About Us & Founder Story
Amplifying Veterans Through Connection, Education & Collaboration.
We bring together veterans, military spouses, entrepreneurs, employers, and leaders to build authentic relationships, open doors, and drive lasting social impact.
Our Mission
Uniting, Amplifying, and Elevating the Military-Connected by Building an Ecosystem Built on Each Other.
Veteran Social isn't just an annual conference — it is a continuous, 365-day ecosystem designed to bridge the gap between military service and civilian leadership. Through virtual summits, live events, 24/7 streaming on VETSOCIALtv, weekly masterclasses, mentorship, and policy advocacy, we equip military-connected leaders to thrive in modern business, tech, and civic life.
The DNA of the Military-Connected Ecosystem
Three foundational forces define who we are and how we serve. Collaboration, Communication, and GRIT are the DNA woven through every connection, conversation, and breakthrough across the Veteran Social ecosystem.
Collaboration
We unite veterans, military spouses, entrepreneurs, employers, and mission-driven organizations — multiplying shared impact through partnerships built on trust and common purpose.
Communication
Authentic, open dialogue is how connections become opportunities. Through 24/7 streaming, podcasts, masterclasses, and live events, we keep the conversation alive every day of the year.
GRIT
The resilience forged in service fuels our relentless drive. GRIT is the perseverance and passion that turns transition into transformation — and obstacles into momentum.
Ryan Patrick Hunt, PHR
Founder, Veteran Social & Tenth Mountain Recruiting
Former Army Major with multiple combat deployments, human capital strategist, and top-selling author in HR, Talent Acquisition, and AI.
Recognized as a Top 25 Veteran Entrepreneur Change Maker, named Vetrepreneur of the Year 2025 for Illinois, and honored as a MIGHTY25 by We Are The Mighty.
"Veterans don't need charity — they need connection, modern skillsets, and access to decision-makers who recognize the power of military leadership."
— Ryan Patrick Hunt
The Founder's Journey
From Combat Deployments to Building a National Ecosystem
After serving as an Army Major with multiple combat deployments, Ryan Patrick Hunt recognized a critical gap in the veteran transition experience. Traditional career fairs and one-off networking events often left veterans with transactional encounters rather than lasting, strategic relationships.
Drawing on his background in talent acquisition, Ryan founded Tenth Mountain Recruiting to connect top-tier veteran talent with mission-minded companies. But he knew talent matching was only one piece of the puzzle — veterans, military spouses, and military-connected entrepreneurs needed an active, year-round community.
That realization launched the Veteran Social Summit (VETSOCIAL) and the broader Veteran Social ecosystem. What started as a virtual gathering has scaled into a national movement reaching over 59,000 military-connected leaders, featuring live events, a 24/7 TV stream, weekly masterclasses, and direct pathways into career, pitch funding, and policy platforms.
Former Army Major & Veteran
A veteran with multiple combat deployments, Ryan served with distinction before translating military leadership to human capital and entrepreneurship.
Founder, Tenth Mountain Recruiting
Created Tenth Mountain Recruiting — named in honor of his military roots — to connect elite veteran talent with forward-thinking organizations nationwide.
Creator, Veteran Social Summit
Spearheaded VETSOCIAL into a national movement, bringing together over 5,500+ attendees, 150+ speaker alumni, and a 2.5M+ social reach.
Vetrepreneur of the Year & MIGHTY25
Named Vetrepreneur of the Year 2025 for Illinois, honored as a MIGHTY25 by We Are The Mighty, and recognized as a Top 25 Veteran Entrepreneur Change Maker.
Honored as a MIGHTY25 at the 2026 Gala in Tampa
During the Military Influencer Conference in Tampa, Ryan Patrick Hunt was formally honored on stage at the prestigious MIGHTY25 Gala by We Are The Mighty — celebrating transformational changemakers shaping the future of the military and veteran community.
Award CelebrationMIGHTY25 Honoree
MIGHTY25 Gala · Tampa
Recognized by We Are The Mighty alongside nation-leading veterans and advocates for outstanding impact, visionary leadership, and service to the military community.
Main Stage PresentationNational Recognition
Military Influencer · Tampa
Accepting the honor in front of peers, corporate partners, and military ecosystem builders from across the country.
Community & FellowshipBuilt on Authentic Trust
Peer Leadership & Impact
Grounded in genuine camaraderie and collaboration — the very principles driving Veteran Social's national movement.
Veteran Social Live at Military Influencer 2026
In Tampa, Veteran Social brought together 10+ leading speakers from across the military influencer space for three high-energy panels centered on our core DNA: Collaboration, Communication, and GRIT. The GRIT panel brought the entire activation together with unforgettable vulnerability, authenticity, and shared purpose.
PANEL 1 · COLLABORATIONBuilding Together
Partnership & Ecosystem Power
Leaders and innovators came together to break down silos, explore cross-sector partnerships, and model how organizations build on each other's strengths.
PANEL 2 · COMMUNICATIONAmplifying the Message
Authentic Dialogue on Stage
Military influencers and ecosystem builders tackled candid communication, modern media, and cutting through the noise to connect veterans with real resources.
PANEL 3 · GRITVulnerability & Perseverance
Raw Stories of Resilience
The GRIT panel moved the room by sharing the raw reality of transition, entrepreneurship, and turning combat resilience into enduring momentum.
Unity Across the Community
Uniting leaders from diverse branches and backgrounds in vulnerability and shared resolve — proving an ecosystem built on each other is unstoppable.
High-Energy Activation
10+ speakers connecting with an engaged audience of changemakers, sparking immediate partnerships and year-round momentum.
Veteran Social After Dark · Tampa 2026
Featuring Operation BBQ Relief, this invite-only nurturing event went far beyond networking. At Veteran Social After Dark, the nurturing of friendships, family, and community comes alive — sharing food, breaking bread, and strengthening the personal bonds that power the entire military-connected ecosystem.
FEATURING OPERATION BBQ RELIEFNourishing Body & Community
Invite-Only Nurturing Gathering · Tampa
Operation BBQ Relief served up a wonderful culinary spread, transforming the kitchen into the heart of the home where leaders, friends, and families connected on a human level.
FRIENDSHIP & FAMILYBonds That Go Beyond the Stage
Community & Togetherness
Laughter, warmth, and genuine fellowship — proving that when the sessions end, the real camaraderie and lifelong relationships begin.
HEART-TO-HEART DIALOGUEAuthentic Connection
Rooftop Conversations Under String Lights
Quiet, deep conversations between founders, veterans, and allies exploring real solutions and building genuine trust.
BREAKING BREADA Shared Table
Fellowship & Community Warmth
Gathering around good food to share stories, honor service, and nurture connections that extend far past traditional networking.
TOGETHERNESSRelaxed Camaraderie
Evening Terrace Gathering
Unwinding together in a warm, welcoming space where every military-connected leader is embraced as family.
What Drives Us
Our Core Values
Social Impact
Driving lasting change across the military-connected community through advocacy, research, and purposeful action.
Opportunity
Opening doors to careers, entrepreneurship, and strategic partnerships that propel veterans forward.
Education
Practical learning from real operators — weekly masterclasses, webinars, AI tools, and 1-on-1 mentorship.
Connection
Authentic relationships and a vibrant 24/7 virtual ecosystem where military-connected leaders find their tribe.
Collaboration
Uniting mission-driven organizations, corporate partners, and nonprofits to multiply shared impact.
Service First
Grounded in military values, service, and shared purpose — supporting veterans from transition to transformation.
The Pillars