From Service to Second Chances: The Role of Business in Veteran Reentry

Without strong transition support after military service, too many U.S. veterans find themselves entangled in the criminal justice system. One in three of the country’s 19 million veterans report having been arrested at least once in their lifetime.

These touches with the justice system can create significant roadblocks for veterans working to rebuild their lives — and critically, their careers — after serving the country. Outdated corporate hiring practices that overlook people with criminal records can lock many veterans out of the workforce, not only depriving them of opportunity but depriving employers of dedicated and skilled talent.

In “From Service to Second Chances: The Role of Business in Veteran Reentry,” viewers learn why businesses can be a force for solutions — creating opportunities that honor veterans and build stronger, more inclusive teams. Led by business leaders and veterans, this conversation features firsthand stories that challenge stigma, deepen understanding, and reveal how veterans bring resilience, discipline, and untapped potential to the workplace.

Speakers:

• Brigadier General David “Mac” MacEwen, Director, Veterans Justice Commission, Council on Criminal Justice

• Derek O. Small, USN (Ret.), Director of Military Programs, National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation

• Caz Walcott, Director of Inclusive Hiring, Responsible Business Initiative for Justice (RBIJ)