Finding your squad after service: A Veteran’s story in the Military Esports League

Editor’s note: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Veterans should verify the information with the organization offering.

Transitioning out of the military can feel like stepping into uncharted territory. For many Veterans, one of the hardest parts of leaving military service is not adjusting to a new career path or navigating the VA system. It is the sudden loss of the deep, unshakeable camaraderie formed during service.

For one Veteran, Christopher Jones, that gap was filled by the Military Esports League, or MEL, a program of the MEL Foundation. Jones is a retired Army sergeant first class who served for 20 years as a military police soldier and recruiter. Having previously spearheaded the creation of the historic U.S. Army Esports team, he now works to unite the military and Veteran gaming community as commissioner of MEL.

A legacy of service and connection

Reflecting on his two decades in uniform, Jones takes pride in serving with the 2nd Platoon, 108th Military Police Company (Airborne/Air Assault), during garrison and combat operations, alongside building the foundation for the U.S. Army Esports.

After transitioning to the civilian gaming industry, Jones recognized that the collective potential of inter-branch teamwork and Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) had yet to be fully realized under one roof. Today, he sees MEL as a bridge between the broader gaming industry and the military and Veteran community, providing meaningful support and opportunities for connection.

Building community and combatting isolation

Operating much like the professional sports leagues in civilian life, the Military Esports League taps into the long-standing tradition of friendly interservice competition to foster a sense of belonging. The organization focuses heavily on fighting loneliness and isolation by giving service members, Veterans, and military families regular opportunities to come together.

Its programming spans across branch team competitions, dedicated initiatives with VSOs and other structured opportunities for members of the military community.

Through partner-led events, watch parties, Veteran outreach, exhibition matches and community projects, MEL connects participants with trusted resources. The model is intentionally collaborative so that support feels natural and easy to access. Weekly play and structured competition throughout the year make participation accessible to the Veteran community.

A mission for every Veteran

You don’t have to be a hardcore gamer to appreciate the mission behind MEL. As Jones points out, gaming and esports have become a prominent part of modern culture and entertainment.

“Even if you don’t play (esports) games, you can still be part of the community by cheering on your branch and favorite VSOs,” Jones said.

For active gamers, MEL is rolling out competitive environments across a wide variety of game titles with a robust mix of online matches and in-person events scheduled throughout the year.

Get involved

Jones invites Veterans to join MEL teams through Discord and follow MEL programs online. MEL works with partners and donors to expand its reach, develop custom programs and scale its impact across the military and Veteran community. Volunteers interested in tournament operations, marketing or social content are encouraged to reach out and get involved.