Veteran Mentoring Program
Guiding Veterans and Spouses toward meaningful careers
ACP assists Veterans and transitioning Service Members on their path toward fulfilling, long-term careers, whether they are job searching or newly employed.
Each mentorship is a yearlong commitment, with ACP encouraging Mentors and Protégés to connect for monthly discussions to advance the Protégé’s career goals.
Every mentorship is supported by an ACP staff member who provides customized resources, training, and suggestions to help the pair build a successful relationship.
ACP mentorships focus on:
- Résumé review and interview preparation
- Career exploration and understanding job opportunities
- Career advancement once a position is obtained
- Work-life balance
- Networking
- Small business development
- Leadership and professional communication
Eligibility
ACP welcomes applications from Veterans and Spouses who meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Veterans, including those in the Reserve and National Guard who have served at least 180 days on active-duty orders since September 11, 2001.
- Recently separated Veterans and those planning an upcoming transition to civilian careers.
- Veterans who have separated several years ago and are currently employed but seeking career advancement.
- Student Veterans looking for mentorship from business leaders in the private sector.
- Veterans interested in launching or growing their own business.
- Veterans who served less than 180 days of active duty since 9/11 but were injured while serving or training.
- Spouses of Active-Duty Service Members.
- Spouses of Veterans who have transitioned off active-duty in the past 12 months.
- Surviving Spouses of post-9/11 Veterans.
- Spouses of severely wounded post-9/11 Veterans who are the primary financial providers of their household (or are actively seeking to return to work in that role)
For exceptions to this policy, please email ACP staff at info@acp-usa.org with an explanation of your circumstances.
If you are a Veteran who served prior to 9/11 or a Spouse who does not meet program eligibility requirements, please join us on ACP Village and our LinkedIn group, ACP Connects, to get free career guidance from thousands of professionals.
Pairing Process
ACP’s staff personally pairs every applicant, hand-picking a Mentor for each Protégé based on career compatibility, experience level, location, and personal interests. Every Mentor and Protégé has a phone call with an ACP staff member to communicate preferences, which are then taken into account during the pairing process.
Most mentoring pairs are long-distance and communicate primarily through phone, video conference, and email exchanges.
Mentorship Timeline
- 1 Apply for a mentorship by submitting an online application at acp-usa.org.
- 2 An ACP Operations Associate will contact you within one business day to discuss next steps.
- 3 Schedule an orientation call with your ACP Operations Associate within two (2) weeks to review the program and discuss mentorship goals.
- 4 Your ACP Operations Associate will conduct a search to identify a Mentor and will follow up with you within four (4) weeks.
Apply today to get paired with a dedicated Mentor.
Kate's Story
Empowering Women within an ACP Mentorship
Program Resources
Explore resources to supplement and support your mentorship. Here you will find advice on working effectively with your Mentor, job searching, continuing your education, starting a small business, and more.
ACP Ventures
Veterans are 45% more likely to start their own business, and one out of 10 small businesses in the US are Veteran-owned. That’s around 2.4 million businesses.
Our mission is to cultivate a legacy of informed Veterans and Active-Duty Military Spouses who venture their entrepreneurial journey with intention, creating enduring impact for themselves and their communities. Take the first step today, and become a part of ACP Ventures. Your entrepreneurial journey awaits, with a Village ready to support you every step of the way.
Frequently asked questions
What happens after an application is submitted?
After the online application is submitted, ACP will contact qualifying applicants within one business day to schedule an introductory phone call. During the call, applicants will learn more about the Mentoring Program and provide additional information in order for ACP to find the best possible pair.
What is the commitment level required to participate?
ACP asks for a yearlong commitment of active and regular contact between a Mentor and Protégé. Pairs are encouraged to have twelve significant discussions throughout the year.
Does ACP provide job placement?
No, ACP’s Mentoring Program is not a formal job-placement program, but rather a tool for networking and long-term career development. ACP’s Mentoring Program helps our Veteran and Active-Duty Spouse Protégés develop the skills needed to find fulfilling careers.
Can Protégés choose their Mentor?
No, ACP staff works to determine the best pairings between Mentors and Protégés and takes into account a Protégé’s professional goals and industry of interest as well as a Mentor’s experience.
Does this program cost money?
ACP’s Mentoring Program is completely free for Veterans and eligible Spouses.
What does ACP expect from a Veteran or Spouse Protégé?
Protégés are encouraged to be proactive and establish open and honest communication with their Mentors. This entails scheduling meetings, suggesting events or activities to attend, and assuming responsibility for the partnership. It is important to have realistic expectations about what Mentors can provide during the course of a mentorship. Mentors are available to guide and assist with professional development but are in no way required to find employment for Protégés.
ACP expects Protégés to respect the time and commitment of their Mentor and ACP staff. We ask that Protégés can commit to the program and are prepared for all meetings, calls, and social gatherings. Please refer to the Protégé Resources section of ACP’s website for more mentoring tips.