In crisis or worried about a veteran? Help is free, confidential and available 24/7.
You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect, according to the Veterans Crisis Line. In immediate danger, call 911.
Last updated: October 28, 2026. Checked against official sources; reviewed when they change.
Short answer: If you are leaving the military, start with the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which the Labor Department says serves more than 200,000 service members a year. If a service-connected disability limits your work, VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E, Chapter 31) program offers training and job help. For government careers, the Office of Personnel Management runs FedsHireVets.
Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
TAP is a joint effort of the Labor, Defense, Education, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs departments, the Small Business Administration and OPM, according to the Labor Department’s TAP page. Labor’s part covers job-search training for service members and their spouses.
| Workshop | Length | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Fundamentals of Career Transition (EFCT) | 1 day | Basic job-search tools and making a strong impression on employers |
| Department of Labor Employment Workshop (DOLEW) | 2 days | Resumes, networking, interviews and salary negotiation |
| Career and Credential Exploration (C2E) | 2 days, optional | Choosing a career and planning the training to reach it |
| Wounded Warrior and Caregiver Employment Workshop | Self-paced online | An alternative to EFCT for wounded, ill or injured members and those in IDES |
Labor also offers one-on-one career help through its Employment Navigator and Partnership Program, and workshops for military spouses through TEAMS. Class schedules for every service and location are posted on TAPevents.mil.
Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
VR&E, formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment, helps veterans whose service-connected disability limits their ability to work, according to VA’s VR&E page. Its tracks cover learning new skills, finding a new job, starting a business, educational counseling and returning to a former job.
Who can apply for VR&E
Veterans can apply if they did not receive a dishonorable discharge and have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%, according to VA’s eligibility page. A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor then decides entitlement. Service members can qualify with a pre-discharge rating of 20% or more, or while awaiting discharge for a severe illness or injury.
Time limits depend on the discharge date. For those who left active duty before January 1, 2013, eligibility generally ends 12 years after the separation notice or first VA rating, whichever is later, unless a counselor finds a serious employment handicap. For those who left on or after that date, VA says there is no time limit. Need a rating first? See our VA disability guide.
Federal jobs and other help
OPM’s FedsHireVets site is the federal government’s hub for veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses who want federal careers, with sections on the hiring process and veterans’ preference. Outside government, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes runs hiring events, a SkillBridge-approved 12-week fellowship for service members and a skilled trades academy. Education benefits are covered in our GI Bill guide.
A simple job-search plan
- Book TAP early. Contact your installation TAP office for registration and prerequisites.
- Get your records. Employers and VA programs often ask for a DD214; see how to get your DD-214.
- Check VR&E if you have a rating. Apply on VA.gov and meet with a counselor.
- Search federal and private jobs. Use FedsHireVets for federal roles and hiring events for private employers.
Frequently asked questions
What is TAP for veterans?
TAP is an interagency program run by several federal departments. Labor’s part is the set of job-search workshops in the table above, open to transitioning members and their spouses.
Who qualifies for VA VR&E?
Veterans without a dishonorable discharge who have a VA service-connected disability rating of at least 10% can apply. A VA counselor then decides entitlement.
Is there a time limit for VR&E?
Not for veterans discharged on or after January 1, 2013. For earlier discharges, the basic period is generally 12 years, with extensions for a serious employment handicap.
Where do veterans find federal jobs?
OPM’s FedsHireVets site explains the federal hiring process and veterans’ preference for veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses.
Related on Peter’s World
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor: Transition Assistance Program
- VA: Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31)
- VA: Eligibility for VR&E
- OPM: FedsHireVets
Additional sources
Not affiliated with VA or any government agency. Peter’s World is an independent information site. This page is general information, not legal, medical or financial advice. Benefits depend on your own records, so confirm details with VA, your state veterans office or an accredited representative such as a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative, attorney or claims agent.
By Peter. Prepared with AI assistance and checked against the official sources listed above.
