Gary Sinise Foundation Empowers West Point Veterans

Gary Sinise has always had a heart for America’s soldiers, first responders, and veterans. With deep family ties to the military, including his brother-in-law Boyd McCanna “Mac” Harris ’66, Sinise has honored service members throughout his life and career. His role as Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump made him an icon of the wounded veteran, a character that resonates deeply with many who have endured catastrophic combat injuries.

The terror attacks of 9/11 transformed his concern into action. From a church pew on the Friday after the attacks, it dawned on him how service work could help heal broken hearts, including his own. “Seeing what showing up can do for somebody makes me forget about my own broken heart,” Sinise has said. “In the midst of personal suffering, when you discover the capacity you have to help someone else, it can help you as well.”

Guided by this conviction, Sinise founded the Gary Sinise Foundation to honor and support veterans, first responders, wounded heroes, families of the fallen, and those enduring invisible wounds. The Foundation lives by the ethos “always do a little more.” Since its inception, the Foundation has given many millions of dollars in support of America’s heroes. This year, the Long Gray Line has become one of the most recent beneficiaries of this broad mission/work with a gift that directly supports the WPAOG Career Services Program, a vital resource for graduates transitioning from military to civilian life, or as they make a career pivot.

For both WPAOG and the Gary Sinise Foundation, this partnership is rooted in a common mission: honoring service, supporting those who sacrifice, and empowering veterans to lead fulfilling lives. The Foundation’s generosity impacts hundreds of USMA alumni seeking career guidance after their time in uniform ends. It will help veterans secure meaningful post-military careers, navigate veterans benefits and transition opportunities, and strengthen community connections across the Long Gray Line. Most importantly, this grant sends a clear message: Service is valued not only while wearing a uniform, but throughout their entire lives.

The Career Services program equips USMA alumni for successful transitions into the civilian sector and for career pivots. Since 2019, more than 2,500 veterans have found meaningful careers with its support. The program offers individualized counseling, resume and interview preparation, access to in-person Service Academy Career Conferences, Virtual Career Fairs for graduates and spouses, networking events, educational webinars, weekly newsletters, and an expanding online platform that connects alumni with thousands of industry leaders and employers worldwide. To further strengthen these connections and provide ongoing, personalized support, Career Services expanded its offerings with two key initiatives.

In 2022, WPAOG launched the Industry Advisor initiative, which now includes more than 460 mentors offering peer-to-peer guidance across a wide range of industries. These advisors—many of them seasoned alumni—help graduates navigate career transitions by sharing firsthand insights and professional connections.

Building on that success, the Employer Partnership program was introduced in 2023 to strengthen relationships with organizations eager to hire West Point talent. Through this initiative, Career Services connects graduates with value-driven companies that recognize the leadership, discipline, and problem-solving skills veterans bring to the workforce. As one participant shared, “WPAOG Career Services helped me articulate all the ways my Army experience is an asset. I didn’t just find a job, I found a new mission that inspires me every day.” The Foundation’s gift expands and sustains these efforts, ensuring that more alumni benefit from tailored, one-on-one support, professional development opportunities, and the strength of the alumni network.

“The grant has helped fund three Virtual Career Fairs for top-tier West Point alumni and their spouses,” said Meghan Morrow, WPAOG Career Services Employee Relations Manager. “The first fair was held in June, and it greatly benefited from the grant funds. Employers were extended a complimentary invitation to the event, which increased employer attendance by 200 percent!” Morrow continued, “The talent pool was strong: Over 60 percent of those registered for the fair had advanced degrees in addition to the leadership skills they formed during their time in service.”

WPAOG has long admired the Gary Sinise Foundation for its decades of service to America’s defenders. The generous grant to Career Services continues that legacy and extends its reach, standing beside the Long Gray Line and reinforcing its commitment to lifelong service.