The Military Post, January 2025

Welcome to the first edition of the Military Post for 2025! To kick off the year, we figured starting with an inspirational quote was only right. This is YOUR year!

This monthly newsletter is your one-stop shop as a member of the military community to stay up to date on free upskilling and employment opportunities, ranging from scholarships to hiring fairs to open roles, great advice, as well as the latest news that matters to you!

At the end of the newsletter, you will find open roles from great companies looking to hire military, upcoming events, and scholarships!

P.S. Help this newsletter, the timely news, job-seeker advice, scholarships, events, and open roles reach more individuals in the military community! Forward this email or share this link so more individuals can get this always-free resource: https://mil.news/subscribe

Without further ado, let’s get into it!

Monthly Job-Seeker Advice

Networking is so important in the job search and one element of that is attaining a referral to your target company. Referrals help you get your resume to "the top of the stack" and stand out, which is especially important for competitive roles. However, getting a referral can seem challenging, and far too often we see individuals asking "Will you refer me?" to someone they are having a first conversation with. So here's how we would go at it:

• Find a mentor in your desired role or at your desired company in a related field. A few ways to do that: (1) Using MilMentor! The always free platform lets you make an account and instantly request a time to chat with mentors across companies and industries who have already said they WANT to mentor you! (2) Attend events held by Boots to Books, Act Now Education, and more fantastic nonprofits who seek to provide invaluable connections for you. (3) Use LinkedIn! Send a simple message about who you are, why you are interested in that person's role or industry, what steps you have taken to learn about it, and a simple request for 15 minutes to chat whenever they are free.

• After you have had at least one conversation with the individual and sent a follow-up thank you, stay in touch with them. Even if just sending quick updates on your progress, it helps!

• Finally, once you have had a conversation with them, sent a follow-up, and found a role of interest at their company, send them a note to let them know you found a role of interest and plan on applying, and ask for any advice they may have. We have found the most success in not directly requesting referrals, but allowing the potential referer to offer it.

It is worth noting that many companies have referral incentives, for example, providing a bonus for referring a candidate who is successfully hired. But, the potential referer needs to know you are legitimately interested in the role and aren't going to make them look bad. So, have a genuine conversation, show legitimate interest, and work on your behalf towards the role, and you've got a great chance.

P.S. If you want to learn from recruiters and career coaches about the resume, how to conduct an informational interview with individuals in your desired role, and more, check out our free video course that you can find here! You’ll just have to make an account using your LinkedIn.

Some Veterans Get 12 More Months of VA Benefits

After a Supreme Court decision last year, VA Secretary Denis McDonough announced that veterans with two or more separate periods of military service will now be eligible for up to 12 additional months of education benefits.

To qualify for the extended benefits, veterans must have served at least two separate periods of military service, each meeting the eligibility criteria for either the Post-9/11 GI Bill or the Montgomery GI Bill programs. The Montgomery GI Bill provides approximately $2,400 per month in education benefits, while the Post-9/11 GI Bill covers full tuition costs for state universities, along with housing stipends and additional education assistance payments. The great news could affect up to one million individuals.

Army Credentialing Assistance Cut in Half and Excludes Officers

In response to escalating expenses, the U.S. Army plans to reduce the annual stipend for its Credentialing Assistance Program from $4,000 to $2,000 and exclude commissioned officers from participation. This initiative, which funds courses and exams for private-sector industry credentials, has seen costs rise from $31.2 million in its first year to $70.5 million in 2024. To ensure the program's sustainability and broader accessibility, the Army is implementing these changes. Concurrently, the annual tuition assistance benefit will increase from $4,000 to $4,500 to address the growing expenses of higher education.

VA May Change Significantly in 2025

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will face major leadership changes and budget challenges in 2025. Secretary Denis McDonough will be succeeded by former Congressman Doug Collins, who is expected to prioritize expanding veteran medical care and reforming federal hiring practices. The VA's budget, proposed to increase to $369.3 billion, faces strain from a $15 billion shortfall and higher enrollment due to the PACT Act. With a growing workforce and rising demands, the VA may have see significant changes in the coming year.

Peer Support Vastly Improves Transition

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) partners with organizations like Onward Ops to provide peer sponsorship programs that support transitioning service members. These initiatives connect individuals with trained peers to offer guidance on employment, education, and integration into civilian life, helping to reduce challenges like mental health struggles and suicide risks. Programs such as the Veteran Sponsorship Initiative (VSI) and Veteran Sponsor Partnership Network (VSPN) link service members with community resources, improving outcomes during the transition.

