On Wednesday, 9.11.19, The Mission43 community honored the lives we lost on 9.11.2001 and their families with a 5K in the Eagle foothills. The event had a turnout of over 500 participants and throughout the course were markers showing the timeline of events that occurred 18 years prior. Participants walked, rucked, or ran as individuals, families, or teams while the American Flag and Flag of Honor bearing the names of everyone our country lost that day were carried along the course.
PHOTO ALBUM: 2019 9.11 MILES OF REMEMBRANCE (EAGLE)
FAQ: How to Donate to Mission43
We are often asked and always appreciate people and businesses looking to donate to Mission43’s work. Mission43 is a non-profit, but is fully funded and is an initiative of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, so we don’t take in any donations.
However, since some of the organizations supporting the Mission43 pillars are non-profits, we always recommend this as a great alternative. Your dollars will still be able to go towards the work we do and have an impact on military families in Idaho.
Below is our recommendation to donate towards the work that we are doing.
EMPLOYMENT
Hire Heroes USA oversees the employment pillar of Mission43. They have directly supported over 1000 veterans and military spouses transition to meaningful employment throughout Idaho at an average starting salary of over $62,000. The work Hire Heroes USA does is the cornerstone of Mission43.
Your support will help us conduct employment workshops, maintain a free job posting board for Idaho employers (we are the only state to provide this service free through HHUSA), and provide Idaho-based transition specialists who work one-on-one with M43 clients.
QUESTIONS
If you have any other questions, please contact us and we can help make sure your donation is having an impact on Idaho veterans and military families.
Mountain Day at Bogus Basin
LIFT TICKETS + RENTALS + FOOD & DRINK = M43 MOUNTAIN DAY!
It’s our annual day to bring out the family for great spring skiing, food, and company at Bogus Basin. We provide the lift tickets, rentals, and set up the M43 Basecamp in the Pioneer Lodge. Check out our highlight video and don’t miss the next one!
So You Want to Hire? This Is How To Promote Your Career Opportunity to the M43 Community!
The cornerstone of Mission43 is the employment pillar. Each year, the Hire Heroes USA team helps hundreds of transitioning military, veterans, and military spouses connect to meaningful employment opportunities throughout the state. Each member works directly with their own Idaho-based “Transition Specialist” to help translate their military experience into a relevant resume, practice interview techniques, and ultimately refine their search for positions best suited to their experience.
Idaho businesses have a unique opportunity to post their positions (completely free) so that you can reach the M43 members actively searching for employment. Because you are an Idaho-based business and through Mission43’s partnership with Hire Heroes USA, you will get unlimited 30-day job postings and access to over 9,000 job seekers (including those coming from out-of-state). We need your help in getting your positions posted!
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HIRE HEROES USA JOB BOARD
Please use the form below to connect directly with the Hire Heroes USA Job Board team. You can also reach them at jobboard@hireheroesusa.org or 844-634-1520. If you have any Idaho specific questions, touch base with the Idaho Area Manager, Christy Funk at cfunk@hireheroesusa.org.
HEAR SOME OF OUR STORIES
43INC With Oz Sanchez, Six Time Paralympic Medalist
Oscar “Oz” Sanchez, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, sat down with the Mission43 community and provided incredible insight into what it means to embody excellence in the face of adversity. His life was changed forever in 2001 when he was involved in a hit-and-run motorcycle accident. The accident resulted in a spinal cord injury (SCI) and the inevitable paralysis and associated neurological complications.
After the accident, Oz’s biggest fear was being defined by his injury. He developed a new sense of direction and vigor for life. He pulled out of his post-injury depression and once again took a proactive approach to living by dedicating himself to education and hand cycling.
Oz is an elite hand cycle racer who has won gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games and he is also a five-time World Hand Cycling Champion, which has earned him the title of “world’s fastest hand cyclist.” Oz is a graduate of San Diego State University with a business degree and a minor in public communications and is currently pursuing a master’s while training for the 2020 Paralympics.
HIGHLIGHT VIDEO FROM 43INC WITH OZ SANCHEZ
VIDEO: 43INC with Lisa Hallett, Founder of Wear Blue: Run to Remember
On August 25, 2009, Lisa Hallett’s husband, CPT John Hallett, was killed when his Stryker was attacked with an improvised explosive device (IED) in southern Afghanistan. Surviving the loss of her husband, best friend, and father of her three young children, Lisa turned to running. Watch out 43INC highlight video featuring Lisa Hallett’s inspirational story of leadership and strength!
