Matt Victoriano

Veterans Advocate and Craft Ale Brewer

<p>Voice. Influence. Purpose.&nbsp;<br />This is my life&rsquo;s mission. In 2004, I came home from two tours in Iraq as a Marine Scout/Sniper in search of meaning for what I&rsquo;d seen and done; in search of an avenue through which to utilize my skills, experiences, and morals. In 2007, I earned a degree in political science, international relations, and Latin American studies, but still found myself in a constant struggle with friends, family, coworkers, and employers. I was alone. I had no voice, no influence, no purpose. &nbsp;</p> <p>However, in 2009, I was given the opportunity to speak to audiences nationwide in support of both national security and renewable energy. After conducting over 100 interviews, speeches, and meetings with the media, politicians, and constituents across the country, I learned that by using the proper messaging techniques, the skills, experiences, and morals I gained through service in the Marine Corps could be used to gain the support of conservatives for progressive policies I cared so much about. Imagine going in front of hundreds of NASCAR fans at a speedway and asking them to support windmills and solar panels. We did it and succeeded.&nbsp;</p> <p>For the first time since coming home, I realized that not only did I have a voice- I had influence. And this influence equated to the most important value of all- purpose. But just as important, if not more important, I realized that there were veterans across the country just like me- young men and women who struggle to face themselves in the mirror, who struggle to make it through one conversation with their friends and family before everything goes wrong&hellip;.again.&nbsp;</p> <p>With a renewed since of purpose, I sought out to utilize the skills I had obtained by helping other veterans find voice, influence, and purpose through advocacy.</p> <p>However, after several years, I have come to realize that having the skills to turn our experience, and morals into effective progressive messaging doesn&rsquo;t pay our bills. It doesn&rsquo;t enable us to provide for our families. It doesn&rsquo;t give us the sense of individual responsibility, dignity, and leadership that we require of ourselves after leading teams of men in battle.&nbsp;</p> <p>At the end of the day, we find ourselves without jobs or working for employers who don&rsquo;t care about our insights and experience as combat veterans.</p> <p>That's why I am currently working on starting the nation's first veterans brewing and advocacy training program in order to give them the skills and resources necessary to start their own micro-breweries and have a platform for their own voice, influence, and purpose.</p>

About Me

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