Military Network, Vocational Rehabilitation VR&E - Post 911 GIB / Process Overview

 

Military Network, 'Professional Society of Warriors'

Assisting Active Duty Military members (transitioning) and Veterans in general benefit from from the fraternal aspect of the bond and trust we know and expect of each other!

• A great example of an area where there is need for trained and certification(s) is Information Technology. IT as an industry, offers many pathways for individuals to travel down.
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• There is a 'demand, need for specific skills, and work ethic. The occupational field is the 'path; these pathways determine the skills needed with current technologies and Occupational Roles. Be it Web Design, Infrastructure, System and Network Design and Management, Software Development, Information Security, Cyber Warfare, Database Management, Project Management or a host of many other area's.

• Working their way through an unconventional career transition program (not transitioning toward your job); transitioning toward their own careers.  It is incumbent upon each of us to realize their dreams if we desire to attract them.  

• Education & Certification are what helps decision makers make the wiser choice. Validation of technical skills via assessment by way of gap analysis leaving no stone un-turned. 

This is value extended to the veteran by means of being part of the Military Network! We provide an unbiased approach, assist the veteran determine which route to go with devising an action plan that equates to success. An extension of the network of fraternal brotherhood and sisterhood ingrained in all Warriors...

Transition Program initiated simply by enrolling. Military personnel about to retire, ETS,  already separated....

The value of a Veteran?

A veteran offers value in ways often times unparalleled nor measurable along any scale. These attributes stem from the end result of commitment, threat to their lives, duty, honor, multiple sacrifices made so as to honor the oath each swears by to defend this Nation, against enemies foreign and domestic.

Our military members are Value driven!

Attributes:

*Military service *Specialty Knowledge *Skills *Dedication, *Honor *Honesty *commitment *Loyalty *Unparalleled Work Ethic, are just a few Just a few ....

A Veteran brings hundreds of hours of formal education in area’s such as the following reinforced each minute of their time on active duty as that person contemplates

Social interactions, management philosophies and implementations, first aid and lifesaving, military history and additional formal education via local community Colleges, Universities, academies and many posses education and training they will not speak of!

Each Veteran Offers the benefit of cost-less hours and instant access to to the society membership via the military member for  immediate answers to complex technical or social.   

How do we accomplish our mission? Actively bringing our services to: businesses, peers, associates  and acquaintances, that offer needs

and opportunities uniquely available to our warrior’s in five primary areas

Career Transition Training Program

Making Available Options: Career Transition Training, Employment, Promotions & Marketing, Social & Health and  Education & Training

We continue with you, our Client, a Promotions & Marketing Campaign for those who seek to introduce their companies and organizations to the veterans and active military personnel.

- Every military person and veteran we are in contact with is briefed on our Social and Health Referral Program - cost free.

- Every veteran is afforded an active membership in the Professional Society of Warriors' which brings the benefit of individual options related to Technical Training, Certification and I.T. Skill-set validation unparalleled.  

Sourcing - by the best and with the best

Remarkably unique and different than any other offering of its kind!

• Military Network has cultivated and forged relationships with top IT Leadership in the industry!
• Offering years of insight and benefit associated with the MOST effective Information Technology Training Centers, Staffing Companies, Seasoned and     Experienced Recruiters in the Nation
• an important benefit and part of the the process necessary to obtain top talent at no cost to the (veteran), you our client!

Military personnel and veterans gearing up to enter the civilian career market. We manage an Employment Program of job boards and introductions to military specific staffing firms and Recruiters for those Veterans seeking immediate employment.

Skill set validation complemented by industry recognized standards such as IT Certification and by the methodology of the National Apprenticeship System, (the very model DoD Mandate 8570 originated from)

•    Introduces qualified veterans exceptional information technology trade schools; continuance of what each are accustomed to from active duty.
•    leading to qualifications & certifications , quantifiable  by metrics of NITAS (unattainable elsewhere),
•    Continued formal apprenticeship program, developed by industry leadership outsourced to by CompTIA, backed by and paid for by the Department of Labor, E.T.A.

Cost saving Promotions & Marketing

• Community at large (over 7.6 million active duty military, veterans and veteran friendly individuals)
• We are available to provide assistance in establishing a veteran friendly environment within our clients companies.  

How do we accomplish our mission?

Actively bringing our services to businesses, peers, associates and acquaintances, which offer needs and opportunities uniquely available to our warrior’s in five primary areas:

•    Career Transition Training Program
•    Employment Program
•    Promotions & Marketing Program
•    Social & Health Program
•    Education & Training Program

Military Network Clientele

Offering services to New and Previous Corporate clients ( Businesses in the private and federal markets; higher education, and small business owners who service commercial clients or Federal and State) seeking introduction to our U.S. Military Veteran and Active U.S. Military Communities begin with:

Client Promotions & Marketing Campaign Program

Uniquely designed to introduce ‘Veteran Friendly’ companies to Warriors’ and Subsequently introduce Warriors’ to Veteran Friendly Companies

*As we assist the veteran in adjusting to society at large and to the company they are being introduced

• Career Transition Training Program for those veterans gearing up to enter the civilian career market
• Employment Program for those Veterans seeking immediate employment
• Promotions & Marketing Program for our Clients who seek to introduce themselves to the veteran and active military communities  
• Social and Health Referral Program for veterans involved with us or our clients  
• Education & Training Program which introduces qualified veterans to qualified and exceptional information technology trade schools, leading to qualification and permanent job placement ability to the veteran.

