Career and Continuing Education Guide

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CAREERS &CONTINUING EDUCATION

Your guide to employment opportunities andhigher education for separating and retiring military

MILITARYNEWSPAPERSOF VIRGINIA

2 CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION SPRING 2012

CAREERS & CONTINUINGEDUCATION

TABLE OF CONTENTSOnline Education..................................3

Financial Aid Programs.........................4

G.I. Benefits.........................................6

Transition Assistance Program .............7

Career Change ....................................8

Job hunting ..........................................10

Community College ..............................14

Power4Vets™......................................15

Emotional Health..................................16

Where to Relocate ...............................18

Employment Marketability ....................19

Blue-to-Green.......................................20

Apps for Heroes..................................22

Educational Options .............................23

Your guide to employment opportunities and highereducation for separating and retiring military

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SPRING 2012 CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION 3

When it comes to technology, theworld certainly has changed in the lastfew years. These days, more people –especially older adults – are interestedin earning their college degree online.

Enrollments in online education havegrown exponentially over the pastdecade. In fact, during the fall 2009semester, approximately 5.6 millionstudents in the U.S. were enrolled inat least one online course, an increaseof nearly one million students overthe previous year, according to the2010 Sloan Survey of Online Learning.The survey also finds that almost 30percent of students take at least onecollege or university course online.

“Most of today’s online students aremid-level workers looking to changeor further their careers, single parentswanting better lives for their children,and former members of the militarylooking to enter the civilian workforce,” said April Morris, director ofstudent services with Everest UniversityOnline, a division of Everest University.“Because students often work and raisefamilies while attending classes, theflexibility of the online model workswell. Students can create their ownschedules that fit with their busy lives.”

However, the journey back to the class-room can be daunting, particularlyfor adults trying to balance work andfamily. Angela Walters, online commu-nity specialist with Everest UniversityOnline, explains that in some ways,online learning requires more self-mo-tivation and dedication than learningin a traditional classroom.

“In online learning, students must findways to carve out the time for readingmaterial, participating in online discus-sions, and completing assignments inthe context of their busy schedules,which requires a lot of self-discipline,”

she said. To ease the back-to-school tran-sition, Morris and Walters offer the fol-lowing tips for non-traditional students.

Find the right program for you

“College is not one-size-fits-all, so it isimportant that you find the programthat works best for you,” said Morris.For many students, the most importantfactor is often the enhanced job secu-rity that a college degree offers. Morrisexplains that students interested in jobsecurity should look for a degree in ca-reer fields with high job growth. EverestUniversity Online, for example, offersonline degree programs in career-ori-ented fields such as accounting, parale-gal, criminal justice, homeland securityand information technology.

In addition, there are a number ofimportant factors you should considerwhen finding an online degree pro-gram, such as how many courses arerequired, how often the courses are of-fered and what the typical workload is.

Learn how to manage your time

If you’re balancing a full-time job with arelationship or children, adding school,even an online school, to your alreadybusy schedule will require careful timemanagement. In fact, the convenienceof studying online at home can actuallybecome a liability, if you cannot createan environment that is conducive togetting work done.

Before the start of the week, sit downand plan out your schedule, blockingoff specific time dedicated to home-work and study. “If something comesup during those hours, stay strong,politely decline and keep your date tostudy,” advised Walters. Walters alsosuggests that you set aside a specificarea in your home that serves as a deskor office.

“You may also want to look for schoolsthat offer flexible and part-time sched-uling,” said Walters. Many onlinelearning environments, for instance,permit students set their own pace toprogress through a series of modules,while other programs follow a moretraditional semester system. Dependingon your schedule and study habits, onetype of program may make more sensefor you.

Create a support network

Fellow classmates can create wonderfulsupport networks for each other – fromarranging study groups to providing en-couragement – through the stresses ofcollege life. This is also true for online

students. One technique for online stu-dents is to create an online discussionboard, or group email list to share ideasand tips to the whole class.

“I have to admit, the thought of takingclasses online intimidated me,” saidJacqui Finley, an Everest University On-line graduate who earned her associatedegree in medical insurance billingand coding. “It was the support fromthe Everest team that made the biggestdifference for me. From the instructorsand the student support team to myclassmates – I felt supported at everylevel, every step of the way.”

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FINANCIAL AIDPROGRAMS From

the DOEFederal Student Aid, an office ofthe U.S. Department of Educa-tion, offers over $80 billion dollarsin financial aid that help millionsof students manage the cost ofeducation each year. There arethree categories of federal studentaid: grants, work-study and loans.Even if you are still on active duty,you can apply for aid, such as PellGrants or Federal Stafford Loans.Find out more by visiting www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov.

Applying for Federal Student Aid

You can get this aid by completingthe free application for FederalStudent Aid (FAFSA). You canapply online or on paper, but fil-

ing online is faster and easier. Youshould also apply for a Federal Stu-dent Aid PIN (if you haven’t doneso already). The PIN allows you tosign your application electronically,which speeds up the applicationprocess even more. Apply for a PINat www.pin.ed.gov/.

Filling out the FAFSA

There is a series of eight questionson the application that ask aboutyour dependency status. If you area veteran, or are currently servingon active duty in the U.S. ArmedForces for purposes other thantraining, you are considered an in-dependent student and would onlyinclude your information (and that

of your spouse, if married). Formore detailed information go towww.fafsa.ed.gov/.

Federal Student Aid Eligibility

Eligibility for federal student aidis based on financial need and sev-eral other factors. The financialaid administrator at the college orcareer school you plan to attendwill determine your eligibility. Toreceive this aid, you must:• Demonstrate financial need(except for certain loans – yourschool can explain which loansare not needed).• Have a high school diploma or aGeneral Education Development(GED) certificate, pass a test ap-

proved by the U.S. Department of Education, meetother standards your state establishes, or complete ahigh school education in a home school setting thatis treated as such under state law.• Be working toward a degree or certificate in aneligible program.• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.• Have a valid Social Security Number (unless you’refrom the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Feder-ated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau).• Register with the Selective Service if required.• Keep satisfactory academic progress once in school.• Certify that you are not in default on a federalstudent loan and do not owe money on a federalstudent grant and certify that you will use federalstudent aid only for educational purposes.

Financial Aid Planning

Federal Student Aid has a new tool called FAF-SA4caster, designed to help students and theirfamilies plan for college, providing students with anearly estimate of their eligibility for federal financialassistance. Military dependents enrolled in collegeand eligible to receive Pell Grants should checkout two new programs: Academic CompetitivenessGrants and National Science and Mathematics Accessto Retain Talent Grants.

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Demands for job applicants to attain adegree have drastically increased withrecent changes in the economy. If youare getting out of the Navy becauseof force shaping initiatives like theEnlisted Retention Board (ERB) andPerform to Serve (PTS) programs, thiscan be a stressful time for not only you,but your family too.

