, goal/deliverable, and outcome. However, we do recommend specifically labeling the tasks of each project process by beginning or ending your descriptor sentence(s) with (IN) for initiating, (PL) - planning, (MC) - monitoring and controlling, (EX) for project launch/execution, and (CL) - closing. This way, the PMI associate reviewing the application can clearly identify and understand your experience.

Some details have been changed/omitted for privacy or security reasons. Changes are indicated by (X).

Project Example 1

PROJECT TITLE: Airframe Model Upgrade Transition 

PROJECT OBJECTIVE: This was a hybrid project with a budget of approximately $(X) and a deadline of (X) years to transition from a legacy (X) aircraft to a modernized (X) aircraft and train/qualify all unit members in the new design series. 

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES: I served as the Project Manager and led a team of (X) for this project designed to transition to a newly fielded aircraft.

DESCRIPTION: I met with the higher-level chain of command (executive project sponsors) to develop the project charter and stakeholder register. Communicated with sponsors and stakeholders to identify necessary allocation of resources across project areas/phases. I also met with all internal unit members who acted as the customers for the project and gathered their high level requirements and set expectations (IN). Once the project was approved, I planned the project phases to be event-driven, based on resources, crew and equipment availability, and funding allocation. Detailed requirements were determined for the aircraft transfer and subsequent aircrew qualification courses, then added into a requirements traceability matrix. A detailed WBS was created to break out steps and processes for the actual aircraft transfer and design implementation of a training plan. Integrated procedures and communication plans into the project management plan to ensure adherence to governance rules and ensure that federal mandates and regulations were followed while utilizing OPA’s. I facilitated communication among the team, unit members, and our higher headquarters (executive sponsors) regarding the schedule to ensure they were informed of the project’s progress using Gantt charts, organizational charts, and other performance reports (EX).

DELIVERABLES: As key events happened (aircrew pre-position for quality control inspection, aircraft transfer, training and qualification courses), I confirmed the presence of MVP and the ability to move forward to the next phase (MC). After every completed phase, I facilitated after action reviews (retrospective sessions) to discuss and document what went right, what went wrong, and what needed to be improved before the next phase was entered (CL).  It was necessary to meet regularly with both stakeholders and sponsors to ensure that resources were available for completing/transitioning phases.  

OUTCOME: Successfully accepted the transfer of a new fully functional (X) model aircraft with all associated equipment packages. Successfully executed a training and qualification program with a 100% qualification rate for unit members resulting in a Readiness Level rating of (X), translating to a unit posture of “deployable.” The project was completed on schedule and within budget with sponsor approval.

Project Example 2

Served as a Project Manager for Special Operations Command (X) to standardize interagency funding process for military liaison positions in U.S. embassies at (X). Held meetings with project sponsors to identify stakeholders and discuss preliminary issues with funding between the Department of State and Department of Defense. Created project plans to outline high level and detailed work packages and to create a scope and budget. Held weekly progress meetings with the project team and as needed with stakeholders to identify barriers and ensure delivery of tasks in approved plans. Wrote a standard operating procedure to clearly define all tasks required for interagency funding process and established mechanisms for controlling future requests. Closed project by transferring all deliverables from project lifecycle, ensuring closing documentation and SOP was signed off, approved and archived, and lessons learned were communicated to project stakeholders for future interagency projects.

Project Example 3

My organization implemented a new aircraft emergency procedure checklist and emergency procedures process. As project manager, my role was to rollout training for (X) aviators to ensure correct usage of the new checklists and procedures. The objective was to reduce aircraft accidents and fatalities by reducing the number of incorrect aircraft emergency procedures performed each year. I was responsible for aircraft checklist procurement and distribution; training facilities coordination and scheduling (classroom and simulator); training, evaluation, and certification of instructors; implementation of the emergency procedure process training and evaluation program; addressed issues; documented lessons learned; archived project documents. My key deliverable was the training and evaluation of all assigned aviators in the use of the new aircraft emergency procedures process. The outcome of the project was satisfactory and met all regulatory requirements.

Learn More

By earning a PMP certification, military members, veterans, and their spouses can position themselves as highly qualified candidates for project management related jobs in Idaho. With the growing demand for project management occupations and competitive salaries, transitioning military members can compete for open job positions in Idaho.

If you’re located in, or transitioning to, Idaho after the military and want to learn more about filling out the project management exam application, or the next Mission43 PMP Certification Course, reach out to the education team using the form below.

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Mission43 Announces First Cohort of Cybersecurity Academy Scholars

Mission43 members receive full scholarship with SANS Institute

Mission43 has partnered with SANS Institute, the global leader in cybersecurity training and certifications, to offer Idaho’s military members, veterans, and their spouses the opportunity to gain in-demand cybersecurity skills and launch their career in just months. 

Eleven Mission43 members were selected to participate in the inaugural cohort of the Cybersecurity Academy, having excelled through a competitive, multi-phase application process. Over the course of six months, members will earn three highly sought after GIAC certifications. These certifications will set them up to enter Idaho’s cybersecurity workforce in areas like penetration testing, vulnerability management, cloud security, analysis, and incident response.

Join us in congratulating and welcoming this incredible group of budding cybersecurity talent!

Alex Hix

Alex is currently serving in the Idaho Air National Guard with plans to transition within the next year. He is also working on his Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity and Information Security at WGU and hopes to assist people and organizations in protecting one of their most valued resources: Information. Alex is grateful to have grown up in Idaho and is honored to continue his military service in Idaho after spending time on active duty. He is an avid mountain biker and enjoys hiking and exploring the trails with his family.

