Since the 1940s, the Tampa Bay business community, led by the Tampa Bay Chamber, has enjoyed a close working relationship with the MacDill Air Force Base – a vital part of our nation’s defense and an important training location for those who safeguard America. We understand the importance of promoting and supporting our brave men and women who serve our country and call our community home. The Chamber’s Military Bay supports military family readiness and quality of life initiatives that ensure Tampa Bay is postured for defense growth. It advocates for legislative priorities that enhance quality of life for military families and connects the Tampa Bay business community with military affiliated talent to address workforce needs.

Raymond James has partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to become a fellowship host company for Hiring our Heroes CFP. The Hiring our Heroes Fellows program supports military service members with networking, professional training and hands-on experience in the civilian workforce as they transition to the private sector. This national “internship” program is 3 months long with the cost of each fellow covered by the department of Defense. This enables RJF to provide the Military “Interns” access to our Professional Development, Training, Resumes Workshops, Office Hours, and Executive Speakers.

The Honor Foundation (THF) is a unique national transition institute created exclusively for Navy SEALs and the U.S. Special Operations community. We provide a straightforward process for professional development with 15 weeks of structured curriculum, from exploring their WHY to establishing network connections. Every program step is dedicated to preparing these outstanding men and women to realize their maximum potential during and after their service careers. We exist to serve others with Honor for life so that their next mission is always clear and continues to impact the world.

Valor has partnered with American Corporate Partners (ACP), a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping post 9/11 veterans transition to the private sector.  Mentors dedicate 12 hours of time across 12 months and assist veterans in their career development through mentorship, networking, and career guidance. The objective is to give back to the Veteran community and help combat underemployment, one veteran at a time, by engaging corporate leaders to provide career advice, mentoring, and networking opportunities to those who have served. No military experience is required, just corporate and leadership experience.

Valor’s Raymond James has become a member of the Military Spouse Employment Program (MSEP) in collaboration with the Valor Military Spouse Network. MSEP is an employment and career partnership connecting military spouses with more than 390 partner employers who have committed to recruit, hire, promote and retain military spouses in portable careers. By joining the MSEP, RJ has become a part of an even larger collective effort to support military spouse employment. In addition to being a Partner, the firm was recently accepted into the Military Spouse Career Accelerator Pilot Program. This program allows us to host Spouses under the same parameters as a Hiring our Heroes Fellow, but allows the firm to offer fulltime employment at any point rather than at the conclusion of the 12 weeks.

The Advisor Mastery Program (AMP) has a demonstrated track record of success with former Service Members. The program sponsored a partnership with Recruit Military in 2019 and 2020 to increase visibility and engage with top talent. Through Career Fairs, Targeted Email Campaigns and Banner Ads, the recruiting team was exposed to audiences of well over 2000 candidates at a time. The efforts were not in vain, as we hired 11 veterans and 2 military spouses. For veterans entering AMP, individuals will be able to supplement their earnings by qualifying for Veteran Readiness and Employment, or by applying their GI Bill Benefits.

As Raymond James continues to encourage and welcome the next generation of financial advisors, we have heard from advisors who were former military that their career switch to the financial advisory world has been a fulfilling and rewarding career move. The Raymond James AMP program has partnered with Norwich University to provide an accredited Investment Management Professional Graduate Certificate,  which allows military veterans to use the GI Bill to cover all costs. Once the Graduate Certificate is earned, an advisor trainee can complete the full MBA degree by taking only four more online classes.

The Care Coalition at USSOCOM assists transitioning wounded warriors from the SOF community. The U.S. Special Operations Command Warrior Care Program (Care Coalition) was established in 2005 to provide Special Operations Forces (SOF) Wounded, Ill, or Injured Service Members and their families advocacy after life changing events in order to navigate through recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration as quickly as possible, strengthening SOF readiness. Whether you are returning operational status, moving into a different field or transitioning into veteran status, the USSOCOM Warrior Care Program (Care Coalition) will assist with a seamless transition to civilian life for continued medical care, benefits, and career opportunities.

The Camaraderie Foundation partners with local business members to provide a leadership program to assist transitioning service members and spouses in preparing for a career in the local community. Their Mentor Leadership Program is actively seeking candidates and mentors. This program is at free for service-members/spouses/veterans. This program offers the opportunity to build peer support, friendships, and guidance to help veterans and military spouses become successful in their community. This 8-month program consists of classroom, mentoring, networking, and community service events. At the end of the 8 months, Camaraderie hosts a graduation/scholarship reception, and 3 graduates are nominated to attend one of the Leadership Orlando, Leadership Seminole, or Leadership Tampa programs (at no cost), some of Florida’s best community leadership programs.