PHOTO ALBUM: 2018 9.11 MOVING TRIBUTE (NORTH IDAHO)
In partnership between Lewis-Clark State College and the University of Idaho, Mission43 helped honor the fallen of 9.11.2001 and their families by moving the Flag of Honor, bearing the names of everyone lost that day, on foot from Lewiston to Moscow, Idaho.
The event began with a brief ceremony at Hells Gate State Park at 8:46am, the time American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The flags were then carried to Moscow over the course of the day and concluded with a memorial BBQ for the community.
PHOTO ALBUM: 2018 9.11 Moving Tribute (Treasure Valley)
The Mission43 community honored the fallen of 9.11.2001 and their families by constantly moving the Flag of Honor, bearing the names of everyone our country lost that day, from 8:46 am (when Flight 11 struck the North Tower) until 5:00 pm. Participants walked, rucked, or ran as individuals, families, or teams to complete as many miles as possible through the foothills of Eagle Bike Park. Those who completed at least one lap earned this year's 9.11 Moving Tribute Patch.
PHOTO ALBUM: 2018 Twilight Criterium VIP Tent
VIDEO: 2018 Twilight Criterium VIP Tent Highlight Reel
PHOTO ALBUM: 43INC With Lisa Hallett
VIDEO: The TACP Foundation Fitness Challenge
Earned: The M43 Victory Kit
In the fall of 2017, we introduced an opportunity for our military and military spouse members to receive our New Member Welcome Kit free of charge. To date, over 800 have been shipped to 27 different states. Now, we are excited to introduce the Victory Kit. The Victory Kit is earned and represents the core reason Mission43 exists; education and employment. It is sent as a thank you and congratulations to those members who have accomplished one of two things.
What's included in the Victory Kit:
- Timbuktu backpack
- M43 Journal / Notebook
- Large tumbler
The first way a member can earn the Victory Kit is by working with a personal success advisor at Guild Education and going back to school at one of our partner universities. This individual has decided to make a better version of themself and become more valuable in their profession. We believe in the motto “education is freedom” and with hundreds of degree options, incredible education benefits earned through military service, and Guild’s very personalized advising; along every step from enrollment through graduation there is nothing but opportunity for those who want to take it. So we are honored to be able to give the Victory Kit to all those headed back to school.
The second way a member can earn a Victory Kit is by finding their next career using the services of Hire Heroes USA. By far, we have seen that finding quality employment is the top concern for transitioning military and their spouses, and we believe this is one of the most crucial aspects to thriving in life after the military. The members who have done this are finding quality employment, not just low-level positions to fill the gap. Their average starting salary has been above $50,000 in Idaho for over 24 months, and career positions have spanned over 20 different employment sectors. This is exciting to us because this means very talented leaders with military backgrounds are spreading throughout the state, and we believe this has a very positive impact on Idaho and our economy. So, those who have used the tools and proven techniques of Hire Heroes USA to find their next career also earn the Mission43 Victory Kit.
Keep your eye out for the folks carrying a Mission43 backpack and ask to hear their story. They have earned it by seizing the opportunity to succeed after the military. If you are one of those individuals then we want to say thank you and congratulations...best of luck in your future endeavors!
What We Learned From 43INC With Jake Wood, Founder and CEO of Team Rubicon
Jake Wood is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Team Rubicon USA, the purpose pillar of Mission43. Prior to Team Rubicon, Jake served in the Marine Corps with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2010, after recently seperating from the USMC and watching disaster unfold in Haiti, he took it upon himself to take a small team down to help the people in a country devastated by an earthquake. That action led to the creation of one of the most impactful veteran focused non-profits in the country.
Team Rubicon’s primary mission is providing disaster relief to those affected by natural disasters, be they domestic or international. By pairing the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders, medical professionals, and technology solutions, Team Rubicon aims to provide the greatest service and impact possible.
On March 15th, 2018, we sat down with Jake Wood for another installment of 43INC. It lived up to its name by creating an opportunity for all of us to “Innovate” with new ideas on display, “Network” with over 125 members of the M43 community, and “Connect” to opportunities to make Idaho a better place. Here are our three takeaways from that great evening:
Be Prepared To Fill The Purpose Void
You have to be very deliberate about filling a void in your life when you depart the military. You served with some of the funniest, most hardworking, and enjoyable people, but all that comes to an end. Jake Wood took this to a whole new level and turned it into something amazing. This didn’t come by accident, he intentionally made the decision to find a way to have purpose in his life. No one does this for you, it’s up to you to seek it out.