The military offers many programsto help aid in your transition. Someof the better known programs avail-able are the Montgomery (MGIB) andPost-9/11 G.I. Bill. These programs aremaking it easier than ever to get in linewith civilian counterparts, or help starta college fund for your dependents.

So what are the differences and howdo you choose what’s right for you?

Here’s an easy cheat sheet to the G.I.Bill to help you decide and kick yourdegree plan into high gear.

The MGIB requires a minimum oftwo years of service and a $1,200 pro-gram enrollment fee. The programpays a flat rate nationwide and therates are adjusted annually. Paymentsfor the plan are sent directly to veter-ans.

The Post-9/11 G.I. Bill is offered toactive duty service members who haveserved after the attacks on the twintowers for a minimum of 90 days ofactive duty or 30 continuous days forveterans discharged with a medicaldischarge. The bill pays 100 percentof in-state public school tuition andup to $17,500 private school tuition.

MGIB active dutyusers with threeor more yeas ofservice can expecta payment of $1,473,effective as of Oct. 1,2011 and $1,158 permonth with less thanthree years. In addition, the veteranhas 10 years after separation to utilizeit. MGIB can only be used for schoolsapproved by the Department of Veter-ans Affairs(VA).

For members seeking money to covercertification tests, the cost are coveredup to $2,000 per test and you can takethe certification test as many times asneeded, although each submission forreimbursement reduces your entitle-ment benefit.

Other benefits include a monthlystipend for both living expenses andbooks or supplies. Living expenses arebased on basic allowance for housingof an E5 with dependents. Full-timestudents will receive 100 percent,while part-time students will receive aprorated amount and the stipend willonly be available when classes are insession.

Qualified active duty service membersmay also elect to transfer up to 36months of their benefits to a spouse orchild enrolled in the Defense Eligibil-ity Enrollment System. Transfer ofbenefits requires members to havea minimum of six years of serviceand they must agree to serve an ad-ditional four years. The spouse maybegin using the benefits immediately,while a dependent must wait until themember has served at least 10 years ofactive duty service.

Finally, as part of the Post 9/11 G.I.Bill, members are available to utilizethe Yellow Ribbon Program, some-thing that was not offered with the

MGIB. The program covers contribu-tions of up to half of the additionalfees for members eligible for 100percent.

Interested service members can applyto use the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill at theVeteran’s Affairs website, https://www.ebenefits.va.gov, or apply for transfer-ability of benefits at www.dmdc.osd.mil/TEB/, however, they should en-sure their service obligation is reflect-ed in their Electronic Service Recordat https://nsips.nmci.navy.mil.

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The Post 9-11 G.I. Bill will payeligible individuals:

• Your full tuition & fees directlyto the school for all public schoolin-state students.• A monthly housing allowance(MHA) based on the Basic Allow-ance for Housing for an E-5 withdependents at the location of theschool.• An annual books & suppliesstipend of $1,000 paid proportion-ately based on enrollment.• A one-time rural benefit pay-ment for eligible individuals.

Visit www.gibill.va.gov/ for moreinformation.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed theprograms, and other important information, please visit our website at www.bryantstratton.edu/disclosures.

To learn more, visit us at:http://www.bryantstratton.edu/admissions/military.aspxor connect with us on Facebook at:facebook.com/BSCHamptonfacebook.com/BSCVirginiaBeach

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• Convenient day, evening, weekend and online classes helpactive-duty, reserve and veteran personnel fit college intotheir lives.

• A variety of scholarship and financial aid opportunities areavailable for those who qualify, including special“Salute ToSpouses” Scholarships at select campuses. Ask for details.

• Our lifetime career advisement will help you find a positionwhen you graduate.

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TRANSITIONASSISTANCEPROGRAMThe Department of Labor (DoL)Transition Assistance Program (TAP)Employment Workshops are sponsoredin conjunction with the installationTransition Assistance staffs. The DoLTAP Employment Workshops normallyrun 2.5 days. However, some local in-stallations may combine this workshopwith other specialty workshops. Duringyour first visit to the Transition Assis-tance Office, or with your CommandCareer Counselor, you should ask to bescheduled to attend the next availableworkshop (your spouse should attendif space is available). You should planto attend employment workshops atleast 180 days prior to separation.

Not all installations and bases offer theDoL TAP Employment Workshop. If theworkshops are not available at your in-stallation or base, the Transition Coun-selor will refer you to other sourceswhere similar information is available.

TAP addresses the following:• Employment/training opportunities• Labor market information• Civilian workplace requirements• Resume, application and standardforms preparation• Job analysis, job search and inter-viewing techniques• Assistance programs offered byfederal, state, local, military andveterans’ groups• Procedures for obtaining verifica-tion of job skills and experience• Obtaining loans and assistance forstarting a small business• Analysis of the area where you wishto relocate, including local employ-ment opportunities, the local labormarket and the cost of living

At the TAP workshops, you will receivea participant manual. Among othervaluable information, this manualcontains points of contact around thenation for many of the services youwill need after your separation.

TAP workshops are open members ofall services – no matter which servicemay be hosting it. You can check withyour particular service to determinethe availability of the TAP workshops.

For example, the Army Career andAlumni Program (ACAP) maintains anon online directory of ACAP Centers.ACAP centers can help you find aworkshop in your area. Visit www.acap.army.mil/acap_centers/map/cen-ters_map.cfm to find an ACAP Centernear you.

You can also go to the MilitaryHOME-FRONT website and the MilitaryInstallation Locator at http://bit.ly/hGhqaO to find a specific TAP officenear you.

Job-Hunting Workshops Provide FreshPerspective

Besides the DoL Career One-Stop Cen-ters and the DoL Employment Work-shop, you will find other job-huntingprograms sponsored by organizationsin and out of your Guard or ReserveComponent. Use them! By takingadvantage of workshops and seminars,you will gain information about thesame subject from different points ofview. Different workshops emphasizedifferent things. There are many goodmethods for finding a job and manygood programs to teach you how.

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You have been in the military for anumber of years and you are now mak-ing the transition back to civilian life.Understanding stress, and coping withit, is an essential skill you will need toget through this difficult time. Thefollowing information and resourceswill help you prepare for a successfultransition.

Leaving the MilitaryChallenges Your Identity

You have worked hard to become acaptain, sergeant, or petty officer.

When asked what you do, you prob-ably replied, “I’m in the Army (AirForce, Navy, Coast Guard, or Ma-rines).” Now you must start over asa civilian. Now you are just anothercivilian.

Changing careers is a stressful un-dertaking, perhaps even more so forthose leaving military service aftermany years. A service member mayhave worked for 30 years to achieve arank or grade, but upon leaving theArmed Forces, he or she leaves thisrank behind – and with it, a large por-

tion of his or her identity.

