Call of Duty Endowment Awards Veteran Lucas Braun a 2011-2012 College Scholarship

Back in February, we wrote a blog congratulating Lucas Braun on his Activision Blizzard and Call of Duty Endowment scholarship achievement. This 2011-2012 school semester, we have the privilege of doing it again. Through his strong academic performance and motivation to succeed, Lucas has proven yet again why he is not only worthy of our scholarship, but why he is worthy of it for a second time.

Lucas has been a leader even long before his current days as a father and academic. Spending 10 years in the Army, Lucas was awarded the prestigious honor of a Purple Heart. Once out of the military and trying to find civilian work, Lucas realized that he did not just want the odd and end jobs being presented to him, instead he wanted a career he could be passionate in pursing.

Lucas turned to Austin Community College, where he is studying Game Art. Lucas hopes that one day he will be able to design family friendly video games – ones that his own young children could play.

The Call of Duty Endowment is proud to congratulate Lucas for a second time this year, as his academic prowess and determination on and off the battlefield continue to impress us.

Call of Duty Endowment Awards Veteran Aaron Powell a 2011-2012 College Scholarship

Each school year, Activision Blizzard and the Call of Duty Endowment award scholarships to a few carefully chosen Austin Community College students. These scholarships are awarded to students who have not only proven to be strong leaders and motivated academics in their community, but who are also military veterans seeking a college degree and subsequent career in the video gaming industry. Austin Community College has a unique learning opportunity for interested students called the Game Development Institute which employs “seasoned game industry veterans” to instruct its courses.

Aaron Powell is one of the four elite student veterans chosen for a 2011-2012 Call of Duty Endowment scholarship. In an interview with the Endowment, Powell explains that after leaving the military, he began working in the roofing business but, as are many other Americans in our current economy, he was eventually laid off. With a wife to support, and baby on the way, Powell knew that he must do something more in order to become a competitive figure in the job market. Turning to his long time interest and passion, Powell decided to go back to school to pursue a degree and career in video game design.

Now in his third semester studying Game Design at Austin Community College, we are honored and proud to assist Powell with the some of the resources he needs in order to not only find gainful employment, but to also follow his longstanding  dreams. We wish Powell well with his upcoming school year and are excited for what the future may hold in store for him and his family!

Organizations Helping Military Spouses and Veterans Find Jobs

On July 10^th, The U.S. and Los Angeles Chambers of Commerce are partnering with the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor to co-host a “Hiring Our Heroes” job fair in Los Angeles.  The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Sony Pictures Studios.  The hiring fair is designed to connect veterans and military spouses to area employers, including nearly 200 Fortune 500 companies.

Military spouses from the active, National Guard, and Reserve ranks from all Services, including the Coast Guard, are eligible to attend the free event.  However, registration is first-come-first-serve and ends JUNE 16th.  Military spouses and veterans looking to enter the workplace and who live in/near the LA area can register at www.regonline.com/HiringHeroesinLA.  Remember, registration ends June 16^th.

A post with more information written by Robert L. Gordon III, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Military Community and Family Policy) is available on the DOD Live Blog.

How Redundant: Retraining For Skills Already Learned In The Military

The transition process from the military to the civilian world can be a difficult hurdle for many veterans. By not having a stable income, many other crucial aspects to a successful transition are misguided. The title of “employed” versus “unemployed” is enough to rattle anyone’s life, but veterans unfortunately suffer with much higher unemployment statistics.

One major obstacle veterans must conquer—translating military experience to civilian language.  Most veterans have ample training and experience through the military, but employers overlook that key knowledge and hands-on skill set. If a person wants to work in a specific field, such as healthcare, they must obtain the proper civilian certification in order to prove they are qualified. Many veterans may lack the special certificate, yet they have all the proper training needed to fulfill the duties.

One way around this complication, use the GI Bill to go back to school and participate in official civilian training courses. Many veterans feel this is not only a waste of their time, but also a waste of tax dollars. They are forced to receive the same training they’ve already received from the military.