Mentorship and peer support are vital, offering practical advice, fostering resilience, and creating a sense of belonging. Platforms like MilMentor enhance this by enabling instant scheduling with unlimited mentors across top organizations such as NASA, Bank of America, and Oracle. With professionals spanning diverse industries, MilMentor empowers all in the military community to build networks, gain insights, and achieve their post-service aspirations.

Defense Health Agency Finds Rise in PTSD and Anxiety Disorder

A recent Defense Health Agency report reveals a significant increase in mental health diagnoses among active-duty service members over the past five years. The data indicates that cases of anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have nearly doubled during this period. In 2023, mental health conditions accounted for 54.8% of all hospital bed days among active-duty personnel, surpassing any other medical issue. The report suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to this rise in mental health challenges.

For those in need, the 24-hour Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available by dialing 988 and pressing 1, texting 838255, or visiting VeteransCrisisLine.net.

Upcoming Opportunities for the Military Community

Looking for an opportunity to connect with leading employers seeking to hire military talent? We’ve got your six! Submit your resume here and we will be sure to reach out when we have events with great companies, as well as send it directly to recruiters when relevant open roles are sent to us!

Open Roles for the Military Community

ManTech

Our vision is Securing the Future as the most trusted partner for U.S. Defense, Intelligence, and Federal Civilian clients through the power of One ManTech. When the agencies we serve need an essential partner for their national and homeland security missions, they think ManTech.

ManTech proudly offers continuing development opportunities including:

• ManTech University (MTU) is ManTech’s award-winning learning and development offering. Its primary aim is to enable employees to achieve their career goals while aligning to organizational growth objectives.

• SkillBridge Fellowship: ManTech is a proud participant of the DOD SkillBridge program. Partnering with Hiring Our Heroes to support transitioning into the corporate world.

Open Roles (click job title for more):

• Sr. Business Analyst - Tampa, FL

• Business Intelligence Analytics Engineer - Tampa, FL

• Project Manager - Tampa, FL

• Scrum Master - Tampa, FL

• Ship System Analyst, Supply Logistics - San Diego, CA

• Systems Engineer - Alexandria, VA

• Accounting Lead - Washington, DC

• Mid-Level System Administrator - Annapolis Junction, MD

And many, many more! Check out all of ManTech's open roles here and join their military talent community here!

TEKsystems

Those who heed the call of duty truly know what it means to serve others. Whether you’re a veteran, a military spouse or a member of the Guard or Reserve, we’re looking for people like you who want to make a difference in the world.

We’ve helped thousands of service members—more than 20,000 since 2013—with their career aspirations in a wide variety of fields, including the leadership of our company. With a broad range of career development, training and transition programs, we provide the flexibility and support you need for a successful career.

We’re deeply grateful for your service. Let us serve you as your partner in career transformation.

Open Roles (click job title for more):

• Network Engineer - Torrance, CA

• Systems Engineer - Torrance, CA

• Product Manager - Torrance, CA

• Prior Authorization (Healthcare) - Los Angeles, CA

• Statistician / Data Scientist - Culver City, CA

• All Open Roles Here

Sigma Defense

Sigma Defense Systems is a leading technology company serving the Department of Defense (DoD), providing tactical communications systems and services for digital modernization since 2006. Our software-focused approach to tactical communications accelerates information collection and sharing for faster decision making and better mission outcomes. Sigma Defense specializes in delivering solutions and services for CJADC2, C5ISR, SATCOM, and DEVSECOPS to customers in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force.

Customers turn to Sigma Defense for engineering, program management, and logistics services for technical solutions that encompass ground, air, and space-based systems and sensors and network and satellite communications. We enable faster access to data and intelligence from edge to core to cloud for better insights for everyone in the decision-making process. Sigma is headquartered in Perry, GA with satellite offices both CONUS and OCONUS.

