Veteran Employment Support: VA Careers, VR&E, and Transition Help

Choose help based on the task you need to complete: finding job openings, choosing a civilian career, retraining because of a service-connected disability, or preparing to leave the military. These services have different eligibility rules, and counseling does not guarantee a job offer or funded course.

Find job openings and local employment help

Use an American Job Center for free job-search support, resume and interview help, and information about local training. Ask about veteran priority of service and any intensive assistance you qualify for; priority does not waive a training program's eligibility requirements or guarantee funding.

For federal vacancies, search USAJOBS and read each announcement's qualifications, hiring paths, and required documents. Veterans' preference applies only when you meet the relevant rules and does not guarantee selection. Bring your DD-214, resume, and a sample job announcement to an appointment.

Choose the Support You Need

Career Planning, Resumes, or Training Choices

Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG), or Chapter 36, provides free career and educational counseling, resume support, and goal planning. Common eligibility routes include qualifying for a VA education benefit, leaving active duty under conditions other than dishonorable within six months, or having separated under those conditions within the past year. Some education-benefit-eligible dependents qualify as well.

Use the counseling application or Form 27-8832. Prepare questions about civilian jobs matching your experience, needed credentials, and training costs. For example, ask which certifications a local employer actually requires before using education benefits on a course.

A Service-Connected Disability Affects Your Work

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), also called Chapter 31, helps eligible Veterans and service members whose service-connected disability limits or prevents work. Its support tracks address returning to a former job, finding new employment, training, self-employment, and independent living.

A veteran may apply with a service-connected rating of at least 10% and no dishonorable discharge. The counselor then determines entitlement; a 10% rating generally requires a serious employment handicap, while 20% or more generally requires an employment handicap. Use the VR&E application and explain the work tasks your disability affects. A specific degree or payment requires an approved plan.

You Are Preparing to Leave Military Service

Contact your unit or installation transition office for TAP counseling and course scheduling. Initial and pre-separation counseling normally must be completed at least 365 days before transition, with Capstone by 90 days before transition. If you have less notice, ask immediately for an accelerated schedule and referrals for unmet needs.

Transition guidance can help you identify the next program to contact. A benefits briefing is separate from approval for a specific benefit, so follow the application rules of the program you choose.

Before You Apply

Choose a purpose: Job openings, career counseling, disability-related rehabilitation, or military transition planning.
Check the matching conditions above: General veteran status does not automatically establish eligibility for every funded service.
Complete the relevant step: Arrange an American Job Center appointment, submit a counseling or VR&E application, or schedule TAP through your unit.
Keep your submission record: Save any confirmation and respond to requests for information.

After you request help

Save the application or appointment confirmation and respond to document requests. If a counselor has not contacted you, use the office or contact number attached to your submission to ask about status. For VA benefits routing, call 800-827-1000 (TTY: 711).

If VR&E or another benefit is denied, request the written reason and follow that notice's deadline and review options. An American Job Center's job-search service is available separately while you resolve a VA claim. When a training request is declined, ask whether the issue is eligibility, available funds, or the proposed course so you can choose the correct next step.