Some people find it easier than othersto adopt new identities. Transitionis traumatic and stressful, but it alsoopens up a whole range of possibili-ties. If you approach your transitionas an opportunity to grow, you willhave already taken a giant step towardreestablishing your identity.

What Is Stress?

Everybody knows what stress feelslike. But what is it really? The expertstell us that stress is a state of being.It is not an attitude, it is not a sign ofbeing unable to handle things. Stressis a physical response, which, if leftunchecked, can lead to mental andphysical exhaustion and illness.

Natural stress in our lives is consid-ered good. It allows our bodies torespond to danger. You know theexpression, “fight or flight.” Unnaturalstress comes from continued threatsor dangers over which we have no con-

trol. The body is alert for long periodsof time with no chance to relax. It isimportant to remember that the body,like any good machine, begins to wearout if it runs in high gear for too long.

Life’s Most Stressful Events

Certain events, such as loss of a specialrelationship, such as divorce; eventsout of ones control, such as accidents;and events with lasting consequences,such as a terminal illness or the loss ofyour job; are considered some of live’smost challenging battles.

Transitioning from the military cantouch on all of theses events. In asense, you lose many special relation-ships by losing the daily interactionwith your co-workers. If you are transi-tioning involuntarily, you may be in asituation that is beyond your control.Transition, obviously, has permanentconsequences and being involuntaryseparated may bring on some unfore-seen stresses. When you change jobs,your life changes.

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SPRING 2012 CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION 9The Stress-Health Connection

It is important to look for signs ofstress overload. Here are some of thesymptoms:• Constant fatigue• Headaches• Trouble sleeping or sleeping toomuch• Stomach problems• More frequent colds or other ill-nesses• Smoking or drinking more thanusual• Feeling nervous• Being irritable or angrier than youwant to be• Desire to be alone, away fromother people• Inability to eat or eating morethan usualIf you are suffering from any of thesesymptoms, it is likely they are stressrelated.

The “Grieving Process” Is Normal

Research has shown that most people

go through major life changes instages These stages are present in awide variety of major life traumas:• Denial: “This is not really happen-ing,” or “This is not happening tome.”• Anger: Directed either at yourselfor at others.• Depression: Often accompaniedby a sense of helplessness.• Acceptance: The turning point,when you begin to accept your situ-ation.• Resolution: Begin to take the stepsnecessary to return to a normalstate.

Proceeding through each step isnormal and the process should notbe rushed. Often, however, peoplemay progress out of a stage and thendrop back into it. If uncontrolled,the bouncing back and forth be-tween stages can continue for a longtime. As you make your transition tocivilian life, look for these stages inyourself and acknowledge your move-ments from one step to the next.

Coping With Transition-Related Stress

The experiences of thousands ofservice members who have recentlyseparated suggest that this transitionis likely to be stressful for you andyour family. Those that have transi-tioned in the past have found severaltactics extremely important in dealingwith the stress related to separationfrom the military:• Get going: It is your transition– no one can do it for you. Workthrough the transition process anddo not procrastinate. Put your situ-ation in perspective and get on withyour life. After all, you are not thefirst person to go through transitionand you will not be the last.• Sell yourself: You have a greatproduct – you! So sell yourself! Nowis not the time to be modest aboutyour accomplishments. No one willcome looking for you unless theyknow you are available. Once youlet them know, you will find manypeople who will help you.

• Work at it: Work at planning yourtransition as if it were a job. How-ever, if you spend every waking hourworking on it, you will burn out.Take time for yourself and family.• Lighten up: This is probably themost important piece of advice. Donot lose your sense of humor. An up-beat disposition will see you through.• Keep your family involved: Yourfamily has a large stake in your tran-sition. They are experiencing manyof the same feelings, worries and un-certainties as you are. Do not keepyour plans to yourself – get yourfamily involved in this process. Letthem in on your plans and ask fortheir input throughout the process.• Volunteer: Consider doing volun-teer work. Your charitable actionswill help others and assist you ingetting to know the communitybeyond the military installations andenhance your networking.• Take a change managementcourse: Consider taking a changemanagement course before stressappears, or at the first signs of stress.

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Here are an even dozen approachesto locating job opportunities and suc-cessfully pursuing your second careercampaign. Use several or all of themas availability, time and resources per-mit. And remember; direct all of youractions towards landing interviews!

1. Computer & Internet Databases:

Computer, or Internet databases arethe latest method for finding employ-ment. Their use is becoming increas-ingly widespread. The cost is usuallyminimal, or free, and the effort is wellworth the time spent. Most database

systems offer two different services;resume listing and/or job listing.Transition Assistance Online offersboth and is focused on job seekersfrom the military. You can post yourresume to TAOnline.com at no cost bygoing to: http://jobs.taonline.com//JobSeeker/ViewJobSeekerResumes.asp and you can search through thejob offerings at: http://jobs.taonline.com/jobseekerx/SearchJobsForm.asp.

With resume listing, the databaseservice puts your resume online,and potential employers can searchthrough the database for likely candi-

dates. With job listings, you access anonline computer database and searchthrough the job listings yourself. Makesure the database/internet servicecompany is providing only the latestdata and read all contracts carefully.See the TAOnline article, Surfing theInternet for Employment Opportuni-ties for more details.

2. Military Transition Assistance Of-fices:

While the bulk of the military forcedrawdowns have been completed,over the next 12 months, approxi-mately 200,000 service members willbe separated from active military duty.Congress and the Department ofDefense have set up transition assis-tance centers for these personnel andtheir dependents, usually providedat the base or installation TransitionAssistance Office and/or the FamilyAssistance/Support Offices.

These offices provide career searchcounseling and out-placement servic-es. If you’re leaving the military, stopby your installation’s TA Office/Fami-ly Assistance /Personnel Support Cen-ter for the latest information. Thesefacilities have information about

employers that want to hire militaryjob seekers, transition seminars andprograms, as well as upcoming jobfairs and other resources. For a listingof virtually every military TAP Office/Family Service/Family Support/Vet-erans Employment Center, to includecontact information, click here.

3. Military/Veteran’s Organizations &Associations:

Don’t forget to check out and join thevarious organizations to which youmay be entitled to become a member,such as: the Reserve Officers Associa-tion (www.roa.org), the Non-Commis-sioned Officers Association (www.nco-ausa.org), the American Legion (www.legion.org) and similar bodies. Manyof these organizations offer theirmembers assistance in seeking secondcareers and are terrific for network-ing, which, as noted below, is anothergood way to find solid job leads.

4. Networking:

A recent Department of Labor surveyrevealed that at least 50 percent ofjob positions were filled directly orindirectly as a result of networking! Alarge number of job opportunities are

Effective

StrategiesJOBHUNTING

Used with permission from TAOnline. ©2012 TAOnline.com

Through the GI Bill you may obtain mariner documents with the assistance of our professional staff

SPRING 2012 CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION 11never advertised, never interviewedat college campuses, never postedat veteran placement offices, neverlisted with employment agencies orexecutive placement firms. Why?Because it’s fast, it’s easy, it’s free, andsomeone known and trusted to theprospective employer does the initialscreening.