“This scholarship is important to me because it will boost my chances of a successful transition from military service to the civilian workforce. This smooth transition will enable me and my family to continue to live the life we love here in Idaho.”

Brian Moisengo

Brian is a member of the Air National Guard and has recently started working at Idaho Power as a System Administrator on the OPSNET team. He would like to use the skills he learns to be able to progress in an offensive cybersecurity role as a penetration tester. He earned a Computer Science degree from Wilmington University and has the Cisco CCNA and CompTIA Security+ certifications. Brian enjoys hiking, biking, and has recently picked up golf.

“This scholarship is important to me because the knowledge gained will better prepare me to serve and offer cyber protection to my local community.”

Corbin Jones

Corbin is a CW3 in the Idaho Army National Guard and works full time as the safety manager, with 21 years of aviation maintenance experience. He hopes to find a career in technology that is both challenging and rewarding as he transitions from the military. He is certified in FEMA and National Incident Management. Travis loves to camp and adventure in the Idaho outdoors. Lately, he has dabbled in videography and photography as hobbies.

Dylan Isaman

Dylan is a traditional Guardsmen, working full-time in a temporary position in the Air National Guard. Dylan has experience as a network technician, and has developed a fascination with cybersecurity. It is his personal goal to shift career paths and pursue a career in the offensive side of cybersecurity as a penetration tester. Dylan has earned the CompTIA Security+ and A+ certifications, and when not studying for his next achievement, can be found on the ski slopes as the guy falling down the hill.

“When I was informed that I was selected for the SANS cyber scholarship, I was ecstatic! This opportunity is important for me because I have been struggling to find that pathway on my own and I believe it will connect the dots.
”

Joshua Sindorf

Joshua is a captain in the Idaho Air National Guard with the 124th Air Support Operation Squadron. Prior to serving on Active Duty orders with the Air National Guard, he was an export documentation supervisor at Ocean Network Express, which is the 6th largest container carrier fleet in the world. In addition to earning GIAC certifications, Joshua hopes to continue his education by earning a Master’s of Science in Cyber Operations and Resilience at Boise State University and go on to work in the logistics or defense industry as a cybersecurity professional. He has a Bachelor’s of Science in Logistics and Intermodal Transportation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy. In his free time, he enjoys mountain biking, skiing, camping, and crossfit.

Kenny Ha

Kenny is currently serving in the Army Reserves. He went through the ROTC program at UCLA and was commissioned as an Army officer. In his civilian career, he is a service desk agent at Leidos, who provides a secure IT platform for more than 650,000 sailors and civilians across 1,700 locations worldwide. Kenny has a BA in Liberal Studies from the Master’s University in Santa Clarita, CA. Kenny also holds a CompTIA Security+ certification. He enjoys hiking in the Boise foothills and spending his weekends in McCall and Redfish Lake.

Kristy Hurt

Kristy is a traditional Guardsman in the Idaho Air National Guard and is currently a dental hygienist at Lowry Dental. Along with earning certifications through the Mission43 Cybersecurity Academy, Kristy wants to pursue a Bachelor’s in cybersecurity to be able to successfully transition into a career in the cybersecurity industry. Kristy has an Associate of Arts as well as an Associate of Applied Science from Carrington College and has earned the CompTIA Security+ certification. She enjoys hiking and paddle boarding with her dogs and exploring Idaho hot springs, camping, and all things outdoors!

“Pursuing these certifications without this scholarship would not have been possible. I appreciate the magnitude of this opportunity and the impact it will have on the progress toward my professional goals.”

Matt Van Ronzelen

Matt was a prior intelligence analyst in the Army National Guard with experience in the residential mortgage industry. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s from the University of Missouri, holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, and is a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). Matt excels in staff training, development, process improvement, and strategic growth. He is looking forward to applying those skills in the technology industry as he transitions into a cybersecurity career.

Morgan Gill

Morgan is an Army veteran and currently works as a telecommunications specialist for the Bureau of Land Management at the National Radio Operations Section in Boise. His future goals are to help respond to, recover from, and protect against cyber attacks on our radio network. Morgan has an NSE Associate 3 certification from FortiNet and has the CompTIA Security+ certification. He enjoys taking his family on awesome adventures in this beautiful state and playing hockey.

“This scholarship is important to me because I will use the skills I learn in practical application to ensure our First Responders on BLM land have the most robust network available to them.”

Taylor Young

Taylor serves in the Air National Guard with the 124th Security Forces Squadron and has previous experience in IT technical analysis. He hopes to find a position as either a SOC analyst, incident response specialist, or threat hunter. Taylor has an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from the Community College of the Air Force, a Bachelor of Science in Social Science from Boise State University, and the CompTIA Security+ certification. In his off-time, he can be found camping with his family and experiencing the Idaho outdoors.

Travis Mayer

Travis served four years on Active Duty in the United States Marine Corps as a satellite communications operator and maintainer. He currently works at the National Weather Service office in Boise as an electronic systems analyst, taking care of the electronic and IT systems including Doppler radar, weather balloon trackers, and airport weather stations. He has an Associate Degree from ITT Tech and hopes to be able to secure Federal networks and protect them from Nation-State hackers. When not working, he loves running and biking on the greenbelt and trails in the Treasure Valley. He spends time in the summer camping, backpacking, and riding ATVs with his family.

Find out more

Mission43 Cybersecurity Academy scholars will be seeking employment or advancement opportunities as they gain new skills to protect and defend Idaho’s cyber landscape. If you’re an employer that would like to offer an internship or position, or if you would like to find out more about the Academy, reach out using the form below.

