Requirements Roadmap: From Military Experience to Job-Ready Qualifications
By Lee Gamelin - The Proactive Job Seeker
You've completed Week 1 (Days 1-7) of the 30-Day Skilled Career Launch Plan. You've validated your skilled career targets and know which Job Zone 3 careers align with your interests, salary goals, and local market opportunities. You're no longer wondering "Can I do this?" - you know you can.
Quick Week 1 Recap (Days 1-7):
Days 1-2: Deep dive with MyNextMove for Veterans on your career matches
Days 3-4: Researched salary ranges and growth potential
Days 5-6: Talked to real people doing these jobs
Day 7: Made your final career priority decisions
Week 2 Mission (Days 8-14): Now comes the tactical question: What exactly do you need to be qualified and hireable?
This is where many veteran transitions get stuck. The requirements landscape feels overwhelming: certifications, licenses, training programs, apprenticeships, experience requirements, preferred qualifications. It's easy to spend months researching without ever creating a clear action plan.
But here's what I've learned in 30+ years of career education: The goal isn't to meet every possible qualification. The goal is to meet the right qualifications efficiently.
The Requirements Trap Veterans Fall Into
Most veterans approach qualification research like a military intelligence gathering mission - they want complete information before making decisions. They research every possible certification, compare dozens of training programs, and try to understand every nuance of their target field.
Three months later, they know everything about HVAC certification pathways but haven't enrolled in a single program.
The problem isn't a lack of information. The problem is a lack of prioritization.
Successful career transitions happen when you focus on the most direct path from your current qualifications to employment-ready status, not when you become an expert on all possible paths.
Understanding the Requirements Hierarchy
Before diving into research, understand how employers actually evaluate qualifications:
Tier 1: Absolute Requirements
Legal requirements (CDL for commercial driving, EPA certification for HVAC)
Safety certifications (OSHA requirements for construction/maintenance)
Industry-standard certifications (CompTIA for IT support)
Tier 2: Strong Preferences
Additional certifications that improve hiring chances
Specific training program completions
Industry experience (where military experience often substitutes)
Tier 3: Nice-to-Haves
Advanced certifications for career growth
Specialized training for specific roles
Vendor-specific certifications
Your Week 2 mission: Master Tier 1, understand Tier 2, ignore Tier 3 for now.
Day-by-Day Requirements Intelligence Gathering
Day 8-9: Absolute Requirements Research
Start with the official sources:
Use MyNextMove for Veterans "Education" section for your validated careers
Check state licensing boards for your target careers and location
Research federal requirements (DOT for commercial driving, EPA for HVAC, etc.)
Review OSHA requirements for your target industries
Key questions to answer:
What licenses or certifications are legally required to work in this field?
Are there state-specific requirements I need to know about?
What are the renewal requirements and costs?
How long does the licensing/certification process take?
Document everything in a simple format:
Career: HVAC Technician
Required: EPA Section 608 certification (universal)
Timeline: 2-4 weeks study + exam
Cost: $150-300 for prep + exam
Renewal: Every 3 years
Days 10-11: Training Program Investigation
Now, research the programs that prepare you for those requirements. Focus on programs with strong job placement rates and employer partnerships.
Community colleges typically offer:
Lower cost than private trade schools
Financial aid and veteran benefits acceptance
Established employer relationships
Flexible scheduling for working adults
Trade schools typically offer:
Faster completion times
Intensive, focused training
Industry-specific equipment and facilities
Direct employer recruitment
Apprenticeship programs typically offer:
Earn while you learn
Guaranteed employment pathway
Mentorship and hands-on experience
Union benefits (where applicable)
Research framework for each program:
Program length and schedule
Total cost and financial aid options
Job placement rate and average starting salary
Employer partnerships and hiring relationships
Curriculum alignment with your target career requirements
Days 12-13: Military Experience Credit Analysis
This is where veterans have a significant advantage. Many training programs offer:
Credit for military experience (reducing program length)
Military-friendly policies (flexible scheduling, deployment accommodations)
Veteran-specific resources (dedicated counselors, peer networks)
Research each program's veteran policies:
Do they accept military experience for course credit?
