Through research, policy development, programs, and Presidential recognition, the Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative (MSI) informs, influences, and unites communities, non-profit organizations, businesses, academia, and philanthropy to maximize the health and well-being of post-9/11 veterans and military families, setting the conditions for a successful transition and their continued leadership as civilians.

MSI focuses on three core components:

Employment Transition/Workforce Readiness

The Bush Institute partnered with the US Chamber of Commerce, Federal agencies, private business, and non-profits to develop the Veteran Employment Transition (VET) Roadmap. This guide for veterans seeks to help them transition and succeed in the civilian workforce. While ensuring that the private and public sector are ready to hire these transitioning servicemembers and veterans, MSI also works to ensure servicemembers and veterans are properly trained, educated and mentored for these roles.

Wellness

The invisible wounds of war – traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-traumatic stress (PTS), and other mental health injuries serve as a significant barrier to continued education, employment, and quality of life. In December 2015, the Bush Institute announced a major initiative to address these injuries to ensure veterans and caregivers seek and receive comprehensive care and reduce the stigma associated with these wounds.

The Bush Institute is creating the Warrior Wellness Alliance as a mechanism to bring together innovative high-quality care health providers and peer to peer veteran networks to expand capacity within the non-governmental sector to deliver high quality care for veterans, including increasing the use of telehealth options available, in order to increase the number of veterans receiving high quality treatment for the invisible wounds of war.

Nonprofit Effectiveness and Funder Impact on Nonprofits

Americans hold a strong desire to help veterans, but often don’t know the best way to do so. Out of more than two million non-profit organizations in the U.S., 45,000 serve military personnel and their families. We aim to empower these non-profits and their funders to develop more effective services and impactful outcomes for veterans. In 2018, The Bush Institute will open up a leadership institute for Post 9/11 veterans who are advancing in their careers and moving the US economy forward.