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Transition from Military to Civilian Life

Returning to civilian life presents new opportunities as well as challenges for Veterans. Many Veterans look forward to life after the military, because they can spend more time with family and friends and no longer have to worry about military structure or being deployed. At the same time, transitioning to civilian life may lead to a lot of questions. You may wonder what you are going to do with this new phase of your life, or if you will be able to find a job.

The bottom line is that you can make a successful transition. As you seek employment after the military, remember the skills you have acquired in the military are very valuable to private sector and government organizations. These skills put you at an advantage in the civilian job market. Employers recognize that your ability to handle adversity, work under pressure, and work in a team environment are important skills for every business. If you are contemplating returning to college or seeking new trade skills, there are many opportunities available to you. 
 
The websites can assist you in making a successful transition to the civilian work and education sectors.
 
Federal Government Web Sites 

State Government Web Sites 

Private Sector Web Sites 

Networking Web Sites 

Transitioning to College
 
Training Opportunities 

Federal Government Web Sites

US Department of Veterans Affairs 
VA Welcome Kit
Transition Assistance Online
Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
United States Army Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
United States Army Soldier for Life Program
United States Marine Corps Official Transition Assistance 
United States Navy Transition GPS
United States Air Force Transition Assistance Program
United States Coast Guard Transition Assistance Program
National Resource Directory (NRD)
VMET (Verification of Military Experience and Training
Department of Labor Resource Guide for Veterans
Department of Labor Crosswalk Military and Civilian Careers
Military Skills Translator
US Department of Labor Gold Card
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

US Department of Veterans Affairs
 
Print Out Your VA Welcome Kit.  Whether you’re just getting out of the service or you’ve been a civilian for years now, the VA Welcome Kit can help guide you to the benefits and services you’ve earned.  Based on where you are in life, your VA benefits and services can support you in different ways. Keep your welcome kit handy so you can turn to it throughout your life—like when it’s time to go to school, get a job, buy a house, get health care, retire, or make plans for your care as you age. 
 
Transition Assistance Online. TAOnline.com, is the largest source of transition assistance information, jobs and tools for today's separating military. On this career site for military veterans, service members can find the resources needed to transition from their much-appreciated military service, to the perfect civilian career. Military hiring employers and advertisers can post job ads, search resumes and advertise directly to military candidates.
 
Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
 
United States Army Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
 
United States Army Soldier for Life Program
 
United States Marine Corps Transition Assistance
 
United States Navy Transition GPS
 
United States Air Force Transition Assistance Program
 
United States Coast Guard Transition Assistance Program
 
The National Resource Directory (NRD) provides access to services and resources at the national, state and local levels that support recovery, rehabilitation and community reintegration. Visitors can find information on a variety of topics including benefits & compensation, education & training, employment, family & caregiver support, health, homeless assistance, housing, transportation & travel and other services & resources.
 
The VMET (Verification of Military Experience and Training), DD Form 2586, provides an overview of your military experience and training. You can use this document in conjunction with your DD Form 214, evaluation records, training certificates, awards, transcripts, and other documentation to:

  • Create a Resume
  • Complete a Job Application
  • Identify credit recommendations from the American Council of Education (ACE) 
  • Identify possible certification/waiver of apprenticeship requirements
The Department of Labor sponsors this website that provides a wide range of information of interest to veterans; including e-VETS Advisor, Veterans’ Preference Advisor, Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) Advisor and many other resources for the veteran.
 
 O*Net Online is a tool for career exploration and job analysis. This US Department of Labor site that provides a crosswalk search that compares military jobs to civilian careers and then look through a wealth of data – wages, employment outlook, required skills – on those careers. 
 
This Military Skills Translator web site takes your military skills and assists in finding equivalent civilian occupations, exploring education opportunities to extend your skills, learning from veterans with your specialty, applying for jobs that match your skills, identifying civilian terminology for your resume, and identifying the hot career options for your specialty.
 
US Department of Labor web site with information on the Gold Card that provides unemployed post-9/11 era veterans with the intensive and follow-up services they need to succeed in today's job market. The Gold Card initiative is a joint effort of the Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) and the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS). An eligible veteran can present the Gold Card at his/her local One-Stop Career Center to receive enhanced intensive services including up to six months of follow-up. The enhanced in-person services available for Gold Card holders at local One-Stop Career Centers may include:

Job readiness assessment, including interviews and testing;
  • Development of an Individual Development Plan (IDP);
  • Career guidance through group or individual counseling that helps veterans in making training and career decisions;
  • Provision of labor market, occupational, and skills transferability information that inform educational, training, and occupational decisions;
  • Referral to job banks, job portals, and job openings;
  • Referral to employers and registered apprenticeship sponsors;
  • Referral to training by WIA-funded or third-party service providers; and
  • Monthly follow-up by an assigned case manager for up to six months.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes an Occupational Outlook Handbook that provides information on occupations, the training and education needed, earnings, expected job prospects, what workers do on the job, and working conditions. 