Surround Yourself With The Right People
If you are in Team Rubicon you belong to a culture that isn’t satisfied with the status quo, especially in the way relief organizations support people affected by disasters. The TRibe is very intentional about analyzing what they are doing and then seeing things through to make them better. So think about what is it that you value, and do the people you associate with share that same idea? You are a reflection of the company you keep.
Have a Bias For Action
On the battlefield, we inherently had to made quick decisions with imperfect information and limited resources. This is tough to teach, and we are the very few who were fortunate enough to have been through the experiences that require us to be that way. Maintain that bias for action when you leave the military, it brings value to those around you.
CLICK BELOW FOR PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT
VIDEO: 43INC with Jake Wood, Team Rubicon USA
PHOTO ALBUM: 43INC with Jake Wood, Team Rubicon
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2017 Accomplishments
At the end of 2017, Mission43 was still less than two years old as an organization. However, we didn’t let our age get in the way of making things happen through our pillars of education, employment, purpose, and connection. By creating quality opportunities in these areas and bringing forward the attributes of veterans and military spouses, we can make Idaho communities a stronger place.
Each pillar organization brought solid leadership to the table with a similar mindset that veterans are not victims. This fresh perspective from those on the team who are currently serving military, recently transitioned, and military spouses, permeated through the opportunities we created throughout the year. We met incredible people along the way who have inspired us and we are proud to now call friends.
Each year, over 200,000 men and women leave the service. Despite billions spent, it is our opinion that military transition programs are largely unaccountable in effectively providing the tools for a successful transition. To that point, here are a few things we can stand behind as 2017 accomplishments in making Idaho possible for families after the military:
Guild Education has maintained an 87% retention rate for those enrolled in one of their five partner universities.
Hire Heroes USA has empowered over 250 veterans and military spouses in finding their next career in Idaho at an average starting salary of $52,000.
Team Rubicon’s membership base in Idaho grew by over 200 new members for a total of 450 throughout the state.
43INC, the new connection pillar, was established and created monthly networking opportunities.
We conducted 47 events that included trainings, employment workshops, networking, and fitness opportunities.
The Welcome Kits started shipping to those who took our new member survey, getting quality Mission43 gear into the hands of veterans and military spouses.
More than 2,000 people are now registered with Mission43
Check out our 2017 highlight video to see what all this looks like in action. We appreciate the support of all those involved and couldn’t be more thankful to have the opportunity to meet incredible people along the way. Looking forward to 2018 and the years to come!
PHOTO ALBUM: 2017 Potato Bowl VIP Tent
Here’s how we are helping veterans lead, learn, and inspire in Idaho
The following is a guest opinion piece published in the Idaho Statesman on November 10th, 2017. LINK TO ARTICLE
As we mark Veterans Day, it’s good to take a few moments to reflect on how we in Idaho might create a new, more relevant and practical process for helping recently separated military service members make the transition back to civilian life.
I’m the program director for Mission43, a partnership of four premier veteran service organizations dedicated to ensuring that former military and military spouses in Idaho, the 43rd state, have the resources to excel academically, in their next career and in the community.
Ultimately, we want our veterans to lead, learn and inspire.
Why did we create Mission43? The simplest answer is that we wanted to help fill a void between what the mandated transition process and traditional veteran service organizations provide and what we know from experience that veterans actually need and want.
As a veteran, I know first-hand that the transition from post-9/11 military to civilian life can be difficult. Finding a career that can fulfill the sense of purpose we are used to may require going back to school or moving your family to an unfamiliar community. These changes come abruptly when departing the fast-paced military lifestyle, and they can be disorienting for the veteran and family alike.
Although the federal government mandates that all separating service members take part in the five-day Transition Assistance Program workshop, it’s not unusual to hear from veterans that the training seemed largely irrelevant as they began their transition, and a poor use of their time.
Also, the mandated transition process does not connect military families back to local communities, a major deficiency. For example, a departing serviceman or woman leaving Fort Bragg in North Carolina typically has to coordinate community contacts on his or her own somewhere else. It’s unfortunate, but these federal programs lack accountability and coordination with local resources and providers.