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Military Veteran and Entrepreneur Promotes Kindness with WeLoLo

Mission43 Entrepreneur Course Alum Launches App

Malcolm Brown was an Air Force crew chief on the KC-135 airframe. He loved serving his country and now that his military service is complete, he’s turning his focus to serving his local community. He recently launched WeLoLo (We Love Local), a mobile-application focused on creating a movement of kindness in Idaho communities. Malcom used the Mission43 Entrepreneur Course to test his business idea prior to launch, and grew his network by becoming a Mission43 Leaders Fellow. With WeLoLo in hand, he’s recruiting others to join him in his mission.

With the onset of COVID-19, Malcolm recognized the detrimental impact to small businesses and committed to creating a way to promote positive change and a sense of community through intentional acts of kindness.  

“It was tough to watch the local businesses, especially coffee shops, cafés, and bars, either shut down completely or have to lay-off their entire staff. To me, that was a sign of things to come. Through life, I have seen how quickly the DNA of a neighborhood can change, not always for the better, when the mom & pop stores and other local businesses either go out of business or get replaced by large chains and big-box stores.”

Starting a business at any time can be daunting, especially in a time of economic uncertainty, but Malcolm believes in the power of doing good and has a strong support system to help see the WeLoLo concept take off. As more businesses join the platform, he sees it functioning like YELP, only without all of the negative reviews.

Generosity is a superpower, kindness is currency

You’ve heard the saying, “pay it forward”. Well, WeLoLo makes it easy to do just that! Users of the app can practice intentional acts of kindness in a just few easy steps:

1. Choose a participating local business

2. Select a participant from a list of supported community groups, OR enter a name and share from your phone’s contact list

3. Choose your method of payment and submit! 

If you’re looking to brighten a particular person’s day, they’ll receive a text or email notification to redeem funds, from $5-$100, at the chosen location. If you’d rather pay it forward to a stranger, you can choose from community groups like healthcare workers, first responders, educators, and military members/veterans.

Supporting Idaho’s small businesses

WeLoLo is building a movement around promoting locally-owned, small businesses and the customers they serve. You won’t see any large corporations on their partner listing. This ensures your generous gifts stay in, grow, and serve Idaho communities. Right now, you can gift a cup of coffee (or even add in a breakfast burrito) from Alchemist Coffee (@alchemistcoffeeroastingco) in Boise. Other local favorites that will be on the platform soon include:

• Nomad Bev Co (@nomadbevco)     

• Neckar Coffee (@neckarcoffee)  

• Green Acres Food Truck Park (@greenacresboise) 

• Ā café 

• Blue Cow Frozen Yogurt (@bluecowfrozenyogurt) 

Sending a WeLoLo from your favorite coffee shop to a friend or colleague can lead to discovery of new local businesses. WeLoLo is currently focused on food and beverage locations because they result in little friction when incorporated into the platform, but Malcolm hopes to expand options to include services like barber shops, nail salons, and outdoor recreational activities.

How can you partner or support?

Click here to get on the platform and send a WeLoLo to someone deserving of a surprise pick-me-up. 

To find out how you can support or partner with WeLoLo, reach out to malcolm@welolo.app, click here to be taken directly to the WeLoLo contact form, or support WeLoLo directly with a gift using this link.

Thinking of starting your own business?

If you live in Idaho and you’re a military veteran, military service member, or military spouse thinking about launching your own business, use the form below to connect with a Mission43 Education Specialist.

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Addressing an Idaho Need: Introducing the Mission43 Cybersecurity Academy

Mission43 Launches a New Cybersecurity Certification Pathway in Partnership with SANS Institute

Mission43 is proud to partner with SANS Institute to establish a talent pipeline for military veterans and their spouses to obtain skills in cybersecurity that can empower a future career and improve cybersecurity for employers and communities in Idaho.

Over a period of 6 months, selected Mission43 members will have the opportunity to complete 3 GIAC certifications that provide the highest and most rigorous assurance of cybersecurity knowledge. Successful Academy participants receive a full scholarship, academic and technical mentorship, and career services valued at over $20k.

This is a multi-stage program designed to provide a reliable pathway for high-potential veterans and military spouses to enter the cybersecurity workforce.

“It’s our goal to provide Idaho’s exceptional veterans and their spouses with equally exceptional opportunities to advance their quality of life and employment options after the military. These are the programs that make it happen.”

— Alison Garrow, Education Pillar Director

The first cohort will launch in November 2022, with applications opening July 2022. The ideal candidate to participate in the first cohort is a transitioning military member, veteran, or spouse that is active in the Mission43 community, plans to make a career change within the next year, has an aptitude and passion for the cybersecurity industry, and has little to no civilian Information Technology experience.

demand for idaho-based cyber professionals

The cybersecurity field continues to experience a wide talent gap. Growth in opportunities have leveled nationwide but here in Idaho, an exponential increase in demand for qualified personnel persists (according to a 2020 report released by the Idaho Department of Labor).

Cyber opportunities in Idaho have grown by at least 160% since 2015, grew by 28% in 2020, and continue to rise. For transitioning service members, veterans, and their spouses interested in making a career change, right now is the perfect time to consider a career in cyber/information security.

Sourced from Idaho Department of Labor

aptitude and certifications lead to employment

With major industries like aerospace, agriculture, defense, energy, and manufacturing, Idaho is well positioned to maintain its increasing need for cybersecurity professionals. The real struggle, however, is finding the talent to fill those open positions.

Employers that would have traditionally sought out employees with college degrees are relaxing their recruiting requirements. The right combination of aptitude and professional certification(s) can open doors to entry-to-mid level positions with some of the highest earning potential currently in the market.

