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 *

Don't Just Move. Land.

Your Ultimate Welcome-to-the-Neighborhood Tactical Playbook!

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.

THE PLAYBOOK: YOUR AGENDA

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

🎒 0930 | GEAR UP! Check-In & Passport Issue

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.

🕒 0930 - 1330 | EXPLORE THE ZONES

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

THE BALLROOM: The Military Thriving Sphere

• 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.

THE VICTORY ROOM: The Tactical Prep Pit

• 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.

🥪 1200 | LUNCH

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!)

🎤 1230 | POWER PANEL & NETWORKING

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.

🏆 1330 | MISSION COMPLETE!

• 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!

👀 BUT WAIT... THERE'S MORE!

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!

Get Situated. Get Ready. Let's Build Your Community.

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

* 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.