Boots2Roots

30 years of service. A new career. A new home. A new chapter for the entire family.

Congratulations to James “Jim” Kelley, Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army, Retired, on his successful transition from military service to his next career in Maine!

Jim’s story is a powerful reminder that military transition is rarely about just one person—or simply finding the next job. It’s about helping an entire family navigate change, build connections, find opportunity, and confidently establish roots in a new community.

We’re proud to have supported Jim and his family along that journey, and we’re excited to celebrate this next chapter with them.

Congratulations, Jim—and welcome HOME to Maine!

Boots2Roots Boots2Roots assists active-duty military, Veterans and military spouses find meaningful work in Maine

YOUR NEXT MISSION COULD START IN MAINE.

1. ‎Your military experience has value.

2. Maine has opportunities.

3. And you don't have to navigate the transition alone.

Across Maine's defense industry, meaningful careers are available in fields like advanced manufacturing, engineering & design, cybersecurity & IT, logistics & supply chain, project management & operations, quality & safety, facilities & maintenance, skilled trades, and more.

These are careers where the skills developed through military service—leadership, technical expertise, problem solving, adaptability, teamwork, accountability, and a mission-focused mindset—can continue to make an impact.

But your next chapter is about more than a job.

It's about finding meaningful work, choosing where you want to build your life, and making the transition from military service with confidence.

That's why Boots2Roots and the Maine Defense Industry Alliance (MDIA) are working together.

MDIA showcases the opportunities.

Boots2Roots helps make the transition successful.

If you're approaching military transition, already a veteran considering your next move, or a military spouse exploring new opportunities, you don't need to know exactly what job you want—or have your entire move to Maine figured out.

Start with a conversation. We'll help with what comes next.

YOUR SKILLS. YOUR FUTURE. YOUR NEXT MISSION.

IT COULD ALL START HERE IN MAINE.

➡️ Connect with Boots2Roots: boots2roots.org

🌐 Explore Maine's defense industry: mainedefenseindustryalliance.com

Congratulations on your next mission, Cameron Gilbert!

Boots2Roots, helping veterans and their families navigate the transition from military service to meaningful careers in Maine is at the heart of everything we do. We're grateful to play a small part in this journey, and proud to celebrate another success story.

Clark Insurance, a Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC company , Jenna Jeffrey - thank you for your continued engagement with and support of the Boots2Roots Community!

YOUR TRANSITION

YOU DON'T HAVE TO FIGURE OUT YOUR MILITARY TRANSITION ALONE.

Transitioning from military service can bring a lot of questions:

What civilian careers fit my experience?

How do I translate my military skills?

Which employers should I be talking to?

How do I prepare for the civilian hiring process?

What would moving my family to Maine actually look like?

That's where Boots2Roots comes in.

We provide free, personalized, one-on-one support to transitioning servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses interested in living and working in Maine.

We'll help you:

➡️ EXPLORE career paths that match your experience and goals

➡️ TRANSLATE your military experience into civilian language

➡️ PREPARE your resume and interviewing skills

➡️ CONNECT with employers and opportunities across Maine

➡️ TRANSITION into your new career, community, and life

And here's the important part:

You don't need to have it all figured out before you contact us.

You don't need to know your exact civilian job title. You don't need to have already decided where in Maine you want to live. And you don't need to wait until your separation date is right around the corner.

Starting early gives you time to explore.

Through our partnership with the Maine Defense Industry Alliance (MDIA), we can also help you discover meaningful, mission-driven career opportunities supporting Maine's defense industry—and determine where your military experience could fit.

MDIA showcases the opportunities.

Boots2Roots helps make the transition successful.

If Maine is even on your radar for your next chapter, we'd like to talk with you.

You don't need a complete plan. You just need a place to start.

➡️ Start the conversation: boots2roots.org

🌐 Explore Maine's defense industry: mainedefenseindustryalliance.com

Boots2Roots Boots2Roots assists active-duty military, Veterans and military spouses find meaningful work in Maine

YOUR LIFE — WHY MAINE?

YOUR NEXT CAREER MATTERS. SO DOES WHERE YOU BUILD YOUR LIFE.

When transitioning from military service, choosing what's next isn't only about finding the right job.

It's also about finding the right place.

Maine offers the opportunity to build a meaningful career supporting our nation's defense while putting down roots in a place known for strong communities, incredible access to the outdoors, and a quality of life that's hard to replicate.

Imagine finishing the workday and having Maine waiting outside your door:

🌊 Coastlines, lakes & beaches

🥾 Mountains, trails & four-season recreation

🏡 Welcoming communities and room to put down roots

🍂 A distinctly Maine way of life

Meaningful, mission-driven career opportunities

And you don't have to choose between career opportunity and quality of life.

Across Maine's defense industry, military-connected talent can find opportunities in engineering, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity & IT, logistics, project management, quality & safety, facilities & maintenance, skilled trades, and more.

