DAY 2 of The Red, White & Blue Summit (Summer Edition)
NEXT: A Discovery Day
For the Military Spouse, Service Member, Veteran, AND Young Adult Dependent
Date: Thursday, September 10th, 2026
Time: 0900 – 1500
Location: Fort Eustis Club, Fort Eustis
THE "SPRAY AND PRAY" CAREER FAIR IS OVER.
Transitioning is a multi-front battle. For the Veteran: It's a struggle to translate elite command authority into corporate language. For the Spouse: You are tired of the "trailing spouse" narrative, facing unfair resume gaps from continuous PCS moves while being completely overqualified for the entry-level roles you're offered.
The Stakes: Without a strategy, you risk leaving a standard job fair with a pocket full of business cards, zero interviews, and no plan for a thriving dual-income future.
WE ARE YOUR STRATEGIC FILTER.
NEXT: A Discovery Day is a tactical operation designed to validate both careers and elevate the entire military family. We have curated the region's top employers across the premier DEAL Sectors (Defense, Energy, Aerospace, Logistics) to connect you with high-value targets who actually understand SkillBridge, career continuity, and military spouse licensure portability.
👶 Family Readiness Note: Your modern military family operates as a team. For all daytime events held on-base, children are welcome to attend with you!
THE PLAN (YOUR AGENDA)
We have split the day into two high-impact phases to maximize your results and eliminate wasted time.
PHASE 1: MORNING OPS (0900 – 1200) | Discovery & Filtering
Enter the Opportunity Floor at the Fort Eustis Club. When you connect with an employer and find a skills match, you don't just hand over a resume and hope for a callback - you sign their scheduling clipboard right then and there to secure a dedicated, face-to-face interview slot for the afternoon session!
Maximize your time on-site by hitting our specialized zones and attractions:
The HII NNS Mobile Experience (MX) Trailer (On-Site All Day): Step outside into Newport News Shipbuilding’s massive, high-tech 1,000-square-foot interactive trailer. Check out virtual/augmented reality simulators, test your skills on a welding simulator, and explore incredible local career paths (and yes, the kids can explore it with you!).
The Professional Headshot Studio (1000 – 1400): Drop in to get a completely free, high-resolution professional photo taken by a pro to instantly elevate your LinkedIn profile and professional portfolio.
The Tactical Prep Pit & Innovation Zone (0900 – 1200 & 1300 – 1500): Head over for on-site AI resume optimization to instantly reframe deployment gaps and translate volunteer leadership. While you are there, hit the Innovation Zone to explore entrepreneurship resources, remote business models, and portable careers perfect for military families.
The Skybox Session (0900 – 1200): A dedicated, high-impact space running throughout the morning for tailored leadership networking, executive mentorship, and advanced career strategy.
🥪 1200 – 1300 | THE CONVERGENCE LUNCH
The floor clears for a well-deserved halftime report. Grab a complimentary Grab-n-Go Boxed Lunch to refuel and review your afternoon schedule. (Note: This is first-come, first-served for both job seekers and our vendor partners, so don't miss out!)
PHASE 2: AFTERNOON OPS (1300 – 1500) | Execution & Second Wave
The browsing stops, the room quiets down, and the noise drops. This time is reserved exclusively for intentional, scheduled conversations and high-value connections.
The Interview Circuit: Move into your back-to-back, 15-minute scheduled interviews with the employers who locked you in on their clipboards during the morning session.
The Second Wave Open Door: Didn't get to book a morning slot because of work, class, or childcare conflicts? Don't sweat it. Our employers are locked in until 1500, and our Tactical Prep Pit & Innovation Zone reopens from 1300 – 1500 to catch working spouses and late-shift service members dropping in for afternoon connections.
CHOOSE YOUR COHORT: THE LANYARDS
We don't separate you by "rank" or "dependent status." We align you by your career stage so employers can fast-track your path. At check-in, you’ll receive your specialized gear:
DEPLOY TO YOUR SECTOR (The "DEAL + HC" Zones)
The floor plan is strategically organized by industry to drive you directly to the recruiters hiring for your exact goals:
ZONE D: DEFENSE (Shipbuilding, Gov Contracting, Cyber, Systems Engineering)
ZONE E: ENERGY (Offshore Wind, Utilities, Maritime Support, Renewables)
ZONE A: AEROSPACE (Aviation, UAS/Drones, Research, Advanced Manufacturing)
ZONE L: LOGISTICS (Port Operations, Supply Chain, Warehousing, Distribution)
ZONE H: HEALTHCARE & LIFE SCIENCES (Health Systems, Medical Tech, Clinical Admin)
ZONE C: COMMERCE & HOSPITALITY (Hotel Management, Retail Ops, Corporate HQ)
SUCCESS (THE OUTCOME)
End State: By 1500, you won't just leave with a brochure. You will walk out of the Fort Eustis Club with a secured interview follow-up, a razor-sharp resume, a fresh professional headshot, and a clear, unified path forward for the entire family.
Get Situated. Get Ready. We'll See You on the Floor.
This event and the services provided herein at the Hampton Roads Veterans Employment Centers are funded through 25% or $199,576 through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and 75% or $580,391 through nonfederal sources.
