About the ​Organization

Jeremy Fusco and Robert Veigel

co-founded Set|Ready (S|R) in 2017

with the goal of forming an organization ​that would serve veterans and their ​spouses. Over the years S|R honed its ​mission to focus on wellness during and ​after the transition from military to ​civilian life.

S|R is launching their initiative

Operation SWELL: Support, Wellness, ​Education, & Lifelong Learning in 2022 which ​will provide wellness beyond the battlefield ​in the form of a virtual well-being coaching ​platform for military, veterans, and military ​spouses to receive integrated support for the ​military transition to civilian life.

Wellness beyond the battlefield, ​improving the lives of military, ​veterans, and military spouses.

Problem Statement

Over time a body of research and evidence* has emerged which paints a stark picture of some of the challenges associated ​with transitioning out of military service. In the United States, the support for modern-day military members transitioning to ​the civilian world has continued to improve; however, the current supports are not adequate to address the complex issues ​faced throughout the four stages of transition from the military to civilian life. These issues are not solely isolated to the ​service members but also extend to their spouses. The effects are not time-limited and can have repercussions for years.

There are many Federal, State, and county agencies as well as universities, colleges, corporations, and non-profit organizations ​addressing components of post-military transition with a focus on education and job preparation/placement.  There are fewer ​agencies and organizations that work to promote holistic wellness, recreation, and camaraderie in a concerted effort to ​reduce veteran suicide, improve future outlook, and engage in positive social activities.

S|R has identified the lack of developed service offerings that take into account the holistic needs of military members, ​military spouses, and veterans throughout all phases of transition.

S|R has identified the military transition in four distinct periods:

• In-service
  
• Pre-Separation
  
• Post-Military
  
• Lifelong
  

Due to the limitations of current programming, S|R has developed and refined our keystone program Operation SWELL: ​Support, Wellness, Education, & Lifelong Learning to meet the needs of our participants.

Operation SWELL is a well-being coaching initiative for military, veterans, and military spouses. The supports offered by ​Operation SWELL are intentionally and thoughtfully designed to improve outcomes for military, veterans, and military spouses ​through all phases of transition.

*See Set|Ready information sheets for additional details

Operation SWELL is a virtual

well-being coaching platform created with the goal of providing integrated support for the military transition to civilian life

Operation SWELL was developed with an approach that envelopes the four realms of transition: Physical, Mental, Financial, and Social. This embraces a comprehensive and direct approach that ensures the intersectionality of needs are connected to each realm to form holistic success.

Operation SWELL

Onboarding

Scouts & Guides

Through active engagement with stakeholders,

the military community, and those involved with military transition,

we have identified the need for roles that capture the experiences, purpose, and intention ​of our Scouts (participants) and Guides (volunteers).

Scouts: On the path forward, vigilant, and determined to succeed.

Guides: Experienced, tactful mentors that assist along the path forward.

Enrollment Process

Proceed to onboarding information

yes

Verification: Eligibility & Military Affiliation  (Keybase)

Are they:

Military

Veteran

Military Spouse

Refer to coaching enrollment & support opportunities

start

NO

Wellness beyond the battlefield:

-Physical

-Mental

-Financial

-Social

Matchmaker:

Preferences

Focus Areas

Assess Goals

Learn:

Purpose & Intention Modules

Are they:

Military

Veteran

Military Spouse

yes

NO

Proceed to onboarding information

Verification: Eligibility & Military Affiliation  (Keybase)

Learn:

Purpose & Intention Modules

S|R Information Sheet

Transition Periods

IN-SERVICE

The in-service transition period is experienced while the service member is in uniform and lasts until the

pre-separation period begins around 18 to 24 months prior to separation. The service member and their family ​might experience frequent changes of duty location, job responsibilities, increased operations tempo, and ​deployments in support of humanitarian and national security initiatives. 

