Our Story

Friendly Forces is a grassroots nonprofit organization founded by active US military Reservists. It was established to address a significant gap in understanding and awareness within both the public and private sectors about the unique challenges and needs faced by the 37% of the US military who serve part time to defend our nation.

Friendly Forces was established to teach the industry and the American public about the critical role Reservists serve within our national defense and to advise organizations that want to learn about and benefit from military inclusive policies as they relate to recruiting, retention, risk mitigation, branding, and market competitiveness.

Because of our experience, we have learned and are guided by the following tenets:

  1. The private sector and the Reserve Component relationship is symbiotic. Reservists cannot serve and defend our nation at home and overseas if their careers, financial security, and families are jeopardized.
  2. Reservists are indispensable to our national security and military readiness—within its ranks are some of our most skilled and experienced service members.
  3. Reservists are critical to bridging the civil-military divide.
  4. Reservists are a distinct audience within the military community, with unique strengths and challenges.
  5. Many employers mistakenly believe that being military friendly starts and stops with engaging separating Active-Duty service members.
  6. Many employers have non-existent, antiquated, ambiguous, or severely deficient military leave programs.
  7. It can be incredibly difficult for a Reservist job candidate to accurately ascertain a potential employer’s commitment to its military employees.

Every week we hear new stories from Reservists who face employment discrimination or whose lives and careers have been upturned by their military obligations.

We aim to partner with industry to change that.

Our Mission and Vision

It is our mission to empower military Reservists by connecting them with exemplary employers who recognize their unique skills and contributions. We strive to enhance the professional and personal lives of Reservists by promoting best-in-class employment opportunities that support their service, career aspirations, and the critical role they play in national security and military readiness.

Friendly Forces envisions a world where military Reservists seamlessly integrate their service and civilian careers, supported by employers who are committed to their growth, well-being, and success.

What We Stand For

Our Core
Values

Integrity

We serve those who serve—and we work closely with employers who share this value. Our credentials cannot be purchased or influenced if not merited.

Transparency

Data about how employers treat military employees should not be blocked, obscured, or difficult to access. We emphasize 100% transparency and communication from employers about their military leave benefits and in how we conduct our research to benefit both Reservists and the business world.

Compassion

Reserve service is challenging, and employers need to do right by their employees, boards, and investors. We understand these challenges, and we’re here to help find solutions that help everyone.

Collaboration

Your vision to support Reservists is unique. We help you every step of the way to make sure it’s optimally realized and implemented.

Who We Are

Our Team

Eric Evans

Executive Director

Eric is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan and currently serves as an officer in the US Army Reserve. When out of the uniform, Eric works as a strategy and operations consultant to public sector clients in the Washington, DC area and is the host of Part Time Hitter, a podcast about interesting people from the Reservist community.

Wayne Travers

Advisor

Wayne Travers Jr. is a retired Army National Guard officer and marketing communications strategist whose career includes roles at global accounting and consulting firms Deloitte and Ernst & Young. He is a senior volunteer for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense program that develops and promotes supportive work environments for service members in the National Guard and Reserve. Among his former ESGR roles are Connecticut state chair (2009-2012), state Public Affairs subcommittee director, Ombudsman and Employer Outreach representative.

For his exemplary work with ESGR, he received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service in 2012.  Additionally, he has served on veterans’ advisory councils for U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT 4th) and lives in Shelton, Conn., with his wife, Eileen.

James Patterson

Advisor

James is an avid military supporter having worked in various roles supporting the Department of Defense and other government entities. In his roles, he has seen first-hand the capabilities that our Reservists bring to the fight in filling key knowledge and experience gaps to exponentially strengthen programs. James is a Senior Product Manager and technologist for one of the biggest technology companies in the world and advises on information technology solutions and cybersecurity.

Ryan Zink

Advisor

Ryan is a veteran of Operation Inherent Resolve, having served in Iraq. He currently serves as an officer in the Army National Guard. In addition to his military service, Ryan has worked in management consulting and technology. He is currently a vice president of technology for a Big Four financial institution.

How to Get Involved

Become a sponsor and show your support for
our serving Reservists.

Step 1

Schedule a Meeting with
Friendly Forces

Step 2

Describe Your Company
Goals & Objectives

Step 3

Create a Plan to Become
Reservist-Friendly