Advantages of Career Training for Military Personnel

The Advantages of Career Training for Military Personnel

The people leaving military service, because of discharge or retirement, are at a disadvantage in the civilian career field. Skills learned while in the military are not always transferrable, or the person may not have access to the certification required by certain employers or professions. Even though it could cost the government extra money for schooling or other programs, career training is beneficial for everyone, by building confidence, raising employment levels, and decreasing the need for welfare assistance.

Career training benefits everyone in a community. Employers gain access to "trained, educated, experienced people like those that are separating from the [military]" (Fortner, 2012, pg. 4). This helps keep the unemployment rate down while increasing the availability of qualified applicants in various career fields. The serviceperson gains confidence in the abilities they bring to a civilian career, and in their ability to contribute to the local community and economy. The children of these same people also become better equipped to contribute to the community because they see the benefits that the parent has gained because of appropriate training.

When a retiree receives career training, an immediate and recognizable benefit is to the person. "Unemployment remains high for our Nation's veterans" (Sowash, 2011, pg. 54), and career training helps retirees learn how to transition their military skills into useful civilian skills. This provides better placement opportunities because the retirees are "more marketable for future employment once they transition out of the [service]" (Brofer, 2005, pg. 27). By receiving the needed and appropriate forms of career training, these individuals become valuable assets to the community.

Another advantage in support of career training concerns the issue of welfare assistance. By preparing military personnel with the skills necessary to enter the civilian job market, there is less call for welfare services. When a retiree has marketable, employable skills, they are more able to build confidence in their abilities. This gives them a sense of pride and accomplishment because they can care sufficiently