PRE-SEPARATION

The next phase of transition leads to separation or retirement from military service. This is a time that is ​aided by the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) or its equivalent that begins 18 to 24 months prior to ​separation.  Skills transference and education become the focus of service members and military spouses who ​face potential career changes if relocating post-military.  Training for appropriate financial planning and ​budgeting to account for uncertainty in the civilian job market can be inadequate.

POST-MILITARY

The third phase (Post-Military) starts at the time of terminal leave from military service to approximately 36 ​months later. This is a time when the realities of post-military life come into focus and is often marked with ​increased difficulty in multiple areas.  We highlight this period as its own period of significance as many will ​experience a shift in opportunities for employment, mental and physical health, and relationship dynamics.

LIFESPAN

The final phase of transition starts 36 months

post-separation from military service and continues throughout the rest of the lifespan. This period of time is ​not focused on as it is well outside of the focus of the initial post-military transition which is career-oriented ​and limited in scope. This is a time of assumed normalization that can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, ​apathy towards pursuing opportunities to improve career, well-being, and financial stability.

S|R Information Sheet

U.S. Veterans Population by State

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S|R Information Sheet

Challenges faced by military, ​veterans, and military spouses ​include: Part I

CAREER

Career challenges faced by military, veterans, and military spouses can include:

career stagnation, opportunity loss, unrealistic expectations, education attainment, ​vocational certification, and lack of community.

• The veterans unemployment rate is currently at 6.5%, which is roughly 581,000 ​veterans looking for employment.
  

A report from the Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military ​Families (CIR)  found that veterans may have:

• Issues adapting to civilian work culture due to the continuation of military identity
  
• Unrealistic job expectations and difficulty translating military experience to ​civilian employment due to a lack of preparation during transition.
  
• Barriers to finding and sustaining employment due to unaddressed mental health ​and/or substance abuse issues.
  

In an article published by Deloitte  they report that military spouses are:

• More likely to be female (92%)
  
• Under the age of 40 (80%)
  
• 45% of military spouses hold bachelors or advanced degrees
  
• Military spouses face staggering unemployment (24%)
  

   and underemployment (31–51​%​)​.​

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MENTAL HEALTH

In the area of mental health, issues faced by military, veterans, and military ​spouses can include: impostor syndrome, suicidality, PTSD, TBI, anxiety, ​depression, insomnia, family & relationship dynamics, ​undiagnosed/underdiagnosed/unreported symptoms, isolation, operations tempo ​- sustained wartime operations since 2001.

• The average number of Veteran suicides per day rose from 16.6 in 2005 to ​17.6 in 2018.
  

• 20 percent of the vets who served in either Iraq or Afghanistan suffer from ​either major depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. 19.5 percent of ​vets in these two categories have experienced a traumatic brain injury.
  

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S|R Information Sheet

Challenges faced by military, ​veterans, and military ​spouses include: Part II

Physical Health

Physical health issues experienced by veterans are varied but can include: chronic pain, sleep ​apnea, neurological, hearing health, obesity, lack of physical activity, and limited mobility.  ​Additionally, there are certain issues associated with specific service eras such as:

Operation Enduring Freedom (Oct 2001 - Present)

Health problems from toxic chemicals or other hazardous materials - burn pit smoke; depleted ​uranium; and sand, dust, and particulates.

Additional injuries from extreme temperatures, toxic embedded fragments, explosions, and ​noise.

Iraq War - Operations Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn

(March 19, 2003 - Dec 15, 2011)

Health problems from toxic chemicals or other hazardous materials - Burn pit smoke; depleted ​uranium; sand, dust, and particulates; sulfur fire; chemical warfare agents; and chromium.

Gulf War - Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm

(August 2, 1990 - present)

Health problems from toxic chemicals or other hazardous materials - oil well fires; depleted ​uranium; sand, dust, and particulates; chemical and biological weapons; Chemical Agent ​Resistant Coating (CARC) paint; and pesticides.

Vietnam War

(Nov. 1 1965 - April 30, 1975)

Health problems from toxic chemicals or other hazardous materials - diseases related to Agent ​Orange, Hepatitis C, and hearing problems caused by noise.

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