Resources for Getting Out
Programs and tools for separating service members, veterans, and military spouses. All free or military-benefit eligible.
JobRecon shows you the map. These resources help you move out smartly.
Getting Out — Programs & Support
Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
Mandatory transition program for separating service members
Visit Site- Free, comprehensive transition training
- Required for all separating service members
Military OneSource
24/7 career support for service members and families
Visit Site- Career counseling, resume help, financial planning
- Toll-free: 800-342-9647
SkillBridge (DoD)
Civilian internships during final 180 days of service
Visit Site- Work a civilian job while still on active duty
- Keep military pay and benefits
Hiring Our Heroes (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
Corporate hiring events and fellowship programs
Visit Site- Corporate Fellowship Program (12 weeks)
- Military spouse fellowship programs
American Corporate Partners (ACP)
Free one-on-one mentoring from business professionals
Visit Site- Year-long mentorship with corporate leaders
- Career guidance from your target industry
Veterans Employment & Training Service (VETS)
Department of Labor employment resources
Visit Site- Job training and employment assistance
- USERRA rights enforcement
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
VA career counseling for veterans with service-connected disabilities
Visit Site- Career counseling, training, and job placement
- Available for veterans with service-connected conditions
Where to Find Jobs
USAJobs.gov
Federal government job search
Visit Site- Veterans' preference in federal hiring
- Filter by military spouse and veterans' hiring preference (VRA, VEOA)
LinkedIn for Veterans
Professional networking with military skills translator
Visit Site- Free LinkedIn Premium for 1 year
- Built-in military skills translator
ClearanceJobs.com
Security-cleared job opportunities
Visit Site- For TS/SCI and Secret clearance holders
- Defense contractor and intelligence community positions
RecruitMilitary
Veteran-focused job fairs and career events
Visit Site- Virtual and in-person hiring events
- Employer connections specifically seeking veterans
Hire Heroes USA
Free personalized job search assistance
Visit Site- Resume writing and interview preparation
- One-on-one career coaching at no cost
Helmets to Hardhats
Construction and trades career placement for veterans
Visit Site- Direct placement into apprenticeship programs
- Building trades and union career paths
Specialized Veteran Job Boards
The following boards serve niche communities — particularly SOF veterans and those pursuing government contracting, security consulting, and related private-sector roles. These are external resources. JobRecon does not vet individual listings, employers, or opportunities posted on these platforms. Conduct your own due diligence before engaging with any employer.
ClearanceJobs.com
Defense and intelligence community careers for cleared professionals
Visit Site- TS/SCI, Secret, and Public Trust roles
- Defense contractors, federal agencies, intelligence community
SilentProfessionals
Government contracting and security careers for SOF veterans
Visit Site- Focused on SOF, intelligence, and security sector roles
- Government contracting positions requiring military background
BeyondSOF
Career platform for Special Operations veterans
Visit Site- Corporate, government, and consulting roles for SOF alumni
- Peer network and employer connections within the SOF community
Orion Talent
Veteran recruiting firm with defense and corporate placement
Visit Site- Covers both cleared and non-cleared veteran roles
- Manufacturing, defense, tech, and operations sectors
Education & Training — GI Bill Eligible
Filling skills gaps identified in your career matches? These institutions have strong military support programs, accept GI Bill and Tuition Assistance, and offer flexible online formats for active duty and transitioning service members.
