Jacksonville, North Carolina Jul 23, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - The United States has spent years organizing job fairs, résumé workshops, and networking events to help military veterans move into civilian life. However, Rowdy Oxford, a national security expert, Army veteran, and Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer to FEMA, believes these efforts often miss the mark. He calls for a fundamental change in how the country prepares veterans to leave military service. Mentorship, not job fairs, should become the foundation of veteran reintegration.
Job fairs hand out pamphlets. Mentors hand over wisdom, Oxford said. Veterans dont need a handshake and a business card. They need someone who understands the mental, cultural, and leadership transition they are going through.
Oxford has over 20 years of experience in national security, defense leadership, and emergency operations. He has mentored many veterans as they move into government roles, private industry, or launch their own businesses. He believes the current system is too transactional. It often ignores the personal struggles veterans face during this significant life change.
The military gives more than just a job. It gives structure, purpose, and identity, Oxford said. Leaving that behind creates a void that résumé workshops cannot fill. Mentorship fills that void.
A System That Misses the Point
Rowdy Oxford points out that many veterans are told their leadership, discipline, and teamwork skills will be valuable in the private sector. But the reality often falls short of that promise. Many feel misunderstood or overlooked when they apply for civilian jobs. Industries do not always understand how to evaluate military experience.
This is where mentorship becomes vital. Mentors help veterans translate their experience, Oxford said. They dont just say the veteran is qualified. They explain where and how the person fits into a new environment.
Rather than putting thousands of veterans through one-size-fits-all programs, Oxford calls for a more personal solution. He recommends mentorship programs that match veterans with those who have transitioned and understand the challenges.
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More Than a Job: Finding Purpose and Direction
For Oxford, mentorship is not only about finding work. It is about rebuilding a sense of mission. Veterans often thrive in roles where they can serve, lead, and contribute to something larger than themselves. Without that connection, many lose direction.
Veterans are trained to serve and to lead, Oxford said. When they cannot find a place to do that, they drift. Mentors can guide them back toward purpose.
He adds that many veterans struggle with hidden challenges such as imposter syndrome, loss of community, and questions about how their experience fits into the civilian world. These are not problems that job fairs are designed to solve. But mentorship can offer consistent support, encouragement, and advice.
Veteran mentorship is not charity. It is a responsibility, Oxford said. Those of us who have walked this path must help those who come after us.
What Employers and Agencies Can Do Now
Rowdy Oxford is asking employers, agencies, and nonprofit groups to invest in mentorship programs for veterans. He believes some funds currently spent on hiring events would be better used to build personal support systems. These might include veteran-to-veteran mentor networks, leadership coaching, and career transition groups.
He also calls on leaders in the private sector, especially those who served in the military, to become mentors themselves. It is easy to sponsor a booth at a hiring event, Oxford said. It is harder to show up for someone over time. But that is where real impact happens.
Oxford believes that companies that embrace mentorship will benefit. They will gain access to resilient, adaptable, and mission-focused people. These are qualities that help teams succeed.
A Clearer Way Forward
Oxford believes that the way the nation supports its veterans reflects its values. We cannot just say thank you for your service and walk away, he said. Veterans are facing a complex world after separation. Mentorship helps them find a path through it.
As the country continues to talk about mental health, employment, and workforce development, Oxford offers a simple idea. Stop relying on job fairs alone. Start investing in real relationships.
To learn more visit: https://rowdyoxford.com/
Source :Rowdy Oxford
This article was originally published by IssueWire. Read the original article here.
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