Seamless Transition

VA has benefits and services for Veterans who are unemployed, looking for work, or in need of training or education to qualify for a suitable job.

Making a Seamless Transition from Military to Civilian Life

Servicemembers with severe injuries or illnesses may automatically qualify for VA Vocational Rehabilitation benefits.

If you have been referred to a Physical Evaluation Board or are going through the joint VA/DoD Disability Evaluation System, you may qualify for services to begin planning your transition to civilian life.

• VA can pay for college or other training while you are still on active duty.
• If all you need is help finding a civilian job, VA can help with that, too.
• If you are unable to return to work yet, VA can help you be more independent in your community

There are several ways to apply or get more information about whether you qualify:

• Speak to your Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO)
• Attend a Transition Assistance Program (TAP) or Disabled Transition Assistance Program (DTAP) briefing at your military facility
• Call VA at 1-800-827-1000 and ask to speak with Vocational Rehabilitation Division or Point of Contact.
• Visit www.va.gov and fill out an online application (VONAPP) for Vocational Rehabilitation
• Apply by completing VA Form 28-1900, Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation, and submitting it to the nearest VA Regional Office

Military Experience Transfers to Civilian Jobs

Servicemembers participating in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) may get a personalized evaluation of how their military training and experience qualifies them for jobs in the civilian sector.

The Department of Labor will conduct a study of how military experience transfers to civilian jobs. Then, sometime in 2013, the Department of Defense may begin using that information to give transitioning Servicemembers a personalized document showing what civilian careers they may be most prepared to pursue.

Because the law did not provide funding or a timetable for implementing this provision, there is no specific schedule for when servicemembers may begin receiving these evaluations. Ask your TAP coordinator for an update on any progress with this initiative.

When they are available, VA will be able to use these evaluations to develop employment or education plans that can help transitioning SMs reach their career goals

If you would like more information about how VA can help you with career or education planning call VA's nationwide toll free number, 1-800-827-1000 to request VA Form 28-8832, Application for Educational - Vocational Counseling.

Department of Labor Seamless Transition Resources

• Veterans Reemployment Portal on CareerOneStop.gov is designed to assist veterans with employment, training, career planning, financial and emotional help after military service. The site links veterans to local resources as well as provides a military-to-civilian job search based on military job title or military occupation code
• My Next Move for Veterans is designed for U.S. veterans making the transition to civilian careers and provides tasks, skills, salary information, job listings, and more for over 900 different careers. Veterans can find careers through keyword search; by browsing industries that employ different types of workers; or by entering their military occupation code or title.
• The Transition Assistance Program Employment Workshop gives employment and training information to armed forces members within 180 days of separation or retirement.
• Veterans' Employment and Training Services are available in every state and provide assistance to transitioning service members or veterans transition to rewarding careers.