Veteran Mentorship That Transforms: How MilMentor and Peter Cline Are Revolutionizing Military Transitions
In the ever-evolving world of military transition, one powerful theme continues to emerge—veteran mentorship. For those leaving the structured environment of the military and stepping into civilian life, the journey can be overwhelming. But with the right mentorship, veterans can navigate this path with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
That’s exactly what Peter Cline, founder of Boots to Books and co-founder of MilMentor, is championing. In his recent appearance on the VET S.O.S. Veteran Educational Resources Spotlight, Peter dives deep into the importance of veteran mentorship, sharing both his personal journey and his vision for the future of peer-to-peer veteran support.
A Veteran’s Journey to Empowerment
Peter ClinePeter’s story starts where many do—straight out of high school and into the military. Joining the infantry, he quickly rose through the ranks, winning competitions and earning accolades. But as his time in the service drew to a close, he faced the same challenge countless others do: “What’s next?”
Despite his military achievements, Peter struggled. Like many transitioning veterans, he thought his accomplishments would easily translate into civilian success. Unfortunately, he approached the job market without direction—armed with a generic resume, little networking, and no specific job targets. “I did everything Boots to Books now tells people not to do,” Peter admitted.
Everything changed when Peter reached out to a mentor—Aubrey Sign. That connection sparked not only his own transformation but also the creation of Boots to Books, a nonprofit dedicated to offering veteran mentorship, scholarships, resume help, and employment resources—all at no cost.
The Birth of MilMentor
While Boots to Books focuses on education and career resources, Peter saw another gap in the transition process: fast, accessible, and scalable veteran mentorship. Enter MilMentor.
MilMentor is an innovative platform designed to connect veterans, military spouses, and service members with mentors from a wide range of industries—from tech and finance to healthcare and entrepreneurship. It’s a platform built for simplicity and impact:
Search over 500 vetted mentors
Schedule a call directly via phone or Zoom
Get tailored advice in minutes, not months
Whether you want to break into cybersecurity, explore startup culture, or fine-tune your resume, MilMentor empowers you to connect with the right expert quickly. This one-on-one veteran mentorship model accelerates exploration and decision-making like never before.
Why Veteran Mentorship Is a Game-Changer
The core message Peter emphasizes is that veteran mentorship can be life-changing—and it’s something no one should go without.
“If you’re a young veteran, this is the perfect time to take a calculated risk,” Peter advises. “Use the benefits you earned—your GI Bill, VA loan, and more. This is a powerful time to invest in your future.”
He also encourages veterans to gain real-world experience before jumping into business ownership. “You don’t need to start a company on day one. Go work at a great one first. Learn, grow, and then launch your own.”
Through veteran mentorship, service members can gain access to knowledge that shortcuts years of trial and error. It’s about working smarter—not just harder—after military service.
Responding to the Closure of Veterati
MilMentor came to life in the wake of Veterati’s closure, a platform many veterans and mentors relied on. With the disappearance of Veterati, Peter and Act Now Education’s Jai Salters knew they had to act fast. Veterans were left asking, “Where do I go for mentorship now?”
In just four months, Peter and Jai launched MilMentor with a completely rebuilt infrastructure. The platform now supports thousands of users and continues to evolve based on feedback. This commitment to listening and adjusting ensures that MilMentor remains a gold standard in veteran mentorship.
The Power of Community Feedback
MilMentor’s development is fueled by real users. Every update—whether it’s video calls, calendar sync, or a mentor rating system—comes from community insight.
For instance, users wanted the ability to reschedule meetings or opt for Zoom calls over phone conversations. MilMentor made it happen. This adaptability is a cornerstone of successful veteran mentorship: meeting people where they are, and delivering solutions that work in real time.
Mentor ratings—even if a little intimidating—help maintain transparency and improve the quality of connections. “I’d rather get a 1-star for telling someone what they need to hear than sugarcoat anything,” said co-host Keith.
Quality Over Quantity in Strategic Partnerships
One challenge for organizations offering free services is funding. MilMentor is attracting sponsorship interest from Fortune 500 companies—but Peter is selective.
“We will not corrupt the user experience,” he states firmly. “Sponsorships won’t dictate how mentors are shown or how veterans connect. That’s non-negotiable.”
This careful approach protects the integrity of the platform and reinforces the community-first philosophy that veteran mentorship depends on.
Complementing Long-Term Programs Like ACP
MilMentor’s model isn’t a replacement for programs like American Corporate Partners (ACP)—it’s a complement. Where ACP offers long-term, industry-focused mentorships, MilMentor provides quick-hit conversations that help veterans explore options and make faster decisions.
Co-host Shawn shared that he used the predecessor to MilMentor to make five mentorship calls a week—quickly ruling out paths and finding clarity. “That rapid-fire research changed everything for me,” he explained.
Veteran mentorship doesn’t have to be one-size-fits-all. There’s room for both long-term and just-in-time approaches. In fact, Peter recommends using both to maximize value.
Creating a Lasting Impact
As VET S.O.S. transitions into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, its leadership is looking to build partnerships that align with its mission. That means working with organizations like MilMentor that focus on veteran mentorship as a core value, not just a marketing buzzword.
“Partnerships need to make sense,” said Shawn. “We want to refer people to resources we trust and believe in. MilMentor is one of those resources.”
Peter echoes this approach: “Many partnerships exist just for the sake of announcement. We’re not about flashy logos. We want real value for the veteran community.”
How You Can Get Involved
If you’re a veteran, active-duty service member, or military spouse, don’t wait—explore the power of veteran mentorship today:
🔗 Visit MilMentor: www.millmentor.com
🔗 Explore Boots to Books: www.bootstobooks.org
🎧 Catch all episodes of VET S.O.S.: vetsospodcast.com
MilMentor continues to grow, adapt, and inspire. But it’s more than just a platform—it’s a movement. And it’s proving that the right mentor at the right time can change everything.
