Making Transition Programs Flexible for Veterans

A majority of the $13 billion invested in military transition programs by the federal government is spent on education, according to a recent report by Rand. While pursuing higher education is appealing to some service members, and remains a strong draw for recruiting through the GI Bill, there must also be clearly defined and well-supported alternatives as troops transition into civilian life, such as direct employment. The Department of Defense needs to expand its offerings to provide transitioning service members stability regardless of what path they choose.

According to a survey conducted by Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families, 53% of service members said that "educational benefits" were a factor in their decision to enlist -- but that leaves nearly half of service members enlisting for other reasons. Some join to gain technician skills that could be used in post-service trade professions. Additionally, veterans may prefer to transfer their GI benefits to a child or spouse, while others may change their mind after a yearslong career in the military.

It's important to recognize that the transition out of military service impacts both the veteran and their spouse, often requiring both to find employment and adjust to civilian life simultaneously. This can be especially challenging for couples who've faced frequent relocations or overseas postings. While education is a valuable benefit, overemphasizing it at the expense of other transition needs for veterans and their spouses is a mistake.