A new bipartisan effort led by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) in the U.S. House of Representatives aims to widen veterans’ access to educational opportunities, particularly in high-demand skilled trade and vocational programs. 

The proposed bill, titled the Veterans Education and Technical Skills (VETS) Opportunity Act, aims to extend educational benefits under the post-9/11 GI Bill to include hybrid versions of skilled trade training programs. 

The bill’s backers say the initiative represents a significant step towards modernizing veterans’ educational benefits to align with evolving learning trends and address workforce shortages in essential trades. 

“This legislation makes an important modernization to our veterans’ GI benefits to include hybrid skilled trade educational programs,” Ciscomani said. “Not only does this improve the way our veterans access their benefits but also helps to tackle the current workforce shortage in skilled trades.”

Veterans often face barriers to employment upon returning to civilian life, including a lack of access to relevant training and certification programs. The VETS Opportunity Act seeks to dismantle these barriers by providing veterans with the necessary resources to acquire in-demand skills and qualifications, which would enhance their employment prospects in today’s competitive job market.

Hiring veterans is likely to boost private firms’ bottom line.

Consulting firm McKinsey & Co. last year that veterans are “a source of labor potential that is untapped relative to the breadth of experience and depth of skills that they acquire and develop during their service,” and that “the economic opportunity of unleashing the value of veterans’ work experience through skills-based hiring could reach almost $15 billion over a ten-year period.”

Support for the bill comes from various organizations including the American Legion and the National Association of State Approving Agencies (NASAA).

“The proposed change would expand post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility to veterans enrolled in high-quality, postsecondary programs offered in a hybrid educational format that teach in-demand skilled trades that are aligned with the requirements of state and local employers,” John Bowen, Sr., chairman of the American Legion’s Veterans Employment & Education Commission said. 

The VETS Opportunity Act has been referred to the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

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Governor Katie Hobbs recently released the latest version of the , also known as the Maguire Report, which assesses the substantial economic benefits that Arizona’s military bases and National Guard activities bring to the state’s economy.

The report, backed by the state of Arizona and assisted by the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, showed that there was a substantial economic contribution of $15.528 billion and a total jobs impact of nearly 80,000. 

The report also evaluates how Arizona’s military sector influences state and local tax revenues, underscoring its significant contributions to these fiscal areas.

The economic output generated by Arizona’s military activities soared by almost threefold between FY 2000 and FY 2022, escalating from $5.664 billion to $15.528 billion. This growth occurred despite a decline in direct employment resulting from adjustments in military operations since FY 2014.

Direct employment at key military sites in Arizona surged by close to 10% from FY 2000 to FY 2005, followed by a modest 1% rise from FY 2005 to FY 2014. However, the latest analysis indicates a nearly 7% drop from FY 2014 to FY 2022 due to recent adjustments in military missions.

“Arizona’s military installations — and the brave men and women leading the charge to keep our state and country safe — are the backbone of our state’s economy, powering strong careers and leading our country to a more secure, safer future,” Sen. Kyrsten Sinema said .

In FY 2022, the military industry in Arizona was responsible for a combined total of 78,780 jobs, including direct, indirect, and induced employment. This marks an 18% decrease from the employment impact recorded in FY 2005, which stood at 96,328 jobs. Once more, this highlights the necessity for ongoing endeavors and support to bolster the military as a foundational industry in the state.

“The Maguire Report underscores the vital role played by Arizona’s military installations, not only in defending our nation but also in driving economic growth within our great state,”  Gov. Katie Hobbs said. “These findings demonstrate that investing in our military is an investment in Arizona’s future prosperity. I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the men and women of our armed forces who serve tirelessly at Arizona’s military installations. Their dedication and service not only protect our national security but also bolster our local economies, making Arizona a stronger and more resilient state.”

U.S. Air Force by Airman 1st Class Elias Carrero

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Arizona State University last week announced the creation of the , an 80,000-square-foot facility to be built on 22 acres of land near Papago Park in Tempe. The library is named after the late Arizona senator and former Republican presidential nominee, John S. McCain III.

The library is primarily through the American Rescue Act’s Capital Projects Fund, though the ASU Foundation has pledged to launch a fundraising campaign “to support the development and enhancement of the site.” 

Boasting a partnership with both ASU and the McCain Institute, the library will provide “education, work, and health monitoring programs to underserved communities.” At the core of this mission will be a focus on bridging the digital divide for poor and marginalized communities.