Networking means utilizing contactsto learn about employment oppor-tunities. Build a network of contactsbefore you need it – don’t wait untilyou’re out of the military or a job!Your network should include: friends,family, church congregations, co-work-ers, competitors, members of profes-sional, military, and alumni associa-tions, members of local communityprojects and local government – andanyone else you can think of! Keep intouch with your network; telephoneor send cards, letters, clippings, pho-tos, etc.

Do them favors or just be helpful;favors don’t have to be extravagant tobe appreciated. Often a word to onewill spread to others. These peoplemay very well know of openings, ofwhich they can make you aware ifonly they know that you are looking!When you ask these people for help,you’re asking for their endorsementas a good candidate for employment.Don’t be discouraged, it takes timefor you to build your network and getyour name into circulation.

7. Mentoring:

Many of us had or have a mentor --someone older or more experiencedwho has helped us in our life andin our career. Now is a good time toseek out your mentors. Mentors canprovide: advice, advocacy, encourage-ment, new or improved knowledge orskills, a role model, career guidance,advancement opportunities, employ-ment resources, increased exposureand visibility, personal support,psychological support, and develop-ment of greater maturity. Talk to yourmentor today!

8. Informational Interviewing:

An informational interview is justthat. Arrange appointments and meetwith decision-makers in the careerareas that you are interested. Ensurethe people you talk with are aware ofyour interests, abilities, and goals. Askquestions about their organization’spositions and respective responsibili-ties/duties. Don’t ask for employment,rather give and seek information aboutyourself and your job search. Ask forguidance and further referrals; eachinformational interview usually gener-ates another three or four contacts. Besure to leave a favorable impression. Byfollowing this process you will generallydevelop an extensive contact/job leadlist quite rapidly.

9. Government Employment Offices(Federal, State, & Local):

The Office of Personnel Management(OPM) at 1900 E. St. N.W., Washing-ton, D.C. 20415 is the federal govern-ment office responsible for managingthe Civil Service, Excepted Service andExecutive Service. Write O.P.M. for in-formation. To apply for federal govern-ment positions most individuals believethat a completed Standard Form 171or the new OF612 is required, whenin fact, due to the paper reductionact, only a special resume is required.Another private company, The FederalJobs Digest, publishes a comprehensivemonthly list of all federal governmentposition openings. You order a sub-scription, usually for three months, forabout $25. Each state and many localgovernments have employment of-fices as well. Seek out the ones nearestyou for information and services. Alsosee TAOnline’s Federal GovernmentJobs Information section and use theTA-Scout to be automatically notifiedwhen a federal job is listed on TAOn-line.com (see http://jobs.taonline.com/Employer/SearchResumesForm.asp).

10. College Career Centers & Libraries:

The career center, placement officeor library of your local high school,college, university, business school,

community college, occupationaltraining center, alma mater, etc., areall excellent sources of employmentinformation. Frequently, they will havejob search resources, notebooks listingjobs, employer directories, lists of com-pany addresses, etc. Ask the librarianor counselor for assistance. Sometimesa fee is required. Even better, registerwith the school -- if you don’t take aclass you can often still use the facili-ties: computer rooms, resource librar-ies, alumni associations, etc., and youwill have also joined another network-ing organization at the same time!

11. Classified Ads:

Classified or want ads are an easyand cheap way to look for job leads,especially if you wish to remain in thesame geographic region. The Sundayclassified section of large daily papersis the best. Also, try the want ads ofthe top trade publications in your areaof expertise. Don’t concentrate onlooking just for your old job title. Readthrough all the related job headings as

well as others that interest you. Bewareof employers that run daily ads (youhave to wonder why they can’t fill orkeep a position filled). Beware of al-luring salaries that may be “bait andswitch” offers, i.e., they tell you, “theposition was just filled but wouldn’tyou like to start now at the just as inter-esting (and lower paying), entry-levelposition?”

12. Mass Mailings:

Mass mailings, or broadcast mailings,is one way to cover the field. You’llneed to develop or buy a large mailinglist of prospective employers. The ideais to send out enough generic lettersand resumes that you will eventuallyinterest a few employers, e.g., if yousend out 300 letters and receive a 1percent reply, you’ll receive threeinterviews. That is not very good oddsthough, plus it can get fairly expen-sive, and you’re not selling yourselfvery well. Like junk mail, mass mail-ings are obvious, easy to ignore, andeasy to throw away!

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“There is no secret to success, not as a CEO oranything. It takes leadership and a long view.”

- Joseph M. DePinto,U.S. ARMY VETERAN, PRESIDENT & CEO OF 7-ELEVEN INC.

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Danny Anderson is an Americanhero. He is also a role model – inmore ways than one.

Danny spent six years in the Army. Heloved serving his country, and whenhe completed his time in the military,he was eager to find other ways toserve. So Danny decided to use hismilitary benefits to earn his degreeand enrolled in Hopkinsville Com-munity College’s nursing program.Through a partnership between Gate-way Medical Center and HopkinsvilleCommunity College in Kentucky,Danny became a registered nurse andis now employed in Gateway’s emer-gency care department.

I met Danny last month when Itraveled with Labor Secretary HildaSolis on a five-state “Community Col-lege to Career” bus tour to highlightthe types of successful communitycollege industry partnerships thatare working and can serve as modelsfor the nation.

The impact Danny’s community col-lege education had on his life is clear– and is one I see replicated on com-munity college campuses across thecountry, as well as in my own 18 yearsas a community college professor.

Hope and guidance

“Community colleges give you hopeand help guide you toward a betterfuture,” Danny said.

He couldn’t be more right. Work-ers who attend community collegesignificantly increase their lifetimeearning potential. The averagecommunity college graduate earns$8,320 more per year than someonewith just a high school diploma. Notonly is the math pretty simple, theeffect on a community is truly inspir-ing. The sense of hope expressed byDanny is one I have seen in my class-room for years and is one we saw onevery stop of our bus tour.

Though the value of higher edu-cation has been a recent topic ofdebate, its tremendous and uniquevalue is indisputable. The types ofpartnerships we saw are exactly whatPresident Obama hopes to grow withhis “Community College to CareerFund,” an $8 billion budget proposalto connect community colleges withbusinesses to train two million work-ers in high-growth industries withskills that will lead directly to jobs.

Community colleges are key to meet-ing the president’s goal of havingthe best-educated, most competitivework force in the world by 2020.

Public-private collaboration

At our first stop in Ohio, we heardfrom formerly unemployed work-ers who had completed trainingthrough industry partnerships withColumbus State Community Collegeand are now back to work in thehigh-growth fields of informationtechnology and logistics.

