Operation New Uniform Inc

As the child of two Army veterans, volunteering with Operation New Uniform has been incredibly meaningful. This organization excels in helping veterans transition to civilian careers, providing personalized support through career counseling, resume workshops, and interview preparation.
The staff and volunteers are deeply committed to understanding each veteran's unique goals, ensuring they are guided toward fulfilling careers. The sense of community here is inspiring, offering veterans not only professional guidance but also peer support.
My experience with ONU has been profoundly rewarding. I've seen firsthand the positive impact on veterans' lives, and I highly recommend this organization to both veterans seeking career support and potential volunteers looking for a meaningful way to contribute.

This non-profit is one of the best in Florida. I have many family and friends who have served in our military. Hearing stories of how hard it is sometimes to transition to a new life and have to look for work. Operation New Uniform has answered that problem. They offer free classes, resume writing and training to help retirees as well as their spouses find a new identity out of the military.

This is why I volunteer for ONU.

As a transitioning service member, I was looking for an organization to assist in preparing me for the corporate world. There are many transition preparation programs out there, however I choose ONU based on a recommendation. The recommendation was very positive so my expectation where higher than usual. Throughout the two weeks, ONU consistently exceeded my expectations. Their approach was different in the sense that it wasn't just a generic template to transition for everyone. There was no "easy button". The ONU staff evaluated and motivated you individually to assist in capitalizing on your potential and highlighting the value you bring to an organization. The staff held you accountable to yourself and provided you with the tools and techniques for you to guide and determine your future career. After completing the program, I received continued tailored support that was always above and beyond. I can't recommend this great organization enough to those looking to transition from the military to the corporate world and those looking to support and organization that enable veterans to better themselves and those around them.

One year ago I was in the throws of panic at the decision I'd made to separate from the Only career I've known. I've built my life around being a Soldier. I was equipped to deploy anywhere on planet Earth within 12 hours to deliver freedom from a C-17 Globemaster via parachute. This was my life, I was a coffee-powered, sweat-cooled freedom machine. I loved it! Why leave? I was tired. It was time for some stability.

I was ready only with my paperwork, I had skills I didn't understand how to translate on a resume, didn't know what to ask at an interview I was lost. At a hiring fair, I ran into someone who I didn't even know would change my life. This person was Breanna Delong, who was the outreach coordinator for the Tampa area. I had a fantastic interview but I still wasn't convinced.

A few weeks later I was scheduled to start my journey with Class 58. I woke up that morning, sat at the edge of my bed and almost went back to sleep. Something pulled at my heart. So I got dressed and went. Walking into the classroom at St. Angelo University I was questioning if I'd made the right choice. Class Started.

The facilitators Tracy, Johnny, and Julio made the content interesting, engaging, and immersive. Each topic seemed to build on one another like legos. By day 4 I was ready, I knew I was ready! This program gave me the confidence I needed. I applied for positions and got feedback, During my interviews I knew who I was talking to and how to leverage their personality against mine to be engaging and interesting. My favorite interview netted me the current position I reside in. My HR professional was an I/C so I let him talk and asked questions that leveraged his experience. Less than an hr later I was on an interview with the hiring manager that was scheduled for 30 min but lasted well over an hour. I had a great time, it felt like catching up with old friends. The offer letter from the company came at the end of this business day which I didn't even think to accept. This wasn't for Full-time Employment but for a skillsbridge opportunity.

May 6 2024 I arrived at the downtown offices of my company wondering what the next 12 weeks would bring me. Over the next 6 weeks, I used the skills I learned in Operation New Uniform to interview each person I was assigned to shadow, I followed the pain funnel to extract problems and talk through each one, and I weighed each interaction to decide if it was going to contribute to pay time or no pay time. Most importantly I created a buzz about me, leaving an impact wherever I went. Week 7 had a different feel, a new energy, and then my phone rang. My managing team was on the other end talking to me about a position that had just become available and they encouraged me to look into it. By the end of the day, my resume was in the hands of the recruiter. Not only did my resume pass the ATS but it came with endorsements from everyone I had worked with. We scheduled an interview for the same week.

As expected the interview was all-star story answers. Aced it! I'm in a role I love doing meaningful work leveraging my years as a leader in the Army. Today is also my 23rd Army Birthday, in 20 days I'll be retired from the Army, with a career and fresh ink on a new chapter.

