1. Honor Courage Commitment
Mission: To train and position military veterans into becoming successful entrepreneurs, business and
community leaders. HCC maximizes veteran talent.
Honor Courage Commitment, Inc. focuses on 3 pillars to position veterans into becoming leaders in the
private sector who will ultimately create more jobs and programs to support the 240,000 - 300,000
veterans who transition out of the military every year. HCC recruits quality candidates who can me
molded into force multipliers. HCC's approach to solving "veteran issues" is top down by empowering
the best of the best..
Education
When you join the military, you go from an untrained civilian to becoming a warrior. The military
system excels in first class Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) training to teach you how to become
an expert at a job that most likely you have never had experience in. Nevertheless, you learned it and
you performed day in and day out. This exact same concept applies when you transition out of the
military. Many veterans make the mistake of thinking that they are finished with learning. Education
should be continuous. If you are willing to invest and humble yourself (like you once did before in MOS
training), you could be one of the most marketable candidates in the private sector. Companies, talent
recruiters, small businesses, schools, banks, the government, etc. all would aggressively pursue you
because you would be a prime candidate that is poised for success.
Mentorship
Mentors hold you accountable. No matter what rank you earn in the military, you will always have
someone higher that will hold you accountable for your actions. After transitioning out of the military,
you can lose your competitive edge without accountability checks. It may be very true that you have
been trained to be well disciplined, but also acknowledge that you have been trained to take orders and
execute on them. Once you're out of the military, it's easy to get lost and frustrated in the
administrative process of things like registering for school, getting your resume structured correctly, and
applying for a job. Our mentors take a vested interest in you as a well-trained asset. The mentor can
open doors and make valuable introductions for you in business. The mentor can also be a person for
you to confide in who can listen and provide valuable advice for your schoolwork and career choice.
Community Service
When you serve your country, you can develop a sense of pride that few can fathom. Continuing to
serve others in your community will not only maintain your sense of purpose and pride, but it is by
default one of the most effective networking and relationship building tools. HCC has fostered
relationships with hundreds of other charities and community projects in various industries and we
encourage our candidates to seek out causes that they are naturally passionate about.
2. 22Fellows Program
SITUATION:
Veterans are typically underutilized after serving in the military. US Military Veterans are America's
greatest asset. They are formally trained in leadership and instilled with supernatural discipline. Even
while living in the most austere conditions and stressful environments, military servicemen were still
required to perform at maximum capacity and make decisions that ultimately saved or cost lives. Many
veterans are accustomed to working at a high operational tempo, and have learned to make sound and
timely decisions; and whether the results are positive or negative, they are able to reassess the situation
and adjust fire, or "pivot". These same traits are consistent with successful entrepreneurs and
community leaders.
MISSION:
Maximize veteran talent to grow the US economy and build local communities.
EXECUTION:
The 22Fellows is a full-time program for a committed group of ambitious veteran leaders. While HCC is
partnered with SMU Cox School of Business and the Caruth Center of Entrepreneurship, the program is
non-degree bearing, and entails approximately 336 hours of informative sessions and case studies, and
covers expansive approaches to veteran leaders in business and community.
This initiative connects veteran participants with distinguished veteran entrepreneurs and high-level
executives in both the for-profit and not-for-profit industries as a way to develop the veterans' talents.
Participants will learn varying methodologies of entrepreneurship, develop a network of peers, and
exchange ideas with mentors and others who can help them make an impact in both the economy and
their communities.
The curriculum draws from the program founder's background, who owns and operates a successful
technology firm launched in 2008. Andy holds undergraduate and graduate degrees along with
executive certifications in entrepreneurship from Southern Methodist University, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, and University of North Texas.
Parallel with military service, an aspect of this fellowship is the opportunity to establish camaraderie
with other motivated veterans who are also seeking to create change through action. The 22Fellows will
also have a chance to meet and build relationships with guest speakers comprised of entrepreneurs,
social entrepreneurs, pro athletes, and executive leaders. The alumni remain actively involved, ensuring
the program continues to meet the needs of future veteran leaders.
What Will You Gain?
3. By participating in this program, Fellows will acquire skills that are validated by fellowship and
experience. Through personal entrepreneur ventures, classroom work, and community projects led by
successful veteran entrepreneurs, they hone the key entrepreneurial skills that allow them to connect
with community leaders, venture capitalists, angel investors, and foundations that support nonprofits.
What to Expect
The program requires a 12-week full-time commitment. During that time, the class meets 5 days a week
with an additional 4-8 weekend days for community projects (dependent on the project involved). The
weekday will typically consist of half-day classroom lectures and guest speakers, and the other half in
the veteran incubator office working on personal business development and community events.
Fellows attend sessions where they not only hear from compelling experts, but also make progress on
their personal entrepreneurial venture. The Fellows’ personal entrepreneurial ventures serve as a focus
throughout the program. The venture allows participants to work on an aspect of their own
organization or even launch a new initiative. The goal is to apply what they have learned to projects of
personal importance.
Program Features
Business Planning: Building on the models and methods as a reference point, Fellows drill down on the
focal topic of each session with an in-depth class discussion on various entrepreneurial case studies.
Distinguished Speakers: Every week features distinguished speakers, including successful veteran
entrepreneurs, and leaders from across the country, to discuss different aspects of entrepreneurship
and community leadership.
Public Speaking and Presentation Skill-Building: Fellows apply the strategies, methods, and lessons
learned from the program through a variety of teaching practices and interactivity with the opportunity
to receive feedback and guidance from the expert faculty facilitating the session along with peer
Fellows.
Peer Learning Group Sessions: Groups of four to five participants use this time to share details of their
personal entrepreneurial venture and support one another in their work on those projects.
Company Tours: Throughout the program, the veterans will tour both for-profit enterprises and
nonprofit organizations from start-up to well established.
Fellows will also have the exclusive opportunity to participate in the Unconventional Team Building
Program partnered with Trident Response Group.
Raising Capital: Whether the veteran's goal is to raise funds for a business venture, gain support from
the local community, or seeking a grant from a foundation, in the final weeks of the program the Fellows
will pitch/present their business/nonprofit/initiatives to investors, community leaders, and foundations.