On our way to Dayton, Ohio, weheard about how a bioscience indus-try partnership with six communitycolleges is preparing workers forhigh-demand jobs in the growingbioscience industry.

Another Ohio partnership is helpinglow-income and displaced workersmove into health careers. In Tennes-see, veterans are being trained tobecome engineers – and through aunique partnership receive a guaran-teed internship that leads to a job.

It’s clear these partnerships areworking, and that’s why we wantbusinesses and community collegesacross the country to replicate thekinds of successes we heard about onour tour.

Not only are community collegesmeeting the specific needs of em-ployers in their region, they are alsohelping get workers into good-pay-ing jobs that allow them to providefor their families and give them arenewed sense of hope and confi-dence.

Key to a better future:

COMMUNITYCOLLEGE By Dr. Jill Biden

Courtesy of Whitehouse.gov.

Community colleges giveyou hope and help guideyou toward a better future.”

Danny Anderson

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Incremental Systems has the Power-4Vets™Military Training & PlacementProgram and we pride ourselves as oneof the up and coming leaders in place-ment with the utilities industry.

Incremental Systems Corporation isfacilitating the Power4Vets program torecruit, train, certify and place UnitedStates military veterans in energy man-agement careers across the country. Theindustry has a need to fill the gap of theSenior SystemOperation positions, aswell as other energy management posi-tions all across the country.

Incremental Systems is looking for veter-ans who have hands on experience andskill sets in SystemOperations, such asload dispatching, interchanging and bal-ancing – an excellent avenue for veteranswho have nuclear training with experi-ence in bulk power operations.

David Miranda, a Navy Master Chief(ret.), who is a Recruiter for IncrementalSystems Corporation and the Power4Vetsprogram, visits the local transitioningfacilities on a consistent basis and attendjob fair events to assist on capturinghighly qualified, skilled and trained mili-tary veterans into the program.

“Our program is ideal for transitioningservice members who wish to pursuelanding a career management job with autility company anywhere in the coun-try. The program is a perfect match forthe industry, as well as the military, sincemany system operating jobs in the civil-ian industry are opening up all across thecountry and the military is encounteringa surge of veterans leaving the servicedue to PTS, ERB and or normal transi-tioning desires.”

“Our Power4Vets Placement programstarts from cradle to grave. We do therecruiting, provide the free training(which is done online, self-paced),

coordinate to have the service membertake their NERC Reliability Coordina-tor Certification which is covered by thePost-9/11 G.I. Bill, so there is no out ofpocket expense to the veteran for takingthe certification exam. We also providecoaching and interview techniques toall the candidates in our program. Thebest part of the entire program is that itdoesn’t stop there – we also assist in theplacement process.” We have the abilityto take your resume and present you topotential utilities organizations for posi-tions all across the United States whileyou work on and complete the trainingin parallel, dependent on your priormilitary experience and skill sets.

The North American Reliability Corpo-ration (NERC) Reliability CoordinatorCertification is a required industry certi-fication for these types of positions and itis a very marketable item to have on yourresume which can set you apart fromother interviewing candidates. A combi-nation of Incremental Systems and SOSInternational training tools are currentlybeing used by over 50 percent of NERCcertified operators in the industry. Thesesame tools are being made available atno cost to qualified veterans thru ourprogram. Life-like simulation exerciseswill bring Power4Vets students years ofexperience.

If you’re interested in pursuing a new ca-reer, you can visit www.incsys.com/power-4vets to get you started and their place-ment team will assist in finding a careermanagement job in the power industry.If you have the experience and skills setswe are looking for, feel free to send yourresume to [email protected] forreview, or contact (757) 237-4083.

By David MirandaIncSys Recruiting

Specialist

Military Training &Placement Program

POWER4VETS™

Our goal is to intro-

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After 30 years of service to his country, retiredveteran David Miranda is helping veteransto get career jobs in the utility industry as aRecruiter Specialist.

“Incremental Systems Corporation andthe Power4Vets program enabled me touse my talents to assist veterans to findcareer management jobs in the utilityindustry. After 30 years of service to mycountry, I would have never imaginedhaving such an opportunity of a lifetimeto do what I am doing today. Serving asa Recruiter Specialist for IncrementalSystems Corporation has been trulyrewarding and exciting. It is such apleasure to work for an organizationthat pays it forward to our veteran popu-lation. Our program places veterans atthe tip of the spear to land career jobswith a utility companies all across thecountry. There is no other placementprogram out there that matches whatwe have to offer veterans.”

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It seems that nearly every newscast thesedays includes some discussion of wide-scale joblessness in the U.S., and discus-sion of economic crises at home andabroad. The American worker has beentaken on a roller coaster ride over thecourse of the last few years that has leftmany in a tailspin when it comes to theiremotional health and their jobs.

“An unusually high unemployment ratefor a prolonged period of timemeansthat twice as many people are dealingwith being unemployed,” said Dr. BrianRiedesel, associate professor at ArgosyUniversity, Seattle. “There’s no lifetimejob stability anymore. Losing your jobcanmean losing your identity. The lon-ger that period of unemployment lasts,the more prolonged negative impact itcan have on your emotional health.”

According to a study on the long-termhealth effects of being laid off by KateStrully, a Robert Wood Johnson Founda-tion Health and Society scholar at theHarvard School of Public Health, “Forthose who lost their job through no faultof their own, such as an establishmentclosure, the odds of reporting fair orpoor health increased by 54 percent, andamong respondents with no pre-existinghealth conditions, it increased the oddsof a new health condition by 83 percent.Even when workers became re-employed,those workers had an increased risk ofnew stress-related health conditions.”

“A layoff is a critical incident in yourlife,” said Riedesel. “It has the potentialfor positive change in terms of a pos-sible new career path but it can also bequite destructive in the loss of financialresources for individuals.”

“The stages of the grief process apply toall major or unexpected changes includ-ing the loss of a job,” said Dr. MarianneGreenfield, program chair at Argosy Uni-versity, Atlanta and president and CEO ofParliament3, LLC, a network of Orga-nizational Development and HumanResource Consultants. “The five stagesare denial, anger, bargaining, depressionand acceptance.”

“Unfortunately, these emotions cansometimes progress to the point of self-doubt, negativity, or an inability to moveforward. Those individuals who associatetheir identity with their job are at higherrisk for remaining in the depressionstage for a longer period of time whichhinders their ability to create and imple-ment an action plan to gain new employ-ment.”

When that layoff moves from an acutecrisis event to a prolonged layoff, the tollit takes can be overwhelming.

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“It can be devastating,” said Riedesel.“The chronic stress that long-termjoblessness creates can lead to higherinstances of anxiety, depression andinsomnia. It also makes people morevulnerable to other issues they mayalready have.”