Whether you’re a military spouse or a transitioning military member, you know what it’s like to have to start over. Sometimes a new career field can mean a critical blow to your family finances. We’ve been there. Entry level cybersecurity salaries are trending much higher than other industries. In June 2022, the average starting salary for cybersecurity related jobs in Idaho was about $62k annually, with the majority ranging between $43k and $78k. There is unlimited potential for skills advancement and increased pay.

Table view of reported entry-level cyber/information security wage range in Idaho, sourced from ZipRecruiter, 2022

Building a Program Idaho Employers need

There are many different areas of cybersecurity and finding a direct path from unemployed to hired can be confusing. We’ve consulted with industry-leading experts from organizations like Mandiant and PlexTrac to identify the biggest talent gaps in Idaho and what type of skills employers are looking for to fill those roles.

“The Mission43 Cybersecurity Certification Course isn’t just theory, it’s a certification path with a direct correlation to employment in Idaho. ”

— Alison Garrow, Education Pillar Director

Currently in Idaho, the top unfilled cybersecurity roles include: Information security analysts, penetration testers, security engineers, information assurance managers, and vulnerability management specialists.

It’s our goal to make a measurable impact on the talent shortage in cyber across the state of Idaho.

COntact us to learn more!

Are you a Mission43 member interested in learning more about cybersecurity? An employer looking to expand their talent pool and fill roles with qualified course participants? Reach out to us today and an education specialist will respond soon!

Welcoming the newest Mission43 Entrepreneur Course cohort

Spring 2022

Mission43 accepts two cohorts into the Entrepreneur Course every year, in partnership with the Boise State Venture College, to help our members launch and grow their businesses. Members of the course are granted a full scholarship to pay for the cost of the program. The spring 2022 cohort includes 17 military members, veterans, and their spouses who are are currently participating in the 6-week course.

Alexandria Saldana | Explore McCall

A McCall native, Alexandria has a lot of knowledge about things to do while in McCall that don’t fall into the traditional tourist space. Her business idea is to provide clientele with explorations, holy grails, aspirations, and lifestyle ventures as part of a stress-free and memorable experience.

Bruce Duty | The Finish Line3

Bruce is creating a business with the goal of inspiring First Responders and Military Veterans to cope with anxiety in a holistic and healthy manner by helping them mentally, physically and spiritually.

CJ Castro | IT Solutions & Consulting

CJ is in the beginning stages of starting a consultancy that aims to help small or medium sized businesses improve efficiency through technology.

Collin Belanger | Safely INternational

Safely International enhances the safety of students studying abroad by providing pre-departure health and safety training and risk monitoring.

Del Burchfield | Idaho Mattress

The Idaho Mattress slogan is “Shop local. Save local.,” and they truly mean it. Idaho Mattress isn’t a big box chain mattress store; instead, they are community-driven and strive to be your go-to place for sleep wellness. Idaho mattress offers a military, veteran, and first responder discount every day of the week!

Dietrich Morgan | The Cheesecakery Bakery LLC

Not only does Dietrich make delicious custom cheesecakes, he also offers a local delivery service. The Cheesecakery Bakery is known for unique creations without being overpoweringly sweet. Orders are placed through the social media link provided above.

Eugene Rosin | Quest Bike Repair

Quest Bike Repair is a full service bicycle repair shop located in Nampa, offering pick-up and delivery services.

Grace Howe | Moxy MarTEAnis

Grace would like to open a marTEAni lounge with a retro 40’s vibe. The lounge would feature unique tea-based martinis that could fit into low-cal, keto, and sugar-free diets without sacrificing taste!

Gregory Drake | Speakeasy: A Wine Bar

Gregory would like to open a first-of-its-kind wine lounge in Mountain Home, ID., which would feature a selection of local Idaho wines and a relaxing environment to enjoy them.

JAmes McCarter | Shadowscape

Shadowscape is an intelligence-driven cybersecurity provider, offering 3 pillars of service: adaptive cyber training, industry leading products, and tailored security services. Shadowscape hopes to reduce the inconveniences of implementing, managing, and prioritizing solutions by using threat-informed analytics.

Keith Daris | Hauling services

Keith is in the process of creating a transport and hauling service in the Treasure Valley that will support local construction and other medium-to-large scale “junk” removal.

Kasey Hochmuht | Pedal Powered Petals

Kasey grows and cuts flowers for bouquets, offers seasonal flower subscriptions, special event services, dried flowers, and seeds. Kasey also focuses on giving back to the community through donations, bouquet nominations, and pumpkin patch fundraising. Pedal Powered Petals are delivered by bicycle locally.

Kyle Meiborg | 68 Property Management

68 Property Management is a Boise-based residential property management company that serves the Treasure Valley. The veteran management team has extensive experience in providing client value, building a strong reputation, and developing lasting relationships.

Lauren Samson | Mental Push PLan

Lauren is the co-founder of Mental Push Plan, which serves people wherever they are in their birthing journey. Their programs combine mindfulness and sport psychology to help people develop their own mental tools for taking on labor and delivery, or even progressing through pregnancy and infant loss.

Laurie Smith | Laurie SMith Nutrition, LLC

Laurie is a certified nutrition coach, but she doesn’t sell nutrition plans, she sells freedom! At Laurie Smith Nutrition, you can find online courses to jump start your fitness and weight loss journey as well as personalized coaching. Laurie believes that once you change your mindset, the weight will lose itself.

MAtthew McKee | Nomad’s Nook

Matthew is joining forces with local artists to immortalize their work by converting it to a digital space. He’ll be morphing artwork into NFTs and sending the originals to the buyers as certificates for their digital masterpieces!

Nate Clements | North IDaho Garage Doors

Located in Kootenai County, North Idaho Garage doors will be a full-service company that will include installs, maintenance, and 24/7 emergency repairs on all garage door brands.

