For military veterans and spouses who want to build a career while exploring the world, the travel industry can be a rewarding option that mirrors the adventure of the military.
“I grew up in a military family,” said Martin Mussey. “My dad was in the Army, we traveled around, and we lived in Germany … [they were] some of the most memorable experiences of my childhood.”
Mussey is a business development and education manager for the Nexion Travel Group, a company that supports independent travel agents with education, tools and resources. One of the most important resources it offers to military-connected enterprisers: Veterans in Travel.
Despite the name, this scholarship program, built in partnership with Travel Leaders of Tomorrow and endorsed by AMVETS, is available to service members, veterans and military spouses. Last year on Veterans Day, the companies announced they had given out their 300th Veterans in Travel scholarship.
“In the beginning, it was active-duty military that are potentially soon-to-be retired, [and] veterans,” Mussey said, explaining the evolution and expansion of the program. “It was really intended initially for them, but we found out through the process… you don’t disconnect the spouse from the military service.”
Nexion trains, coaches and supports travel-agent hopefuls, and Veterans in Travel offers a 50% scholarship for the training, as well as seven months of group business coaching. As a business coach, Mussey said he will answer any question and tackle any topic, ranging from how to handle their business to setting up systems, and will even go over sales and marketing advice.
“The intent is at the end of their training, they’re prepared and ready to open up and launch their own travel business,” he said.
‘Community within community’
Most people starting a new career in the travel industry would struggle with the steep learning curve. Yet veterans and military spouses are uniquely capable of managing the transition as they become their own boss; it is their second nature to learn and adapt quickly. Mussey said he easily recognizes parallels in military service and the travel industry.
“I could identify any number of areas in somebody’s military career that could be absolutely and directly applicable to running a business and doing travel sales,” he said.
“Everything that they have experienced in the military […and] everything that they experienced in life is what they bring to bear in this business. And it’s fantastic.”
Regardless of what they can accomplish on their own, though, Nexion immediately connects them to a virtual community — called Nexion Town — where they can ask questions, receive advice, and be encouraged. The online platform then breaks down into specialized groups such as Military in Travel, where military-connected agents find each other.
Mussey noted that the same camaraderie within the military also exists in the travel industry. As new entrepreneurs launch their business, it is the support from other advisors and entrepreneurs that empowers them to succeed.
“I think that’s the thing that really propels a lot of them forward,” he said. “It really does end up creating a community within the community.”
‘Lucky’
As for Mussey, it was only after he launched his career in the travel industry that he returned to Europe.
“To experience it as an adult [was] different than as a child. [It] does everything in terms of the feels and touching your soul,” he said. “And to realize, you know, how lucky we are to be in this industry.”
Mussey included one last piece of advice:
“Explore to your heart’s content.”
If you are exploring new job opportunities, learn more about the Nexion Travel Group here. Ready to get started? Apply for the Veterans in Travel scholarship today!
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