How 3 Veterans Are Transitioning Back Into Civilian Life 

Like any change, shifting from active duty to civilian life can be challenging — especially when it comes to finding employment. That’s why Men’s Wearhouse and Hire Heroes USA are on a mission to transform military service into civilian success. In honor of Veteran’s Day, we’re shining the spotlight on a few men who are transitioning back into civilian life and reentering the workforce with help from this partnership. 

Over the past five years, Men’s Wearhouse has donated more than $3 million to Hire Heroes USA, a nonprofit organization that empowers U.S. military members, veterans and their spouses to succeed in the civilian workforce. 

"Men's Wearhouse is proud of our ongoing partnership with Hire Heroes USA that allows us to honor those who have served our country,” says John Tighe, President of Tailored Brands, which is the parent company of Men’s Wearhouse. “We have always been an important destination for our customers in pivotal moments in their life, from weddings to entering the workforce. This is our sixth year of partnership with Hire Heroes and we are honored to contribute both financially and through dressing Veterans for their moments that matter." 

Starting November 1, Men’s Wearhouse customers will be invited to make a $1, $3 or $5 donation at the POS in-store — and Tailored Brands will match the customers’ contribution with a donation of up to $1 million across various veteran organizations, including Hire Heroes USA. The retailer is also dressing a selection of veterans in perfectly tailored Awearness Kenneth Cole suits as they pursue employment. Below, meet three of the men who were chosen for this opportunity.

After four years of serving as a logistic manager, Adrian Gray transitioned out of the U.S. Army in January 2022. Although he was an AmeriCorps Coordinator prior to joining the military, he was nervous about reentering the workforce. “I didn’t realize how much had changed and how many steps needed to be taken to secure employment,” he says. “There was a moment when I reconsidered transitioning out of the military, but that nervousness was eventually replaced by the opportunities ahead.”  

Gray has a Masters in Information Technology, but he wasn’t sure which area of IT he wanted to pursue. “Hire Heroes USA hosted networking events and IT-focused career fairs,” he says. “Attending these events helped me realize that I want to focus on the networking aspect of cybersecurity.” Now, wearing a perfectly tailored suit from Men’s Wearhouse is giving him the confidence he needs to make strong first impressions. “It helps alleviate any concerns I have about wearing the right attire so I can focus on presenting who I am and the skills I can bring to an employer,” Gray says.

Former Command Master Chief Jon Smedley retired from the U.S. Navy after 27 years of service in 2016. After starting a business called Trim and Train with his wife to help horses and humans, he decided to get his Executive MBA. During this transition period, Smedley turned to Hire Heroes USA for support. “As I found positions that fit my interests and needs, Hire Heroes USA would connect me with a mentor in that field who could coach me through targeting my resume and share interview tips,” he says.

Smedley is interested in a career that will combine his passion for helping people, experience leading dynamic teams, and ability to solve complex problems — and Men’s Wearhouse is helping him dress for success. “After wearing a uniform for so many years, it took me a while to recognize myself in civilian clothes,” he says. “It may sound silly, but looking at myself in this modern business suit reinforces that I can!”

31-year-old veteran Nathan Wallace was trained to work on radars while he was in the U.S. Army. “I learned how to maintain and repair them, and it blew my mind that there were people out there who could build these incredible machines,” he says. “I started thinking about how I could do something like that in the future, and I felt like engineering would be the best fit.” He’s currently pursuing an engineering degree and working with Hire Heroes USA to secure an internship.

“Everything I’ve done so far has been classroom-based, so I’m eager to start applying what I’ve learned,” he says. “Hire Heroes USA connected me to an engineering professional who gave me guidance on breaking into the field and networking tips.” He recently used that advice at a hiring event where he dressed to impress in a Men’s Wearhouse suit. “This suit makes me feel professional, confident, and like I can actually be a real engineer.”

Explore similar styles inspired by these looks: