Veterans and military spouses have spent years mastering adaptability, planning, service and support. These are the exact skills that fuel strong entrepreneurs and make the difference between surviving and thriving in business.
With an ever‑changing military lifestyle and the uncertainty that comes with transitioning out of service, entrepreneurship offers military families a buffer. It’s a way to take control, build stability, and create a career that moves with them rather than against them.
One company aims to welcome a new wave of military‑connected business owners and become the intersection between a passion for travel and the skills acquired in service.
Nexion Travel Group is offering a Veterans in Travel scholarship to assist this new class of entrepreneurs in their journey from military life to business ownership. I wanted to find out what this program meant to someone who actually experienced it, so I sat down with travel advisor Whitney Snell and Nexion Travel Group Director of Sales Arika Banghart.
A career that moves with military life
For many military families, traditional employment can be difficult to maintain through relocations, deployments and unpredictable schedules. The ability to build a business on your own terms is what so many military spouses and veterans seek in careers both during and post military life. Snell, an Army veteran and graduate of the Veterans in Travel program, says the flexibility changed everything for her.
“A travel career gives military spouses and veterans something we don’t often get in the traditional workforce — the chance to build a career that moves with our lives. I can take my work anywhere, continue serving my clients, and still be present for my family,” said Snell. “As a grandparent, being able to show up for my grandson without choosing between work and family is priceless.”
Seeing careers in travel extends beyond military families. According to American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), more career changers from education, academia and corporate roles are entering the travel industry. The same qualities that draw civilians into travel advising resonate strongly with military families seeking stability and purpose.
“Military spouses face employment gaps because of frequent moves, and transitioning service members want careers that let them apply their skills in meaningful ways. A travel business can go with them, allowing them to work from virtually anywhere while building something that truly belongs to them,” said Banghart.
Military skills that translate naturally
The travel industry demands organization, problem‑solving, communication and planning which are all strengths that military families already possess.
“Being military, I completely understand the importance of completing the mission and for me the mission is making sure that my clients are prepared and have the best travel experience possible… attention to detail and time management are skills second nature to military families,” explained Snell. “My background in logistics transferred naturally. I spent years coordinating people, supplies, deployment timelines. Now I coordinate flights, hotels, cruises, transfers, excursions — all the details that make a trip come together. The mission is different, but the skills are the same.”
ASTA’s research reinforces this point: career changers often discover that communication, empathy, leadership and planning translate seamlessly into travel advising. These qualities are deeply ingrained in military life, making veterans and spouses exceptionally well‑prepared for the demands of the industry.
Inside the Veterans in Travel scholarship
The Veterans in Travel scholarship, created by Nexion Travel Group and Travel Leaders of Tomorrow, is one of the first programs in the travel industry designed specifically for veterans and active‑duty spouses.
It provides a 50% scholarship toward professional travel advisor training, plus mentorship, coaching and access to Nexion’s nationwide advisor community.
Banghart says that the scholarship is intentionally built as more than financial support.
“Participants receive education, mentorship, peer connections and access to Nexion’s advisor support network. Starting a business can feel overwhelming, especially in a new industry. We want them to know they’re not launching alone.”
A pathway for both spouses and transitioning service members
For military spouses, the scholarship offers a career that can continue through relocations and life changes. For transitioning service members, it provides a structured starting point for their second career.
“After 20 years in the military, figuring out civilian life can be overwhelming,” Snell adds. “This program bridges the gap between military skills and a new career.”
Banghart says watching participants thrive is one of the most rewarding parts of the program.
“Veterans and spouses have sacrificed so much. Helping them discover a career path they may not have considered and seeing them build businesses that support their families is incredibly meaningful.”
Empowering military families through entrepreneurship
As the travel industry grows, so does the demand for advisors who bring discipline, global perspective, and a commitment to service. Veterans in Travel is helping military families turn those strengths into thriving businesses that honor where they’ve been and where they’re headed next.
Read comments
