RTAG

What RTAG does

RTAG is a U.S.-based, veteran-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that connects transitioning military service members with careers in the aviation and aerospace industries. Founded around 2017 to address the national pilot shortage by placing professional rotary wing aviators, the organization has since broadened its mission to serve all veterans regardless of aviation experience, covering roles such as pilots, maintainers, technicians, and dispatchers. RTAG reports approximately 5,000 veteran members, 100+ corporate sponsors, and awards roughly $500,000 in scholarships annually at its flagship RTAG National Convention, which rotates across U.S. cities and is scheduled for Orlando, FL in October 2026.

The core service portfolio consists of scholarship funding, an annual convention serving as the primary recruiting and education event, mentorship programs (including a Facebook-based mentorship community), and educational content covering financial planning, VA benefits, resume preparation, and airline recruiter briefings. Underlying technology is minimal and non-proprietary: the website is designed and hosted by RFX Technologies, donations are processed via Donorbox, and community engagement runs through Facebook groups and a YouTube channel. There is no disclosed AI, API, SDK, or mobile app.

The business model is a donation- and sponsorship-funded nonprofit. 100% of donor contributions are stated to flow directly to veteran scholarships, while operational expenses are funded separately through advertising and direct contributions. Additional revenue is generated through convention sponsorships and exhibitor fees from aviation industry partners, which include major passenger airlines (United, American, Allegiant, PSA, Envoy, GoJet), cargo operators (UPS, ATI, Amazon, DHL), training providers (Infinity Flight Group), and adjacent brands such as Hilton. A tiered RTAG Legacy membership donation program has been introduced to support recurring/larger gifts. No revenue figures, funding rounds, or employee-level financials are publicly disclosed.

Name

RTAG

Legal name

RTAG

Website

https://rtag.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RTAG is a U.S.-based veteran-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps transitioning military veterans — pilots, maintainers, technicians, and dispatchers — start aviation and aerospace careers through scholarships, mentorship, education, and an annual national convention connecting veterans with airline, cargo, and training sponsors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veteran Career Transition Services (Nonprofit)

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterans & Military-to-Civilian Transition Programs (EDAAAOAH)

Keywords

• Veteran career transition
• Military aviation transition
• Aviation scholarship funding
• Veteran nonprofit services
• Pilot recruitment programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Verona

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: RTAG operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded primarily through donations. The organization states that 100% of donations go directly to veterans through scholarship funds, with operational budget funded separately through advertising and other direct contributions.
2. RTAG Legacy Program: Tiered membership donation program that creates lasting impact for veterans transitioning into aviation. Legacy donors help fund scholarships awarded annually to service members and their families pursuing aerospace careers.
3. Sponsorships and Exhibitor Fees: Revenue generated from aviation industry partners who sponsor the annual convention and participate as exhibitors. Companies gain access to RTAG's community of skilled aviation professionals including pilots, maintainers, technicians, and dispatchers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

RTAG is a veteran-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that helps transitioning U.S. military veterans — including pilots, maintainers, technicians, and dispatchers — start post-military careers in the aviation and aerospace industries. The organization delivers its impact through scholarships, mentorship, industry-expert education sessions, a free membership community of 5,000+ veterans, and an annual national convention that connects veterans directly with airline recruiters, flight schools, and aviation employers.

Product overview

RTAG is a veteran-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates primarily as a community platform and service organization rather than a technology product. The organization offers a suite of services including scholarships, membership programs, annual conventions, mentorship, and educational resources designed to help veterans transition to aviation and aerospace careers. The main online presence consists of the RTAG website platform which provides information access, membership management, event registration, donation processing, and educational content through articles and info sessions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• RTAG Membership Program A free membership community program connecting more than 5,000 veterans and aviation professionals, providing access to mentorship, industry connections, scholarships, and community resources for transitioning service members pursuing aviation careers.
• RTAG National Convention The annual premier military-to-civilian aerospace transition convention bringing together civilian recruiters, military representatives, aviation vendors, flight schools, and industry sponsors for recruiting, networking, education sessions, and scholarship presentations. The 2026 edition will be held October 17-18 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.
• RTAG Scholarships Award programs that provide financial assistance to transitioning military veterans pursuing aviation and aerospace training and certifications. RTAG has developed several scholarship programs to aid transitioning veterans, with $500,000 in scholarship dollars offered at the most recent annual convention.
• RTAG Legacy Donation Program A tiered membership donation program offered to supporters wanting to make larger, lasting contributions to fund annual scholarships for transitioning service members and their families pursuing aerospace careers.
• RTAG Mentorship Program Mentorship program operated through the RTAG Facebook community, pairing experienced aviation professionals with transitioning veterans to provide career guidance, counseling, and peer support during the military-to-civilian transition.

