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Developing the leadership skills of individuals who are serving our nation’s veterans and helping them scale their impact.

Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program

The Bush Institute is committed to improving transition and outcomes for post-9/11 veterans and their families. In pursuit of this goal we have developed Stand-To, a first-of-its-kind veteran leadership initiative aimed at individuals serving our nation's veterans who are motivated to broaden their skillsets and influence across the country. The program will draw from and build upon the Bush Institute’s existing leadership and military service programming. By developing the leadership skills of individuals who are serving our nation’s veterans and helping them scale their impact through leadership projects and the network that is created, the program will ultimately widely affect our nation’s veterans and the services and opportunities available to them.

Program Information / Goals

  • Implement a leadership development experience for those serving our nation’s post-9/11 veterans that fully utilizes the assets and resources of the Bush Institute and is distinctive, sought-after, impactful, and inspired;
  • Deliver a connected, inspiring, and educational experience that is distinctive from other leadership development experiences;
  • Build an alumni community and a “community of practice” around the military veteran support sector that sustains past the time of the actual program itself and will engage past participants as peer mentors; and
  • Create a forum for strategic conversations amongst thought leaders trying to improve and strengthen the lives of military veterans and their families, and amplify the reach of the program and each individual’s contribution through project and action plans.

Stand-To will target veteran and non-veteran rising leaders working to improve veteran outcomes.

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Applications for the 2018 class are now closed.  Please sign up to receive updates.

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Meet the class

President Bush in his own words:

“By supporting and enabling our nation’s warriors in their new missions as civilians, we unleash the potential of a generation of resourceful, determined, and experienced leaders – for the good of our vets, and our country.”

Related Articles


June 19, 2017

Stand To: A United Call to Action to Better Serve Transitioning Vets

More than 45,000 philanthropic organizations, government programs and initiatives, large and small corporations, and millions of individuals are committed to addressing veteran transition. But often, these organizations work in isolation, causing confusion and disjointed gaps in service for transitioning veterans and their families.

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July 26, 2018

My Journey Has Begun

A participant in the Bush Institute's Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program reflects on her time in the program so far.

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June 28, 2018

Our Public Debates Need More Veteran Voices

Blayne Smith, inaugural winner of the George W. Bush Institute Military Service Citation, explains how veterans can help the nation resolve large public problems.

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45K

Out of the more than 2M non-profit organizations in the United States, approximately 45,000 self-identify as serving U.S. military service personnel and their families.

Explore Leading Practices

Related Events


Stand-To – A National Veterans Convening
June23, 2017
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13.7%

13.7% of veterans start their own business, compared to 9.8% of civilians.

Know Our Vets