MISSION START in Hampton Roads Fall Edition

* REGISTRATION IS COMPLETED WITH THE LINK BELOW * https://engage.theworkforcecouncil.org/register/MISSIONSTARTNOV26

* EVENTBRITE IS NOT THE REGISTRATION PAGE. USE THE LINK ABOVE *

Moving to a new duty station or trading the uniform for civilian life can feel like a multi-front battle. You aren’t just looking for a paycheck—you’re trying to secure quality childcare, decode school districts, track down the right neighborhood, and unlock your hard-earned benefits, all while living out of cardboard boxes.

Doing it alone? Overwhelming. Doing it with a squad of insider experts? That’s called a winning strategy.

Think of MISSION: START & STAY as your ultimate VIP pass to Hampton Roads. We’ve rounded up a powerhouse coalition of "Fixers" and "Strategists" from Naval Station Norfolk, DOL VETS, Childcare Aware, and School Liaison Officers to cut right through the red tape for you and your family.

👶 Bring the Whole Crew! Military families are the heart of this event, so yes, kids are absolutely welcome! We’ll have a dedicated "stroller parking lot" and plenty of fun, engaging activities to keep the little ones smiling while you get the intel you need.

We’ve organized the chaos into a high-energy, easy-to-navigate day.

Roll up to the Vista Point, grab a coffee, and claim your Summit Passport. This is your personal guide to the day—and your ticket to some awesome swag.

Take the morning at your own pace and hit the areas that matter most to your family:

• Zone A: Future & Career: Discover awesome career paths. Connect face-to-face with SkillBridge anchors, authorized training providers, and top-tier higher education institutions.
• Zone B: Life & Home: Solve the "life" puzzles first. Meet with your local military community anchors to get answers on housing, childcare, and local life.
• Zone C: The Benefits Lane: Claim the support you’ve rightfully earned. Talk directly with experts who know the ins and outs of your military benefits.

• Resume Triage: Get 1:1 assistance and learn how to use AI to make your resume jump to the top of the pile.
• Spouse Strategy Hub: Shoutout to our military spouses! The USO Pathfinder team is on deck to help you tackle professional license portability and local career growth.
• Mock Interviews: Shake off the nerves with quick pitch coaching from the pros at RecruitMilitary.

Hungry? We've got you covered. Fuel up with a complimentary lunch. (First come, first served—so don't map your route too far from the food!)

Pull up a chair, meet some new friends, and learn from a panel of inspiring industry leaders who are veterans and military spouses themselves. They’ve been in your boots and know exactly how to thrive in Hampton Roads.

• The Result: You walk out the door with a sharper resume, a solid school plan, and a brand-new local support network.
• The Reward: Turn in your completed Summit Passport and score an exclusive VETTED T-Shirt!

You are now officially briefed and "Cleared" for the rest of the epic Red, White & Blue Summit. Your passport keeps you moving right into these next events:

• PART 2: The Red, Wine & Blue Mixer 🍻
• • When: SAME DAY (Nov 18), 1730 - 2000
  • Where: Waters Edge Winery in Norfolk, VA
  • The Vibe: Unwind, grab a drink, and mingle with local leaders, employers, and fellow military veterans & spouses in a fun, relaxed setting.
• PART 3: The Big Day 2 Lineup 📸
• • When: Next Day (Nov 19), 0900 - 1500
  • Where: Vista Point Conference Center
  • The Vibe: A massive hiring event with military community anchors, a completely free professional headshot studio for your LinkedIn profile, and another complimentary lunch!
  • Featured Attraction: The HII NNS Mobile Experience (MX) Trailer! Newport News Shipbuilding is bringing their massive, high-tech 1,000-square-foot interactive trailer. It will be on-site all day long for you and the kids to explore. Step inside to check out the cutting-edge future of digital shipbuilding, try out virtual/augmented reality simulators, test your skills on a welding simulator, and learn directly from the region's largest industrial employer about incredible local career paths!

* EVENTBRITE IS NOT THE REGISTRATION PAGE. USE THE LINK ABOVE *

This event and the services provided herein at the Hampton Roads Veterans Employment Centers are funded through 25% or $199,576 through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and 75% or $580,391 through nonfederal sources.

Event venue & nearby stays

Vista Point Conference Center, 1754 Massey Hughes Drive, Norfolk, United States

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