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For veterans and others, transit access is a true lifeline

It’s a privilege to be able to serve military veterans and their families who’ve served all of us so well. Too often, though, it’s difficult and time-consuming for our veterans to find a way to get to the many resources that exist to help them.

That’s why the Obama Administration has worked with states, local governments, and transit agencies across the country to make it easier for them to make use of quality, convenient public transit in their communities. Together, we’re building ladders of opportunity that connect veterans and others to jobs, training, medical care, and the services they need.

Just in the last week, the Community Transportation Association of Idaho launched a new website that makes it easier for Idaho’s more than 140,000 veterans and active duty military personnel – as well as members of the general public – to find an affordable ride in one of the nation’s most rural states...

Phot of a flag displaying a logo for Disabled American Veterans

Helping America's veterans secure a promising future

On Monday, November 11, Americans across the country will honor our veterans and their families for their tireless work and the sacrifices that have kept our nation safe. And DOT is proud to thank these great heroes for their service by making the transition to civilian careers in transportation easier.

Our veterans have the skills and experience to help rebuild America, so we want to put them to work in the skies, on the roads, and throughout our transit and rail systems.

Photo of U.S. Navy air traffic controllers at work
The experience of these U.S. Navy air traffic controllers should translate into the civilian workplace.

FMCSA announces grants to train Veterans for transportation jobs

When those who served us overseas return home and begin seeking career opportunities, we owe them a fair shake. And with the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicating that commercial trucking is a high-growth field--with more than 300,000 additional positions expected by 2020--connecting America's Veterans and their families with career opportunities in trucking makes good sense.

So today, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced almost $1 million in grants to six colleges that will help increase enrollment in commercial motor vehicle training programs and provide job placement assistance for veterans and their spouses. That will make it easier for veterans and their spouses to obtain Commercial Driver's Licenses and find jobs.

Photo of veteran with two kids

Schedule A Hiring Authority

Schedule A is a specialized hiring authority that allows Federal hiring officials to appoint qualified people with disabilities non-competitively. In order to appoint a candidate under Schedule A, the hiring office must have an approved position description and the candidate must meet all job qualifications. Prior to appointment, the candidate must furnish the Department with a Schedule A certification letter. The letter must state the individual has a disability and is eligible for hiring under this authority. Candidates may obtain such letters from their local vocational rehabilitation agency.

Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative

The U. S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration (FTA), launched a new initiative to help ensure that getting a ride to work, day care, or to a medical appointment is no longer an obstacle for veterans or their families. The Veterans Transportation and Community Living Initiative will award grants to local transportation providers and other groups around the country so they can better coordinate and deliver important transit information through "one-call" or "one click" centers.

DOT Special Hiring Authorities

Hiring veterans is a win/win situation. Today's veteran brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the job. The US Military provides service men and women with top notch training and robust practical work experience in areas of critical importance to DOT such as information technology, engineering, communications, security, information gathering, administrative support, human resources and financial management. Many already hold security clearances required for some Federal positions. Veterans tend to be well-equipped with the training, discipline, leadership abilities, teamwork attitude, work experience and work ethic that military service instills.

DOT Veteran Operational Plan

The Department of Transportation views service men and women as an exceptional talent pool with skills uniquely suited for many of our mission critical occupations. We intend to make DOT an employer of choice by assisting them in applying their skills to civilian jobs. This Plan sets forth our strategy for employing retired and transitioning service men and women.

Veteran Opportunities

President Obama's Order 13518 on the Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government established the Veterans Employment Initiative to increase the number of veterans employed by the Federal Government through "proactive" recruitment initiatives, programs, strategies, partnerships, and skills development and training.

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