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Contact Us

Find out more about these entrepreneurs and how you can participate by connecting with the Mission43 Education team.

All Gold Star Children in Idaho Will Graduate College Debt Free

Mission43 has partnered with the Children of Fallen Patriots to ensure every Gold Star child in Idaho graduates college debt-free. The average gap to finish is $25,000, and our nation has an unwritten obligation to support and create opportunities for these children who have lost a parent in combat, training, and other duty-related accidents.

There are currently over 50 Gold Star children in Idaho. To support them, Children of Fallen Patriots will provide college scholarships and educational counseling which will be fully funded by Mission43. Even with the drawdown in combat operations, the responsibility will continue to exist and we are honored to play a part.

HOW TO HELP

If you know a Gold Star family, please share that Mission43 would like the opportunity to connect and help with the Gold Star children scholarship. Additionally, even though Mission43’s funding is directly allocated for Idahoans, the Children of Fallen Patriots is a national organization and all Gold Star children will be supported.

Learn more about the Children of Fallen Patriots here.

Connect to learn more about Mission43’s partnership with the Children of Fallen Patriots!

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OTHER MISSION43 EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Welcome Fall 2021 Entrepreneur Course Cohort

Welcome fall 2021 entrepreneur course cohort members!

The Mission43 Entrepreneur Course fall session has kicked off, supporting veterans, service members, and spouses in starting and growing their businesses.

Follow this incredibly talented group through their course journey, as they progress through the 12-session course, using Lean Startup Methodology to develop or refine their business models and move towards achieving sustainable business viability.

Entrepreneurs growing their business

Alex Lewis | Summit IV

• Summit IV is a mobile IV therapy business located in Boise, ID. that focuses on athletic performance and recovery as well as immune support, hydration, and beauty @summitiv

Dave Barber | The Patriots Workshop

• The Patriots Workshop is a Treasure Valley-based business that creates custom wood flags, gun cabinets, and other rustic wood gifts and furniture @patriotsworkshop

Devon Demery | Silver Peak Espresso

• Silver Peak Espresso is a drive-thru coffee stand located in Smelterville, ID. @silverpeakespresso

Donald Young | Rattler Medical Solutions

• Rattler Medical Solutions designs and develops tools and equipment to increase capabilities of medical providers in austere environments

Jaime Martinez | ONEIDNET

• ONEIDNET’s oneShop application helps small businesses increase sales, audience, and geographic coverage with free marketing and advertising

Malcolm Brown | WELoLo Inc.

• WELoLo Inc. is a platform that supports small businesses and the community, providing a method to “pay it forward” with intention @weloloapp

Matthew Densley | Project Zero

• Project Zero’s BUZZ’D is a high-stim pre-workout supplement with patented ingredients and no crash @projectzerolabs

Ruth Kennedy | In-home Care of McCall

• In-home Care of McCall offers personalized care in the comfort of your own home

Tim McKinley | Gertie’s Micro-Bakery

• Gertie’s Micro-Bakery is a Treasure Valley business that offers micro greens and sourdough subscription delivered to your door @gertiesmicrobakery

Tyler Merryman | MoHo Welding Fabrication and Training

• Located in Mountain Home, ID., MoHo Welding Fabrication and Training offers custom metal cabinets and training/certification in all processes @mohowelding

Entrepreneurs developing their business

Corey Tubbleville | Boise Veteran Deliveries

Eric Zimmerman | Indoor mountain bike park

Jeremy McLean | Indoor mountain bike park

John Moyle | Landscaping business solutions for young entrepreneurs

Kelly Canfield | Eco-friendly moving

Landon Stroebel | Cybersecurity software for utilities, infrastructure, and industrial control systems

Nicholas Emmerling | Cybersecurity consulting for small businesses

Nick Corisis | Backcountry off-road touring

Shaun Marriott | Tactical clothing for military and law enforcement

Steve Jedziniak | Butcher shop and specialty meats

Learn more about the Mission43 Entrepreneur Course

Contact the Mission43 education team directly to learn more about the Entrepreneur Course and other programs for military members, veterans, and spouses.

Mission43 PMP Certification Course

Project Management Professional Certification Course for Transitioning Military, Veterans, and Spouses

Take your military experience and transition into project management

By 2027, the Project Management Institute estimates employers will need 87.7 million skilled workers in project-management oriented roles. Meanwhile, the shortage of qualified talent poses a notable risk for organizations that rely on that talent to implement strategic initiatives, drive change, and deliver innovation. 

Transitioning military members, veterans, and spouses are ideal candidates for the project management profession; military experience translates to project management success. Leading cross-functional teams to ensure accomplishment of mission objectives, managing budgets and scheduling activities, conflict mediation and performance appraisal are all key project management proficiencies.

With your experience and a Project Management Institute (PMI) credential, you can distinguish yourself to potential employers and open doors to new opportunities.

Launching your career

There is currently a high demand for skilled project managers in Idaho. With an increase in jobs requiring project-oriented skills and a widening gap of available talent due to an aging workforce, a career in project management is more achievable than you might think. 

If you think this sounds like a career-fit for you, consider taking these steps: 

• Inventory and translate your skills - a lot of military experience qualifies as project management experience. Action officer, training officer, operations planner, commander, platoon sergeant… sound like you? These are just a few military job titles that correlate to civilian project management. Much of project management is going to fall into five process groups, including initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and closing. Work with the Mission43 employment team to translate your skills into terminology recognized in the project management field and create a resumé that makes sense to employers.