Employment Program

• Establishment & Management of a Cost free Veterans Only Focused Jobs Board
• Introduction and Coordination with Staffing and Recruiting personnel classified by Military Network as Veteran Friendly
• Introduce them to the jobs board on LinkedIn, establish adherence    
• policy of focusing the jobs they post up remain focused toward veterans and assist them as needed.
• Contacting and responding to organizations seeking to hire veterans; primarily in the IT fields; specifically IT Security now.
• Assisting company personnel in establishing and/or managing their veteran groups; which have veteran unique issues of education, health & welfare and professional / social networking with their peers and associates.

Additional benefits:

Client's use of our specialized military focused networking capability serves as an Introduction to our client’s Veteran Friendly Company.

Each Veteran is afforded an active membership in the 'Professional Society of Warriors', Military Network (Requires Membership)

Offering Hiring Client - the benefit of instant access to immediate answers to complex technical or social questions involving veterans.

Military Network, ‘Professional Society of Warriors’ 

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  Veteran GI Bill / Apprenticeship and OJT Program / VRE Programs

If you are a veteran or currently in the guard or reserve, the On-The-Job Training (OJT) Program offers you an alternative way to use your VA (GI Bill) education and training benefits. The following is a summary of these GI Bill alternatives.

When you are trained for a new job, you can receive monthly training benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs in addition to your regular salary. This means that if you are using the Post 9/11 GI Bill you can receive up to 100% of the housing stipend for your zipcode.

Under the Montgomery GI Bill you can receive up to $1287 a month ($275.25 for Reserve/Guard) tax-free, on top of your regular salary! That's over $20,000 in cash benefits over two years, for training in an OJT or apprenticeship training program. (New Rates Effective Oct. 1, 2013)

VA pays veteran GI Bill participants on a scale depending on the amount of time they are enrolled in the program.

For example, under the MGIB the program currently pays $1,236.00 a month for the first six months of training, $906.40 for the second six months of training and $576.80 for remaining training.

If using the Post 9/11 GI Bill you would receive 100% of the monthly housing stipend for the first six months of training, 80% for the second six months of training, 60% for the third six months, 40% for the fourth six months and 20% for the remaining of your training.

VA pays GI Bill Selected Reserve participants on a similar scale but at the following reduced rates; $275.25 a month for the first six months of training, $201.85 for the second six months of training and $128.45 for remaining training.

Qualifying Jobs

To qualify, your job must meet the following criteria:

• You must be supervised at least 50 percent of the time.
• Job training must lead to an entry-level position. (Management training programs do not qualify.)
• You must be a full-time paid employee — not on commission.
• Your training must be documented and reported.
• You cannot have previous experience job experience in that field.
• You must be recently hired (within one to two years).
• The job must require at least six months training to become fully trained.
• The employer may be private, local or state government.
  

Companies Who Have Participated in the Apprenticeship Program

Here is a list of well-known companies who have participated in the VA's Apprenticeship Program in the past:

• Pirelli Tire Co.
• Proctor & Gable Co.
• Merck Pharmaceuticals
• Cessna Aircraft
• Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.
• Lockheed Martin Corp.
• Bell South
• World Toyota
• Pratt and Whitney Engine Co.
• Law enforcement (police, sheriff, State Patrol)
• Dept. of Corrections (prisons, detention centers)
• Local Fire Departments
  

Eligibility

You may be eligible if you are eligible for the GI Bill either under the Active Duty (Veteran) or Reserve GI Bill programs and:

• You are no longer on active duty
• You were recently hired or promoted
• You left active duty less than 10 years ago or
• You are currently a member of the Guard or Reserve (Reserve GI Bill)
  

So, if you are qualified for the GI Bill and you have started a new job or apprenticeship program, you should apply for this little known GI Bill benefit. In some cases, the VA will even pay retroactively for OJT from the past 12 months.

Note: You may not receive GI Bill OJT benefits at the same time you receive the GI Bill education benefits.

Did you know you can use your GI Bill to receive job training in an On-the-Job or Apprenticeship training program? If you are a veteran or currently in the guard or reserve, the GI Bill offers you an alternative way to use your GI Bill benefits. The following is a summary of these GI Bill benefits.

When you are trained for a new job, you can receive monthly training benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs in addition to your regular salary. This means that if you are using the Post 9/11 GI Bill you can receive up to 100% of the housing stipend for your zip code.