“Our identity is, in many ways, tied toour work,” said Riedesel. “Long-termunemployment can give us a sense of alack of control in our lives. It’s impor-tant to go from being a victim of thatunemployment to taking action andtaking control of our lives.”

Both experts agree that it is importantfor the unemployed to build a strongnetwork of emotional support and tostay active.

“Keep to your usual exercise and otherroutines,” encouraged Riedesel. “Takecare of yourself. Eat and rest well,even if you don’t feel like it. Be carefulnot to self-medicate with alcohol anddrugs, prescription or otherwise.”

“It can be easy to get isolated from othersin this type of instance,” said Riedesel.The more you can do to stay engaged,the better off you will be emotionally,mentally and physically.

“Volunteer!” said Greenfield. “Doingsomething that helps others has a benefi-cial effect on how you feel about yourself.The meaning and purpose you find inhelping others will enrich and expandyour life. Many times a volunteer posi-tion will lead to meeting someone whocan refer you to a paying job or possiblythe volunteer organization will find youinvaluable and hire you. In any case, youhave self-worth and can gain the posi-tive energy frommaking a difference insomeone’s life.”

“There is a difference between having areaction and having a breakdown,” saidRiedesel. “If you can’t control the emo-tional, physical andmental symptomsyou are experiencing as a result of thatunemployment, it is important to seekprofessional help.”

Designed with the needs and interests of military members and their family in mind, the Military Career Transition Program (MCTP) is a graduate, evening and weekend initial teacher licensure program within the Department of Teaching and Learning at Old Dominion University. Upon completion of the Master of Sci-ence in Education Degree program, participants are eligible to receive the Vir-ginia teaching license. Initial licensure grade levels include elementary educa-tion (PreK-6), middle school (6-8), and secondary education (6-12) s are available in the areas of English, mathematics, sciences (earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics), and history/social sciences.

MCTP also offers a Ph.D. program with a concentration in Community College Leadership in the Department of Educational Foundations. Advance your career in a leadership position at a community college with this adult-friendly, distance learning program.

1. M.S.Ed. with Initial Virginia Licensure • Graduates of the Virginia state-approved teacher preparation program earn a master of science in education (M.S.Ed.) degree with a concentration in elementary/middle, or secondary education and initial Virginia teacher licensure • Courses are available off-campus, at military bases, on-campus or ODU higher education centers • Courses are offered in the evenings (live or (televised/video) Fridays/Saturdays • Courses are available off-campus at military bases, on-campus, or ODU higher education centers

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18 CAREERS & CONTINUING EDUCATION SPRING 2012Are you currently consider the reali-ties of where you’d like to live after theservice? It is important to do so care-fully and choose wisely. For example,if you were a ship navigator duringyour military career, you could have adifficult time finding a similar job inthe Southwest. On the other hand, ifyou were an Army nurse, you may findseveral excellent opportunities virtuallyanywhere.

Most career placement specialists recom-mend that job applicants choose thetype of job they want first, then go wherethe jobs are. In making a decision torelocate, you might prioritize as follows:

1. Job potential: Which community ismost likely to offer job opportunitiesthat match your skills, experience andcareer goals?

2. Affordability: Consider the not soobvious expenses in addition to thecost of living. Compare local, stateincome, property and sales taxes. Doesthe state tax your military retirementpay? Does the location have incomeand career potential?

3. Community: Do you have family orfriends there? Can you count on themto help make your transition easier?Do you need to be close to your agingparents for economic or medical rea-sons? Are you seeking upward mobilitywith the potential to move, or are youlooking for a community to settle forthe long-term?

4. Environment: Would you be happi-est living in a city, the suburbs, a smalltown, or a rural area? Does the climatesuit you?

Moving Out of the Area

Before moving, consult your nearestFleet and Family Support Center, thebest source of relocation informationand planning assistance. Otheruseful resources include: localchambers of commerce, librar-ies, bookstores and the Inter-net. Use them to find out whatyou need in order to makeinformed moving decisions.

Chambers of Commerce

Many communities across Americahave chambers of commerce. Eachchamber of commerce promotes itscommunity and is a good source ofinformation about the surroundingarea: the local job market, housingcosts, local realtors, cost of living, localtaxes, climate, schools and availabilityof recreation or child care. Ask for thechamber’s booklet – much like therelocation packet you received abouta new installation when you changedstations.

You can find any chamber of com-merce office in the nation at www.chamberofcommerce.com.

Libraries and Bookstores

Each of the Service Library Programsprovides electronic content throughtheir respective portals (www.nko.navy.mil; www.us.army.mil; www.my.af.mil).The electronic content provides infor-mation on relocating, career opportu-nities and educational opportunities.

The reference section of your nearestinstallation library, public library orbookstore may offer atlases, maps andgeographical information that provideuseful information.

Tour books and guides in the travelsection may provide insights into thecommunity you may someday callhome. Military libraries and publiclibraries also have many other freeresources. Libraries also offer cus-tomer use computers which can helpyou keep up to date on the latest newsin your new community, apply for ajob, check your email, or just chat withfriends.

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1. Do Research:

Scan newspaper, magazine, internetsites, and radio/television want ads todetermine which abilities/skill sets yourprospective employers are looking for.Look for any specific projects or clientspecific experience for which yourbackground is a match. Identify all theelements of a potential employer’s wantad that match your capabilities. Searchin trade magazines and newspaperarticles highlighting contract awardswhich may indicate the projects a com-pany will be working on and for whichyour experience may be a good match.Pursue jobs with companies where youhave the strongest match of skills andexperience to enhance the odds of asuccessful job search. Companies onlywant to interview those applicants whomost precisely match their require-ments.

2. Prepare for Interviews:

When you are invited for an inter-view, be sure to do your homeworkin advance before you meet with theinterviewer. Prepare thoroughly for in-terviews by researching the company atthe library or using an online service.Check out the company’s website orhomepage on the Internet. Network,network, and network! Utilize yourpersonal, social, military and businesscontacts to gather information. Findsomeone who knows the companyand ask about the company’s projects,background, corporate culture, etc.A referral to a company from a friendor insider in the company or a relatedbusiness goes a long way. Also, yourresearch will pay off when you can an-swer interview questions like: “Why doyou want to work for us?” and “Whatdo you think about our company?” Youwill also know what questions you wantto ask an interviewer, specifically aboutsalary, benefits and working condi-tions.

3. Interview the Company!

Interview the company at the sametime they interview you! Make sure youunderstand the details of the technicalwork that they may want you to do forthem. Ask about their managementstyle to see if you’ll be comfortableworking in that corporate environment.Ask if it’s an individual or team-orientedcontributor corporate system, if it’s thelatter, ask to talk with some of the teammembers to find out how the systemworks and if you’ll be comfortable withit. Show you’re prepared – bring a listof well thought-out questions with youto ask the interviewer.