• Explore Project Management sectors - There’s a wide range of industries and organizations seeking project managers in Idaho. If construction comes to mind when you think of project management, you’re right! However, project managers are needed in almost every sector, including safety, technology, healthcare, government, energy, manufacturing, hospitality, and more! This can be an incredible opportunity to match your skills and passion. 

• Grow your network - Join your local Project Management Institute chapter, like PMI Western Idaho. Network among industry professionals or other military-connected project managers. Use LinkedIn to your advantage to discover people who can help you determine if project management is the right fit for you. 

• Get certified - Earning a professional certification can increase earning potential in upwards of 25% and gives you a competitive edge in the job market. For those with experience and competence in leading project teams, the Project Management Professional, PMP, credential is the most important globally-recognized and independently validated certification for project managers.

Earn your PMP Certification with Mission43

Mission43 has partnered with Pinnacle Professional Development, LLC to provide a free Project Management Professional Certification course to select Mission43 members. 

Pinnacle Professional Development is a PMI authorized training partner, meaning they have access to exclusive training content from the Project Management Institute. With a veteran team and over 20 years of adult education experience, Pinnacle provides a meaningful classroom experience with the tools and resources needed to successfully earn your PMP certification. 

Selected applicants will receive a scholarship covering the full cost of the 4-day, 35 hour course and one testing voucher, valued at over $3,000.

To find out when applications are open or to learn more about this program, contact a Mission43 education pillar advisor today!

Completing your Community College of the Air Force Degree with Boise State University

Airmen have the option to complete their CCAF Associate degree online, with the support of Boise State University.

CCAF Explained

The Community College of the Air Force degree is an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program, where Airmen receive credit for military training and can complete general education requirements to earn a degree that is associated with their Air Force Specialty Code.

BMT + Tech School + PME + General Education = CCAF

This program is a unique opportunity for Air Force members, and the Community College of the Air Force is the only degree-granting higher learning institution exclusively dedicated to enlisted personnel. Generally speaking, Airmen will earn 49 credits through military training, and are required to complete an additional 15 general education credits in areas of oral/written communication (6), mathematics (3), social science (3), and humanities (3).

The Air Force partners with civilian learning institutions to satisfy the general education requirements to maintain regional accreditation compliance. However, when the degree is granted, it is awarded through the Community College of the Air Force, not the institution the student attends to complete the general education credits.

General Education Mobile

The General Education Mobile, GEM, model is a partnership between CCAF and pre-approved partner colleges where Airmen can take online general education courses that transfer credit to CCAF. There are currently only about 125 approved GEM institutions nationwide.

Boise State is the only institution in Idaho that has the GEM partnership with CCAF.

This partnership allows Airmen the flexibility to complete their CCAF AAS degree online, anytime, anywhere. GEM is delivered via AFVEC. For more information on GEM, visit the Air Force Virtual Education Center.

CLEP Testing

Prior to taking college classes, Airmen should consider using College-Level Examination Program, CLEP, tests to earn college credit for what they already know. Each military installation will usually have a testing center hosted by a civilian learning provider.

On Mountain Home Air Force Base, Boise State University hosts the testing center.

Boise State advisors highly recommend that eligible service members make an appointment to test at Mountain Home AFB. There are over 30 test options across areas of electives, mathematics, communication, humanities, social sciences, leadership, and computer science. Airmen have the option to take each test once, for free.

Passing scores fulfill both CCAF and Boise State course requirements, and test scores are automatically recorded on the CCAF transcripts. Airmen could potentially pass a CLEP test for each required general education course, meaning they could earn their AAS degree without having to take a college class.

Getting Started

Mission43 and Boise State are working together to make it easier for every Airman in Idaho to earn their CCAF.

To get started, visit the Mission43 Boise State Toolkit and request more information. A member of the Boise State Military Programs Team will reach out directly to assist you in going through the process.

Military members are also required to complete a TA-101 briefing to ensure their TA eligibility as well as connect with an Air Force education counselor. For members at Mountain Home AFB, you can find answers to FAQs here or email ed.center@us.af.mil for information on TA briefings and connecting with a base education counselor.

Members will also want to ensure that they order their CCAF transcripts either through AFVEC (must access through a .mil network) or Credentials Solutions. If ordering through AFVEC, keep in mind that it could take up to 4 weeks for the college to receive them, so allow yourself a bit of flexibility when applying and starting courses. They can also be 3-day expedited through FedEx, for a fee, by using the Credentials Solutions option.

Taking Online Classes at Boise State

If an Airman gets to the point that they need (or want) to take classes to complete their degree, there are quite a few options available in each of the general education areas required to satisfy CCAF degree completion.

Most courses are accelerated, 7-week classes. Since a normal semester is 15 weeks, members enrolled in Online Degree Pathway GEM courses tend to have a week break between classes.

Airmen can expect to spend up to 20 hrs per week on course work to be successful. While these classes are designed with the working adult in mind, military members often need a bit more flexibility. Boise State advisors suggest taking no more than one class at a time, keeping an open line of communication between faculty and advisors, and preparing for those times when more flexibility is needed.

We know it can be difficult being in the military and trying to take classes sometimes. We’re here to support you through that.

Before applying, visit the Mission43 Boise State toolkit and request more information. Eligible military members can receive a code to waive the application fee.

Using Tuition Assistance

Eligible military members have access to Federal Tuition Assistance, which provides up to $250 per credit hour, up to $4500 per year.

Through Boise State’s TA Promise program, eligible military members enrolled in the online degree pathway GEM courses, using Tuition Assistance, automatically receive a scholarship, reducing their price per credit hour from $350 to $250, meaning zero out-of-pocket tuition cost to complete the CCAF AAP.

Free Tutoring and Support

Going to college for the first time can be scary, especially for those who have spent several years focusing on their military career. For many Airmen, the last time they actively talked about college was high school.

