The Career Development Initiative (CDI) provides targeted career preparation, job placement assistance and job retention services to veterans with a focus on post-9/11 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The program expands veteran employment opportunities by growing the network of employers willing to hire these men and women when they complete their tour of service; identifies veterans’ skill sets so that appropriate career matches can be made; directly connects veterans to private employers; tracks employment for 12 months following placement; and collaborates with other nonprofit providers to achieve the greatest number of veteran placements. CDI is a priority for U.S.VETS as it empowers at-risk veterans to become self-sufficient, reducing the likelihood that they will become homeless.