Rebecca Sallee | Redstone Rocket | Feb. 2, 2022
Soldiers who are transitioning into civilian life may not be aware that the Army has a program to help them find jobs, and grant money to help them take part.
Since 2015, the Army’s Career Skills Program has assisted Soldiers transitioning to civilian life through first class internships, on-the-job training and apprenticeships in careers of all kinds.
Olivia Pierce, financial readiness officer at Army Community Service, is the point person for anyone applying for Army Emergency Relief grants to take part in the Career Skills Program.
Grants are available to pay for travel, lodging, business attire, relocation expenses and other out-of-pocket costs associated with the CSP, she said.
But there are criteria and qualifying steps in the process:
- Grants are available only to Soldiers transitioning from active-duty service with an honorable discharge.
- Soldiers who apply for grants must be within 180 days of separation or retirement from the Army.
- Soldiers must complete the Soldier for Life Transition Assistance Program career readiness standards requirements (with five-day mandatory workshops).
- Finally, they must present a CSP Soldier Participation Memo that includes approval from their field grade officer to participate in the program.