Battle Fish University
June 24’ GCSEN’s NCVV (National Center for Veteran Ventures) and Battle Fish Charters hosted an extraordinary three-day event at Paul Smith's College in the Adirondack Mountains. The program, called Battle Fish University (BFU), taught 15 veterans and their spouses how to become guides and entrepreneurs, and allowed students to network with potential clients so that they can become business owners themselves. Further, the camp gave effective vocational training and real-life inspiration to the veterans and allowed them to bond with one another over their shared military experience. They said this event proved to be a great success and highlighted the benefits of cooperative partnerships and efficient funding in the sphere of veteran transitions and welfare. BFU ensures veterans acquire relevant knowledge and skills for employment in the fishing and guiding industries. The program integrates the latest evidence-based knowledge and tools, one-on-one coaching, and peer support to create and support veteran business owners.
Day 1: Building Foundations
The week started with a detailed meeting of all support staff followed by the students’ sign-in to prepare the students and introduce them to one another. After the safety briefing, the next session was 'Do You Battle Fish?', which US Army Paratrooper Sergeant AJ Beaudoin of Battle Fish Charters facilitated. The activity involved an introduction to the 3 P’s (Purpose, Patience, and Perception), which helped lay the foundation for the retreat by helping the veterans think about their career aspirations and business plans.
Providing opportunities for peers’ feedback through interactive video statements and group work enabled participants to share their stories, motives, and expectations. Paulie Martin who is a social media entrepreneur conducted an interactive session on how to tap into the power of social media for business development. The day also included a master class in entrepreneurship led by Professor Mike Caslin, where he discussed critical activities related to the establishment and operations of a business venture.
Day 2: Hands-On Learning
On the second day of the trip, they started with the “CEO Sunrise”, where participants talked about leadership strategies in the business world over coffee. AJ Beaudoin led the marketing workshop, “Your New Career”, which taught fundamental marketing skills to the veterans that related to their new careers after service.
Afterward, the veterans practiced their guiding skills through a trip simulator to prepare them to lead their own clients. This practice was accompanied by such segments as CPR, first aid, and water rescue, which ensured that the veteran guides had all the skills necessary to keep their clients safe under any circumstances.
The evening event was an orientational fishing tour where veterans could enjoy the calmness of the Adirondacks and the company of each other.
Day 3: Certification and Future Planning
The last day was dedicated to certification as well as developing further strategies that the veterans could implement in their future businesses. Certificates for water safety were issued to the participants and they went through all-around briefings on CPR, first aid, water rescue, etc. Officials of Paul Smith's College spoke in support of the program and future education opportunities for veterans.
The day concluded with a question-and-answer session, book signing with Professor Mike Caslin, and the issuance of certificates plus one college credit in guiding and leadership.
Several veterans claimed that BFU was not merely a formal educational program, but a life-changing experience that gave them hope and a new-found belief in their capabilities as entrepreneurs. The participants left with additional skills and a supportive network, thus achieving the goal of the program.
Additionally, the veterans discussed the characteristics of high-quality leadership and determined that a good leader needs to be approachable, otherwise, they’re just a manager. Further, a leader must never tell his or her subordinates to do something that they would not do themselves. One individual spoke of his time in Baton Rouge and said that he made himself the first person to enter any raid, which is usually the first one to get shot. He wanted his team to know that he would do anything himself that he told them to do.
BFU transformed the lives of multiple medically discharged veterans and displayed how much benefit such programs are for students’ health. The camp’s success served to reaffirm the value of continuing support to veterans, and BFU now plans on expanding similar programs in the future.
Call for Sponsors
The triumph of BFU proves the necessity for further enhancement of funds from donors and sponsors. In this, BFU appeals to any and everyone; private persons, businesses, or organizations to support this noble course. Your sponsorship assistance will help the lives of these veterans substantially by assisting them in their transition from a military career to veteran entrepreneurship.
Why Sponsor?
● Brand Visibility: Get advertising exposure such as advertisements, banners, posters, and social media publicity.
How You Can Help
We require sponsorship to offer the veteran scholarships for this transformative program. Your sponsorship funding will offer the veterans essential knowledge, contacts, and equipment to get them employed as fishing and hiking guides as well as veteran venture organizers.
To learn about other sponsorship positions or for any other packages to be discussed, please feel free to contact AJ Beaudoin, the head of Battle Fish Charters LLC, using the email BattleFishCharters@gmail.com.