We Empower Veterans & Their Families for Civilian Success

Veteran Buddy System is a dedicated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on empowering U.S. military veterans during their transition to civilian life. We offer essential resources such as peer mentorship, career development programs, and financial literacy training to ensure a smooth adjustment and successful future.
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Veterans are ordinary people that served and did extraordinary things only to go back to a world of the ordinary. At VBS, we make them become extraordinary again.

Our Mission & Vision

Our MissionEmpowering veterans to confidently navigate the civilian world by providing access to financial literacy education, college and trade school benefits, small business startup assistance (including SBA loans and veteran business grants), Chapter 31 programs, VA benefits navigation, and career-building opportunities. Through connection, mentorship, training, and support, we aim to eliminate the isolation and barriers many veterans face, ensuring that no veteran feels alone while building their next mission in life. We are committed to equipping every veteran with the tools, knowledge, and community they need to succeed in their next chapter.
Our VisionWe envision a world where every veteran transitions from military service to civilian life with strength, dignity, and opportunity, supported by a community that understands their journey and champions their success. Through connection, mentorship, and empowerment, we strive to eliminate the isolation and barriers that many veterans face, ensuring that no veteran ever feels alone as they build their next mission in life.

Our Three Core Principles

Prepare Veterans to succeed in civilian world.
The Veteran Buddy System is committed to assisting U.S. military veterans in their transition to civilian life by offering essential resources such as peer mentorship, financial literacy programs, and career development opportunities.
Navigate the maze of VA benefits.
Our peer mentorship program connects veterans with experienced mentors who provide guidance, support, and encouragement during their transition. This lifelong bond fosters a sense of belonging.
Foster growth through camaraderie.
We offer financial literacy programs designed to equip veterans with crucial skills for budgeting, saving, and managing finances effectively, helping them gain independence in civilian life.

What We Do

Community & Connection
Career Transition Support
Education & Skill Advancement
Provide a trusted support network that fosters camaraderie, combats isolation, and builds lasting bonds through peer mentoring and group engagement
Equip veterans with tools for success in the civilian workforce, resume writing, interview coaching, networking events, and job placement services.
Guide veterans through higher education, vocational training, certifications, and full utilization of Chapter 31 and other GI Bill benefits.
Financial Empowerment
Entrepreneurship Support
Health & Well-being Navigation
Offer personalized financial literacy training, including budgeting, credit repair, savings strategies, and investment planning for long-term stability.
Support veterans' business goals through mentorship, startup resources, access to SBA loans, and veteran-focused grant programs.
Connect veterans to trusted mental health care, peer support, crisis resources, and one-on-one guidance for navigating VA benefits like healthcare and disability claims.

How We Do It

Veteran-Led Mentorship
Empower veterans through peer-to-peer mentorship and custom action plans tailored to education, career, and personal development goals.
Resource & Benefits Navigation
Provide expert guidance to help veterans efficiently access VA benefits, programs, and services, cutting through the confusion with trusted support.
Workshops Opportunities
Host in-person and virtual trainings on topics like financial literacy, career readiness, business development, and personal growth.
Community Engagement
Foster belonging through meetups, online groups, and events that encourage authentic connection and ongoing peer support.
Advocacy-Driven Action
Champion veteran issues at all levels, always grounded in discipline, mission-focus, and a commitment that no veteran walks alone.
Collaborative Partnerships
Expand opportunities by partnering with veteran organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, and businesses committed to serving those who served.
Veteran-Led Support & Guidance
Empowerment Through Resources

How We Will Impact Success

Connect veterans with peer mentors and tailored action plans that provide real-world advice, motivation, and structure for their next chapter.
Eliminate confusion by helping veterans navigate VA benefits, services, and community programs, ensuring access to the tools they’ve earned.
We provide veterans with trusted peer support, personalized goal setting, and easy access to critical benefits and resources. Through hands-on training, career development, and a deep commitment to community and advocacy, we ensure no veteran faces life after service alone.
Training, Skills & Career Development
Community, Advocacy & Partnerships
Deliver in-person and virtual workshops on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, resume building, and professional readiness to fuel long-term success.
Build a strong sense of belonging through events and collaborations while advocating for veteran issues at local, state, and national levels.

Meet the Team

Click on photo for bio

Dr. Bryan W. Becze (USMC)
CEO | Executive Director
Brianna Woodruff (USAF)
Joseph Kanson IV (USA)
Kristin Dittmer
Ray Ziftko (USA)
Vice President | Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member

