How Warrior Rising is Empowering the Next Generation of Veteran Entrepreneurs
A GOVX Exclusive with Reggie Ordoñez, Warrior Rising Director of Programs
For those with a military background, hanging up the uniform and closing a chapter so closely associated in identity, patriotism, and brotherhood can be difficult, especially for the ones with entrepreneurial aspirations. For Reggie Ordoñez, a former U.S. Marine Corps Infantry Platoon Sergeant and Director of Programs at the veteran-led non-profit Warrior Rising, his post-military mission began with the cold hard truth that transitioning veterans needed something more than words, they needed a network, resources, and access to business capital.
Ordoñez proudly served in the Marine Corps from 2014 to 2016, deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Haiti. When he completed his service to this country, he stepped into the same uncertainty millions of veterans experience when transitioning into civilian life.
Reggie Ordoñez | Director of Programs
Warrior Rising
“I had no idea what I wanted to be,” Ordoñez recalled. “I thought going to school would be a good start to expose me to different perspectives and sharpen the way I looked at the world.”
While pursuing his undergraduate degree in business, focusing on social entrepreneurship and economic development, he discovered a passion for helping fellow veterans navigate the perilous journey of transition. In 2018, he launched a local Veteran Business Outreach Center (VBOC) in Tennessee, traveling across the region to help former service members turn their skills into businesses.
That work ultimately brought him to Warrior Rising, a veteran-led non-profit dedicated to taking the uncertainty out of transition by empowering veterans to build and scale their own companies.
“When you leave the military, you leave the largest, tightest support network you’ve ever known,” Ordoñez explained. “You go from having an entire unit at your back to starting completely over. We step in to rebuild that network and give transitioning vets a launching pad for their business.”
PURPOSE NEVER DIES: FINDING YOUR NEXT MISSION
The true challenges aren’t limited to learning how to write a resume or set up a LinkedIn profile, so much as it is replacing the deep sense of purpose that came with the job. At Warrior Rising, a successful entrepreneurship path is continually being redefined.
“In the military, you are part of a team serving a clear purpose,” Ordoñez said. “When you get out, purpose doesn't just die. Many veterans have a drive they can’t shake, they want to build a company, take care of employees with the same devotion they showed their fellow Marines, soldiers, airmen, or sailors, and leave a lasting legacy.”
At the core of Warrior Rising’s transition philosophy are two guiding principles:
- A hand up, not a handout.
- Solving the problem forever.
“In a perfect world, transitioning service members would get the resources they need seamlessly,” Ordoñez shared. “Our ultimate goal isn't just to grow a non-profit, it’s to solve the transition gap for veteran entrepreneurs so thoroughly that they can succeed anywhere in America.”
THE PROGRAM BREAKDOWN
To make the jump more manageable, Warrior Rising has worked tirelessly to design a step-by-step pipeline. Since there’s varying stages of where one might be in their journey, they’ve made it easy to circle back if necessary.
"Think about our programs as a highway, where you get on at the right onramp,” added Ordoñez. “It's linear by design, but if you need to circle back to a previous exit to sharpen a specific skill, you can always go back."
1. LAUNCHPOINT
Run in partnership with the SBA and the Department of Veterans Affairs, Launchpoint is a quarterly, four-hour evening session for veterans with an idea. It gives transitioning service members a risk-free environment to validate their concept, analyze the market, and decide if taking the entrepreneurial leap is the right move before investing their own money.
2. WARRIOR ACADEMY
Founded by Green Beret veteran Jason Van Camp, this 40-module, on-demand course translates military doctrine into business reality. It takes the military Five Paragraph Order—something every veteran understands—and converts it into a practical business roadmap that can be completed anywhere in the world.
3. WARRIOR UNIVERSITY
A two-evening deep dive that shifts mindsets from theoretical concepts to real-world execution. Transitioning vets learn the operational essentials: tax structures (S-Corp vs. C-Corp), business insurance, financial modeling, and building client relationships.
4. BUSINESS SHOWER
The pinnacle of the program. Out of thousands of applicants nationwide, roughly 40 top veteran founders are selected each year. Warrior Rising covers all travel, hotel, and flight expenses, guiding them through four weeks of intense pitch coaching.
Founders present their companies to a panel of judges, mentors, and investors at a national gala event. Every participant walks away with valuable industry connections and grant funding—with top prizes ranging from $20,000 to $150,000.
FULL CIRCLE: FROM IDEA TO PITCH
Entering a rapidly shifting economy is whole different beast entirely. Warrior Rising focuses heavily on giving founders modern, actionable tools so they can outpace larger competitors from day one.
“It does no good for a veteran entering the business world today to hear concepts from twenty years ago,” Ordoñez noted. “We teach our founders how to leverage cutting-edge AI like ChatGPT and Claude to streamline operations, allowing a solo veteran founder to accomplish what used to take a full team. We're also helping vets channel their defense experience into high-growth industries like dual-use technology.”
HOW THE GOVX COMMUNITY CAN GET INVOLVED
Stepping into the civilian world is tough, but Warrior Rising ensures that no veteran has to do it alone. Whether you're currently transitioning out, a military spouse, or a long-time supporter of our armed forces, here is how you can help empower the next generation of veteran entrepreneurs:
Join the Six Club: For just $6 a month you can directly back a veteran transitioning into business ownership at warriorrising.org.
Pass Down Your Experience: Established business owners, corporate leaders, and industry experts can sign up to mentor transitioning vets or lead specialized masterclasses.
Be Who You Needed: Successful veteran entrepreneurs are encouraged to reach back to those currently taking off the uniform and offer guidance, advice, or a warm introduction.
Take the First Step: If you are currently transitioning or recently separated and have a business idea, apply for free training programs through Warrior Rising.
“When you're getting started in business after the military, remember what it felt like when you first got out,” Ordoñez said. “Be the mentor you needed when you were stepping into the unknown.”