This redundant and time-consuming process creates more barriers for returning service members eager to get back to civilian life. Law makers and officials are trying to change the current standards for what is considered “qualified” for many positions, but more still needs to be done.  Veterans deserve to practice in a civilian field they were trained for in the military without having to receive another certification from the civilian sector.

The Call of Duty Endowment Awards $100,000 to Student Veterans of America

Education plays a large role in future employment opportunities for veterans. Whether it’s training for a new career after the military, learning how to write an effective cover letter, or using the GI Bill to attend college, education is key. But attending college can still be an adjustment for recently returning veterans. That’s why Derek Blumke, co-founder of Student Veterans of America, decided an organization was needed on college campuses to help veterans with internships as well as having a group full of people who understand life as a new veteran.

Student Veterans of America is a one of a kind organization that has a mission to solely help veterans succeed on a college campus. With this dedication to helping veterans, Student Veterans of America was awarded a $100,000 by the Call of Duty Endowment. The grant money received will be used to link their population of college veterans with career prospects nationwide. Student Veterans of America will be partnering with organizations to match student veterans with internships, mentorships, and job opportunities.

During the Call of Duty Endowment grant dinner, we were able to catch up with Derek Blumke, co-founder of Student Veterans of America. Watch the video below to learn more about the organization and how they plan to use the $100,000. Tomorrow we will highlight the USO, so be sure to stay tuned!

Catching Up With Matt Minnis, Call of Duty Endowment Scholarship Winner From Madison Area Technical College

Veterans who go to school must juggle multiple tasks like everyone else, but their military training certainly prepares them well. Matt Minnis, Call of Duty Endowment Scholarship recipient from Madison Area Technical College is one veteran who is looking forward to the challenge. This semester, Matt is looking forward to Switching and WAN Access classes. A course that will easily pack in two years of information into one semester. “There is a lot to learn and someday implement. It is quite the challenge!” Matt noted.

No matter how fun and interesting a class might be, doing the homework can still be a chore. But the discipline Matt learned while in the Marines has helped in the homework department. “In a combat situation, you don’t have time to think… you just do what you’re trained to do and don’t question orders” Matt explained. With that mentality, he is able to “just go to school, learn, go home, do homework.” He just gets it done!

Congratulations to Matt for receiving a scholarship from the Call of Duty Endowment and keep up the great work!

CODE and Activision Make an Educational Investment in Veterans…

Today the Call of Duty Endowment and Activision are announcing the creation of a new scholarship program to assist those veterans pursuing a career in videogame development at Austin Community College (ACC) and Madison Area Technical College (MATC).  The program will assist veterans at these schools with the costs of software, transportation, and other educational needs, while the GI bill covers tuition costs for U.S. veterans at most schools.  ACC and MATC were chosen by CODE and Activision because of their gaming and illustration programs, as well as the high number of veterans’ enrolled at each school and the participation of military veterans in the relevant course work.  

The scholarships will help to fulfill CODE’s mission of ensuring that veterans are provided a clear path to new careers after their military service is complete.  Recognizing that our nation’s veterans are some of the brightest and hardest working individuals our nation has to offer, the Call of Duty Endowment and Activision wanted to encourage and help create a path for more of these men and women to enter the field of video game production.  

Applications are now being accepted at both schools for students looking to pursue the scholarship, with the initial scholarship recipients to be announced in August.  The Call of Duty Endowment and Activision will track the development of the scholarship winners through the CODE website and other mediums as they progress throughout the program.  In total, CODE will donate $100,000 to fund the scholarship programs, which will exist for at least five years at each school.

To apply or learn more about  the scholarships at MATC, click here.

To apply or learn more about the scholarships at ACC,  click here.

Those individuals that have put their lives on the line to protect our country deserve to be rewarded with 21st century careers.  These scholarships will help them get there!