4. Be Familiar with YourAccomplishments:

Identify your specific work-related ac-complishments that will boost your mar-ketability with the specific company thatyou’re interviewing with. Write downand review your list of accomplish-ments, so that they come easily to mindwhen they ask you – “What can you dofor us specifically?” Role play interviewswith a friend or family member to prac-tice interviewing and answering toughinterview questions, specifically aboutyour accomplishments. Think in termsof projects you worked on and whatspecific accomplishments you achievedand roles you played. Always mentionif you saved a previous employer timeor money, improved a process, or youwere rated the best in your group.Emphasize anything you did or were acontributor to that increased efficiency,delivered more productivity, and/orcreated a profit! Your accomplishmentsshow a track record of the type of workof which you are capable. What youdid for someone else in the past, they’llhope you can do for them in the future.

5. Learn Emerging Technologies:

Staying abreast of new technology

Used with permission from TAOnline.©2012 TAOnline.com

EMPLOYMENTBoosting your

Marketability

trends has become essential. Employ-ers today are looking to hire individualswho will help them stay abreast of newtechnologies, and, frankly, understandemerging technologies perhaps betterthan the employer themselves! Even ifyou have to go back to school or takea certification course that you pay foryourself, don’t rely on just what youknow and what you’ve learned from pastemployers, get out there and learn newtechnologies. Take advantage of free orinexpensive training seminars and train-ing programs available from vendors ofnew technologies. There are lots of oneor half-day programs offered aroundmost major cities. There are also sourcesavailable on the Internet and throughon-line services. Participation in techni-cal and professional associations will alsoexpand your knowledge of the types and

the ways others are using old andnew technologies. Besides, colleaguesyou met at a meeting can be addedto your network of contacts to searchfor a new job or for information on acompany in which you’re interested.

6. Communicate Effectively:

Cultivate your communication andinter-personal skills. Interviewers feelthat the way you communicate withthem in an interview will be the wayyou communicate with a colleague,boss, or client, so prove that you cando it well. If communicating is notone of your strengths, improve it bytaking classes or joining Toastmasters(an excellent networking opportu-nity as well!) Also, there are manyfree or inexpensive one-day seminarsand classes on business and techni-cal writing, making presentationsand communicating with others. Ifyou feel this is your weakness, investthe time and money to improve yourcommunication skills before you startyour job search.

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With recent downsizing in theNavy and Air Force, manyservice members are being

faced with the reality of leaving theArmed Forces. In an effort to combatthis, the Army is helping service mem-bers continue to serve their countrieswithout a break in service time.

According to the GoArmy website(www.goarmy.com), the Blue-to-Green Program was established tohelp good Sailors and Airmen tocontinue serving their country afterbeing told they don’t “make the cut.”During this period of ‘right sizing’the Air Force and Navy, the Armyrecognized the need for our ArmedForces to retain highly qualified menand women in our ranks. Operation

Blue-to-Green will allow them tocontinue to serve the nation, main-tain military benefits and to expandhorizons by gaining new training andtry new things.

The program was established in 2004after an announcement from the AirForce and Navy stated a plan to cuttroops by nearly 24,000 members be-tween the two services.

When the program began, the Armywas working to formulate a four-weekcourse for service members who wereutilizing the Blue-to-Green Program,although with the numbers of trans-fers dropping from 186 Sailors in 2006to just 43 Sailors in 2010, the Armyhas removed the training, stating it is

no longer feasible to offer the shortercourse.

Service members, other than Marines,will now be required to complete thefull 10-week Basic Combat Training(BCT), which consists of three phases.

The first phase of the training is theRed Phase, “the Army makes sureevery recruit is physically and mentallyprepared to start basic training. Upondetermining this, recruits are given ahaircut, issued Army uniforms and areready to start training,” said SergeantStar, the Army’s automated help sys-tem for the Blue-to-Green Program.

The second phase is the White Phase,“recruits go through marksmanship

and combat training to learn to rappelat the Warrior Tower. This trainingteaches vital Soldier skills and instillsthem with more confidence,” said Star.

The third phase is the Blue Phase,“after becoming familiar with theuse of automatic weapons and handgrenades in U.S. Weapons training,recruits put their training to the testas they negotiate the night infiltrationcourse,” said Star.

After passing all three phases and allchallenges, the recruits are gatheredfor the Rites of Passage, also known asgraduation.

According to the GoArmy website,Basic Combat Training has pushed therecruits’ mind and bodies to new lim-its, giving them a deeper respect forthemselves and those around them.Now, the time has come to celebratetheir efforts and strengths they’vegained. This is the day that their fami-lies and friends gather to watch themtransition from citizens to Soldiers.

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Even before going to the BCT, thereare many requirements that a servicemember must meet in order to beconsidered a good candidate for theprogram.

The Army has established that Sail-ors and Airman must be within threemonths of their discharge dates, unlessauthorized an early out by their com-manding officer. Marines and CoastGuard must fulfill their service obliga-tions.

“In order to enlist for both active dutyand the Army Reserve, you must bewithin your window to transfer, a U.S.citizen or permanent resident alien,have a high school diploma, be 17 to35 years old, be healthy and in goodphysical condition,” said Star.

Candidates must be physically fit andable to pass the Army Physical Readi-ness Test, which includes a 60-yardshuttle run, one-minute rower, stand-ing long-jump, one-minute push-upsand a one and a half mile run accord-

ing to armyprt.com, a site establishedto list physical requirements of ArmySoldiers.

“They must also be in good moralstanding and be singled or marriedwith no more than two children underthe age of 18. Some jobs may have ad-ditional requirements. You should con-tact your local recruiter to get started,”said Star.

Taking the step out of the blue andinto an “Army of One” can have mayperks including: higher advancementrates, possible enlistment bonus forsome jobs and more relaxed high-year-tenure allowing E-5’s to stay active dutyfor 20 years, six years longer than theNavy allows.

Most importantly, the program allowsservice members to continue serv-ing and receiving benefits and opensthe possibility of retirement for manySailors and Airman who otherwisewouldn’t be allowed to serve theircountry.


Earlier this year, we joined Dr. JillBiden at the Code for America head-quarters, a non-profit startup thathas attracted dozens of civic-mindedsoftware developers spending a yearbuilding new products and services –powered, in part, by open governmentdata – to improve the lives of everydayAmericans.

Dr. Biden celebrated the convening ef-forts of Code and 10 apps were devel-oped by the private sector to improvethe employment prospects for our

nation’s heroes – from apps that helpveterans build new skills or a profes-sional network, to a personalized listof open job postings. We observed theresults of LinkedIn’s “Veterans Hack-day,” two of the 44 apps built over aweekend; a collaboration between twotech companies that had never workedtogether before – Jibe and KMS Soft-ware – to deliver an almost-paperlessapproach to qualify for eligible taxcredits; and the impressive work of aveteran entrepreneur, Fidelis, focusedon the military to civilian transition.