Through the partnership between Boots2Roots and the Maine Defense Industry Alliance (MDIA), we're helping transitioning servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses across the country discover both sides of the opportunity:

A career that matters.

And a place you'll be proud to call home.

MDIA showcases the opportunities.

Boots2Roots helps make the transition successful.

Considering where your next chapter could take you?

➡️ Start the conversation with Boots2Roots at boots2roots.org

🌐 Explore Maine's defense industry: mainedefenseindustryalliance.com

Boots2Roots Boots2Roots assists active-duty military, Veterans and military spouses find meaningful work in Maine

Calling all Boots2Roots Teammates & Supporters - Past, Present, and Future...Come and join the Boots2Roots Crew, Volunteers, Employer Partners, and Friends at our next B2R Community Connection Event Thursday, September 10th, at Sea dog Brewing Company in Bangor, ME.

Always a fun and informal networking event helping all in attendance build community and relationships.

Families welcome!

26 Front St, Bangor ME
10 Sept 4:30-6:30pm

YOUR MILITARY EXPERIENCE HAS CIVILIAN VALUE.

One of the biggest questions during military transition is:

“Where does my experience fit in the civilian workforce?”

The answer may be broader than you think.

Across our recent Maine Defense Industry Career Field Spotlight series, we've highlighted opportunities in advanced manufacturing, engineering & design, cybersecurity & IT, logistics & supply chain, project management & operations, quality & safety, and facilities & maintenance.

And there is a common thread across all of them:

Military experience translates.

🔹 Leadership → Team & Operations Leadership

🔹 Mission Planning → Project & Program Management

🔹 Maintenance → Technical & Industrial Careers

🔹 Logistics → Supply Chain & Operations

🔹 Cyber & Communications → Technology & Cybersecurity

🔹 Inspections & Standards → Quality Assurance & Safety

🔹 Technical Training → Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing

🔹 Problem Solving → Nearly Everything

Maine's defense industry needs experienced, technically trained, mission-driven professionals—and transitioning servicemembers and veterans bring exactly that kind of talent. Boots2Roots was built in part to help translate military experience into civilian workforce pathways and connect military talent directly with Maine employers.

You don't need to start over.

You need to understand how the experience you've already earned can become the foundation for what's next.

Through our partnership with the Maine Defense Industry Alliance (MDIA), we're helping military-connected talent across the country discover where their experience could fit in Maine.

MDIA showcases the opportunities.

Boots2Roots helps make the transition successful.

Not sure what civilian career fits your military background?

That's exactly why we're here.

➡️ Start the conversation at boots2roots.org

🌐 Explore Maine's defense industry: mainedefenseindustryalliance.com

Boots2Roots Boots2Roots assists active-duty military, Veterans and military spouses find meaningful work in Maine

Partnership Renewed: Enercon Technologies

We’re proud to recognize Enercon Technologies for renewing its commitment to Boots2Roots as a Command Level Partner!

As a Maine-based product development and manufacturing company, Enercon represents the kind of innovation, technical expertise, and high-quality career opportunities that make Maine a great place for military-connected talent to build their next chapter.

Their continued support of Boots2Roots helps strengthen our ability to provide personalized transition assistance, career coaching, and connections to Maine employers for transitioning servicemembers, veterans, and military spouses—helping more military families confidently live, work, and put down roots in Maine.

Thank you, Enercon Technologies, for continuing to invest in the Boots2Roots mission, Maine’s military community, and the future of our state’s workforce. We’re proud to have you as a Command Level Partner and grateful for your continued partnership!

There’s incredible value in learning from those who have already lived the journey.

During our recent Teammate Employment & Transition Call, we were excited to host an Alumni Panel featuring former Boots2Roots Teammates who have successfully made the transition to living, working, and thriving in Maine.

Our alumni shared their transition experiences, talked about where their journeys have taken them, provided insight into their current careers and employers, and answered questions from Teammates preparing for their own next chapter.

A huge thank you to our alumni panelists for giving back to the Boots2Roots community by sharing their experiences, lessons learned, and perspective. And thank you to all of our Teammates who joined us, asked great questions, and contributed to the conversation.

These calls are just one part of the Boots2Roots transition journey—but they represent something we believe strongly in: connecting Teammates with the people, information, resources, and community that can help them move forward with confidence.

We’re proud to announce that Boots2Roots is now an approved partner of the SpouseWorks Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) program with the U.S. Department of War!

MSEP connects military spouses with hundreds of partner employers committed to recruiting, hiring, promoting, and retaining military spouse talent.

For Boots2Roots, this partnership is a natural extension of our mission. Military spouses bring tremendous skills, experience, and value to the workforce, and we are proud to strengthen our commitment to supporting their career success—both within our own organization and throughout Maine.

We’re excited to join this nationwide network and continue helping military spouses build meaningful careers and strong roots in Maine.

Supporting military spouses. Strengthening Maine.

Boots2Roots Boots2Roots assists active-duty military, Veterans and military spouses find meaningful work in Maine