Veteran Mentorship Directory
A curated list of free mentorship programs designed to help veterans and transitioning service members succeed in civilian careers, business, tech, and life after service.
Career Mentorship
Veterati
On-demand career mentorship platform where you choose your own mentors from a network of professionals across industries. Schedule unlimited one-on-one calls at your own pace with no commitments.
Cost: Free
Best for: Veterans and military spouses who want flexible, self-directed mentorship on their own schedule
How to sign up: Create a free account, browse mentor profiles, and book a call
American Corporate Partners (ACP)
Year-long structured mentorship program pairing veterans with executives at Fortune 500 companies. Mentors provide career guidance, networking introductions, and professional development coaching.
Cost: Free
Best for: Post-9/11 veterans and active-duty spouses seeking a long-term mentor relationship with a senior corporate leader
How to sign up: Apply online; ACP matches you with a mentor based on your career goals and background
Hiring Our Heroes
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation program offering 12-week Corporate Fellowship Programs (paid) with top employers, plus career events, workshops, and networking across the country.
Cost: Free
Best for: Transitioning service members within 180 days of separation seeking hands-on corporate experience
How to sign up: Apply for a fellowship cohort through the website; positions are competitive and fill quickly
SCORE
SBA-backed network of 10,000+ volunteer business mentors offering free one-on-one mentoring, workshops, and resources. Mentors are experienced entrepreneurs and business professionals.
Cost: Free
Best for: Veterans interested in starting or growing a small business who want ongoing guidance from seasoned entrepreneurs
How to sign up: Search for a local SCORE chapter or request a mentor online; available both in-person and virtually
Entrepreneurship & Business
Bunker Labs
Veteran entrepreneur incubator offering cohort-based programs, pitch events, and a national network of veteran business owners. Programs include the Launch Lab online course and CEOcircle peer groups.
Cost: Free
Best for: Veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs at any stage, from idea to scaling
How to sign up: Apply for a cohort program or join a local chapter through the website
V-WISE
Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship, run by Syracuse University. Three-phase entrepreneurship training program combining online coursework, a multi-day conference, and ongoing mentorship.
Cost: Free
Best for: Women veterans and military spouses interested in starting or growing a business
How to sign up: Apply during open enrollment periods on the V-WISE website
Boots to Business
SBA entrepreneurship education program offered as an elective track during the Transition Assistance Program (TAP). Covers business fundamentals, opportunity recognition, and developing a business plan.
Cost: Free
Best for: Transitioning service members exploring entrepreneurship as a career path
How to sign up: Enroll through your installation's TAP office; also available to veterans and spouses online
Tech & IT
VetsinTech
Connects veterans with tech careers through coding bootcamp scholarships, mentorship from tech professionals, resume workshops, and hiring events with companies like Google, Salesforce, and Cisco.
Cost: Free
Best for: Veterans interested in breaking into the tech industry, whether in development, cybersecurity, or IT
How to sign up: Apply for programs on the website; bootcamp scholarships have periodic application windows
Operation Code
Open-source community providing free coding tutorials, mentorship from professional software developers, conference scholarships, and a supportive Slack community with thousands of members.
Cost: Free
Best for: Veterans and military families who want to learn software development with peer support
How to sign up: Join the free Slack community and connect with volunteer mentors immediately
FourBlock
Career readiness program offering a structured semester-long course in partnership with top universities. Covers professional skills, networking, and career exploration across tech and other high-growth fields.
Cost: Free
Best for: Transitioning service members and recently separated veterans looking for structured career preparation
How to sign up: Apply through the website for the next cohort at a partner university near you
Peer Support & Community
Team Red White & Blue
National organization building community through social fitness: group workouts, community events, and volunteer activities. Local chapters in cities across the country create an instant peer network.
Cost: Free
Best for: Veterans seeking an active, social community and peer connections in their local area
How to sign up: Join for free on the website and find your nearest local chapter
The Mission Continues
Community service fellowship and platoon programs that deploy veterans on missions to strengthen their communities. Six-month fellowships pair veterans with nonprofit host organizations for hands-on service.
Cost: Free
Best for: Veterans who want to continue serving their communities and build leadership experience
How to sign up: Apply for a fellowship or join a local service platoon through the website
RallyPoint
Professional military network with over 2 million members. Features Q&A forums, career advice, mentorship connections, and discussions organized by MOS, branch, and career interest.
Cost: Free
Best for: Veterans and active-duty members who want a LinkedIn-style network built specifically for the military community
How to sign up: Create a free account with your military credentials and start connecting
How to Get the Most from Mentorship
1. Know What You Want
Before your first meeting, write down your top three goals. Are you exploring career options, preparing for interviews, building a business plan, or expanding your network? The clearer you are, the more your mentor can help.
2. Prepare for Every Session
Come with specific questions, updates on action items from your last meeting, and topics you want to discuss. Treat each session like a mission brief: focused, organized, and respectful of your mentor's time.
3. Follow Through on Action Items
When your mentor suggests updating your resume, reaching out to a contact, or researching an industry, do it before the next meeting. Following through builds trust and shows you're serious about your growth.
4. Be Open and Honest
Share your real challenges, not just your successes. Mentorship works best when you're transparent about where you're struggling. Your mentor has likely faced similar obstacles and can offer perspective you won't get elsewhere.
5. Use Multiple Programs
These programs are all free and not mutually exclusive. Use Veterati for on-demand advice, ACP for a long-term corporate mentor, and Team RWB for community. Different mentors serve different needs at different stages of your transition.
6. Pay It Forward
Once you're settled in your civilian career, consider becoming a mentor yourself. The best way to honor the guidance you received is to offer it to the next veteran coming through the transition.