For service members dedicating years to national defense, the transition from military to civilian life can be a significant shift. Recognizing this, the U.S. Army offers the Army Career Skills Program (CSP), a robust initiative designed to equip transitioning soldiers with valuable skills and experience for successful civilian careers. This program provides a crucial bridge, ensuring that the dedication and expertise gained in the military translate seamlessly into the civilian workforce.
The Army Career Skills Program is specifically tailored to offer transitioning soldiers opportunities to participate in various forms of career development, including employment skills training, on-the-job training, pre-apprenticeships, and internships. These opportunities are carefully curated to align with high-demand and highly-skilled civilian jobs, maximizing the likelihood of employment after service. Crucially, soldiers enrolled in the CSP retain their military pay and allowances, alleviating financial concerns during this pivotal transition period.
Sgt. 1st Class Curt Johnson Enhances Civilian Career Skills Through Army Program Internship
Walt Harris, Transition Services Manager at Fort Leonard Wood’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP), emphasizes the program’s effectiveness in facilitating successful transitions. “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,” Harris stated. The impressive 85 percent hire rate for Fort Leonard Wood service members completing the CSP underscores its success. A key aspect of the program is that while soldiers gain invaluable industry experience, they do not receive direct compensation from the host organization, ensuring focus remains on skill acquisition and learning.
Soldiers become eligible to participate in the CSP up to 180 days before their Expiration-Term of Service (ETS). The program boasts an extensive network of 234 established internship opportunities across diverse career fields and skill sets. Furthermore, the CSP encourages proactive participation, welcoming individual internship proposals from service members. “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 explained, highlighting the program’s flexibility and soldier-centric approach.
For soldiers whose career aspirations may not perfectly align with existing CSP opportunities, the Department of Defense offers a complementary program known as SkillBridge. Fort Leonard Wood’s TAP experts are readily available to assist soldiers in navigating SkillBridge and accessing its broader spectrum of opportunities. “If you can’t find the right fit with CSP, the DOD’s version has even more opportunities available,” Harris noted. “There’s something for every skill set,” ensuring that every transitioning soldier can find a pathway to civilian career success.
Recognizing the importance of local employment opportunities, the TAP team collaborates with workforce development experts from the state of Missouri. Heroes Connect, a Missouri state initiative, maintains a comprehensive database of over 13,000 veteran-friendly employers within the state actively seeking to hire transitioning service members. This partnership provides a significant resource for soldiers wishing to remain in Missouri post-service.
Financial stability during transition is a common concern. Army Emergency Relief (AER), in partnership with TAP, offers financial aid in the form of grants to CSP participants. Pattie McDonald, an AER specialist at Fort Leonard Wood, detailed the financial assistance available: $500 for completing a CSP internship within 50 miles of Fort Leonard Wood, and $1,000 for internships located further than 50 miles from the installation. This financial support further eases the transition burden for participating soldiers.
Sgt. 1st Class Curt Johnson, a retiring soldier with a background as an Army Engineer and small group leader at the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence NCO Academy, exemplifies the CSP success. Currently interning with Mission and Installation Contracting Command-Fort Leonard Wood, Johnson chose contracting due to its emphasis on continuous professional development. His goal is to secure a Department of Defense civilian position after retirement, and he values how CSP facilitates a smoother transition into a different work environment.
“The environment, the climate, culture, it’s all different,” Johnson observed, highlighting the contrasts between military and civilian workplaces. “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 also points out the inherent strengths that military service members bring to civilian roles. “Progressing toward a better end state — that’s your military mindset,” Johnson stated. “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, attests to Johnson’s positive impact, stating he “epitomizes the can-do attitude that all senior NCOs should have.” Switzer further added, “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 fellow transitioning service members is to proactively research available opportunities and leverage the support offered by 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.”
The Army Career Skills Program and related resources like SkillBridge, Heroes Connect, and Army Emergency Relief, provide a comprehensive support system for soldiers transitioning to civilian life. By offering valuable training, practical experience, and financial assistance, these programs empower service members to embark on successful and fulfilling civilian careers, effectively translating their military skills and dedication to the civilian sector. For further information about the CSP and other transition programs at Fort Leonard Wood, service members are encouraged to call 573-596-0719.