Online & Competency-Based Programs
Western Governors University (WGU)
Competency-based online degrees — IT, business, healthcare, education
Visit Site- #1 Military Friendly online school — 13 consecutive years
- Competency-based: accelerate through what you already know
- Military Appreciation Scholarship ($750/term)
- GI Bill approved, Yellow Ribbon participant
University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC)
Built for military and working adults — online and hybrid programs
Visit Site- Founded to serve military — courses at 140+ military installations
- Strong cybersecurity, IT, and business programs
- Accepts ACE military credit recommendations
- GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, MyCAA approved
Purdue University Global
Online degrees with military credit transfer pathways
Visit Site- ExcelTrack accelerated programs
- Transfer up to 75% of credits from military training
- Dedicated military support team
- GI Bill approved
Coursera for Veterans
Free online courses and professional certificates
Visit Site- Google, IBM, and Meta professional certificates
- Self-paced learning — start anytime
- Industry-recognized credentials
Certification & Professional Development
Onward to Opportunity (O2O) — Syracuse University
Free professional certifications in tech, business, and leadership
Visit Site- CompTIA, PMP, SHRM, Six Sigma certifications
- Completely free for service members, veterans, and spouses
- Online and in-person formats
Microsoft Software & Systems Academy (MSSA)
Free 17-week tech training for transitioning service members
Visit Site- Cloud application development and server/cloud administration
- Direct interview pipeline to Microsoft and partner companies
- Available during last 180 days of service (SkillBridge eligible)
Amazon Military Programs
Career training and hiring pathways at Amazon
Visit Site- AWS re/Start (free cloud computing training)
- Military apprenticeship programs
- Amazon Technical Academy
Troops to Teachers
Teaching certification for veterans transitioning to education careers
Visit Site- Certification guidance by state
- Financial assistance for certification costs
Federal Jobs & Hiring — How It Works
Federal Employment Information (OPM)
Office of Personnel Management hiring guidance
Visit Site- Veterans' preference explanation and eligibility
- Veterans' hiring preference explained — VRA, VEOA, and 30% disabled veteran hiring authority
- Federal resume guidance
USAJobs Help Center — Veterans
Federal application guides for military candidates
Visit Site- Step-by-step federal resume builder
- Hiring path eligibility checker
- DD-214 and preference documentation guidance
Federal Workforce Data — FedScope
Federal workforce data and agency statistics
Visit Site- Employment trends by agency and occupation
- GS grade distribution data
- Useful for targeting federal career paths
Federal Pay Tables
GS pay tables with locality adjustments
Visit Site- Current GS pay tables by locality
- Special rate tables for hard-to-fill positions
Apprenticeships & Trades
United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP)
Earn apprenticeship credentials during active duty
Visit Site- Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard
- Earn Department of Labor apprenticeship certificate using military experience
- No cost while on active duty
ApprenticeshipUSA (Department of Labor)
National apprenticeship program finder
Visit Site- Search registered apprenticeships by occupation and location
- Earn while you learn with employer-sponsored training
Helmets to Hardhats
Building trades career placement for veterans
Visit Site- Connects veterans to union apprenticeships
- Construction, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, ironwork
Veterans in Piping (VIP)
UA union pipe trades training for transitioning military
Visit Site- Free 18-week accelerated welding/pipefitting training
- SkillBridge eligible — train during final months of service
- Direct placement into union apprenticeship upon completion
Resume & Interview — Free Help
Hire Heroes USA
Free resume writing and career coaching
Visit Site- Professional resume rewrite at no cost
- Interview preparation and mock interviews
- Personalized job search assistance
American Corporate Partners (ACP)
Year-long mentoring from corporate professionals
Visit Site- Matched with a mentor in your target industry
- Resume review, networking guidance, career advice
O*NET Online — Military Crosswalk
Translate military experience to civilian terms
Visit Site- Official Department of Labor military skills translator
- Detailed civilian occupation profiles with requirements
My Next Move for Veterans
Department of Labor career exploration tool for veterans
Visit Site- Search civilian careers by military code
- Skills, salary, and outlook for each occupation
Military Spouse Employment
Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP)
DoD career program connecting spouses with employers
Visit Site- 700+ partner employers committed to hiring military spouses
- Career coaching and resume support
My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA)
Up to $4,000 for spouse education and training
Visit Site- Portable career licenses and certifications
- For spouses of E-1 to E-5, W-1 to W-2, and O-1 to O-2
Blue Star Families
Career and community support for military families
Visit Site- Career development programs
- Community connections during PCS moves
Mental Health & Crisis Support
Veterans Crisis Line
24/7 confidential crisis support
Visit Site- Call: 988, then Press 1
- Text: 838255
- Chat online at veteranscrisisline.net
Career transitions are stressful. If you or someone you know is struggling, the Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 — call 988, press 1.
More Tools
O*NET OnLine
Comprehensive occupation exploration database
Visit Site- Skills, knowledge, and ability requirements
- Technology tools and work context
Career One Stop (Department of Labor)
Career exploration and training finder
Visit Site- Salary data, training programs, certifications
- Local job market information
Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Authoritative career outlook and salary projections
Visit Site- 10-year employment projections
- Median pay, education requirements, job outlook
The Recon Family — Intel for Every Stage of Getting Out
DISCLAIMER: These resources are provided for informational purposes only. Operation Tango LLC is not affiliated with these organizations and does not endorse specific products, services, employers, or individual job listings — including those on specialized job boards. Some education and training links may become affiliate or referral partnerships in the future — any such relationships will be clearly disclosed.