RE+ 2025: A Servicemembers Perspective on Volunteering, Networking, and Transitioning
As an active-duty service member preparing to transition, attending RE+ 2025 was an invaluable opportunity to explore the renewable energy industry while connecting with veterans and industry leaders. Thanks to Project Vanguard, I was able to learn, network, and volunteer (Applied via RE+) at the largest clean energy conference in North America — at almost no cost beyond travel, food, and lodging.
Volunteering provided a $1,400+ Full Conference pass, granting access to every panel and event. My duties were straightforward: ensure moderators and panelists were present, coordinate via the RE+ app, and conduct a headcount for each event. The AV team handled the technical side, leaving me time to connect with panelists. In fact, one panel led to a dinner with a lab leader from the Pacific Northwest — a conversation that might shape my next chapter.
Where Project Vanguard made the biggest difference was in the network. Using the PV member list, I reached out to fellow members on LinkedIn before and during the event. Those conversations were some of the most genuine and supportive I’ve had in my transition — from resume feedback to introductions to future opportunities. The PV meetup at RE+ was another highlight, creating space to share experiences, build connections, and reinforce the sense of community that Project Vanguard is all about.
I did learn a few lessons. The RE+ app was useful for seeing who was attending, but LinkedIn was far more effective for real engagement. I also discovered that many of the largest industry players didn’t have booths on the expo floor — instead, they hosted meetings in suites, ballrooms, or off-site hotels. Next year, I’ll use the list of companies attending in advance and apply AI tools to narrow down target companies. Finally, I recommend arriving early and planning deliberately; walking in late on Day 1 left me scrambling to make up ground.
For any veteran or transitioning service member, volunteering at RE+ is a must-do opportunity. The financial savings are substantial, the access unmatched, and the network — especially through Project Vanguard — is extraordinary. All wins.
