We’ve Got Your Six: Vets Go Global Initiative Connects Veterans to Global Markets
December 9, 2014This post contains external links. Please review our external linking policy. Murat Muftari is an International Trade Specialist in the International Trade Administration’s U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service working out of the Long Island, NY U.S. Export Assistance Center.
Our Vets Go Global team met with veteran-owned businesses at the National Veterans Small Business Engagement to provide export counseling.
As a former U.S. Special Forces soldier with multiple combat tours abroad, I can say with certainty that the camaraderie and trust that exists between soldiers is second to none. The title “We’ve Got Your Six” references what lies behind someone on the battlefield, their most vulnerable blind spot that is covered by their teammate. Here at the Department of Commerce, we want to help veterans out by watching their six as they start and grow their businesses. Throughout government, we have been working to support veterans as they transition into civilian life, helping them get back to work through the Veteran Employment Opportunity Act and Veteran Recruitment Act. A number of veterans, me included, have found a home as International Trade Specialists in the U.S. Commercial Service, consulting with U.S. companies on international business development and growth through our global network of trade professionals. Now, the veteran hires of the U.S. Commercial Service have united together to create Vets Go Global, an initiative that proactively engages veteran-owned businesses to connect them to global markets. Our team will work diligently to support veteran-owned businesses and help them grow their business by:
- Connecting veteran-owned companies to export education opportunities, something our U.S. Export Assistance Center in Connecticut is already doing.
- Providing customized export counseling on the frontlines of veteran-owned business events. This is happening at the National Veteran Small Business Engagement (NVSBE) conference, where the Vets Go Global team is exhibiting and engaging with veterans through a learning session.
- Continuing to evolve this initiative to best support those who have served our country and maximize their export potential.
Update: Follow the Vets Go Global team on Twitter for news about upcoming initiatives!
Our Vets Go Global team believes in veteran-owned businesses and the important business skills they bring to the table — like adaptability, attention-to-detail, discipline, intercultural communications, objective-based focus, leadership, and perseverance. Those are the skill-sets that increase any company’s probability of success in international business. As veterans, we look forward to bringing back that battlefield camaraderie to our work with veteran business owners. To the veteran-owned business community, we’ve got your six in the global marketplace. Let us help you expand your exports and increase your bottom line. Contact your nearest Export Assistance Center to get started.
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