It’s ok to ask for help! You don’t have to do this alone!

Boise State is home to a unique program through TRIO, Veterans Upward Bound, which provides free tutoring and assessment services prior to getting started. This is a free service for military members who have never been to college, or have had a long break between learning experiences.

Airmen can receive one-on-one tutoring in areas like math and English to be better prepared for success in their GEM classes. For more Veterans Upward Bound information, contact Project Director Mario Pile at mariopile@boisestate.edu.

CCAF to AU-ABC

One of the most beneficial opportunities Airmen have after completing their CCAF is the option to complete a Bachelor’s degree in 60 credits or less through the Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative, AU-ABC.

With Boise State’s AU-ABC partnership, Airmen can apply all of their CCAF transfer credits to a Bachelor’s of Applied Science, Bachelor’s of Business Management, or a BA in Public Health.

This means Airmen can earn their Associate and Bachelor’s degrees in less time than it takes the traditional student to earn just one degree!

The CCAF isn’t just for career airmen looking to promote. With zero out of pocket tuition costs, it is an effective and efficient way for every airman to advance their military and civilian employment opportunities.

want to learn more?

COnnect with the M43 Education Advisor and Get Started on Your CCAF Degree

Mission43's Entrepreneur Course for Veterans and Military Spouses

Everything you need to know about the Mission43 Entrepreneur Course

Take your business idea to the next level

Mission43’s flagship Entrepreneur Course was created with risk takers in mind. You have the idea, we have the connections. This course, in partnership with the Boise State University Venture College, challenges Mission43 members to grow their business or nonprofit idea, and provides the tools needed to take concepts and turn them into actionable steps.

In each cohort, members are immersed in fast-paced, interactive material with an exclusive peer group of veterans, service members, and military spouses. The instructors aren’t just teaching theory, they’re experienced entrepreneurs who take participants through a step-by-step process that makes sense.

The scholarship & commitment

We’re looking for motivated veterans, service members, and military spouses who either have a business idea or a budding business, and are excited to challenge themselves, test their ideas, and actively contribute to the rest of the cohort.

Mission43 members who apply and are selected will receive a $1000 scholarship that covers the full cost of the 6-week course.

Whether selected for an in-person or virtual scholarship, we ask that participants commit to attend the two, 2-hour sessions each week of the program. At the conclusion of the twelve sessions, you’ll put it all together and pitch your idea to local leaders in the business and entrepreneur community, potentially opening doors you didn’t know existed!

What does the course cover?

The Mission43 Entrepreneur Course curriculum is tailored to our military community members. We aren’t just providing instruction, there are real-world opportunities to connect with key-players in the community, sharing your business idea and growing your network of resources. The connections you make in this course can be essential as your business develops.

The “Lean Startup” Methodology

There is a strong distinction between “can you build this product” and “should you build this product?” The course kicks off with the Lean Startup approach, which focuses on the latter. It’s not a rigid business plan, it’s a fast-paced process of building, measuring, and learning to help you accelerate your idea.

Value Proposition

What problem needs to be solved? This question is the foundation of why you want to be an entrepreneur. This early phase of the course is always fun, as it is the first time many participants have had to articulate their idea to a group of relative strangers. The interaction, feedback, and support are paramount as you learn about each other’s business and begin to grow as a Mission43 Entrepreneurs cohort.

The Customer Discovery Process

You don’t want to spend a ton of money or time bringing your product to market without ever talking to a potential customer. You’ll discover why interviewing potential customers is crucial to your value proposition, learn best practices for customer discovery, and practice interviewing potential customers while asking the appropriate questions.

Your MVP, or Minimum Viable Product

After you address the problem that needs to be solved (your value proposition), we’ll jump into learning exactly what an MVP is, and then you’ll develop your own MVP. You’ll learn how to create measurable goals using the Test Card as you get more comfortable with the Lean Startup Methodology.

How to Pivot

The Lean Startup is all about building-measuring-learning, and sometimes that requires a pivot. We’ll define what this is, learn about successful business pivots, and you’ll be prepared and comfortable if or when that is required!

The Business Model Canvas

The Business Model Canvas is composed of nine sections and helps you understand your business in a straightforward and structured way.

Flex Session

Based on the needs and interests of each cohort, the Venture College will conduct a special-topics lesson, often more advanced in nature, supported by a subject-matter-expert guest speaker. This can include things like marketing tactics or how to get investors.

Pitch Preparation

Cohort members have ample opportunity throughout the course to prepare, rehearse, and refine their pitch with peers, instructors, and mentors. By the time pitch night comes around, you’ll be prepared to share your business idea with the greater community!

Pitch Night

The course culminates with pitching your business to local and influential community leaders. It’s a Shark Tank style event and is an incredible opportunity to get expert feedback on your idea. Don’t worry, you’ll be well prepared to knock it out of the park!

Continued Support and Networking

The Entrepreneur Course isn’t just instruction; you’re provided the opportunity to connect face-to-face and network with influential community leaders in a comfortable, social setting. This is your opportunity to share your idea with business professionals and experienced veteran entrepreneurs.

If you are showing that can-do drive and things are accelerating quickly with your business, the Venture College team will stay in your corner to help you succeed. Whether it’s connecting with the right people, pitching your business to new audiences, or just providing the motivation to keep going, the BSU Venture College and Mission43 team are here to help.

We are proud to have had multiple businesses start in the Mission43 Entrepreneur Course! These veterans and military spouses showed up with an idea, and are now profitable and growing Idaho businesses. You could be next… let us assist you in getting started on this journey!