Operation New Uniform focuses on two aspects of the Veteran and Military Spouse transition more than any other transition program and that is first building up the members' confidence to take on the transition challenge and then building the interview skills that will help them to land the job.

The class sizes are small and therefore more personable. This allows for more focused and 1x1 attention versus having huge classes that do not get everyone involved. This personal touch is so helpful in the added guidance that is needed.

I am an ONU board member, so you might assume that I am biased about the organization. What you should understand, however, is that I serve voluntarily. I work full time and am very busy. I am very selective about where I dedicate my free time, but I choose to do so with ONU because of what this organization accomplishes. They have a tremendous team of talented individuals that are passionately dedicated to helping veterans transition from the military to their next career. ONU's success rate is extremely high in accomplishing this and also in helping veterans receive the compensation they deserve. Every time I attend graduation and listen to the graduates describe the life-changing experience ONU provides, I know that serving with this organization is making an impact and well worth my time.

Helping veterans get hired when separating from military service is an extremely important mission for those of us who benefit from their sacrifice. They've served us, protected us and often fought for us. Assisting veterans transitioning from all military branches to corporate roles may seem easy. Who wouldn't want to hire honorably discharged veterans? But the reality is many servicemembers struggle in marketing themselves and their experiences in uniform to civilian job opportunities. Operation New Uniform makes it their mission to provide tools and instill confidence in these heroes, helping them step out of their military uniforms and into roles within corporate America. This confidence helps our veterans in the job search process, interviewing process and with on-boarding in a new organization. The pride and sense of accomplishment that comes with earning full-time, professional employment is a huge deterrent to veteran homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction and even veteran's suicide. I love giving back to those who have so valiantly protected us and sacrificed for our nation. Operation New Uniform is empowering these heroes with the skills to succeed in a new and unfamiliar landscape. Such a worthy mission and cause and I am proud to do my part to support our warriors seeking employment in corporate America.

Operation New Uniform is an outstanding organization that provides a comprehensive and empathetic approach to veteran career transition. Their dedication, expertise, and supportive community create a transformative experience that empowers veterans to achieve their professional goals. For any veteran seeking to navigate the complexities of entering the civilian workforce, ONU is an invaluable resource and a beacon of hope.

Having experienced their services firsthand, I can confidently say that ONU provides a transformative experience that goes beyond typical job placement programs. Operation New Uniform (ONU) is an exceptional organization dedicated to empowering veterans as they transition from military to civilian careers.

The ONU military to civilian transition course far exceeded my expectations. I am extremely grateful for the ONU staff and the generous sponsors that support the organization. I could not imagine leaving the military without the training provided by ONU. Their course sets the standard for military transition training. I feel fortunate for the opportunity to attend the ONU training and to be part of the ONU family.

Operation New Uniform (ONU) has been a pivotal force in reshaping my career as a military spouse. Their program offers more than just skills—it provides support and a community that understands the unique challenges military spouses face. Through ONU, I've not only gained valuable skills but also found the guidance to pursue and achieve my dream career. For military spouses and veterans seeking empowerment and a pathway to professional fulfillment, ONU is truly life-changing.

Operation New Uniform was a great opportunity and I am very happy I was able to attend the course. After I retired from service I struggled a little bit with finding my Identify post military life and trying to figure out what my next step was. I decided to become an entrepreneur and be my own boss. I had moderate success in the first year of my business but I lacked the tools needed to turn the corner and grow my business to full potential. ONU came into my life at the right moment, I learned a-lot of useful tools for dealing with potential clients and value added communication techniques. Also being around other Veterans that were also struggling in their own lives really helped me personally and professionally. Another plus for me has been the outstanding Veteran Network here that ONU is plugged into. I 10/10 recommend this course to any Veteran looking to find employment or become an entrepreneur.

T. Watkins of Watkinspirations LLC

Most veterans settle for whatever they can get when we separate from the military. We don’t value ourselves. In turn, we accept offers from others that keep us afloat but don’t give us purpose. Without purpose, we lose drive. We lose our sense of who we are meant to be. We don’t feel significant. This can lead to a downward spiral and eventually become so miserable that we don’t see a way out of it. I genuinely believe that ONU has the potential to change lives on a massive scale. I will do everything in my power to help get the word out about this program, and I genuinely appreciate those who have put their all into serving those of us.

