Trying to distill all the military career readiness choices is like drinking from a fire hose. The military-affiliated community has an overwhelming amount of choices and resources, which makes it challenging when it comes to navigating career paths and figuring out a structured, clear plan post-military life. The good news is that many organizations are ready to answer the call to empower individuals with actionable steps that lead to meaningful outcomes.
Organizations such as Charities for Vets are a helpful place to see if your organization of interest are worth your time by passing checks, financial integrity, and real results. It is important to avoid organizations that are committing abuses and fraudulent behaviors.
According to this 2024 RAND report, there are approximately 45 federal career-based programs and hundreds of nongovernmental, nonprofit programs that offer more personalized support. Aside from the mandatory Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and SkillBridge, check out some curated, recommended programs below that are proven performers making a difference. Please note that some options overlap categories.
General Veteran Options
- Veterans Leadership Program - Works directly with veterans who are unemployed and underemployed to explore their existing skills and desires to maximize their career potential. Services include resume and cover letters, mock interviews, transportation assistance, professional and vocational attire, job training, case management, and licenses and certifications.
- American Corporate Partners – Provides mentoring programs for professional growth to service members, veterans, and military spouses. Services include career exploration, résumé review, interview preparation, networking, and career coaching that extends to survivors and spouses of severely wounded post-9/11 veterans.
- ACT Now Education – Provides career planning, business development, job opportunities, certifications, apprenticeships, and transition support resources.
- Hire Heroes USA – Provides support for job search assistance, resources, and company connections. Services include support to military spouses, an alumni network, resume writing, career coaching, and mock interviews.
- Npower – Provides customized technical education, job placement assistance, and career guidance for active-duty personnel, veterans, and military spouses to bridge the gap between military service and civilian careers.
- Hiring Our Heroes – Provides education, networking, job boards, hiring events, fellowships, and military spouse resources.
Transitioning Military Service Member Options
- Military OneSource Transitioning Veterans Consultation – Free professional consultation focusing on military-to-civilian transition, benefits, educational opportunities, resources, goal-setting, VA assistance, and preparation for the workforce.
- VA Transition Programs – Provides support in navigating VA benefits and services, including the Veteran and Spouse Transition Transitional Assistance Program and Warriors to Workforce Program.
- Onward to Opportunity – Provides free career training programs with professional certification and job placement support to transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.
- The Honor Foundation – Provides a career transition program to U.S. Special Operations Forces that translates their elite military service to the private sector. Services include executive-style education, professional development, one-on-one career coaching, LinkedIn profiles, resumes, mock interviews, and networking with companies.
- FourBlock – Provides direct networking connections with host companies, career assessments, resume and cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, mock interviews, one-on-one coaching, and alumni network support. Includes a military spouse career readiness program.
- Veteran Career Transition Assistance Program - Provides virtual job search workshops and coaching for transitioning military, veterans, and spouses who have been in the military 10+ years and within one year of separation from the military.
- USO Transition Program – Provides free action planning, professional development, educational opportunities, financial wellness training, resumes, and mentorship to service members and military spouses.
Military Spouse Options
- Military Spouse Employment Partnership – Provides recruitment and employment solutions with more than 950 employers and nonprofit organizations that prepares military spouses with workforce skills and direct access between companies and spouses.
- Blue Star Families – Provides a large military spouse network with employers. Services include career development resources, certificates, and partnership opportunities.
- Transition Employment Assistance for Military Spouses (TEAMS) – Provides employment training workshops, networking strategies, interview skills, resumes, LinkedIn profiles, career credentials, work rights, and federal hiring basics.
As an additional note, the Department of War’s Military Spouse Appreciation spotlight site provides a plethora of updates and resources, which includes direct links to:
- Remote and Flexible Careers (Military spouses are eligible for free, one-year subscriptions to FlexJobs)
- Spouse Education and Employment
- Virtual Spouse Education and Career Opportunities
- MYSECO: Spouse Education and Career Opportunities
This is not an exhaustive list, but these career readiness options offer a great place to start. If you do not find what you are looking for in your future career path, the chances are that these organizations will help you get there. Though it can be challenging to determine which options may be the best fit, it is a good problem to have for the military community seeking career assistance.
