by Sinclair Johnson-Knight

Erringer Helbling landed her dream job after completing her active duty service in the Army. She hopped on a plane to California from Washington, D.C. to begin her civilian career at Space Exploration Technologies — SpaceX. After graduating from West Point and serving on active duty for five years, Errin felt ready for the next phase of her life and career. Her time working tactical missions at Fort Bragg, in the strategic intelligence community, and as a military social aide at the White House was both challenging and fulfilling. While it was somewhat terrifying to leave the military, she was confident that she’d adjust to civilian life.

SpaceX challenged Errin immediately, but she quickly earned a promotion just months after starting. Walking the factory floors of SpaceX surrounded by some of the brightest minds in her field, everything seemed to be going great.

“On paper, I was thriving,” says Errin, but “I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize myself.” 

After doing everything she thought she needed to be successful in the civilian world, from networking to attending prestigious veteran transition programs, Errin could not understand why it felt like she had lost sight of herself and her purpose. 

“Everything from there fell apart. I realized that I treated SpaceX like bootcamp. I allowed myself to be completely broken down and built up again in a version of myself that I didn’t recognize,” recalls Errin. Ultimately, she had lost touch with her command purpose.

At the same time Errin was juggling her transition out of the Army, Cadienne Naquin was wrestling with similar issues. Cadie spent her time in college as a dedicated athlete on the soccer team and active member of various clubs and organizations in her school community. Once she landed in the corporate world, though, she found herself no longer able to define her life by how she spent her time. She moved to a new city and started working in the defense industry, but despite having a great job, Cadie says,

“I found myself disoriented, without bearings, and overwhelmed by a profound sense of groundlessness.” 

Shortly before Errin moved to Los Angeles and Cadie transitioned from the corporate world to government service, the two women met while playing recreational soccer in Washington, D.C. For both of them, the meeting came at pivotal moments in their lives, and over drinks after soccer, they bonded over the immense difficulty of transition.

Cadie recognized through conversations with Errin that the struggles she faced were doubled for veteran women transitioning from active duty. Veteran women experience their mission, value, community, and story being challenged simultaneously as they move to the civilian world. Cadie was able to see Errin’s value as a woman who had served in the military. And Errin recognized through her conversations with Cadie the power of an ally who understood the civilian world. 

The two friends came up with the idea to launch The Command Purpose Foundation out of their own need for support.

What started as informal meet-ups for veteran women in the D.C. area quickly grew to dozens of members as word spread. Errin and Cadie created an initial workshop based on what they felt they needed to navigate personal and professional transitions, but that they could not find in other organizations. This initial workshop sought to scale the relationship that they built as a veteran woman and ally supporting one another, focusing not on developing knowledge or skills, crafting a resume, or identifying new opportunities, but rather exploring purpose and identity with trusted peers who share core values. The first workshop was held in February of 2020. 

Since that first workshop, the community has grown to over 100 members located across the country and internationally. It has hosted multiple workshops and speakers, facilitated community groups and helped veteran women rediscover their purpose and value through shared dialogue and introspection.