State Government Web Sites

Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs 
State of Florida Official Employment 
Veterans Florida
Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guide
Florida Military-Friendly Guide
State of Florida Military and Veteran Consumer Protection Guide
 
With more than 1.5 million veterans, Florida is the most veteran-friendly state in the nation. The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs is the premier point of entry for Florida veterans to access earned services, benefits and support. Thank you for your service. We honor you. 
 
 State of Florida site with resources that will help you research job openings, create a great resume, apply for jobs, and research labor market trends.

Veterans Florida is a non-profit corporation created by the State of Florida to help veterans transition to civilian life. Veterans Florida provides tools for veterans to take advantage of the benefits of living and working in the Sunshine State.
Florida Veterans’ Benefits Guide. This annual guide helps connect Florida’s veterans and their families with earned federal and state benefits, services and support. It also contains useful phone numbers and website addresses for additional information. 
 
Florida Military-Friendly Guide. This annual guide, created by the Florida Defense Support Task Force, offers a summary of Florida’s laws, programs and services benefiting military service members and their families. 
 
State of Florida Military and Veteran Consumer Protection Guide.  Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation. Research shows veterans are twice as likely to be targeted for scams. Empowering our heroes and their families to safeguard their finances helps protect those who protect us. 

Private Sector Web Sites

Military Times Civilian Life 101
USAA Military Separation Checklist
MOAA 2019 Transition Guide
Military Times Edge
Corporate Gray
Warrior Gateway
Veterans Programs
Job Bank USA
Society for Human Resource Management Military Resource Guide
American Corporate Partners
US Military Pipeline
Military Advantage
Military Times Reboot Transition
 
Military Times Civilian Life 101: Here’s what you need to know before you take off that uniform. 

USAA Military Separation Checklist. Separating from the military is a challenging and rewarding time. Let USAA’s tools like our separation checklist help you keep track of your finances and plan.
 
MOAA 2019 Transition Guide. Getting Started; Building Your Network; Strengthen Your Resume; Look Before You Leap; Acing the Interview; Weighing the Offer; Going Your Own Way. 
 
Military Times Edge provides information on educational and job opportunities for military veterans. News, advice and resources to help you get a degree, search for a job or start your own business – from vet success stories to the most comprehensive military job fair calendar on the web.
 
Corporate Gray links employers with transitioning and former military personnel. Veterans can get instant access to career building resources including career-building resources, increased visibility to potential employers, job fairs and job listing.
 
Warrior Gateway is a portal that connects members of the military community – active duty, National Guard, Reserve, veteran, family member, caretaker – with the resources they need as they transition to civilian life. Warrior Gateway aims to serve as a resource by enabling the military community to quickly find and navigate service organizations and programs, identify academic programs, and employers.
 
Veteran Programs provides an overview of employment, support, compensation, benefits and other issues that affect veterans.
 
Job Bank USA provides a comprehensive suite of career building tools.
 
The Society for Human Resource Management is working with two groups to help employers recruit and retain current and former members of the military. Read below for more information on how the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) can help HR professionals find, hire and retain skilled military service members.
 
American Corporate Partners. Connecting US Veterans to business leaders through our two free programs: an online network offering business advice, and a nationwide mentoring program.
 
The US Military Pipeline is an innovative online career-matching tool and talent platform from Futures Inc., the leader in talent management technology, that allows military veterans to accurately determine which civilian jobs best link up with their military experience/skills. The tool also allows job seekers to pinpoint employment opportunities that meet their specific location, align their military skills to civilian jobs and satisfy their pay requirements. The listing of available jobs is aggregated from all national job postings and refreshed daily.
 
Military Advantage provides information on benefits such as: Active Duty benefits, GI Bill, Guard and Reserve Benefits, Retiree Benefits, Survivor Benefits, The Benefit Advantage, The Career Advantage, The Education Advantage, The Family Advantage, The Money Advantage, The Pay Advantage, TRICARE, VA Benefits, VA Health Care and Veteran Affairs.
 
Military Times Reboot Camp Transition. Comprehensive site that provides essential information about transition. 

Networking Web Sites

Networking will enhance your transition experience as you can learn from others who have completed their transition while staying connected with the military community.

LinkedIn
Vet Friends
Facebook
Rally Point

 LinkedIn. In collaboration with ID.me, LinkedIn offers U.S. service members and veterans a free 1-year Premium Career subscription, including one year of access to LinkedIn Learning.

Vet Friends

Facebook 

Rally Point is the premiere digital platform for the military community to come together and discuss military topics both socially and professionally. Our members include military service members, veterans, family members, caregivers, survivors, and supporters of those in uniform.  RallyPoint connects members and provides tools to succeed along their entire lifetime journey - from recruit through retirement and beyond. Members build peer to peer relationships across branches, generations, and conflicts forged by the common bond of service. Within the community, members can build their professional network, ask questions, share photos and stories, connect with members in a secure environment, and explore educational and career opportunities.