Build Your Post-Military Toolkit

Moonshots Capital reviews 1.5–2K decks per year and picks 5–6. Transitioning vets face similar odds: your pitch and your network must be sharp if you want investors (hiring managers) to bite.

1. Compelling elevator pitch (distill your career into 2–3 punchy claims).
2. Polished LinkedIn + resume (civilian language, crisp story).
3. Forwardable email (so sponsors can introduce you easily).
4. Warm intros via your military + civilian network.
5. Tracking system (sheet/CRM) to manage follow-ups.

• Author’s pitch: “Bronze Star from Afghanistan, Ivy League PhD, Top Secret clearance. Only ~12 people in the Army have all three; I know the other 11.”
• Special Ops colonel: “5–15–75. Led 5K people, deployed 15 times, commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment.”
• Engineer commander: “CEO of a 700-person, $200M org; trusted advisor to senior leaders; technical range from econ to engineering.”
• Lieutenant General: Highlighted leading 45K-person enterprise, $200M investments, drafting modernization strategy, and White House/National Security Council experience.

• Clear subject line (“Intro to Moonshots Capital for transitioning intel officer”).
• Open with thanks + specify who you want to meet.
• Ask for a quick call/meeting.
• Drop your elevator pitch.
• Attach resume + LinkedIn + any key links (articles, talks).
• Use a fresh email thread; include full signature info.
• Make it easy for your sponsor to click forward and add a few personal sentences.

Start with a “board of directors”—3–5 people who know you well. Each can make 2–4 warm introductions, yielding 10–20 conversations. Keep them in the loop via your tracking sheet and maintain the board even after you land a role.

Use a Google Sheet (or CRM) with columns for: priority, company, contact name/title/email/LinkedIn, introducer, focus area, industry, outreach date, follow-up, and next actions. Share with your board so they can help sequence introductions.