Open Roles (click job title for more):

• Senior Air Defense/BMD Tactical Trainer Course Manager - Dahlgren, VA

• Senior Systems Engineer, Engineering Cell - Fort Liberty, NC

• SMWDC Surface Warfare Program Analyst - San Diego, CA

• Budget Analyst - Fort Belvoir, VA

• Navy Strike Group Training COP/TDL Analyst - San Diego, CA

• Integrated Air & Missile Defense (IAMD) Operations Planner - San Diego, CA

• Senior Program Analyst - Norfolk, VA

• Fleet Synthetic Training Program Lead - Virginia Beach, VA

• All Open Roles Here

Rocket Companies

Rocket Companies is a Detroit-based fintech company consisting of mortgage, real estate and financial service businesses. We use our technology, data and best-in-class service to give clients certainty in life’s most complex moments so they can achieve and live their dreams. We believe our widely recognized “Rocket” brand is synonymous with simple, fast, and trusted digital solutions.

Open Roles (click job title for more):

• Marketing Automation Intern, Summer 2025 - Detroit, MI

• Recruiting Coordinator Intern, Winter 2025 - Detroit, Mi

• Senior Financial Systems Analyst - Detroit, MI

• Enterprise Data Architect - Remote

• Senior AI Assistant Product Designer - Remote

• Software Engineer - Remote

• Senior Content Designer - Remote

• All Open Roles Here

System High (Seeking Candidates with a TS Minimum Clearance)

System High delivers the most advanced protection and secrecy solutions to secure and strengthen critical missions, programs, operations, and intelligence activities.

We maximize protection in space, cyber, ground, air, and sea by fully engaging your mission and rapidly developing the most comprehensive and resilient protection programs.

Open Roles (click job title for more):

• Network/System Administrator III - Schriever AFB OR Peterson AFB, CO

• Information System Security Engineer III (ISSE III) - Bedford, MA

• Program Security Representative - Multiple Locations (View all on careers page)

• Information Technology/Assurance Specialist I - Kirtland AFB, NM

• Information Systems Security Manager I (ISSM I) - Hanscom AFB, MA

• Network/System Administrator I - Arlington, VA

• Quality Assurance Specialist - Charlotte, NC

• All Open Roles Here

GuidePoint Security

GuidePoint Security provides trusted cybersecurity expertise, solutions and services that help organizations make better decisions that minimize risk. Our experts act as your trusted advisor to understand your business and challenges, helping you through an evaluation of your cybersecurity posture and ecosystem to expose risks, optimize resources, and implement best-fit solutions. GuidePoint’s unmatched expertise has enabled a third of Fortune 500 companies and more than half of the U.S. government cabinet-level agencies to improve their security posture and reduce risk.

Open Roles (click job title for more):

• GPSU Military, Federal Fellowship - Remote

• Cyber Data Analytics, TS/SCI - Virginia OR St. Louis

• Account Executive - Various Across Regions

• Advisory IR Services Consultant - Remote

• Advanced Cyber Analyst, TS/SCI - St. Louis OR Virginia

• Federal Marketing Manager - Herndon, VA

• Network Engineer (TS/SCI) - Springfield, VA

• System Administrator, Junior (TS/SCI) - Reston, VA

• All Open Roles Here

Free Upskilling Opportunities for the Military Community!

If you are looking to upskill to land that next opportunity, or continue to develop yourself - Boots to Books and more organizations offers numerous scholarships to military-connected students and job-seekers! The current opportunities include:

1. Google Career Certificate Scholarships: Every month Boots to Books is taking 10 students for cost-free Google Career Certificates. These trainings range from project management to digital marketing to cybersecurity, and recipients won't only receive a certification but also support from our team and access to a plethora of Google's career resources! Apply to the next cohort here.

2. Spring Textbook Scholarships: Every semester since Boots to Books was founded we have provided scholarships for military-connected students whose benefits are falling short, exhausted, or otherwise unavailable. Through the scholarship, students can request funding for textbooks and other requisite resources to complete their degree plan, and team Boots to Books will ship the resources directly to them! The application is open here until the end of January!

3. $1,000 Certification Scholarships - Receive a paid training of your choice, mentorship, and resume and interview resources at no cost. Applications open quarterly, stay updated on the next round here!

4. Free Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Training - Oracle has long been committed to supporting and advocating for the military community, both through hiring from the community and offering free upskilling. They offer a great Oracle Cloud Infrastructure training completely cost-free to the military community. Check it out here!

5. Fortinet offers free cybersecurity training through the Fortinet Academy! There are a variety of trainings, certifications, and live webinars that you can join at absolutely no cost! Learn more here.

Thanks for reading this edition of The Military Post, we are delighted to be able to share relevant news, opportunities, and more with you every month! Be sure to share this newsletter with your friends, formations, and colleagues and we will see you next month!