The Boise State University Venture College

The Boise State University Venture College is part of the College of Innovation and Design, which serves as a landing zone for entrepreneurial thinkers to launch their idea outside of the classroom. This is experiential learning at its best.

The Venture College has assisted over 100 students in launching their businesses and nonprofits that have generated millions in revenue and provided job opportunities in Idaho communities.

Start your entrepreneurial journey

If you’re ready to be your own boss, lead, learn, and inspire in your Idaho community, connect with us or learn more below to find out about current course offerings and the application process.

For more information, e-mail alison.garrow@mission43.org

Using Your Gi Bill for Flight School

Guide to using your benefits in Idaho

Depending on your eligibility, you could use Post - 9/11 education benefits to fully fund pilot training.

In order to use a Gi Bill for flight training, the VA requires that you:

1. Qualify for a Post 9/11 Gi Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, or Reserve Education Assistance Program (REAP).

2. Have a private pilot’s license, and

3. Have a second-class medical certificate valid for second-class privileges - or a first-class medical certificate if you want to pursue the Airline Transport (ATP) certificate. Click here to search for Aviation Medical Examiners in your area.

The three options for using Gi bill benefits toward flight training

The Post 9/11 Gi Bill (Chapter 33) can be used for Part 141* accredited flight training to get your Commercial Pilot License (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, and can pay for flights, tuition, housing allowance, books, fees, and supplies. 

1. Attend a public university flight program for 100% tuition coverage,

2. Attend a private university and receive up to $24,476.79 annually, or

3. Take part in a non-degree seeking program and receive up to $13,986.72 annually at the time of this post. 

Click here for current Chapter 33 payment rates

*Part 61 programs are not eligible for VA funding

VA approved flight programs in idaho

Treasure Valley Community College in Caldwell, Idaho offers an Aviation Technology - Helicopter AAS degree in partnership with Silverhawk Aviation Academy. This is an FAA accredited, Part 141 program approved for VA education benefits. Members with Post 9/11 benefit eligibility could have up to 100% tuition and fees covered. 

Silverhawk Aviation Academy offers a Part 141 fixed wing, non-degree seeking program. While you would need to obtain your private pilot’s license at your own expense, you could be eligible to receive up to $13,986.72 annually with Post 9/11 benefits.

Which model is right for you?

If you’re having trouble deciding between fixed-wing and rotary, contact Silverhawk Aviation Academy and schedule a discovery flight with a 30-minute ground session and hour flight. This will give you the opportunity to see what the training is like in that airframe, take control of the aircraft with instructor supervision, and you get to account for that time in your log-book when you begin training. 

For more information, click “learn more” below, or connect with Silverhawk Aviation Academy Student Services directly:

Alisha Sweeney

alisha@silverhawkaviation.net

(208) 453-8577  

Aviation Scholarships

AAERO Scholarship Program awards up to $2,500 for aspiring pilots who have not yet received their private pilot’s license. Applications open May 2021.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association awards members up to $7,500 for training as a private, sport, or recreational pilot. If you are not an AOPA member, you can get a free 6-month student pilot membership.

Leroy W. Homer Jr. Foundation awards one scholarship a year for people ages 16-23 pursuing professional flight instruction, not through a university, leading to certification as a private pilot. Scholarship applications open October 31st through January 31st. 

Stripes to Bars is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that assists veterans in their transition to aviation careers. Stripes to Bars provides annual scholarships, nationwide, for fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. Application window is open each year from January 1st to May 15th. Click here for eligibility information and to apply. 

The Ninety-Nines Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Fund for female aviators offers five types of aviation scholarships, to include flight training and emergency maneuver training. 

Women in Aviation: Women Military Aviators Dream Flight Scholarship up to $2,500 awarded to female aviators pursuing flight ratings at an accredited institution or FAA Part 141 approved flight school. 

If you’re thinking about starting a career in aviation and want more information, or are a current aviator and would like to volunteer as a mentor, click “learn more” below to be connected with Mission43’s education advisor today!

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Air Force Tuition Assistance

Using Tuition Assistance for college

The Air Force Tuition Assistance Program will pay up to $250 per credit hour in tuition and a maximum of $3750 each fiscal year.

Complete your CCAF degree for free

Mission43 partners with Boise State University to assist military members in earning their Community College of the Air Force, Associate of Applied Science degree with no out-of-pocket costs. Boise State University’s TA Promise program reduces eligible members’ tuition to $250 per credit hour. Application fees are also waived through BSU Military Programs.

Your degree - anytime, anywhere!

Courses are offered fully online in either a 7- or 15-week format. You could earn your degree in less than a year, choosing from 18 different course options to satisfy the 15 general education (5 course) credit CCAF completion requirement.

Application process for all degree levels

With 6 start-dates a year, it’s even more convenient to complete your degree on your terms.

If you have not attended a TA-101 briefing in the past year, that will be your first step. These are generally held every Thursday at the Education Center. For more information and scheduling, contact (208) 828-6363.

Request official transcripts from all previous institutions, if applicable. You can request your current CCAF transcripts free, online through the Air Force Virtual Education Center. Under Self Service, click “CCAF Student Services,” then “Transcripts,” then click “Order CCAF Transcript.” You’ll want to make sure to have your CCAF/military transcripts reviewed for any education level, to include Bachelor’s and Master’s.

Contact BSU Military Programs prior to starting for an application fee waiver. Apply to Boise State as a degree-seeking, fully-online student. Through Mission43 and Boise State University, you will have an advisor to work with you through this process. Click below to get started.

Visit the Air Force Portal and complete the AFVEC online TA process between 45 and 7 days prior to the first day of course instruction.

After your request has been approved, you will receive notification of approved TA form, and you must send a copy of the approved TA form to the school.

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