NextOp's Mission: Connect Veterans With Careers

April 25, 2024  by Ewell Smith


Shelby Mounts, Executive Director of NextOp,  shares how his team helps Veterans find their next career opportunity - a free service for Vets.


Shelby shares 5 takeaways on this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast: 



  1. NextOp's Mission: Propel veterans into industry careers with tailored services and job matches.
  2. Industry Expansion: NextOp widens veteran opportunities across healthcare, cybersecurity, and aerospace.
  3. Blue Forge Alliance: Elevate veteran careers in submarine-related roles and high-demand training.
  4. Awareness Blitz: NextOp rocks the outreach scene with social media, events, and powerful partnerships.
  5. Take Charge: Dive into nextopvets.org for career-changing opportunities; veterans, network early and explore proactively!



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NextOpTeam at the VFW in New Orleans

Close The Deal Podcast with Shelby Mounts

Executive Director - NextOp

In this episode of the Close The Deal Podcast, host Ewell welcomes Shelby Mounts, the Executive Director of NextOp Veterans, to discuss how the organization helps enlisted veterans transition into industry careers. NextOp's mission is to bridge the gap between military service and civilian employment, providing valuable opportunities for veterans.



Shelby Mount's Background and NextOp's Mission


Shelby shares his military background, including graduating from Annapolis and serving in various roles in the Navy, before retiring as a captain in 2017. He then transitioned to private industry before joining NextOp in 2022. NextOp focuses on connecting enlisted veterans to career opportunities through career services and case management, ensuring a smooth transition to civilian life.


Key Services and Industry Focus


NextOp offers career services such as resume refinement, interview skill improvement, and job matching. While historically focused on industries like oil and gas, construction, and logistics, they are expanding into healthcare, cybersecurity, and aerospace/defense to create more diverse opportunities for veterans.


Blue Forge Partnership and Expansion Efforts


A significant partnership for NextOp is with Blue Forge Alliance, strengthening the Navy submarine industrial base workforce. They aim to place veterans in submarine-related jobs or training programs like ATDM. NextOp's expansion efforts include new geographies like North Texas, West Tennessee, and North Alabama, focusing on key industries for veteran employment.


Getting the Word Out and Call to Action


NextOp utilizes word of mouth, social media marketing, in-person events, and partnerships with organizations like NASCAR to spread awareness about their services and job opportunities for veterans. 

Veterans and employers can visit nextopvets.org to learn more and get involved. Shelby encourages veterans to start early in their transition process, network actively, and explore career opportunities.


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About the Author Ewell Smith is the publisher of CloseTheDeal.com, host of the Close The Deal Podcast, and author of Your First Franchise Roadmap. He interviews franchisors, founders, and sales and marketing leaders to help franchise owners and candidates drive more revenue and find the right opportunity. His work focuses on practical franchise strategy, the right mindset, and helping people close the deal on their next chapter.

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