Home / We salute Veteran’s Day and work to give back to those who serve
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation offers opportunities to military men and women readying for civilian careers.
To help service men and women transition into civilian careers after military service, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation offers a series of programs to help them acquire the skills and training needed to develop careers in the restaurant industry.
The industry is a logical professional choice for many service men and women, says Ed Walden, the Foundation’s director of military programs. He notes that a number of them already have foodservice experience and crave the stability the industry can offer.
“Our goal is to provide opportunities for these men and women so they can come into our industry and learn, train and develop,” he said. “They can move into manager positions or go from being cooks to chefs. Our mission is to help them grow and get promoted from there.”
Walden adds that military individuals are often “industry naturals” because of leadership skills they’ve developed in the service, and their supervisory and managerial experience.
The Foundation currently offers:
Fewer than 1% of American citizens volunteer to wear the uniform, according to Walden. “That's a very small percentage of individuals across this nation. They have answered the call and made the ultimate commitment to defend our country. It’s something special that these individuals can step up, some at the age of 18, and leave home to serve. That’s why Veteran's Day is an opportunity for the country, and us, to say thank you.”