Operation: Job Ready Veterans™ (OJRV) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing veterans, service members and military families for successful employment by connecting them with employers that seek top quality, well-trained employees. We make a personal connection and assist veterans of all eras and ability levels with their employment and career goals.

OJRV was founded in 2007 as the Crane Learning and Employment Center for Veterans with Disabilities – with a focus on helping veterans find employment at Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, located in Southwest Indiana.

As the organization grew to serve veterans in Central Indiana, the group changed its name to the Career Learning and Employment Center for Veterans (CLEC). CLEC is a 501(c)3 organization. In 2012, the organization opened the program to all veterans and moved its headquarters to Indianapolis. In 2013, CLEC adopted the d/b/a, Operation: Job Ready Veterans, to more clearly communicate our mission. Special Guests: Mike Espinda and Tom Reust. Sponsored By:Tech Warriors: The Speak Easy, with coworking locations throughout Indianapolis, is offering a Veteran Membership of just $25 per month. Promo Code: VetsSupport Veteran Cast Links:Operation: Job Ready Veterans — Operation: Job Ready Veterans™ (OJRV) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing veterans, service members, military spouses and caregivers for successful employment by connecting them with employers that seek top quality, well-trained employees. Tech Warriors Part II: March 6, 2018 — The Speak Easy is proud to host Part II of our quarterly event, Tech Warriors. Tech Warriors seeks to connect Veterans with opportunities in local tech companies and educate tech leaders on the advantages of hiring veterans.

Episode 10: Operation: Job Ready Veterans™ (OJRV)

Educate, inform, and improve the lives of Veterans in our community.

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Disabled Veteran Travis Barnes, his wife Hilary, and some friends started Hotel Tango in 2014. To honor Travis’ military service, they named their distillery based on the NATO phonetic alphabet - Hotel for Hilary, Tango for Travis. Surrounding themselves with exceptional people at every level, they focus on crafting equally exceptional spirits. Spirits that reflect Travis’s exacting standards. Spirits that are fit to serve and made to share.

In this episode, we interview Ginger Barnes (Vice President of Operations) and Kelsey Strohmeyer (Brand Manager) at Hotel Tango Artisan Distillery. They share the story of the company, the culture there, and the amazing work that the company did to produce sanitizer during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Special Guests: Ginger Barnes and Kelsey Strohmeyer. Sponsored By:DK New Media: DK New Media is a veteran-owned digital media and marketing consulting firm headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Promo Code: VETSSupport Veteran Cast Links:Hotel Tango — Hotel Tango is an artisan distillery in Indianapolis, and the first combat-disabled, veteran-owned distillery in the nation.Shop Hotel Tango — Create an account and get Hotel Tango's American Straight Bourbon Whiskey, American Straight Rye Whiskey, Vodka, Gin, Rum, Cherry Liqueur, Orangecello, or Lemoncello delivered to you!

Episode 25: Hotel Tango: Spirits Distilled With Discipline

In this episode Douglas interviews Gulf War Enlisted Veteran, John Qualls. John has had an incredible career launching and leading several technology startups. His most recent company is Purposely, a platform to empower employees or individuals to optimize their talents.


Talent optimization is one of the most critical factors that will determine if your business is able to reach and exceed your desired business results. While most business strategies focus on technical and functional aspects talent optimization should be a central part of your business strategy. With talent optimization, use a human lens to convert your business strategy into a compelling story that will engage employees.


Having found his strengths and blazed a path in the technology industry, John is now sharing his wisdom with other people and then putting the tools in place to help them. We discuss how critical this is to both individuals and to companies - especially in times of economic challenges. Special Guest: John Qualls. Sponsored By:DK New Media: DK New Media is a veteran-owned digital media and marketing consulting firm headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Promo Code: VETSSupport Veteran Cast Links:Purposely — Helping companies understand and empower their employees.Purposely Assessment — Find your purpose with their free assessment.

Episode 24: Understand Your Value as a Veteran and Go Beyond Roles to Find Purpose

HVAF was first incorporated as a Far From Home Chapter in June, 1993. In 1995, the organization completed its first housing project, establishing a residence for five homeless veterans. The project became the first transitional housing unit for homeless veterans in Indianapolis.

In 1998, the organization adopted the name Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation, Inc. (HVAF). In April, 2000, HVAF developed its Veteran Services Center, extending supportive services to homeless veterans and their families. The center provides food, clothing, furniture, household items and personal hygiene supplies. In 2005, the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation became HVAF of Indiana, Inc.

HVAF operates 13 distinct transitional housing properties including substance abuse and addiction counseling services. In September 2011, HVAF opened another apartment complex that houses 51 veterans, bringing HVAF’s total bed capacity to over 200. Still, the need for services greatly exceeds even this capacity.

