Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be a significant shift, but the Army recognizes the value of the skills and experience soldiers gain during their service. To ensure a smooth transition and enhance career prospects, the Army is deeply invested in providing opportunities for soldiers to develop civilian-relevant skills. This commitment is exemplified by the Army Career Skills Program, a dedicated initiative designed to bridge the gap between military expertise and civilian career paths.
The Department of Defense SkillBridge program serves as the overarching framework, empowering service members to pursue degrees and certifications that directly translate to civilian employment. Within this framework, the Army Career Skills Program (CSP) offers a tailored approach for retiring and separating soldiers. It provides access to a diverse array of pre-employment programs, all strategically designed to facilitate successful entry into the civilian workforce. These programs are crucial in equipping soldiers with the specific skills and industry knowledge sought after by civilian employers.
Colonel Scott Shaw, a Commander for the Asymmetric Warfare Group, emphasizes the importance of this program: “As an Army Leader, I have a responsibility to counsel Soldiers exiting the military. Part of that is to ensure those Soldiers are aware of the programs [available to them]. People are our Army’s number one priority, and ensuring Soldiers transition out of the military with a positive story to tell others, so they too can be inspired to serve. It’s what being a Soldier for Life is about.” This highlights the Army’s dedication to the well-being of its personnel, even as they transition out of active duty.
The core of the Army Career Skills Program lies in facilitating practical, hands-on learning experiences. Soldiers can participate in apprenticeships, on-the-job training, internships, and job shadowing opportunities. These experiences are carefully structured to enable soldiers to acquire industry-recognized credentials, understand civilian job responsibilities, learn new skills, and become familiar with industry-specific practices. Significantly, soldiers can undertake these programs during their last six months of active duty, allowing for a seamless transition. If a soldier’s application is approved, they can engage in an internship or apprenticeship with a pre-approved company or program located near their duty station.
Consider the example of Captain Jacob Ahle, an information operations intelligence officer who retired after two decades of service. Despite holding a psychology degree, his passion for teaching led him to explore a career in education. Leveraging the Career Skills Program, Captain Ahle secured an internship at a local middle school in his intended retirement area. For six weeks, he gained invaluable experience teaching health, physical education, and social studies to middle school students. Furthermore, he shadowed a special needs teacher, broadening his skillset and preparing him for the diverse needs of students. Simultaneously, he began the process of obtaining his teaching certification. Following his internship and terminal leave, the school where he interned offered him a full-time teaching position, allowing him to seamlessly transition into his new career.
Participating in the Career Skills Program requires commitment from both the soldier and their unit. While units provide support to participating soldiers, they do not receive financial reimbursement, nor are they permitted to reimburse soldiers for their program participation. Soldiers continue to receive their regular military pay and benefits throughout the program. Although their duty location shifts to the host organization or company, they remain accountable to their assigned military unit for the program’s duration.
The Army Career Skills Program’s strength lies in its adaptability and the wide spectrum of opportunities it offers. It recognizes the diverse interests and career ambitions of soldiers, providing a flexible framework to accommodate various pathways. This program has proven instrumental in helping countless transitioning soldiers successfully prepare for civilian careers. Its versatility ensures that soldiers from all backgrounds and with varied aspirations can gain the necessary skills, credentials, and knowledge to secure meaningful employment and continue contributing to their communities as private citizens.
Soldiers participating in the Army Career Skills Program gain valuable civilian job skills through hands-on training and internships.
For soldiers seeking to leverage the Army Career Skills Program to enhance their civilian career prospects, further details are available at: https://home.army.mil/imcom/index.php/customers/career-skills-program
