Volunteer Spotlight: Craig
U.S. Army veteran Craig Sanders helps fellow service members and their spouses overcome civilian career challenges by sharing his extensive military and business experience, enhancing his job-search coaching and mentorship as a volunteer.
Craig remembers how there was no transition infrastructure when he left the Army as a Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) Commander. His responsibilities included directing training for the Fort Bragg unit upon his return from Vietnam, where he piloted COMINT (Communications Intelligence) missions. 
Craig relied heavily on attending local job fairs for junior officers and traveling on the weekends to out-of-town interviews at job fairs. Today, Hire Heroes USA fills that gap by providing essential skills, assisting all military service members, veterans and military spouses globally.
“I wanted to volunteer for this well-respected organization where veteran mentoring services fit my schedule and experience.”
Our clients benefit from Craig’s diverse military career as an aviator and crypto officer, specializing in cyber operations, signals with technology, and technical procedures. He also brings a wealth of knowledge as co-founder of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), a nonprofit robotics association where professionals work in the defense, civil, and commercial markets.
Craig enjoys exploring networking with clients and conducting mock interviews, including team interviews and other potentially challenging interviews that arise for our clients. He believes the leadership, human, and technical skills developed while serving our country is paramount, emphasizing that his military background benefited him during his early business years. Craig enjoys taking his cumulative experience and helping his fellow veterans:
“While interviewing and networking, veterans must emphasize that they bring leadership skills, discipline, and focus on performance. We have a competitive advantage because most in the labor force haven’t experienced the scope of responsibility and accountability we have achieved at a young age.”
Craig encourages veterans to consider remaining in the reserves after active duty because it’s win-win. It benefits the U.S. Armed Forces reserve components to retain the highly trained skills for our national defense, and the veteran has the satisfaction of continuing to work on professional, skilled teams while generating another source of income for retirement.
Craig also donates time as an executive coach, guest college instructor/speaker, and entrepreneurial panel judge, having served as a mentor in a number of other organizations, including co-chair for “Mentor Smart” program, MIT’s Enterprise Forum.
We are deeply grateful for Craig's dedication and impactful coaching. By promoting our mission, Craig continues to transform countless lives. More than a coach, Craig is an advocate, a role model, and an inspiration to helping the next one in line.
Written by: Sandy Chase
If you would like to make a difference in the lives of veterans and military spouses, please click here to learn more about volunteering with Hire Heroes USA.
