Transitioning from the military to civilian life can be very difficult, believe me, I am doing it right now. Hi, my name is Nicholas Nelson, I live in Jacksonville, Florida, I have been in the Navy for seven years, and I am currently utilizing the Skillbridge Program to work in Digital Marketing and Content Creation for SkillMil, Inc. It has taken a long time to get to this point; hours of research, persistence, and knowing my own worth. While working in the Navy, I worked as a Divisional Career Counselor, helping guide fellow sailors in their career decisions and the processes involved in each one. Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to continue their career in the military or transition into the civilian workforce, I chose the latter. In doing so, I wanted to bring to light several programs in the military that remain terribly under-utilized, how they work, and where to find more information on them.
1. Tuition Assistance (TA)
The Tuition Assistance program is a program that allows service members to take college courses offered by any institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and have agreed to the DoD Voluntary Education Partnership. In layman's terms, this includes nearly every public college or university in any state. The best part? TA pays up to $250 per semester hour for classes, which is less than most schools' tuition rate for in-state tuition. However, there are some limitations in place as to how many credit hours per fiscal year you can take and there is a $4,500 annual limit on the program. Check with your local Tuition Assistance Coordinator at your command for any branch-specific criteria that must be met prior to utilizing the program.
This is a program that I have been utilizing for four years and have received my Associates degree in doing so, and have now started in my Bachelors program at University of North Florida. I cannot emphasize the benefit of this program enough.
Click here for more information about Tuition Assistance.
2. DOD COOL Programs
If you plan to pursue a more technical position in your post-military career, then you may want to look into your branch’s COOL Program. The COOL program is designed as a way for service members (and some DOD-connected civilians) to obtain certifications on varying subjects, free of charge, or heavily discounted. These subjects can include, but are not limited to ASE Certifications, IT Certifications, Lean Six Sigma, CDLs, CompTIA Security+, and so many more. Even if you plan to stay in the military, COOL offers courses that help develop leadership skills as well as provides Advancement Exam assistance. For those looking to stay in technical fields, these certifications can help determine whether you start at the bottom versus starting in management. Do not under sell your experience, and earn the certifications that match your knowledge level.
Click here for more information about DOD COOL Programs.
3. Skillbridge
For those who have made up their mind about leaving the military, Skillbridge might be one the most important programs to utilize. Take it from me, someone who is writing this post because of the Skillbridge I chose. Skillbridge is a DOD program, non-branch specific, that offers service members the opportunity to participate in an internship up to 180 days prior to their separation. This is a phenomenal opportunity for service members to work, hands-on, in the civilian sector of their current military job, or (if you are like me) work in a field that has absolutely nothing to do with anything you have ever done. Companies taking on these separating service members as interns must be approved by the DOD. These companies can range from small start-ups to companies the likes of GE, NASA, and AT&T. This is an incredible opportunity to hone your skills in a specific industry or position, all while still receiving your regular military pay.
Once again, this is a program I utilize every single day and can say that as someone changing industries, the value of this program is unmatched.
Click here for more information about the Skillbridge Program.
4. USMAPS
Maybe you are relatively new to the military, but you know you will be separating after your contract and are planning on pursuing a similar position that you held in the military. The USMAP program allows service members working in technical positions to log and track hours towards earning a DOL Certificate of Completion. This can be a game-changer for those wanting to go into industries such as mechanics, HVAC, welding, and so many more. The DOL Certificate of Completion places those with who have earned it, years ahead of others just beginning in that industry, saving time and money by providing proof of experience (which is required by most technical industries). Start off earning more upon separation, and talk to your local command USMAP coordinator to learn how to log hours and applicable apprenticeships for your MOS.
Click here to learn more about USMAP programs.
5. Transition Assistance Offices
It might go without saying, but these offices are a crucial asset in terms of preparing to separate from the military. Nearly every military installation in the world has one and the knowledge and expertise of the individuals working in these offices is not to be under-stated. Ready are they to help with any transition related questions or programs. This includes localized job search help, resume assistance, financial planning, mental health services, Exceptional Family Member Programs, services specifically geared towards military spouses, assistance with the VA, and so many more. These offices also frequently host job fairs specifically for Service Members and Veterans. If you have any career or education questions, they stand by ready to help.
Click here to find a Transition Assistance Office near you.
6. **SPECIAL MENTION SPOUSE PROGRAM**
MyCAA
As a special mention, I wanted to address a truly phenomenal program available to military spouses, if their sponsor is still active duty. MyCAA is a program, sponsored by the Department of Defense, that allows military spouses the opportunity to earn certifications in the medical field at no charge. These programs include Pharmacy Technician, Dental Hygiene, Medical Scribe, as well as several IT Certifications. This program operates in a similar manner to Tuition Assistance or the GI Bill and just requires an application be submitted along with the desired field of study, and MyCAA will send all required materials and study guides along with all information on how to complete the required online courses. This truly under-advertised program can be a game-changer for military families as it allows spouses to start their careers, on their own time, at their own pace.
Click here for more information on MyCAA.
The number of programs that are available to active-duty service members are endless, these are just a couple of my personal favorites that I believe everyone should be aware of. If you know of any programs that I missed that you think should be included, send me an email at nicholas.nelson@skillmil.com or send me a message on Linkedin, I would love to hear about them so I can add them to my list. If you have any questions about any of these programs or are having difficulty getting answers about these programs, please reach out to me. I have a passion for helping others pursue their dreams and I would be more than happy to do what I can to provide assistance. In addition, stay tuned for more blog posts regarding employment resources, education options, and career advice.
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