HVAF of Indiana houses, supports, and advocates for all veterans and their families to help them achieve the best possible quality of life. They fight veteran homelessness in 5 ways:


Housing - they operate 13 distinct housing properties across Indianapolis.
Employment - they have employment specialists who help veterans hold employment.
Pantry - they stock and provide clothing, hygiene products, and food items all year.
Advocacy - they engage in activities to raise awareness in the community.
Outreach - Every day, workers go into the community to help those in need.


If you're a veteran, a supporter, or a company in the region that wishes to help, please connect with HVAF of Indiana. They have opportunities to donate funds, donate pantry items, or even donate time to assist in the upkeep of the housing and assistance in their other work. Special Guests: Andrea DeCamp and Robert White. Support Veteran Cast Links:HVAF of Indiana — HVAF of Indiana houses, supports, and advocates for all veterans and their families to help them achieve the best possible quality of life.Support HVAF of Indiana — Supporters of HVAF of Indiana can donate time, money, or items to assist in their mission.Subscribe to HVAF of Indiana's Newsletter — Stay informed about HVAF of Indiana's progress and opportunities where you can assist.

Episode 23: HVAF Of Indiana: Housing, Support, And Advocacy For Veterans And Their Families

On this episode, we interview Alison Barber Bell, Chancellor of WGU Indiana, and Andrew Nagel, Registered Nurse and Graduate of WGU&#39;s Nursing Degree Program. We discuss WGU&#39;s unique non-profit, accredited online degree program and how it&#39;s especially good for active duty military, transitioning military, veterans, and their families.

WGU Indiana is an online, competency-based university established to expand access to higher education for Indiana residents. The university offers more than 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing.

Degrees are granted under the accreditation of WGU, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Teachers College programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), College of Business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). WGU Indiana has helped 7,500 Hoosiers achieve their dream of completing a college degree. Another 5,900 students are currently enrolled.

Facts about WGU Indiana:

In 2010, Western Governors University was approached by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels about creating a state-based model for the university. Indiana became the very first state model and the first state-endorsed online university, creating positions for a local chancellor and local advisory board.


WGU Indiana serves more than 520 active-duty military members, veterans or military family members.
WGU Indiana is a nonprofit, accredited, online university that serves students from all different backgrounds
WGU Indiana is currently serving about 5,600 Hoosiers – a 166 percent increase in enrollment since 2011.
WGU Indiana has awarded degrees to more than 7,500 Indiana residents.
WGU Indiana serves students who are not well-served by traditional colleges and universities; 72 percent are classified as underserved in one or more of four categories: ethnic minority, low income, rural residents, or first-generation college students.
As of 2018, 86 percent of WGU Indiana’s students work full-time jobs while pursuing a degree.
According to a recent Gallup-Purdue index, which provides insight into the relationship between the college experience and outcomes, WGU consistently scored higher than the national average when measuring school compatibility, mentorship, challenging curriculum, cost-worthiness and more.


WGU Indiana’s tuition fees are nearly half the national average. Tuition is about $6,500 per 12-month year for most programs, and it is charged at a flat rate, which means students can complete as many courses as they are able in any term, at no additional cost. On average, WGU graduates increase their pre-enrollment income by $12,600 within two years of graduation and by $18,400 within four years. With an average cost of $16,500 for a bachelor&#39;s degree, most WGU graduates see a positive return on their investment within two to three years.Special Guests: Allison Barber Bell and Andrew Nagel.Sponsored By:DK New Media: DK New Media is a veteran-owned digital media and marketing consulting firm headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Promo Code: VETSSupport Veteran CastLinks:WGU Indiana &mdash; WGU Indiana offers programs through the accreditation of our national partner, Western Governors University. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities first accredited WGU in 2003 and reaffirmed our accreditation in 2016, noting WGU's “institution-wide focus on helping students succeed.”WGU Military and Veteran Financial Aid and Tuition &mdash; All degree programs offere…

Episode 22: WGU Indiana: Affordable, Fully Accredited Online Degree Programs for Active Military and Veterans

Joe Biggs is a combat veteran of the United States Army, twice awarded a Purple Heart while serving several tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Post-retirement, SSGT Biggs is a political investigative reporter who has a huge following online. 

This isn't an interview about politics, though. Joe has been transparent about his post-combat struggles with post traumatic stress disorder. Since the holidays are often a struggle, I asked Joe to share his story as well as his advice for other veterans, family members, and friends. 

Please take the time to listen and share this podcast.  Special Guest: Joe Biggs. Support Veteran Cast Links:Veteran's Crisis Hotline — The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource that’s available to anyone, even if you’re not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care. The caring, qualified responders at the Veterans Crisis Line are specially trained and experienced in helping Veterans of all ages and circumstances.Gretchen Smith — Gretchen was mentioned on the show for her incredible devotion to veterans who need help.

Episode 10: Operation: Job Ready Veterans™ (OJRV)

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