Transitioning from military service to civilian life can be a significant step, filled with both excitement and uncertainty. For soldiers stationed at Fort Jackson, the Army Career Skills Program (CSP) offers a valuable bridge, transforming military expertise into civilian career opportunities. This program provides soldiers with the chance to gain crucial skills and experience in diverse industries during their final 180 days of service, setting them up for successful post-military careers.
What is the Army Career Skills Program (CSP)?
The Career Skills Program is designed as an integral part of the soldier lifecycle, acknowledging the importance of a smooth transition. It allows soldiers to participate in various training opportunities, including pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, internships, and on-the-job training, all geared towards building job-ready skills. These programs span a wide array of sectors, ensuring soldiers can explore careers that genuinely interest them and align with their future aspirations.
Sgt. Porch Colts, a Human Resource Specialist from Company D, 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, is a testament to the program’s effectiveness. “I was transitioning from active duty and was able to participate in the Career Skills Program,” Sgt. Colts explained. “I gained skills in the financial services industry. Because of CSP, I’m employed. My last day at Fort Jackson is the first day of my new job.” His experience underscores the program’s direct impact on securing employment immediately after military service.
Alt: Sgt. Porch Colts, a transitioning soldier at Fort Jackson, emphasizes the advantages of the Army Career Skills Program for securing civilian employment.
Benefits of Participating in CSP at Fort Jackson
The advantages of the CSP extend beyond just job placement. For many transitioning soldiers, the program offers peace of mind, alleviating concerns about post-service employment. As Jude Marranco, a seasoned Army military police veteran and division chief of Fort Jackson’s Army Continuing Education Services, noted, “I wish they offered this program when I was getting out.” This sentiment highlights the long-recognized need for such programs to support military personnel in their career transitions.
The CSP not only aids individual soldiers but also contributes to broader goals such as reducing veteran homelessness and preventing veteran families from facing poverty. By equipping soldiers with marketable skills and facilitating their entry into fulfilling careers, the program aims to ensure veterans maintain a comparable level of success in civilian life as they experienced in the military.
Exploring Program Pathways: Approved and Individual Programs
Fort Jackson’s CSP offers two primary pathways: approved programs and individual programs. Approved programs are vetted and endorsed by Fort Jackson, ensuring quality and relevance. Examples include the Veteran Affairs Warrior Training Advancement Course and Hiring Our Heroes. These programs have established frameworks and proven track records of success.
For soldiers with specific career interests outside the approved list, the individual program pathway provides flexibility. Shelby Hebing, an Education Center counselor specializing in CSP, clarifies, “The only difference between the approved and individual program is the individual is allowed to pursue an opportunity that may be more in their interests but doesn’t fall into one of the approved programs.” This allows soldiers to tailor their CSP experience to very specific career goals, such as the soldier pursuing an internship with Columbia Scuba to become a certified scuba instructor and business owner.
Alt: Shelby Hebing, CSP counselor at Fort Jackson, details the approved and individual program options within the Army Career Skills Program for soldiers.
Diverse Industry Opportunities
The range of industries available through the CSP is extensive. Locally, at Fort Jackson and in surrounding areas, opportunities include programs like Troops to Firefighters, 9-1-1 dispatch operator training, and Information Technology programs with Training Concepts. Nationally, soldiers can explore fields such as solar power, maintenance and repair, construction and extraction, heavy equipment operation, commercial driving, and management and office administration through the Heroes Corporate Fellowship Academy. Soldiers interested in out-of-state programs can apply for Permissive Temporary Duty to participate.
A comprehensive list of available industries and locations can be found at the official Army Career Skills Program website (https://home.army.mil/imcom/index.php/customers/career-skills-program). Accessing this site, which requires a Common Access Card, will provide detailed information on individual programs and application procedures.
How to Apply for CSP at Fort Jackson
Taking the first step towards participating in the Army Career Skills Program at Fort Jackson involves initiative from the soldier. “It is the Soldier’s responsibility to figure out what they want to do and what company they want to work with,” Hebing emphasizes. “We give them the autonomy to make that decision for themselves. They will just need to get in contact with the point of contact for that program directly.”
Interested soldiers need to complete an application and gather supporting documents. This documentation includes a participation memorandum signed by their chain of command, a leave form, legal review documentation, any company-specific forms, and a completed DD Form 2648, which is accessible through the Soldier for Life-Transition Assistance Program.
For detailed guidance and application assistance, soldiers are encouraged to visit the CSP website or contact program coordinators Shelby Hebing and Vivian Grant at 751-5341. Despite any physical access limitations due to health precautions, the Fort Jackson Education Center remains committed to supporting transitioning soldiers. As Jude Marranco assures, “While our doors may be locked…We are here and always open.”
The Army Career Skills Program at Fort Jackson represents a significant opportunity for soldiers to proactively shape their civilian futures. By leveraging this program, soldiers can gain valuable skills, explore new career paths, and confidently transition into civilian life, building upon their military experience to achieve continued success.