“John McCain is an important symbol of American democracy and he holds a special place of respect and appreciation in Arizona,” ASU President Michael Crow said. “ASU intends to work with others in the community to take this unique property and create something that honors his extraordinary life and legacy and that serves the principles he devoted his life and career to and carries it forward for future generations to learn from.”

President Joe Biden Tempe last week to headline the dedication ceremony for the library, celebrating McCain’s legacy and highlighting his friendship with the late senator. Biden used the opportunity to hit on core themes of his reelection campaign, such as the maintenance of American democracy and the defense of American institutions against political extremism. 

“I’ve come to honor the McCain Institute Library because they are a home of a proud Republican who put his country first,” he said. “Our commitment should be no less because democracy should unite all Americans regardless of political affiliation.”

Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-AZ), former Gov. Doug Ducey (R), Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego (D), and Ambassador Cindy McCain, the widow of the senator, were in attendance for the ceremony. 

What: McCain National Library at Arizona State University

Where: The library will sit on a 22.5-acre site on the north side of Tempe Town Lake in Papago Park. The university’s community services building is currently on the site.��
More: The library is expected to be 80,000-square-feet and house Sen. McCain’s papers and other materials from his time of service in Arizona, Washington, D.C., and around the world. ASU already houses an archive of the senator’s work. The library will also serve as the Arizona location for the McCain Institute.

Photo above by Gage Skidmore

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After nearly 80 years, the United States Navy will be introducing the USS Arizona name back into the fleet. The new USS Arizona Legacy Foundation will be there to support the sailors of the new vessel and honor the memory of the old USS Arizona, which was the first ship to sink during the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

Formed in 2021, the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation has a three-fold Celebrate, educate, and support. The foundation will be celebrating the ship by working with the Navy on both the christening and the commissioning of the submarine that will bear the name. 

Even though a new vessel will be carrying the namesake, the foundation is keen on educating people about the USS Arizona battleship and keeping the memory of its crew alive. Finally, the foundation aims to support the sailors of the submarine and “create an enduring bond between them and the citizens of Arizona.”

Tanya Wheeless, the former CEO of the Arizona Bankers Association and a former senior vice president of the Phoenix Suns, recently joined the foundation as president and CEO. Wheeless says she was motivated to take the position because of its mission of supporting the United States’ servicemen and women who defend our country in the face of a growing number of threats, and keeping the important history of the old battleship alive.

According to Wheeless, the foundation was “created to honor the legacy of the USS Arizona battleship but also forge a new legacy and celebrate the crew and submarine that will also carry the name Arizona.”

The old USS Arizona, a Pennsylvania class battleship, was commissioned in 1916 but did not see combat during World War I. The ship participated in various training and support missions in the 1920s and 30s before being moved to Pearl Harbor in the spring of 1940 when the base became the new home for the Pacific Fleet. 

Within just a few minutes of the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, the battleship was hit by multiple bombs and sunk to the bottom of the harbor. Nearly 1,200 sailors were tragically killed on the ship, the most of any vessel on that day. The ship still lies there to this day, with a memorial to the sailors built at the site.

Virginia class submarines, one of which will carry the Arizona name (SSN-803), are the next generation of attack submarines for the Navy, carrying significant from previous classes. Virginias will replace the older Los Angeles class submarines as they retire. Currently, the submarine is expected to commission in late 2025.

According to the Navy, Virginia attack submarines carry even more Tomahawk cruise missiles along with various other armaments. Attack submarines such as the Virginia primarily assist special operations forces as well as “carry out Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions; support battle group operations; and engage in mine warfare.”

Each ship in the Navy fleet has a sponsor, and the new Arizona will be no different, with Nikki Straton taking the . 

Ms. Stratton is the grandaughter of Donald Stratton, a USS Arizona survivor. In 2017, Stratton presented the Bronze Star posthumously to Joseph L. George, whose heroic actions on one of the United States’ darkest days saved the lives of her grandfather and five others. 

In 2020, the secretary of the Navy personally asked Stratton to become the sponsor and help achieve her grandfather’s final wish that the memory of the USS Arizona and its men will never be forgotten. 
You can visit the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation’s website .

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Marc Penterman left a 20-year career in the Air Force to land a job at Walmart in Phoenix. Now, he’s quickly moving up the ladder in his “encore” profession. 

Initially, he was hired as assistant manager overseeing Home Lines where he quickly adjusted to being in charge. Eight months later, he’s now responsible for a team that restocks the shelves at the store.  

“When I started working at Walmart less than a year ago, they gave me a veteran badge to wear and it made me very proud,” said Penterman, who was a security force officer in the Air Force. “The badge is like a medal of honor. When both customers and employees see it, they treat me with such warmth and thank me for my service.” 

