By Rick Rogers
Host of Front &
Center: Military Talk Radio

From the mostly bad news on veteran unemployment, you might think the future bleak for men and women leaving the service.

But it’s just not true.

Opportunity does indeed exist for those willing to put in the time and effort. Just don’t expect success to chase you down.

As we speak the next wave of successful business people are not saying, “It can’t be done” they’re instead figuring out how to do it.

While you can’t teach desire, you can teach ways to funnel desire into successful actions. Here are a few terrific free programs that all veterans, troops and military families should know about.

DLA Piper is a $2.25 billion law firm that has a soft spot for veterans and two offices in San Diego.

Since 2008 DLA Piper has run a program entitled “Serving Those Who Serve Our Country.”

The firm donates a whopping 5,000 hours a year to veteran causes in San Diego and Southern California. They do great work and the average veteran knows absolutely nothing about them.

Two of DLA Piper’s lawyers involved in this pro bono program were on my radio show recently and talked about what do and do not do.

They don’t do criminal law.

They do expungements and appeals of Department of Veterans Affairs disability claim ratings.

Click here to learn more. Here are some numbers as well: (619) 699-2700 or (858) 677-1400. Ask for info on the “Serving Those Who Serve Our Country” program.

Another free program is offered through Goldman Sachs.

Three years ago the financial titan started the 10,000 Small Businesses program to provide entrepreneurs nationwide business education, financing and other support services to grow their small businesses to create jobs.

The respected $500 million program has been called a mini-MBA program and operates in Long Beach, Los Angeles, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, New Orleans, New York and Salt Lake City.

As you can see, the nearest classes to San Diego are up in Long Beach at Long Beach Community College.

As you can imagine, the time commitment is substantial and the enrollment process competitive and lengthy.

For those still reading, this class is NOT for start-ups. Click here for requirements.

For more information, call (562) 938-5054.

But what a program! The free 100 hours of instruction was designed by Babson College, one of the best business schools in the world.

As San Diego veteran Mike Bilideau, who graduated last January, said: “You really can’t afford not to go.”

Rick Rogers has covered defense and veterans issues for nearly 30 years. He hosts Front & Center: Military Talk Radio Sundays, 11 to noon, Pacific Time, on KCBQ AM 1170 (www.kcbq.com). Podcasts at www.DefenseTracker.com. Contact him at (760) 445-3882 or Rick.Rogers@defensetracker.com.

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