Quantifiable outcome

• $500,000 in scholarship dollars offered at annual convention
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Aviation and Aerospace PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTAG partners with aviation and aerospace companies who recognize the value of hiring veterans. These partners place veterans behind controls and across the industry. Some partners offer significant tax breaks through RTAG's corporate partnership programs.
• 100 SponsorscoreGTM or Marketing Partner100 sponsors help RTAG make a difference for veterans. Sponsors include airlines, flight schools, aviation vendors, and industry suppliers who participate in the annual convention and support scholarship programs.
• UPSmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPS is a major cargo operator (formed 1988) that hires veterans. The company offers stable career opportunities for pilots with global operations.
• Air Transport International (ATI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerATI is a 121 cargo operator operating since 1979 with fleet of 757s and 767s, flying for Amazon, US military, DHL. Actively recruits from RTAG's veteran membership.
• AmazonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmazon operates cargo flights through ATI and other providers, creating employment opportunities for transitioning military aviators.
• DHLmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational express delivery company with cargo aviation operations that recruits pilots through RTAG's veteran community.
• Hilton HotelsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHilton is offering transitioning veterans 100K Hilton Honor points to assist in job hunting, supporting veterans during their career transition.
• Orange County Convention CenterminorOthersConvention venue in Orlando, FL hosting the RTAG National Convention 2026 in the Theme Park Capital of the World.
• DonorboxminorOthersDonorbox provides the embedded donation platform for RTAG's website, enabling online donations to support veteran scholarship programs.
• RFX TechnologiesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLouisville, KY and Atlanta, GA based digital marketing and IT support company that designed and hosts the RTAG website.
• Infinity Flight GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlight school in Trenton, NJ recommended for fixed wing training for Army pilots transitioning to airlines. Works with Piedmont Airlines training funds.
• FreemanminorOthersThird-party company handling shipping of booth setup items, power requests, extra booth chairs, and flooring options for the RTAG National Convention.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Student Veterans of America: Nonprofit supporting military-affiliated students pursuing higher education, with a chapter network and scholarship programs. Comparable to RTAG in veteran-focused nonprofit structure, scholarship distribution, and community-driven engagement model.
• FourBlock: Nonprofit focused on career transition for transitioning service members and veterans, leveraging a cohort-based curriculum with corporate partners. Comparable to RTAG in its veteran transition mission, structured programming, and corporate sponsorship model.
• Pat Tillman Foundation: Nonprofit providing scholarships and professional development to active-duty service members, veterans, and military spouses. Comparable to RTAG in its scholarship-driven model, veteran beneficiary base, and corporate/foundation funding.
• Hire Heroes USA: Nonprofit providing free job placement assistance, interview coaching, and career guidance to transitioning military members and veterans. Comparable in target population (transitioning veterans), free-of-cost service model, and corporate employer partnerships.
• Troops to Teachers: Department of Defense-supported program that helps transitioning service members begin second careers as K-12 teachers. Directly comparable to RTAG as a military-to-civilian career transition program, though focused on teaching rather than aviation.
• American Corporate Partners (ACP): National nonprofit that connects transitioning veterans and active-duty service members with corporate mentors for career transition. Directly comparable to RTAG in mission, member scale, and mentor-driven GTM, though ACP serves all career paths rather than aviation specifically.

Broad incumbents

• Military Officers Association of America (MOAA): Large nonprofit membership organization serving military officers and their families with career resources, advocacy, and benefits support. Comparable to RTAG as a membership-based veteran service organization, but much larger, older, and broader in scope than aviation.
• Hiring Our Heroes (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation): Large-scale initiative connecting veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses to employment opportunities through events and corporate partnerships. Comparable in mission and event-driven GTM, but operates at much broader scale across all industries, not aviation specifically.

Emerging players

• Women in Aviation International: Nonprofit dedicated to encouraging women to pursue careers in aviation, with scholarships, networking events, and education programs. Comparable to RTAG in aviation-career scholarship distribution, member community model, and annual conference format.
• Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP): Nonprofit advancing minorities in all aerospace careers through scholarships, mentoring, and career exposure programs. Comparable to RTAG in aviation-career focus, scholarship programs, mentorship, and annual convention-driven community engagement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/rtagnation
• Xx.com/rtag_nation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RTAG