We saw these and other “Apps for He-roes” because Code for America made acommitment last August in response tothe president’s call to action. We joinedCode on this mission and engaged abroader voluntary collaborative of techfirms already active in the employmentand training online market. They didn’task us for money. Rather, we brain-stormed how government data, if re-leased in a people-and-computer-friendlyformat, could serve as “rocket fuel” fortheir apps.

And then we went to work.

Inspired by President Obama’s OpenGovernment Initiative and guided by theU.S. National Action Plan, we identifiedat least three areas where we might openup data that had previously been eitherin an inaccessible format, organized in afragmented way, or largely unknown tothe developer community:

• Military Service Information: Veteranstoday collect a form – the DD-214 – thatcaptures their military “resume;” while itcan be electronically accessed, the datawithin the form is protected and in aform that isn’t accessible for a computerto read. Building on the momentum ofVA’s initiative, Dr. Peter Levin expandedtheir “Blue Button” service, whichenables a veteran to safely and securelydownload their personal health data – in-cluding veteran’s service history, training,and credentials.

• Military Skills Translator: The Depart-ment of Labor actively supports a non-profit, the O*Net center, to maintain agrowing portfolio of tools and data setsthat are freely available to developers,

or anyone for that matter. The problemwas that very few of the developers weengaged over the past several monthswere even aware of this resource. Whenwe showed them what we had they im-mediately went to work on “translating”military experience into skills that arerelevant for their existing products andservices.

• Job Postings from Employers SeekingVeterans: President Obama launchedthe“Veterans Job Bank” last November,which provides access to hundreds ofthousands of job postings from employ-ers actively committed to hiring veterans.Built on an open standard, the “JobPost-ing” schema – endorsed by a coalitionof search engines (Google, Microsoft,Yahoo) through the schema.org commu-nity – empowers any employer to ensureits job postings are discoverable by theJob Bank. The big idea is that instead ofrequiring every employer to update acentralized database, we can dynamically“search” for veteran-committed jobs. It’sa faster, cheaper andmore reliable wayto connect employers to talent. The JobBank itself is accessible at the NationalResource Directory and its search widget,built in an effort to support developershas offered an API that delivers searchresults straight to the app.

Finally, I thought to share the power ofOpen Innovation @ Internet speed. At aSummer Jobs +, Twilio CEO, Jeff Lawsonchallenged the Twilio developer com-munity to build an “App for Heroes.” Inabout an hour – from concept to go-live– developer Tony Webster built Hero-Jobs.org, a text messaging app that sendsjob alerts to veterans every morningbased on their preferences, experience,and zip code.

‘APPS FORHEROES’

Celebrating ourVeterans with

Written by Aneesh Chopraand Peter Levin

Courtesy of whitehouse.gov

helpful links• www.herojobs.org(pictured on left)• www.va.gov/bluebutton• www.onetcenter.org• www.nationalresourcedirectory.gov/jobSearch• www.schema.org/JobPosting• www.nrd.gov

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EDUCATIONALOPTIONSThe transition from military to civil-ian life is an excellent time to take aserious look at your options for futuresuccess. Now is the best time to evalu-ate your educational options.

Guidance Counseling

After you return home, take sometime to evaluate your education goals.Contact a military installation educa-tion center nearest to where you live(by phone or email for those that donot live near a military installation),Navy College Office (NCO), or Ma-rine Corps LifeLong Learning center(LLL). The counselors can provideassistance in determining the goals thatare right for you.

You can also contact the Department ofVeterans Affairs (VA) Regional Officefor education assistance. With today’stechnology, you do not have to livenear a military installation to get help.Assistance is just a phone call or emailaway.

Career Assessment

If you are not sure what you want todo upon leaving the military, thenyou should talk to a counselor at yourVA Regional Office, closest educationcenter, NCO, LLL or Career TransitionOffice (CT0). Counselors at these vari-ous locations can recommend aptitudetests or vocational interest inventoriesto help clarify your career goals. Thesetests can help you pinpoint job skillsin which you might excel and thenrelate them to specific occupations andcareers in the civilian world. You canalso contact the closest Departmentof Labor Career One Stop Center forassistance in getting a skill assessment.It’s also a valuable tool that can helpyou develop your education or trainingcareer goals.

Academic Planning

Once you have identified your careergoal, you may find you need a formaleducation to achieve it. An educationcounselor can explore the possibilitieswith you. Counselors can also advise youon non-traditional educational opportu-nities that can make it easier for you toget a diploma, vocational certificate orcollege degree. These non-traditionalopportunities include the following:

• Take “challenge exams,” such as acollege-level equivalency exam. You canconvert knowledge learned outside theclassroom into credits toward a collegeprogram. This can save you time andmoney.

• Go to school part-time while continu-ing to hold down a full-time job. Thisapproach might make adult educationmore practical.

• See the veterans’ coordinator at thecollege, university or vocational schoolof your choice. The coordinator canhelp you understand your VA educa-tional benefits and might lead you tospecial programs offered to formerservice members.

• Determine if your military learning ex-periences can translate to course credit.Check with your unit education officeror an active duty military installationeducation center, NCO or LLL for as-sistance. You can also go online and geta copy of your DD Form 2586, “Verifica-tion of Military Experience and Train-ing” (VMET) document at https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/appj/vmet/index.jsp.

Vocational Services

You can also learn about various vo-cational services available through amilitary education center, NCO or LLL,

Evaluate your as well through the VA Regional Office.Counselors are available to help you un-derstand the many vocational and tech-nical school programs. The counselorsat these centers can also show you howto get course credits for non-traditionallearning experience, such as militarycertifications and on-the-job training.

The counselors may also help you findout about certification and licensure –for example, how to get a journeymancard for a particular trade. The counsel-ors can give you information on voca-tional and apprenticeship programs.

Licensing and Certification

There are several resources availableto assist you in finding civilian require-ments for licensing and certification:

• www.acinet.org: Department of Laborwebsite. Go to “Career Tools” sectionto look up licenses by state, require-ments for the license, and point-of-contact information for the statelicensing board.

• www.dantes.doded.mil/dantes_web/danteshome.asp: DANTES website hasinformation on certification pro-grams.

• www.cool.army.mil: Find civilian cre-dentials related to your military occu-pational specialty, learn what it takesto obtain the credentials, and see ifthere are available programs that willhelp pay credentialing fees.

• www.cool.navy.mil: Find civiliancredentials related to your Navyrating, learn what it takes to obtainthe credentials, and see if there areavailable programs that will help paycredentialing fees.

• www.au.af.mil/au/ccaf/certifica-tions.asp: A valuable resource for AirForce personnel in increasing aware-ness of professional developmentopportunities applicable to USAFoccupational specialties, crosswalksto CCAF degree programs, nationalprofessional certifications, certifica-tion agencies, and more.

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Documents

Career and Continuing Education Guide