November 7, 2025 · Program Impact, Talent
NextOp Veterans Fly-In: Showcasing Alabama as a Home for Military Talent
As Veterans Day approaches, Alabama is showing its continued commitment to supporting those who have served by helping them find meaningful careers and strong communities here at home. This August, Huntsville welcomed 22 active-duty military members, transitioning veterans and military spouses from across the country for a NextOp Veterans Fly-In, the second in a series of immersive, all-expenses-paid programs designed to connect military talent with Alabama employers, civic leaders and community members.
By attracting highly trained veterans to Alabama, programs like the Fly-In strengthen the state’s economy, bolster key industries such as aerospace and advanced manufacturing, and ensure employers have access to the mission-ready talent they need to grow.
Hosted by NextOp Veterans, a nonprofit organization, in partnership with Innovate Alabama and the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Foundation, the Fly-In showcased Huntsville’s thriving job market, strong family values values and exceptional quality of life. Over three days, participants met with major employers, explored Cummings Research Park, attended sessions on workforce opportunities and experienced the community firsthand — from a Rocket City Trash Pandas game to local networking events for military spouses.
NextOp exists to serve those who served, with a mission to ensure post-9/11 enlisted veterans receive the career support they deserve. The organization connects veterans and transitioning service members to meaningful career opportunities, bridging the gap between military experience and industries in need of diverse, skilled talent.
“Programs like the NextOp Fly-In help us connect skilled, hardworking men and women who have served our country with rewarding careers right here in Alabama. Attracting transitioning service members strengthens our workforce, supports our employers, and helps these families build a future in a community that shares their values.”
– Shannon Allen, Innovate Alabama’s executive director of future talent strategies
Participants said they were impressed by what they discovered in Huntsville. One attendee shared, “I thought it was a great place to live and raise a family. Safe, affordable, booming economy, and their government personnel seemed to be in lock step with the vision of making it an even greater place.”
Another added, “Going there in person revealed things that cannot be researched otherwise — the feel of the city, how people act, the energy. I was considering Huntsville before; but now I’m really hoping I land a job there.”
Panel discussions with employers, civic leaders and veterans who have successfully transitioned into Alabama’s workforce offered firsthand insight into the professional and personal opportunities available in the region. Participating employers included major aerospace and technology companies such as Boeing and Blue Origin, along with local manufacturers and innovators driving growth in Alabama’s economy.
As Alabama honors veterans this November, the success of programs like the NextOp Fly-In reflects the state’s ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for those who have served — not just in uniform, but in the workforce and in their communities. For many participants, Huntsville wasn’t just a place they could envision working. It was a place they could see themselves calling home.
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