For more than a decade, I have dedicated my career to helping veterans transition into IT roles. As the director of veteran affairs at SkillStorm for the past four years, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges veterans face when entering the tech industry.
Before this role, I served 28 years in the Marine Corps, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. My own transition from military service made me realize how difficult the process can be—especially in the tech sector, where opportunities are abundant but barriers to entry remain high. That realization fuels my commitment to supporting veterans on their journey to a successful tech career.
Industry Challenges
Despite their valuable experience, veterans often face significant challenges when breaking into the tech industry. A major roadblock is the widespread requirement for bachelor’s degrees, which frequently excludes highly qualified veterans whose skills do not fit neatly into traditional academic credentials.
While many veterans obtain certifications and training, hiring managers frequently prioritize hands-on experience over education—creating a frustrating cycle where experience is required to gain experience.
Another challenge is relocation. Many top tech roles require moving, which can be difficult for veterans with families. However, staying open to relocation can significantly expand career opportunities.
Despite these barriers, careers in fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cloud computing remain highly appealing due to strong job growth and stability. SkillStorm is committed to helping veterans bridge these gaps by equipping them with the training and opportunities needed to secure meaningful careers.
Recruitment Disconnect
Many employers have a strong need for tech talent, yet veterans still struggle to enter the field. The primary disconnect lies in the gap between qualifications and practical experience. Many entry-level roles demand three to five years of experience, leaving veterans at a disadvantage—even when they hold industry certifications, degrees or military IT training.
This is where SkillStorm makes a difference. Our programs provide hands-on training and direct job placement, ensuring that veterans gain the skills and experience necessary to launch successful careers.
Addressing Barriers
Veterans encounter unique obstacles that differ from those faced by civilians entering the tech industry:
- Translating military experience: Veterans often have extensive hands-on IT or cybersecurity experience but struggle to match those skills with civilian job postings.
- Credential recognition: Unlike civilians who follow a traditional college-to-career path, veterans may hold military-specific certifications that employers do not always recognize.
- Navigating financial and educational resources: Programs such as the GI Bill exist, but they can be complex to navigate, leaving some veterans uncertain about their training options.
- Limited networking opportunities: Many veterans lack industry-specific connections that civilians develop through internships or college networks.
- Adjusting to civilian work culture: The transition from a structured military environment to the corporate world involves learning new workplace dynamics and adapting to different communication styles.
With the proper training, networking and employer awareness, these challenges can be overcome. SkillStorm is committed to providing the tools and resources veterans need to succeed.
SkillStorm’s Approach
SkillStorm offers tailored training and certification programs designed to prepare veterans for high-demand tech roles. Our key initiatives include:
- Hands-on training and certifications: We combine technical certifications with practical, real-world training to ensure job readiness.
- Career pathways and soft skills development: Veterans receive training in workplace communication and collaboration alongside technical instruction.
- Industry-certified training: Our programs feature authorized courses from AWS, CompTIA, Oracle and other leading providers.
- Techforce by Design: This program recruits, trains and places veterans directly into tech roles while providing salaries and benefits during training.
Techforce by Design
Our Techforce by Design program provides a structured, employer-driven approach to workforce development. Veterans know their job placement, employer and location before training begins, eliminating uncertainty. This ensures they receive training tailored to employer needs and step directly into jobs upon completion.
We also support military families through our Upskill Together initiative, which allows spouses or dependents of service members to receive free training for every course their loved one completes. This is SkillStorm’s way of giving back beyond government-funded programs.
Long-Term Success
Veterans who complete our programs achieve high success rates. In our previous VETTEC program, more than 60% of veterans secured IT jobs—significantly above industry averages. Some program graduates have even joined our training team, leveraging their military and tech experience to mentor the next generation.
Action Steps
For veterans considering a transition into tech, my biggest advice is to prepare thoroughly and work with a trusted partner. Breaking into IT is challenging, but it is entirely possible with the right support. Veterans should be open to entry-level roles such as help desk positions or consider relocation—a temporary step that can provide critical early experience.
For employers, I encourage adopting skills-based hiring and apprenticeship programs. In Europe, apprenticeships are standard in many industries; however, in the U.S., they remain underutilized in the tech sector. Establishing apprenticeships would provide veterans and other job seekers with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while offering companies a steady pipeline of trained, motivated employees.
Veterans bring discipline, adaptability and problem-solving skills honed through military service. Companies that recognize this and invest in veteran hiring will gain committed, highly skilled employees.
At SkillStorm, we do not just help veterans find jobs—we hire them. More than 33% of our corporate staff are veterans, reinforcing our commitment to the military community. With the proper training and opportunities, veterans can build successful, long-term careers in technology, and we are proud to be part of that journey.
Read more articles for the Veteran Community here.