ONU provides military vets and spouses with a great transition program that focuses on the personal aspects of finding that new career, not just a new job. It's totally free to the military community and well worth the 2-6 weeks in the program!

If you're a Veteran or Military Spouse and you're looking for employment, I'd highly recommend giving ONU a shot. The best part, it's completely free.

If you want to learn how to get out of your way when stepping through the Military Transition process, the team at ONU will guide you to avoid the most common pitfalls. Learning how to take the guesswork and the unknowns out of the process is vital and something that every transitioning service member should know on the way back into the civilian sector.

With over three years on the Board of Directors, I have watched how ONU has successfully changed the approach to both retiring or separating military personnel as they pursue their next career. Once focused on the role they provided in the military, ONU knocks the "military" off the student and assists them in recognizing their value from within that makes them the special person they are. The result is that they can then successfully navigate the corporate or small business sectors and make an immediate and powerful impact on the organization. Phenomenal non-profit that is changing its participant's lives once cohort at a time.

Fantastic & truly selfless organization focused on helping veterans, their families, and their community.

ONU is changing lives! ONU helps the men and women who have served our country transition to their new careers in what is referred to as "the civilian world" which can be an overwhelming and daunting experience for many of our veterans.

Before this Operation New Uniform I had so many concerns about my transition:
1. Resume. I haven't had to write one... ever. How do I translate my military skills. Am I even marketable. Can I do the job?
2. Interviewing. I haven't needed to conduct one... ever. I showed up and someone told me where I was working during my tour. How do I turn-off the military speak after 26 years of indoctrination?
3. Networking. I have connections on LinkedIn, that's networking... right?

Thanks to Operation New Uniform those questions and so many more were answered and I received the tools needed to succeed in my next chapter.

One thing that stood out was the the personal, familial feel to the program. The continuous outreach to those who have gone through and number of people who come back to share their experience and success and to network with the new veterans going through.

This is by far the most impactful transition program that I have participated in and recommend to all transitioning military and long separated veterans as they truly care about your success.

My name is Gary and I came to ONU during my retirement process after 24 years in the Navy.

The staff working at ONU are the best people you could ever work with. They only have the best interest of the service members and their family on their mind throughout the process. The course is very personal and allowed me to achieve things I never thought possible in only two weeks.

I graduated their course with a level of confidence I'd never had and the ability to speak in public, coherently, for the first time in my life. I received an offer for a new career within two weeks of graduation on a career field I've never been a part of. The skills I learned at ONU we're vital to this achievement.

ONU is, and will forever be, part of my family and I can't wait to be a part of what they do in the future!

Operation New Uniform is the best transition program to help veterans get a new career not just a job. They focus on teaching them how to get a new career and how to think and be confident in that new direction. With expert business resume counseling, they set veterans up for success. With a 97% success rate, they help all veterans from a 4 year to a 30 year veteran move to that new space in life. You just can't pass this program up.

Before Operation New Uniform, I was an Army Colonel approaching mandatory retirement, with 30 years of experience, and paralyzed by thoughts of failure in my transition. My fear was compounded by years of negative self-talk despite my military success. I felt I needed help. I learned of ONU from a family readiness post and reached out my hand. What a blessing! From day one, the ONU system renewed my positive mental attitude. After two short weeks I learned I was not alone in my fear, I reclaimed control of my own success, and I began to take action using ONU’s proven behaviors and techniques to claim the future career of my choice.

I am that person who always knew that I wanted to serve in the Armed Forces. I consider myself lucky because I got to do that for nearly three decades. The challenge, however, resided in what to do after that chapter of my life closed. My life has been blessed in so many ways. I count ONU as another blessing. ONU's program represents the post-military service, career-preparation benchmark that transition assistance programs across our Armed forces should achieve. ONU's instruction lifted the veil of uncertainty covering my ability to assertively offer my skills and dedication to employers, empowering me to find the career I strive to attain. ONU serves veterans as a guiding light through the darkness and uncertainty of finding a meaningful, fulfilling career after their military service. I believe in ONU's program, and I will serve as an ambassador for the services that ONU provides

I have worked with Operation New Uniform since 2015 and have seen first hand the changes and impact it has had on Veteran's lives. As an employer ONU has helped connect my organization with top tier talent that we may have never had access to in the past. The benefits ONU provides to veterans, businesses, and ultimately our community are substantial. As a Veteran I understand first hand the challenges that come with beginning your new career after the military and I strongly believe ONU's vision to produce confident Veterans who are coveted and embraced in the business community.

