A Lot Has Happened Since We Last Wrote

When I sent the first issue in early February, we had one episode out, a gathering or two behind us, and a cohort that existed only on a planning document. That was two months ago.

Since then: 12 episodes in the release queue, three out now. Mission Ready, our AI readiness program for veterans, launched with 15 participants. We earned our first event sponsorship. I presented to the county veterans board. Three First Fridays. Here is what happened and what is coming.

On March 27, fifteen veterans — Vietnam through post-9/11 — along with military spouses and caregivers, walked into Leesburg Junction and started Mission Ready.

The goal is straightforward: put AI to work. Not understand that it exists. Actually use it. Daily curriculum modules through the LeadWithAI platform, multiple live coaching calls each week, and applied work between sessions. It closes with Demo Day on May 1, back at Leesburg Junction.

We built this with Mika Cross of Strategy@Work, who designed the facilitation structure and leads the coaching cadre. COL (Ret.) Kris Saling is on the team. The daily on-demand curriculum comes from Daan van Rossum and LeadWithAI, whose Executive Bootcamp gives participants ten modules to work through across the sprint. Nina Atkin and our friends at Elevant Strategies round out a faculty cadre that showed up fully for this cohort.

This is a founding pilot. The fifteen participants are helping build it. Every version after this one will be shaped by what they tell us.

Built with Strategy@Work and powered by the LeadWithAI curriculum.

First Friday runs the first Friday of every month at Leesburg Junction. No agenda, no formal program. Just good people in a room that was built for exactly this.

Tripp set the tone from the first note, and the rest took care of itself. Good people, solid conversations, and live music filling a room that was made for exactly this.

Tripp McCullar is a Green Beret veteran and Leesburg local who also happens to play a mean guitar. Glad he was in the room.

Good people in the room. Real conversations. Thank you to the partners who made it happen: Alliance Exposition, CJ3, Honor Brewing, Haven Longevity and Wellness, Casa de Avilas, Leesburg Junction, The Washington Tattoo, Loudoun County Marine Corps League, and Gracie Barra Leesburg.

I presented O&O to the Loudoun County Community Veterans Engagement Board, which convenes VSO leaders from across the county. VFW Post 1177, American Legion Post 34, American Legion Post 2001, CJ3 Foundation, and others were in the room. I shared the O&O vision and mission and connected with veterans like Ken James, Eric Thomas, and Dennis Boykin.

On the same day as April First Friday, I sat down with Andrew Chancey, Veteran Outreach Program Specialist at the Martinsburg Vet Center, along with Jennifer Sztalkoper, Ph.D., Regional Director of Virginia Veteran and Family Support, Northern Region, at the Virginia Department of Veterans Services.

Resources

Martinsburg Vet Center — Leesburg Outstation Address 751 E. Miller Drive SE, Suite E Leesburg, VA 20175 Get directions on Google Maps Phone 304-263-6776 Hours Mon – Fri: 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Sat – Sun: Closed Free, confidential, non-medical counseling. No VA enrollment required. No service connection required. If someone you know needs this, the door is open. va.gov/martinsburg-vet-center/locations

Virginia Department of Veterans Services dvs.virginia.gov Download the DVS Info Sheet DVS has a Loudoun office in Ashburn — find it at dvs.virginia.gov.

U.S. Dept. of Labor — Make America AI-Ready A free, one-week AI literacy course delivered entirely by text message. No laptop, no internet, no app. Ten minutes a day. Works on any phone, including flip phones. Text READY to 20202 to enroll. beta.dol.gov/ai-ready We’re sharing this because access shouldn’t be a barrier. If you know a veteran who could use a leg up on AI, send them this.

CJ3 Foundation Charity Golf Tournament An 18-hole Captain’s Choice Scramble at River Creek Club in Leesburg, benefiting wounded and disabled veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders. 🕐 8:30 AM Registration · 10:00 AM Shotgun Start · 4:00 PM Dinner & Awards 📍 River Creek Club, 43800 Olympic Blvd, Leesburg, VA 20176 Individual: $275  ·  Foursome: $1,000  ·  Corporate Foursome: $1,500+ Register → 📅 Add to Calendar

First Friday at the Outpost Demo Day closes the founding Mission Ready cohort earlier that evening. First Friday starts at 6 PM and is open to everyone. Guitars4Vets performs live. Guitars4Vets provides free guitar lessons and instruments to veterans as a pathway to wellness. Music as medicine, no cost to participants. guitars4vets.org 🕐 6 PM – 9 PM 📍 Leesburg Junction, 2D Loudoun St SW, Leesburg, VA 20175 🎫 RSVP / Tickets 📅 Add to Calendar

48 Hours for Our Heroes A world-record Brazilian Jiu Jitsu endurance challenge to raise funds for US military veterans. Live music, motorcycle show, food and games, kids Jiu Jitsu. 🕐 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM 📍 Parking lot in front of Petco and Ross, Leesburg, VA In support of Hyperformance Foundation Gracie Barra Leesburg — O&O community partner. More Info →

Wear the Oath. Hats, tees, and more at the O&O Shop. shop.theoathandoak.com →

We are just getting started. Tell us what you want more of.

Know a veteran who should be here? Forward this. That’s how we grow.

Ted Adair

Founder & President, The Oath & Oak

ted@theoathandoak.com · (202) 812-6458

Thank You to Our Recent Sponsors

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