Challenge and Change

Transitioning out of the military often brings up feelings of uncertainty. Uncertainty about what the next chapter of life looks like or what success will look like post-service. American Corporate Partner Mentor, Darrell Doremus, knew that feeling firsthand. Doremus transitioned out in 2022 after 26 years of military service. Working with the guidance of an ACP Mentor of his own, he was able to successfully navigate his transition. Currently the Director of Portfolio Strategy, US Neuroscience Marketing at Johnson and Johnson, he thought back to his positive experience and decided the natural way to give back was to help someone else through the transition as well. 

US Army Veteran Zachary Herbert- Burns, served in the military for 10 years and made the transition out in 2025. When he joined ACP and began his mentorship with Doremus, he was split between transitioning into a successful corporate position or leaning into an entrepreneurial route.

Herbert-Burns and Doremus both mentioned the same “aha” moment in the mentorship that occurred about halfway through the mentorship. The two of them were on their monthly call, and Herbert-Burns was still weighing the two paths he wanted to go down. He first gave updates about his goals to start his own business, and then transitioned into updates about the corporate job search. Looking back to that conversation, Herbert-Burns recalled what Doremus said to him, “I have to be honest, when you talk about all of the entrepreneurial stuff, and starting your own businesses, and raising the money, you speak with passion and excitement,” but “ the light dims as you transition into the corporate side of things.” 

That conversation marked a turning point in their mentorship. Doremus thought fondly about that moment. He added that he imparted to Herbert-Burns, “Let’s focus on what excites you and brings you happiness.” Since that conversation, Doremus connected him with several people, tailored their goals, and shifted the conversations to work toward supporting Herbert-Burns as he figured out the next steps for his entrepreneurial journey. Today, Herbert-Burns is the Founder and President of multiple businesses, including a salon business and a financial consultancy. 

When asked what he would share with fellow Veterans regarding beginning an ACP mentorship, Herbert-Burns added, “There’s someone on the other side, waiting to welcome you. Someone on your side through it, who understands where you are coming from.” Doremus also included, “What is the most meaningful thing for you? Find out what the priority is; everyone has a different story, different goal, and different definition of success. Don’t try to force a standard.”

Are you ready to gain clarity on what you want your post-service transition to look like? To talk through what you want your priority to be? Join ACP’s thriving community of 43,000+ Veteran and Military Spouse Alumni and apply to be a part of a free year- long one-on-one mentorship today.