Operation New Uniform provides amazing and free support to transitioning Veterans to help them find their new career and professional success after proudly serving our country. ONU provides top notch program support and training to propel Veterans to professional and personal success, as well as a community of alumni ready to stand beside their cohorts.
No other program is as effective as ONU in ensuring our nation’s Veterans have a successful transition, a fulfilling career, and the means to continue serving the business community and supporting their families.

Based on my experience, Operation New Uniform or ONU, offers 5-Star service with matching results. They not only taught me how to translate my skills, but they also taught me how to sell them. Once properly trained by ONU, I was able to use their network to build my network, to land a new career.

Operation New Uniform (ONU) is a phenomenal organization. Michele and Dr. Kim are inspirational instructors and providers of care and support which is needed for transitioning military members. They provide training to shift your focus from finding a job to finding your amazing career. It is life changing and I am grateful for their devotion to the military community. Learning how to remove the negative "head trash" and replace it with positive words of affirmation has been great for me. I sincerely thank the ONU team for all that I have learned in this short amount of time. I will continue to reinforce what I have learned as I continue in my professional career and endeavors.

Proud to be part of an organization with a genuine desire for serving the betterment of our veteran community.

Operation New Uniform is a life-changing organization, featuring a team of professional experts, laser-focused on helping prepare transitioning veterans for successful careers. I am one of their many success stories. Their course of instruction and professional networking opportunities vastly improved my attitude, behavior, and techniques in conducting a purposeful and thoughtful career search. I am very grateful for ONU and their fantastic team that has jump-started the next chapter of my life!

I can not say enough positive things about the ONU program. The staff are amazing and the techniques Dr. Kim and Michele teach you are hands down the best in the business. If you are a transitioning veteran, look no further and go at this opportunity. I promise you will not regret it for a second.

I can't find enough words to describe how UNU has empowered me to regain control of my transition from Naval service. As I approached the end of my 20 years of service I was struggling to effectively translate the skills I have learned throughout my career. I found myself in a dark place, thinking I would be unable to find a career beyond my Naval service. ONU is teaching me invaluable skills and guiding me through the most trying point thus far in my life; begin my next career. I was getting to the point where I was just looking for that next J O B that would pay the bills, and thanks to ONU, I have regained that sense of self-worth and set on a path to the life I always wanted to have beyond the Navy. A heartfelt thank you to Michele, Dr. Kim, and all the staff and alumni of ONU!

ONU has been such a major influence on how I relate my military skills to the business/corporate community.
I've been so blessed to be a part of ONU as a volunteer, board member and now employee.
Witnessing the life-changing impact for our 312 graduates and thousands more served has been so inspiring and rewarding.

This amazing organization is making very visible differences in the personal and professional lives of transitioning veterans! Great people, great vision, and ON a mission!

Operation New Uniform is a notch above the rest. They are far more than a Veteran "transition" organization. They offer new perspectives that challenge old paradigms of thinking. This program truly should be nationwide, as it's free to Veterans and

After witnessing the life changing work that Operation New Uniform does for our Veterans, I have become a life long supporter. As a former military spouse who watched her husband transition without direction, the Finding the Uniform program needs to be taught globally. No military member should ever transition without knowing the next step or at least transition without the skills to be successful on their journey.

I have watched ONU help so many veterans, they are changing the lives of these men and women everyday helping them find new careers in business!

Operation New Uniform is an amazing organization that changes the lives of veterans! The program is 100% free to honorably discharged service men and women, and helps them to find the careers that they deserve after they leave the service. I went through the ONU program myself, so between my own personal experience and witnessing the impact that the organization makes on the veterans and the community I can say that it is a vital resource that serves those who have served their country.

When I heard about the mission of ONU it sounded really important and filled a huge need for former military making the transition to the corporate world. When I attended a few functions I got to meet several of the graduates of the program and heard first hand how the program had impacted their lives.
If you are looking for a worthwhile cause to support and one that is professionally run in complete transparency I would recommend ONU.
Thank you for all you are doing to change the lives of the families who are lucky enough to complete the program.
Judi Zitiello