This blog was written with Marvin Smith the “godfather of Talent communities” and my coworker at Lockheed Martin. I am honored to work with, know and count Marvin as one of my friends.

 At Lockheed Martin, we’re driven by a sense of purpose and a passion for innovation to solve some of the world’s most difficult challenges. This post on our Military Connect community begins what will be a series of posts on leading-edge staffing best practices the corporation has innovated and executed and was created in tandem with my colleague Marvin Smith, best known for his groundbreaking innovations in talent communities.

Consider this. A man sits down with a steaming cup of coffee and initiates a conversation about how to answer that pesky “tell-me-about-yourself” job interview question. A woman chimes in with her advice. A manager explains why he asks that question. Finally, a Lockheed Martin Military Relations Manager (MRM) offers some sage advice.

This conversation did not take place at a Starbucks or other “third place.” (Ray Oldenburg, an urban sociologist, suggests that informal, public gathering places are “third places,” in contrast to the home and the workplace which are first and second places). These third places create space for conversation and creative interaction. The aforementioned conversation, however, occurred in a virtual “third place,” Lockheed Martin’s Military Connect community. 

The man with the coffee is stationed in Germany worrying about military cutbacks. The woman is at Fort Bragg transitioning out of the military in 30 days. The manager is a veteran who’s worked for Walmart in logistics for ten years. And the Lockheed Martin MRM is based in San Diego. This is the new face of community- different faces in different places but all with a common bond. These folks have all are currently serving or have served our great nation in the military. And they all are keenly aware they need to better-understand the job search process.

Military Connect was conceived by Lockheed Martin to give back to those who have served. We curate content from more than 200 sources providing ideas, opinions, suggestions, and advice to those considering leaving the military; those in the midst of transitioning from military; and to veterans already in civilian careers. Military Connect also allows the employees of Lockheed Martin, (nearly 30 % are veterans themselves,) to offer military men and women career advice, mentorship, direction, and to inform them about career opportunities at our corporation. The site provides direct contact with MRMs in the form of live chat, as well as opportunities for coaching and mentorship sessions with corporate executive volunteers. Early returns on engagement are encouraging. The Military Connect community is growing at about 17% monthly!

The Lockheed Martin brand automatically commands respect. But the content, comments, and conversations within Military Connect are about veterans’ needs- not Lockheed Martin’s. In this way, Lockheed Martin serves those that served us magnificently.

As a veteran myself, I can tell you this program has the potential to be a game-changer for the military. And the best part is… we’re not done yet.