For the past 17 years, Jon Aasted has been fulfilling his purpose of inspiring veterans to find their career path after life in the service, both in and outside of the Navy.  

Aasted is a Chief Petty Officer in the Navy Reserves, where he serves as an intelligence specialist and a command career counselor. In March this year, he also began his journey as Veteran Engagement Program Coordinator in the City of San Diego’s Human Resources Department.  

With plenty of recruiting experience in the public and private sector, Aasted now supports San Diego veterans and their families by linking them to resources, recruiting them for the most fitting jobs at the City and helping them with any challenges they might be facing while on the job hunt.  

“I want to support veterans and their families,” Aasted said. “Because I have seen firsthand the struggle that military families can face when applying for jobs in the public sector.” 

Aasted attends several community outreach events per month, speaking to veterans who are interested in careers at the City while networking with the many local organizations that offer resources to former and active military members and their families. He says he can already feel his work making a difference.  

“I recently attended an outreach event at a community college,” Aasted said, “And a woman, a Navy veteran, shared with me that – this semester – she hadn’t received funds from her GI bill, so she couldn’t pay for tuition. I was able to direct her to the right people, and the funds became available shortly after.” 

Since the beginning of his journey as Veteran Engagement Coordinator, Aasted has also been busy planning the third annual Veteran Employee Appreciation Breakfast to celebrate the 732 veterans and 93 military spouses who are currently employed at the City.  

The event took place on Nov. 4, 2024, at Balboa Park. Mayor Todd Gloria attended the celebrations, during which he signed an Executive Order to express his and the City’s appreciation for veteran employees.  

Thanks to Aasted, the City also now features an informal employee organization, the City of San Diego Veterans Association, which is open to veterans, their families and anyone who would like to support them.  

As part of his role, Aasted will soon start teaching classes on transitioning out of the military at the Naval Base San Diego, on S. 32nd Street, about which, he says, he is incredibly excited.  

When he is not mentoring veterans, Aasted likes practicing Brazilian jujitsu, spending time with his wife and their six-year-old son and tending to their nine chickens and one dog.