The seed for an IdeA
MAKING A DIFFERENCE BY SERVING
Robert Pinholt in Eastern Afghanistan.
On September 11, 2001 high school student, Robert Pinholt, knew he had to make a difference. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Army and in 2006, he found himself in Eastern Afghanistan. Sixteen months, and a world of life-changing experiences later, Robert returned home. Excited to be a civilian again, he secured a part-time job and enrolled in college. Life was great...for a while. But he was drifting—life plans were not materializing, completing college had become a struggle, and his debts were mounting. What happened to that bright future? He realized he was not the only separated military veteran going through these issues and that waiting until the transition had taken place was too late to begin building his relationship network.
Then Robert connected with a manager at his part-time job, who was from a military family and understood the challenges of transition from the military to civilian life. He enrolled in a mentor/mentee leadership program and his world began to change. Why not apply a similar idea for active-duty military but begin the process as early as possible in their service? The seed of an idea became a reality when he linked up with his manager to form Claymore Operations. His vision was a bridge where the veteran and the civilian are standing in the middle. The veteran walks to the foot of the bridge where the military person is standing to guide them halfway. This is where the civilian leads them to the head of the bridge and out into the new world. The Power of Three was born.
The teardown-to-rebuild process you experience when entering the military changes everything about you and the way you interact with others. Returning home seems so strange. The military world you just left and the world a civilian never left are not at all the same. I commend what Claymore Operations is doing.
L. Thompson, U.S.Army Veteran
Our Mission and vision
At Claymore Operations, we want bright futures to be a reality for all military men and women. In 2018, we began connecting active-duty military personnel with experienced veterans and accomplished civilians to create teams of three. Working alongside their active-duty military mentee, the veteran and civilian volunteers aid their mentee through their military career to ensure a successful transition into the civilian world.
Mission: We prepare U.S. active-duty military for life beyond service to their country.
Vision: We believe passionately that preparing, motivating and inspiring U.S. active-duty military to thrive in civilian life will make a positive impact in the world.
WHO: We are the champions, partners and collaborators in the effort to ensure a brighter future for military personnel once they return to the civilian workforce.
WHAT: Through our unique combination of mentors, Claymore Operations prepares, motivates and inspires our military men and women to perform at their highest potential upon returning to civilian life.
WHEN: We come alongside the military man or woman when they are still on active duty, ideally upon enlistment. The team of three remain together throughout the transition process and accompany the new veteran into that brighter future.
WHERE: Mentorship knows no boundaries and is performed in any part of the world where our military are stationed.
WHY: When the duty of the American military man or woman is done, we also have a duty to help those who offered their lives for our freedom. Giving them the best opportunity for a successful transition back into civilian life is our goal. Every active-duty military man or woman is strong and has the potential to have a bright future.