Penterman is one of 265,000 veterans who have been hired by Walmart since it 

introduced its Veterans Welcome Home Commitment in 2013, surpassing its goal to hire  250,000 new veteran associates by 2020. In Arizona, more than 6,400 have been hired

Hiring and promoting those who serve 

The Welcome Home program started as a mission to hire those who served their country and help them move up the career ladder, said Brynt Parmeter, senior director for Walmart Military Programs. 

Of the veterans hired, more than 44,000 have been promoted to roles of greater responsibility within a Walmart or Sam’s Club.

First announced on Memorial Day 2013, the Welcome Home program’s initial goal was to hire 100,000 veterans by the end of 2018. Two years later, the company expanded that goal to 250,000 by the end of 2020.

On Veterans Day 2018, Walmart also broadened the scope of its commitment to provide  employment opportunities for spouses with its Military Spouses Career Connection. To date, the company has hired 19,045 associates and continues offering any military spouse hiring preference when applying for a job.

Stepping up its commitment to veterans  

Parmeter is now looking to step up Walmart’s commitment to veterans and the communities they serve. He said his team is focusing on efforts to help veterans and their family members in employment, entrepreneurship, learning, and health and wellness. 

“We’re proud of our achievements and the opportunities presented to the brave service members who’ve honorably defended our country,” Parmeter said. “Now, it’s our responsibility to continue preparing these men and women for meaningful futures full of economic opportunity and overall well-being.”

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have a long history of supporting veterans, service members and their families. 

Since 2011, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have invested more than $40 million in programs that support job training, education and public/private community-based initiatives.

About Walmart in Arizona 

In Arizona, Walmart has 126 retail units and 33,616 employees. Last fiscal year,  Walmart spent $1.6 billion with Arizona suppliers, supporting 32,767 Arizona supplier jobs. 

During that time, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation contributed more than $24.5 million in cash and in-kind donations to local nonprofits in Arizona. 

For more information about Walmart’s commitment to hire and promote veterans, service members and military families, visit:  .To see all of the programs that Walmart is involved in to help veterans in communities worldwide, go to:

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When women veterans return from the front lines, they can often get lost in the transition.��

As Gov. Doug Ducey calls for veterans to make Arizona their home, he and agencies across the state are making a point of including women warriors in that message.��  

Among those leading the way is Col. Wanda Wright, director of the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (ADVS).��

“Women veterans are less likely than men to identify themselves as veterans, and therefore are less inclined to engage with their earned services and benefits,” said retired Col. Wright, whose military roots go back three generations in her family.

As director, Wright oversees various veterans operations throughout the state, including the counselors who assist Arizona’s 600,000 veterans navigate a system of federal benefits. Among those, about 50,000 are women.��

Women veterans often overlooked 

“Transitioning from a familiar community, like the military, to an unknown one can also be a struggle,” said Wright, who is working firsthand to help bridge that gap.��

Col. Wright in 2018 was appointed to the U.S. Veterans Administration’s Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, an expert national panel that advises the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs on issues and programs impacting women veterans.�� 

“Women veterans are the fastest growing demographic within the military. We all need to be ready when they arrive as veterans. We need to ensure there is health care, education, and employment in place for them when they get here,” said Wright, whose military career spanned three decades before she moved into the civilian arena.��

Women vets bring many benefits

Like many veterans, females returning home from a military assignment often have specialized training in both soft and hard skills. But because they may not have a college degree or certifications and licenses, they often land in positions where they are overqualified.

“Veterans aren’t taught how to network. In my experience, networking is one of the most important avenues to getting a job,” Wright said. “Only 10 percent of veterans are women, so when we’re in the interview stage of employment, employers have a hard time understanding what a woman veteran really is and what value they can bring.” 

Programs to help them shine 

Agencies like the ADVS and the U.S. Small Business Administration () are helping female and military members and their spouses with networking, job training, education, small business loans, health services, benefits and more.��

Programs dedicated to helping veterans succeed include: 

Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services assists Arizona veterans and their dependents in receiving all their federal and state .

Veterans Business Outreach Center provides entrepreneurial development services such as business training, counseling and resource partner referrals to transitioning service members, Veterans, National Guard and Reserve members and military spouses interested in starting or growing a small business.��

SBA competition to help women veterans 

To further encourage organizations to invest in women veterans and women military spouses, the SBA is accepting applications from eligible nonprofit organizations, state and local agencies, and institutions of higher learning to compete for funding of up to $300,000 to deliver entrepreneurship training to women service members, women veterans and women military spouses.

The SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development will administer the grants through the .��

Incentives to make Arizona home 

Gov. Ducey has called on service members to come to Arizona and taken steps to make the state more military friendly.�� 

Last year, Arizona was the first state to recognize in many fields. New Arizonans, including veterans and their spouses, can now become licensed in the state without having to undergo additional training.��

This year, Ducey vowed to eliminate income taxes on military pensions.��

“We have a goal. To make Arizona home base for veterans everywhere in the country,” Ducey said upon announcing his budget plan that includes the tax exemption. “These women and men make our state strong. To all our veterans everywhere, from California to New York state, Arizona wants all of you. You put our country first and now with this budget Arizona will put you first.”

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Bank of America announced it exceeded a five-year goal to hire 10,000 veterans this year as it  celebrates one hundred years of reaching out to service members.  

The bank is among hundreds of major financial institutions, corporations and advocacy groups across the nation that have committed not only to hire one million veterans, but to help them thrive in the workplace.��

Former Army Sergeant Edward Boatwright, vice president in charge of corporate recruiting for Bank of America, said he worked diligently last year in Arizona to help the company reach that 10,000 mark.��

Former service members tend to be excellent hires, said Boatwright, who is among the 500 veterans and military spouses who hold senior executive positions companywide, company officials said.��

Veterans bring leadership skills, self-discipline, and a sense of  “camaraderie and take-care-of-each-other mentality,” explains Boatwright, who spent 21 years in the Army where he did six overseas tours, including in Kuwait and Iraq.  

“I think veterans are important to all organizations, not just ours. They bring that natural leadership that they are taught within the military service,” he said. “They are trained from day one to have that strong worth ethic; they are educated and they are trainable.” 

Arizona banks among top recruiters 

Major banks with operations in Arizona including Bank of America, Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase are among the leaders in their companies for hiring veterans.��

In 2011, Chase co-founded the Veteran Jobs Mission, a coalition of 200 leading companies, that is helping to meet the one-million mark. Today, the has hired almost 600,000 service members.

In Arizona, veterans now make up 15 percent of the workforce, Chase officials said. The bank’s Arizona operations have 1,500 veterans since 2011. At least 15,000 employees have been hired company-wide during that time, according to the bank’s website.

Wells Fargo has hired 8,400 veterans in its company-wide goal to 20,000. More than 4,000 have been at Wells Fargo for five or more years, according to the company website.  

“Whole-person” approach 

Among the goals coalition members and other national groups set in recent years is to do more than just recruiting and hiring employees from this unique group.

Today, leading banks in Arizona and across the country have large networks of programs and partnerships to help veterans: transitional career programs, mentoring, online and in-person development courses, mental health support, spousal hiring, access to a global worksites, opportunities to work with veterans in the community, and much more.  

They recruit from and partner with organizations like Carry the Load, , Wounded Warrior Project, and the Military Pathways program that provides free, anonymous mental health and alcohol self-assessments for family members and service personnel in all branches including the National Guard and Reserve.

Donating to local charities has become a standing promise. Bank of America, for example, provided more than $21 million in 10 years to military nonprofits like Student Veterans of America, USO and Institute for Veterans and Military Families.

“Our support of veterans, service members and their families is a huge part of who we are,” Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan said in announcing the bank’s achievement. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to hiring and serving military personnel who contribute so much to our company, our communities and our country.”

One century of supporting service members 

As Bank of America celebrates a 100-year anniversary of supporting service members, it offers many forms of assistance: 

• Entrepreneur Lending Program: The $20-million program connects U.S. military veteran business owners with affordable capital to help kick-start and grow their businesses.

•       Veteran Small Business Capital: Through bank and CDFI (community development financial institutions) resources and expertise, the company provides capital for military-, veteran- and family-owned small businesses.
•       Property Donation Program: More than 2,400 properties have been donated to nonprofits supporting military service members.
•       Military Talent Acquisition Team: Through partnership with military nonprofits – including Wounded Warrior Project, Hiring Our Heroes, and Goodwill – the team attracts new talent to the company.
•       Veteran Development Program: This program helps veterans connect with senior leaders and build business acumen. Hundreds of veterans also participate in line-of-business military leadership programs to support their professional development and career growth.��
•       Military Support and Assistance Group: More than 11,000 teammates are members of this employee network. With 43 chapters throughout the U.S. and the United Kingdom, the network provides development opportunities for military employees and their families, through networking, mentoring, volunteering and information forums.

To learn more about Bank of America’s programs, go to .��

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