What documentation do you need (DD-214, military transcripts, etc.)?
Do they have veteran-specific enrollment periods or programs?
Are there veteran discounts or GI Bill acceptance?
Document your military experience advantage:
Military Role: Electronics Technician
Civilian Equivalent: IT Support Specialist
Transferable Skills: Troubleshooting, technical documentation, equipment maintenance
Potential Credit: May waive basic electronics courses (saves 2-3 months)
Day 14: Requirements Roadmap Creation
Synthesize your research into a clear qualification roadmap for each target career.
Sample roadmap format:
Career Target: HVAC Technician
Current Status:
Military experience: Building maintenance, electrical systems
Relevant skills: Troubleshooting, technical documentation, safety protocols
Required Path:
EPA Section 608 Certification (4 weeks, $300)
HVAC Training Program (6-month community college program, $3,500)
Veteran experience may waive 1 month of basic coursework
OSHA 10-Hour Safety Training (1 week, $150)
Timeline: 5 months total Investment: $3,950 + living expenses during training Expected Outcome: Entry-level HVAC technician position, $40,000-50,000 starting salary
Entry Strategy Options:
Direct hire after certification (longer job search, immediate income)
Apprenticeship program (earn while learning, guaranteed pathway)
Training program, then employment (structured learning, strong placement rate)
Common Requirements Research Mistakes
Mistake 1: Perfectionism Trying to research every possible certification before starting any training. Start with Tier 1 requirements and build from there.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Local Variations Requirements vary by state and local market. Research your specific area, not national averages.
Mistake 3: Undervaluing Military Experience Many veterans assume they need to start from scratch. Research how your experience accelerates qualification timelines.
Mistake 4: Focusing Only on Cost The cheapest program isn't always the best value. Consider job placement rates, employer relationships, and time to completion.
Mistake 5: Analysis Paralysis Spending months comparing programs instead of choosing a good option and starting. Perfect programs don't exist, but good enough programs lead to employment.
Your Requirements Decision Framework
When evaluating training programs, use this decision matrix:
Must-Haves:
Accreditation and industry recognition
Job placement assistance or employer partnerships
Veteran-friendly policies and GI Bill acceptance
Schedule compatibility with your current situation
Strong Preferences:
Local program (reduces relocation costs)
High job placement rate (above 80%)
Military experience credit opportunities
Established reputation with local employers
Nice-to-Haves:
New facilities or equipment
Additional certifications beyond core requirements
Alumni networks or mentorship programs
Choose programs that meet all must-haves and most strong preferences. Don't wait for programs that check every possible box.
Week 2 Action Items
By the end of Week 2, you should have:
Clear understanding of Tier 1 requirements for your target careers
Researched 3-5 training programs that prepare you for those requirements
Documented how your military experience accelerates your qualification timeline
Created a qualification roadmap with realistic timelines and costs
Identified your preferred entry strategy for each target career
What This Enables for Week 3
With your requirements roadmap complete, Week 3 focuses on local market intelligence: Which employers in your area are actively hiring? What do they pay? How do you position yourself for the best opportunities?
You can't effectively research employers until you know what qualifications they're looking for. Week 2 gives you that foundation.
Your Next Action
Don't wait until Monday to start Day 8. Begin today with your top career choice:
Go to MyNextMove for Veterans and review the "Education" section
Search "[your target career] + [your state] + licensing requirements"
Identify one training program in your area and review its veteran policies
Your military skills are valuable. Your qualification timeline matters. Your success in skilled civilian careers becomes inevitable when you approach requirements research with the same systematic intelligence gathering you brought to military operations.
But it requires you to start gathering intelligence, not just thinking about it.
The mission continues.
Ready to organize your requirements research systematically? Watch for Thursday's LinkedIn post, where you can comment 'TEMPLATE' to get the Requirements Research Template and turn this guidance into action.
Lee Gamelin has spent 30+ years helping people transition into meaningful careers. The Proactive Job Seeker - Skilled Career Edition offers step-by-step guidance tailored specifically for veterans seeking skilled career opportunities.