Every day, dedicated soldiers at Fort Leonard Wood, and across army bases like Fort Hood, commit themselves to transforming civilians into skilled members of the armed forces. As these service members complete their tours of duty, a new chapter begins: transitioning back to civilian life. This transition, while exciting, can also be daunting. Recognizing this, the U.S. Army offers the Career Skills Program (CSP), a crucial resource designed to equip transitioning soldiers with valuable skills and facilitate their entry into the civilian workforce.
The Army’s Career Skills Program (CSP) is a proactive initiative that empowers soldiers preparing to leave service. It provides opportunities to engage in employment-skills training, on-the-job training, pre-apprenticeships, and internships. These programs are strategically chosen to align with high-demand and highly-skilled civilian jobs. Importantly, soldiers participating in CSP retain their military pay and allowances, providing financial stability during this crucial transition period. Walt Harris, Transition Services Manager at Fort Leonard Wood’s Transition Assistance Program, highlights 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.” The success of CSP is evident in the impressive 85 percent hire rate for participating service members at Fort Leonard Wood. While soldiers gain invaluable civilian skills and experience, they do not receive additional compensation from the host organization, ensuring the focus remains on skill development and career preparation.
Sgt. 1st Class Curt Johnson participating in the Army Career Skills Program at Fort Leonard Wood.
Soldiers can begin their CSP journey up to 180 days before their Expiration-Term of Service (ETS). Currently, there are 234 established internship opportunities within the CSP, spanning diverse career paths and skill sets. The program is also flexible, encouraging soldiers to propose individual internship opportunities. “A service member can identify an organization — no matter where it is — as long as someone from [that organization’s human resources department] is willing to sponsor them as an intern, they can intern with that organization,” Harris explains. This personalized approach ensures soldiers can pursue their specific career interests.
For soldiers who don’t find a suitable program within the CSP’s existing options or prefer not to create their own internship, the Department of Defense offers SkillBridge. This program provides even broader opportunities, and Fort Leonard Wood’s TAP experts are readily available to assist soldiers in navigating both CSP and SkillBridge. “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.” This dual-program approach ensures comprehensive coverage for transitioning soldiers, regardless of their chosen career field.
To further support soldiers in their job search, the TAP team collaborates with workforce development experts from the state of Missouri. Heroes Connect, a valuable resource, maintains a database of over 13,000 veteran-friendly, Missouri-based employers actively seeking to hire transitioning service members. “So, if service members want to stay in the state of Missouri, the resources are available for them,” Harris confirms. This partnership provides a strong network for soldiers looking to remain in Missouri post-service.
Financial concerns are a common challenge for transitioning soldiers. Army Emergency Relief (AER) addresses this through grants in partnership with TAP. Pattie McDonald, an AER specialist at Fort Leonard Wood, explains that soldiers enrolling in CSP can receive grants: $500 for internships within 50 miles of Fort Leonard Wood and $1,000 for internships exceeding 50 miles. These grants provide crucial financial assistance to soldiers participating in CSP internships.
Sgt. 1st Class Curt Johnson, a retiring soldier from Fort Leonard Wood, exemplifies the benefits of CSP. Trained as an Army Engineer and most recently a small group leader at the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence NCO Academy, Johnson interned with Mission and Installation Contracting Command-Fort Leonard Wood. He chose contracting due to its emphasis on continuous learning, aiming for a DOD civilian position after retirement. Johnson emphasizes a key CSP advantage: a gradual integration into a different work environment. “The environment, the climate, culture, it’s all different,” Johnson states. “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.” This acclimatization period significantly eases the transition process.
Johnson highlights the inherent strengths soldiers bring to civilian roles: a goal-oriented mindset. “Progressing toward a better end state — that’s your military mindset,” he explains. “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.” This inherent drive and problem-solving ability make veterans highly valuable employees.
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 success underscores the value of CSP in bridging the gap between military service and civilian careers.
Johnson’s advice to transitioning service members is proactive: research available opportunities and leverage TAP specialists. “Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone,” he encourages. “It’s probably your greatest weakness because you don’t know how far you can excel outside of it if you never step out.” This proactive approach, combined with the resources offered by CSP, sets soldiers on a path to successful civilian careers.
For soldiers at Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Hood, and across the Army preparing for transition, the Career Skills Program is an invaluable asset. To learn more about CSP and other transition programs at Fort Leonard Wood, contact 573-596-0719. Take the first step towards your successful civilian future today.
