Transitioning from military service to civilian life is a significant step for any soldier. While the Army equips individuals with invaluable skills and experiences, navigating the civilian job market can feel daunting. Recognizing this, the U.S. Army offers a robust program designed to bridge this gap: the Army Career Skills Program (CSP). This initiative provides transitioning service members with the unique opportunity to gain practical, in-demand skills through training and internships, setting them up for successful civilian careers, all while still receiving their military pay and benefits.
Sgt. 1st Class Curt Johnson gains valuable civilian contracting experience through the Army Career Skills Program.
What is the Army Career Skills Program?
The Army Career Skills Program (CSP) is a comprehensive initiative that empowers soldiers preparing to leave the service with tangible career skills. It offers a pathway to high-demand and highly-skilled civilian jobs through various avenues, including:
- Employment Skills Training: Focused programs designed to equip soldiers with specific industry skills.
- On-the-Job Training: Practical experience gained directly in a civilian work environment.
- Pre-Apprenticeships: Structured programs that prepare soldiers for formal apprenticeships in skilled trades.
- Internships: Immersive opportunities to work within civilian companies, gaining real-world experience and industry insights.
Walt Harris, Transition Services Manager with Fort Leonard Wood’s Transition Assistance Program, emphasizes the program’s effectiveness: “They can intern with industry across the United States to help them find employment and be able to provide for their families after transitioning from the Army.” Crucially, soldiers participating in the Army Career Skills Program continue to receive their regular Army pay and allowances, removing financial barriers during this crucial transition period. The program boasts an impressive 85 percent hire rate for participating service members at Fort Leonard Wood, demonstrating its success in connecting soldiers with post-service employment.
Who Can Benefit from the Army Career Skills Program?
Soldiers from all backgrounds and military occupational specialties (MOS) are eligible to participate in the Army Career Skills Program. Service members can begin their CSP journey up to 180 days before their Expiration-Term of Service (ETS). This proactive approach allows ample time to acquire new skills and secure potential employment before transitioning out of the Army.
The program offers a wide spectrum of opportunities, with 234 established internship options across diverse career fields. However, the Army Career Skills Program is also flexible and encourages soldiers to take initiative. If a soldier identifies a specific company or industry they are interested in, they can propose their own internship. As long as the organization’s Human Resources department is willing to sponsor the service member as an intern, the opportunity can be pursued, regardless of location within the United States. This personalized approach ensures that soldiers can tailor their CSP experience to align with their individual career aspirations.
Exploring Additional Transition Resources: SkillBridge and Beyond
For soldiers who may not find a suitable fit within the existing Army Career Skills Program opportunities, the Department of Defense offers a complementary program called SkillBridge. Fort Leonard Wood’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP) experts can assist soldiers in exploring SkillBridge, which provides an even wider array of training and internship possibilities. “If you can’t find the right fit with CSP, the DOD’s version has even more opportunities available,” Harris notes, “There’s something for every skill set.”
Furthermore, the TAP team collaborates with state-level workforce development initiatives like Missouri’s Heroes Connect. This platform connects transitioning service members with over 13,000 veteran-friendly employers within Missouri, providing a valuable resource for those seeking local employment opportunities.
Financial concerns during transition are common, and Army Emergency Relief (AER) provides crucial support. AER partners with TAP to offer grants to soldiers enrolled in the Army Career Skills Program. These grants can provide $500 for internships within 50 miles of Fort Leonard Wood and $1,000 for internships located further away, easing the financial strain of relocation or commuting during the program.
Real-World Success: Sgt. 1st Class Curt Johnson’s CSP Experience
Sgt. 1st Class Curt Johnson, a retiring Army Engineer and former small group leader at the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence NCO Academy, exemplifies the benefits of the Army Career Skills Program. As he prepared for retirement, Johnson interned with Mission and Installation Contracting Command-Fort Leonard Wood, gaining experience in contracting – a field he chose due to its emphasis on continuous learning.
Johnson highlights the program’s value in easing the transition to a different work environment: “The environment, the climate, culture, it’s all different. There’s just a different structure and way of doing things. Being able to get in here early and start learning the mannerisms, the vocabulary, has been helpful.” He believes that the inherent goal-oriented mindset of service members makes them ideal civilian employees: “Progressing toward a better end state — that’s your military mindset. If a corporation is looking for an individual to progress a company, an organization, a task, a goal — these are very goal-orientated people, who can achieve said task and won’t hesitate to reach out and find the best possible way to do it.”
Rick Switzer, Johnson’s colleague at MICC-Fort Leonard Wood, praises Johnson’s contributions: “While (Johnson) has never worked in the contracting field, he has taken on the task and excelled. He has helped the organization in many ways, bringing knowledge and thinking outside the box.”
Johnson’s advice to other transitioning soldiers is to explore the available options and utilize the resources provided by TAP: “Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. It’s probably your greatest weakness because you don’t know how far you can excel outside of it if you never step out.”
Take the Next Step in Your Civilian Career
The Army Career Skills Program is a powerful tool designed to empower transitioning service members with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the civilian workforce. By leveraging this valuable program, soldiers can confidently embark on their post-military careers. For further information about the Army Career Skills Program and other transition resources at Fort Leonard Wood, contact 573.596.0719 and unlock your civilian career potential today.
