At The Mandatum Foundation, we are dedicated to ensuring retiring Naval Special Operations members transition smoothly into civilian life. Through hands-on work experience, mentorship, and exposure to new skills or trades, we help them bridge resume gaps, explore certification pathways, and, in many cases, secure meaningful post-service employment.
We prepare retiring elite Naval Special Operations members for fulfilling civilian careers, empowering them to shape their next chapter with confidence and purpose.
To be the trusted partner for retiring elite Naval Special Operations members empowering purposeful transitions and building a strong and supportive network beyond service.
We prioritize the well-being, success, and growth of our Fellows above all else. Every decision we make is guided by our commitment to their transition, ensuring they receive the support, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive in their next mission—life beyond service.
Trust is the foundation of our relationships—with our Fellows, donors, corporate partners, and team. We operate with integrity, transparency, and accountability, ensuring that every action we take upholds the confidence placed in us.
Success is never achieved alone. We believe in collaboration, unity, and shared purpose. By fostering a strong network of Fellows, mentors, supporters, and partners, we create lasting impact and ensure every transition is met with unwavering support.
We embrace a mindset of continuous growth and innovation. Just as our Fellows have dedicated themselves to excellence, we strive to refine our programs, expand our reach, and challenge ourselves to provide the best possible resources for their journey forward.
Offering Fellows the opportunity to discover their ideal career fit through first-hand experience shadowing senior leadership in their daily operations.
Providing our Fellows personalized coaching at the right stage of their transition process to maximize outcomes—boosting their confidence and ease as they integrate into a new organization or industry.
Building bridges and fostering meaningful relationships to support their next chapter. Monthly roundtable discussions with executive leaders offer valuable industry insights and positional context, helping Fellows navigate the civilian sector with confidence.
Mandatum believes that family support is the foundation of a successful transition into civilian life by providing stability, encouragement, and a sense of belonging during times of change. Family support prioritizes the well-being of families by offering mentorship, essential resources, and grants to ease the challenges of relocation. Whether navigating a career shift, a new community, or an unfamiliar environment, we ensure that families have the tools they need to thrive together. By strengthening the support system at home, we empower individuals to pursue new opportunities with confidence and resilience.
Designed exclusively for a select cadre of elite professionals, we provide a concierge-level transition experience, ensuring a seamless and strategic shift from active duty to high-impact civilian careers.
With deep expertise in guiding the best of the best, The Mandatum Foundation delivers the connections, insights, and support necessary for our Fellows—and their families—to thrive beyond the uniform.
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Hosting a fellowship provides a company with access to highly skilled and talented Fellows at no cost. Throughout the Fellowship, company leadership can evaluate their capabilities in a real-world setting while benefiting from their expertise. Although there is no obligation to extend a job offer, many of our Fellows secure full-time positions upon completing their Fellowships, making this a low-risk opportunity to discover top talent.
Our Mandatum Transition Team (MTT) works closely with company representatives to understand the Fellowship role, ideal candidate profile, and company culture. We then facilitate a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the company and our MTT. Once the MOU is signed, we provide resumes of qualified candidates who align with the company’s needs. The organization has the opportunity to interview and select the best fit before extending a Fellowship offer.
The MOU is a formal agreement that defines the key parameters of the Fellowship, including its purpose, expectations, and responsibilities of both the sponsoring organization and the Fellow. It ensures clarity and alignment between all parties. Once finalized, the document is signed by the appropriate company representatives and our team.
The Fellowship is unpaid because the service member remains on active duty and continues to receive full military pay throughout the immersion period. Per military regulations, service members cannot accept compensation from an external organization while participating in the program.
The immersion experience should be tailored to each Fellow based on their skills, interests, and career goals. We encourage companies to provide exposure to multiple departments, roles, and responsibilities to give the Fellow a well-rounded understanding of the organization. While job shadowing can be valuable, hands-on experience is preferred whenever possible. We recommend pairing the Fellow with a mentor—ideally a veteran within the organization—to provide guidance and support throughout the immersion.
As an active-duty service member, the Fellow remains under the authority of his military chain of command. However, with his command’s approval to participate in the Fellowship, he also reports to the supervisor designated by the hosting company or organization for day-to-day responsibilities and guidance.
Fellowships typically span seven to ten days.
Most Fellows require little to no special accommodations. However, if a Fellow has a condition that may impact his work or requires specific accommodations, he will discuss his needs with the company in advance to ensure a supportive and successful Fellowship experience.
We take great care in matching each Fellow with the right opportunity and encourage hosting organizations to invest time in the selection process. However, in the rare case that the Fellowship is not a good fit, the company has the option to terminate it. Likewise, if the experience does not meet the Fellow’s expectations or needs, they may also choose to end the Fellowship.
If challenges arise, we ask that the company reach out to our team to discuss concerns and explore possible solutions before making a final decision.
Our team is here to help—reach out to us today!
Our Fellows have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedom—now it’s our turn to support them. Your donation helps fill the gap in services tailored to retiring Naval Special Operations SEAL and EOD members, ensuring they successfully transition from military service to the civilian workforce.
