From Combat Boots to Career Paths: A Veteran’s Guide to Entrepreneurship and Remote Work
Re-entering civilian life comes with a whirlwind of choices — but none more pivotal than deciding how to earn a living. For many veterans, the mission continues, this time in boardrooms, home offices, and side hustles built from scratch. Starting a business or finding remote work doesn’t just bring financial stability — it restores a sense of purpose and command. You’ve served under pressure; you’ve led through chaos. Those are not soft skills. They’re startup material.
Veterans come packed with discipline, adaptability, and high-pressure decision-making — precisely what most entrepreneurs pay consultants to fake. So if you’re wondering where to begin, stop searching for novelty and start by leveraging military strengths in business. Whether it’s logistics, mechanics, security, or planning, your background can anchor a service others need but don’t know how to deliver. Skip the "passion project” panic and focus on what you already solve better than most. Side hustle? Franchise? Solo consultancy? It all works — if it fits your strengths. The playbook doesn’t matter if the drive is real.
Nobody tells you this part: launching something meaningful takes money. Even the leanest idea needs a laptop, licensing, or that first campaign to get noticed. That’s whereveteran-focused loan and grant options come in — and they’re more accessible than you might think. You served; now there are programs that serve you. From SBA Veteran Advantage loans to microgrants tucked inside community programs, funding exists to back up your bet. Don’t bootstrap what you could jumpstart.
Let’s say you’re ready to move into tech, fast. Cybersecurity is one of those rare fields where experience, pattern recognition, and ethical awareness outpace raw credentials. For veterans, it's a natural fit. Explore accredited cybersecurity degree institutionsto level up online without uprooting your life. The job market respects these credentials — and they’re often built around your rhythm. You already know how to spot a breach. Now you’re just getting paid for it.
Certifications might sound bureaucratic — until they’re the reason you win a contract. If you’re building a business, getting recognized as a veteran-owned entity opens doors most don’t know exist. Government agencies and corporate buyers are often required to work with businesses like yours. VetCert certification benefitsaren’t just about identity — they’re a shortcut to opportunity. You earned this credential; now let it work for you. One form, one interview, one door — opened.
Remote work isn’t some backup plan — it’s often the smartest path for post-service professionals. It lets you balance family, manage health, and rebuild your pace without sacrificing income or ambition. But not all jobs are created equal, and you don’t want to waste time chasing dead-end listings. Instead, focus on leveraging veteran skills online — think project management, cybersecurity, customer support, and remote tech setups. You’re not behind; you’re just shifting the arena. And guess what? You already play at elite levels.
Too many veterans skip the step that makes all the others work: community. Isolation might feel normal after deployment, but in this next chapter, connection is strategy. That’s why you should tap into a LinkedIn-like network for veterans— one where job leads meet real talk and every intro understands what you've walked through. From RallyPoint to local VSO networks, there are people building momentum and pulling others with them. Plug in. Get seen. Stay sharp.
You don’t need to decode job boards or wade through clickbait listings built for clicks, not careers. Start with platforms that already filter for your experience and needs. On Indeed, you can now directly browse veteran-remote job listingsthat prioritize flexibility and skills translation. Think of it as a recon mission — but this time, the objective is autonomy. Set your parameters, filter the noise, and move with intention. You’ve navigated tougher terrain.
This isn’t about chasing a paycheck. It’s about choosing your next mission with clarity and backing it with action. Whether you launch a business, go remote, or mix both — you’re not starting from scratch. You’re operating with an edge. So stake your claim. And if you’re part of a local chamber or veteran’s network, ask what resources they’ve got ready for this step — because odds are, they’ve been waiting for someone just like you to ask.
Support our veterans and make a difference by visiting the VFW Department of Utah today! Learn how you can donate your vehicle or join the VFW ACTION CORPS!
written by:Camille Johnson