Forged From Experience, Driven by Purpose

Our mission began with lived experience, and frustration. When many leave the military, our transitions are anything but smooth. After going through the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), like many, more confused than confident. TAPs classes are supposed to be the bridge between service and civilian life. But for many, it has been a firehose of information, more than 500 pages of content, some valuable, most overwhelming, and all delivered at the wrong time and in the wrong way. It feels like a "check the box" requirement rather than a meaningful launchpad for the next chapter of veteran life. While there are helpful nuggets in the information you are provided, it becomes buried under generic advice, outdated resources, and one-size-fits-all sessions that fail to consider the diverse goals of transitioning veterans. Whether you are pursuing education, launching a business, shifting careers, or managing medical needs, TAP’s structure rarely adapts to your path. Even more concerning, the individuals delivering this content are often retired military personnel who, despite their honorable service, have never navigated the complexities of the private sector, and this makes them ill-suited as mentors for those transitioning into civilian careers. They may offer wisdom from their own journey, but often they are not equipped to prepare veterans for today's job market, benefit filings, entrepreneurship, or state-specific resources. 
We created this nonprofit because Veterans deserve more.
They deserve targeted support, content that reflects their unique goals, state-specific resources that follow them wherever they land, and delivery methods that meet them where they are. Whether it is an interactive workbook, mobile app, or mentorship program, we aim to build tools that provide actionable guidance, real-world relevance, and ongoing support, something TAPs has never fully delivered. This is not just for the newly separated. We are building for those who have been out for years but still feel lost, unsupported, or underserved. Because transition is not a moment, it is a process. And no Veteran should go through it alone.
Budget Allocation & Roadmap
How We Allocate Our Resources At Veteran Buddy System, we steward every dollar with purpose. Fifty percent funds Program Services, the core of our mission, transition planning, VA navigation, mentorship, community events, and evidence-informed therapeutic partnerships. Ten percent supports Administration and Operations, including compliance, insurance, accounting, and technology that keeps services reliable and accountable. Fifteen percent goes to Staffing to recruit and train peer leaders and coordinators who deliver support. Fifteen percent fuels Marketing and Outreach so we can reach the next veteran through partnerships, campaigns, and events. We set aside five percent for Reserves to protect stability, and five percent for Fundraising to build sustained, diversified support. This mix maximizes impact while keeping the organization strong.
Our Roadmap: From Launch to Nationwide Impact Veteran Buddy System’s five-year path is focused and phased. Year one completes setup, builds awareness, raises funds, and supports veterans. Year two establishes Colorado and expands into Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona. Year three extends chapters from the West Coast to the Mississippi, covering California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and other Western and Central states. Year four grows across the Southeast, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and the Carolinas. Year five and beyond reach the Northeast, including New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, completing nationwide coverage and strengthening our capacity to improve services.

What Our Clients Say

"I want to sincerely thank Dr. Bryan, owner of Veteran Buddy System, for the incredible support he has given me. He went above and beyond to connect me with the right resources at a time when I truly needed guidance to get back on my feet. His dedication, compassion, and commitment to helping veterans is unmatched. Dr. Bryan not only pointed me in the right direction, but he also made sure I felt supported throughout the process. I am deeply grateful for his help and highly recommend Veteran Buddy System to any veteran who may be looking for genuine care and reliable resources." - Savannah S. Air Force Veteran
"I felt stuck after leaving the Army. VBS gave me a clear path and a real support system that I haven't had since I was in the service." - Jameson E., Army Veteran
"I am a USMC veteran. Veteran Buddy System helped me reconnect with purpose, community, and the belief that my service still mattered. VBS brings veterans together the way the Corps taught us to operate, side by side, looking out for one another. It's great to be back in the brotherhood again." - Eugene M., USMC Veteran
As a Marine combat veteran, when I got out, I lost my purpose and the people who had my back. I missed it and it screwed me up, more than I expected. Veteran Buddy System brought back to something real, people who understood the weight without me having to explain it. The support felt familiar, like being around those who actually watch your six. VBS brings veterans together the way we were trained to operate, side by side, no one left behind. - Colby H., USMC Veteran
I am a Navy veteran. After I got out, the structure was gone and things got quiet in a way that was hard to explain. Veteran Buddy System connected me with people who understood service without needing the backstory and who actually showed up. No one gets left behind here." - Avina A., Navy Veteran

Read What They Say:

Cornhole for a Cause!

Veteran Buddy System

Join Our Community Efforts
Saturday, March 28, 2026
9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Crooked Beech Brewery
3121 N Garfield Ave Loveland, CO 80538

Big news! Veteran Buddy System is proud to announce our second major community event, happening March 28, 2026. After the incredible turnout, energy, and heart that made our first gathering so meaningful, we are returning even stronger and more inspired. This will be a powerful day centered on connection, camaraderie, and purpose. Veterans, families, and supporters from across the region will come together to share stories, build friendships, enjoy friendly competition, and continue advancing our mission: ensuring no veteran walks alone after service. Event details, registration, and sponsorship opportunities will be announced soon. For now, mark your calendar and stay tuned. March 28, 2026 is shaping up to be something truly special.
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The Buddy System is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The organization exists to empower and support United States military veterans in their transition to civilian life. Through peer mentorship, education, and community engagement, we provide veterans with access to financial literacy programs, educational advancement, small business support, career development resources, and mental health services. We aim to eliminate barriers to reintegration, reduce isolation, and build a lifelong support network that fosters personal growth, stability, and economic opportunity.
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