USO Announces USO Pathfinder(SM) Transition Program for Service Members

ARLINGTON, Va., June 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The USO today announced the formation of USO Pathfinder(SM )transition services, the culmination of two years of effort to position the USO to become the nation's leading provider of assistance for the estimated 250,000 men and women who leave military service each year for civilian life.

The USO Pathfinder(SM) program represents a union of the best-in-class business model developed by former Lakewood, Washington-based nonprofit RP/6, and the global reach and scale of the USO. After partnering with the USO throughout its start-up phase, RP/6 - a nonprofit founded by two veterans in 2013 - became part of the USO's global infrastructure in January 2017 to lead a Strategic Business Unit designed to manage and grow the nonprofit's global portfolio of transition programming.

Since 1941, the USO has strengthened military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country throughout their military service. Its introduction of USO Pathfinder(SM) is its latest extension of that commitment to the American military family.

"We are always by the side of service members, from the time they are first sworn in until they complete their service. Providing best-in-class transition services represents our final act of support, as we reconnect them to the civilian life they set aside to serve their country," said Dr. J.D. Crouch II, CEO and President of the USO."

The USO is dedicated to helping service members and their families chart the path from military service to thriving veteran status. By using its global reach, USO Pathfinder(SM )will define a network of transition services and partners to help service members navigate, understand and engage with a growing network of resources and programs available to support them as they reintegrate into their communities.

"Today, there are organizations that service members can turn to for the transition support services they seek," said Anne Sprute, Army veteran and the USO's Senior Vice President of Transition Strategy and Innovation. "The challenge is finding what you need in the complex market of over 46,000 nonprofits and companies that are trying to help. Through long-standing relationships, the USO is able to connect partners and personalize each individual's plan for the future through the USO Pathfinder(SM) program. Together, community by community, the USO will ensure that each service member knows that on the path forward, we've got their back."

The USO Pathfinder(SM) transition program offers best-in-class services to those exiting the military, their spouses and families. Its one-of-a-kind approach includes:

    --  Worldwide access - Within the global network of USO's more than 200
        locations - located on military installations, airports and in military
        communities - we offer on-demand services through digital channels and
        the USO's virtual, mobile-responsive Action Plan app. Additionally, USO
        Pathfinder(SM) services are co-located with USO centers at 11 locations
        including the Center for Innovation near Joint Base Lewis-McChord,
        Washington, as well as Fort Carson, Colorado; Nellis Air Force Base,
        Nevada; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Hood, Texas; San
        Antonio, Texas; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Riley, Kansas; Norfolk,
        Virginia and Fort Drum, New York. Sites at Fort Bragg, North Carolina
        and Fort Belvoir, Virginia will become operational by the end of summer,
        with six more set to become operational over the next 12 months.
    --  Personalized assistance - USO Pathfinder(SM) employs scouts, individuals
        who work one-on-one with service members and their families to help them
        achieve their personal and professional transition goals by building an
        individualized action plan. Each action plan focuses specifically on the
        individual's plan for their future and is targeted to meet their
        transition goals. Online and offline tools simplify the process, and
        their scout is by their side throughout the process through to
        completion.
    --  Quality assurance - Amid the myriad of transition services offered
        locally and nationally, USO Pathfinder(SM  )refers military members to
        community services that it evaluates for quality assurance. At a time
        when service members won't have the luxury of trial-and-error, the USO
        refers them to quality organizations with the goal to meet their
        specific needs the first time, every time. USO Pathfinder(SM) serves as
        a bridge to the USO's coordinated network of public, private and
        independent-sector partnerships.
    --  We stick with them - USO Pathfinder(SM) is the only program with the
        access, trust and capabilities positioned to assist transitioning
        service members 12 months before and 12 months after separation, and is
        committed to staying in touch with them every step of the way. USO
        Pathfinder(SM) programs offer the assistance they need to see their
        goals become reality, including a soft landing in their new communities.
    --  Powerful, on-demand tools - From a strategic partnership with the U.S.
        Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring our Heroes, USO can offer an
        app-based Resume Engine that accurately translates military experience
        into a powerful civilian resume that is then connected to a vast network
        of companies that are seeking to hire service members.
    --  Partnerships - USO Pathfinder(SM) is connected to long-standing partners
        in communities across the nation. Its "network of networks" is made up
        of strategic and supporting partnerships with best-in-class public and
        private entities that provide services and resources for individuals to
        use both on a national and local level. Partners provide opportunities
        surrounding eight different focus areas and offer digital and virtual
        resources, one-on-one resources and programs, workshops, networking
        opportunities and peer-support groups and events. To learn more about
        USO Pathfinder or how to become a strategic or supporting partner please
        visit www.uso.org/transition/partner.

USO Pathfinder(SM) builds upon the success of USO's Transition 360 Alliance - developed in 2015 to combine the expertise of several specialty nonprofits with the USO's unrivaled global reach. During the first year of Transition 360 Alliance, RP-6 established five USO Transition sites. In 2016, USO Transition sites expanded to an additional five locations, and in 2017 the USO incorporated RP/6's innovative approach and experienced team into the USO's infrastructure to expand transition programming and deliver enhanced services to service members and their families.

Throughout 2017, a rapid expansion of services will continue to unfold, with the opening of new centers and the expansion of USO's network of networks and our technology platform that connects to proven best-in-class online resources. For information about USO Pathfinder(SM) please visit uso.org/transition.

About the USO:
The USO strengthens America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, we are united in our commitment to connect our service members and their families through countless acts of caring, comfort, and support. The USO is a private, nonprofit organization, not a government agency. Our programs, services and entertainment tours are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.

In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President's Circle Partners: AT&T, Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation, Clark Construction Group, LLC, The Coca-Cola Company, FedEx, Jeep, Johnson & Johnson, Kroger, NFL, Southern New Hampshire University and Four-Star Partners: Altria, BIC, ConAgra Foods, GEICO, Harris Teeter, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, TKS, USAA and the Wawa Foundation. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.

CONTACTS:
FOR USO - Ashley McLellan
(703) 908-6429
amclellan@uso.org

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uso-announces-uso-pathfindersm--transition-program-for-service-members-300478736.html

SOURCE USO