Veterans want opportunities, not handouts. And Mission43 exists to offer opportunities. It’s up to each individual veteran to take advantage of these opportunities. We offer a helping hand, but not hand-holding.
Through research, we know that education and employment are the most pressing needs. So access to employment opportunities and continuing education are the core of what we provide.
By recruiting high-performing national veteran service organizations to establish a full-time local presence in Idaho, Mission43 has established four pillars we consider essential to a successful transition: employment, purpose, connection and education.
Hire Heroes USA is our employment pillar. It offers one-on-one coaching with a transition specialist for veterans and spouses, free workshops focused on creating effective tools to earn gainful employment for new veterans, and cultivation of employers.
Team Rubicon is the organization at the heart of our purpose pillar. It pulls together groups of veterans to respond to natural disasters.
Team Red White and Blue helps veterans connect to one another and like-minded community members through physical fitness and social activities.
Mission43 has also forged a partnership with Guild Education, an organization that provides each veteran with a personal adviser. The adviser works with the veteran to determine the best online degree option at one of six partner colleges, and then helps navigate the application process. Once the veteran is enrolled, the adviser checks in with him/her weekly. This system has resulted in almost unmatched 90 percent retention and graduation rates.
We also stress to veterans that spouses play an equally important role in serving their country, and therefore we support them in their transition with the same opportunities the veterans receive.
Mission43 provides Idaho veterans and their families with a coordinated and highly effective network of organizations that not only eases the transition from military to civilian life, but helps ensure that veterans connect deeply with their communities, and lead fulfilling, purposeful lives.
Bryan Madden is the director of Mission43, a Boise-based veterans service organization.
Three Take-Aways from 43INC with a 3x Olympic Gold Medalist
KRISTIN ARMSTRONG
We have sat down with some incredible guests at Mission43 INC. Josh Cleghorn and Butch Whiting are the co-founders of the Eagle, Idaho based Kryptek Outdoor Group. Brian Stann is the recipient of the Silver Star, fought in the UFC, and is the former CEO of Hire Heroes USA. The Nunez sisters have turned military surplus gear into a highly respected fashion brand with their company, Sword & Plough. Now, we have had the opportunity to hear from the most decorated U.S. women’s cyclist of all time and hear first hand about what it takes to be the best in the world. Incredibly, a lot of these attributes were developed growing up and moving around the world in a USMC family.
Kristin Armstrong is the only female U.S. athlete to win the same individual event (time trial) in three consecutive Olympic Games, taking home the Gold in Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016. She is a two-time World Champion and has won six U.S. National Championships. Now, she is the Endurance Performance Director at USA Cycling and more importantly we are so fortunate to have this incredible mom, wife, and leader call Idaho her home.
We had over 130 people join us at Cinder Wines where Kristin spent time talking with our members. She then stepped on stage and answered questions so we could gain insight into the attitude and attributes of someone who has accomplished so much. Here are three take-aways that inspired us and can be applied to your life:
1. DELIVER RESULTS
Prior to Kristin’s third Olympic Games, forces came together to prevent her from heading to Rio. They argued she was too old, she was injured, her time was up. She fought back because she knew they were wrong and she didn’t have an unrealistic belief in her capabilities. Less than a month later, Kristin delivered by winning gold for the USA in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Nothing speaks louder than your performance.
2. GET CLOSURE WITH YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND TRANSITION TO A NEW VISION
Kristin had to dig deep inside to decide who she was going to be after winning her third gold medal. Much like departing the military, this was a major transition period in her life. In fact, just days after winning Olympic gold in Rio, and while the Games were still on, Kristin was back in Boise shopping at Target to buy school supplies for her son (not basking in the glory of Olympic village!). Instead, she found closure with her accomplishments and promised herself she would wake up everyday and enjoy this new chapter in life. More importantly, her new mission is to move the dial in other people's lives and help others become champions.
"Look at the positives. You get to transition, instead of having to transition."
3. TRUST YOURSELF
When Kristin’s father retired from the USMC and transitioned to his new civilian career, she recalled his willingness to accept a position that he was overqualified to hold. However, he knew he would provide so much value that this would only be a short stop while he earned credibility and rapidly rose in the organization. He sacrificed up front because he trusted in himself to succeed.
The time we spent with Kristin Armstrong is a big deal and Mission43 is extremely grateful to be able to connect our members with such an incredible person in the community. Check out the pictures from the evening and keep an eye out for our next big event!