VA pays veteran GI Bill participants on a scale depending on the amount of time they are enrolled in the program.

For example in 2015-2016, those using the MGIB program may get $1,341.75 a month for the first six months of training, $983.95 for the second six months of training and $626.15 for remaining training.

If using the Post 9/11 GI Bill you would receive 100% of the monthly housing stipend for the first six months of training, 80% for the second six months of training, 60% for the third six months, 40% for the fourth six months and 20% for the remaining of your training.

VA pays GI Bill Selected Reserve participants on a similar scale but at the following reduced rates; $276.00 a month for the first six months of training, $202.40 for the second six months of training and $128.80 for remaining training.

Qualifying Jobs

To qualify, your job must meet the following criteria:

• You must be supervised at least 50 percent of the time.
• Job training must lead to an entry-level position. (Management training programs do not qualify.)
• You must be a full-time paid employee - not on commission.
• Your training must be documented and reported.
• You cannot have previous experience job experience in that field.
• You must be recently hired (within one to two years).
• The job must require at least six months training to become fully trained.
• The employer may be private, local or state government.
  

Companies Who Have Participated in OJT or Apprenticeship Programs

Here is a list of well-known companies who have participated in the VA's OJT & Apprenticeship Program in the past:

• Pirelli Tire Co.
• Proctor & Gable Co.
• Merck Pharmaceuticals
• Cessna Aircraft
• Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.
• Lockheed Martin Corp.
• Bell South
• Local Union Joint Apprenticeship & Training Commissions
• Pratt and Whitney Engine Co.
• Law enforcement (police, sheriff, State Patrol)
• Dept. of Corrections (prisons, detention centers)
• Local Fire Departments
  

Eligibility

You may be eligible if you are eligible for the GI Bill either under the Active Duty (Veteran) or Reserve GI Bill programs and:

• You are no longer on active duty
• You were recently hired or promoted
• You left active duty less than 10 years ago for Montgomery GI Bill or 15 years ago for Post-9/11 GI Bill or
• You are currently a member of the Guard or Reserve (Reserve GI Bill)
  

So, if you are qualified for the GI Bill and you have started a new job or apprenticeship program, you should apply for this little known GI Bill benefit. In some cases, the VA will even pay retroactively for OJT from the past 12 months.

If you are a veteran who has a VA disability rating and an employment handicap, you may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation & employment services under Chapter 31 of the GI Bill. These services include - but are not limited to - counseling, training, education and job placement assistance.

The following services may be provided through the VR&E program:

• Comprehensive rehabilitation evaluation to determine abilities, skills, interests, and needs.
• Vocational counseling and rehabilitation planning.
• Employment services such as job-seeking skills, resume development, and other work readiness assistance.
• Assistance finding and keeping a job, including the use of special employer incentives.
• On the Job Training (OJT), apprenticeships, and non-paid work experiences.
• Financial assistance for post-secondary training at a college, vocational, technical or business school.
• Supportive rehabilitation services including case management, counseling, and referral.
• Independent living services for for Veterans unable to work due to the severity of their disabilities.
  

VR&E Eligibility

Eligibility and entitlement for VR&E are two different things. You may meet eligibility criteria, yet not be entitled to services. The first step in the VR&E process is to be evaluated to determine if you qualify for services. To receive an evaluation for VR&E services, you must meet the following "eligibility" criteria:

• Have received, or will receive, a discharge that is other than dishonorable.
• Have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% - or a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the VA.

Period of Eligibility - Like many VA benefits VR&E has a limited period of eligibility. The basic period of eligibility in which VR&E services may be used is 12 years from the date of separation from active military service, or the date the veteran was first notified by VA of a service-connected disability rating, which comes later.

The basic period of eligibility may be extended if a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor determines that a veteran has a Serious Employment Handicap.

VR&E Program/Process Overview

If you are eligible for an evaluation under the Vocational Rehabilitation program, you must complete an application and meet with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). If the VRC determines that an employment handicap exists as a result of a service-connected disability, you will be entitled to services. You and the VRC will then continue counseling to select a track of services and jointly develop a plan to address your rehabilitation and employment needs.

You and your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor  will work together to:

• Determine your transferable skills, aptitudes, and interests.
• Identify viable employment and / or independent living services options.
• Explore labor market and wage information.
• Identify physical demands and other job characteristics.
• Narrow vocational options to identify a suitable employment goal.
• Select a VR&E VetSuccess program track leading to an employment or independent living goal.
• Investigate training requirements.
• Identify resources needed to achieve rehabilitation.
• Develop an individualized rehabilitation plan to achieve the identified employment and / or independent living goals.
  

The rehabilitation plan will specify an employment or independent living goal, identify intermediate goals, outline services and resources needed to achieve these goals. You and the VRC will work together to implement the plan and achieve successful rehabilitation.

If the VRC determines that you are not entitled to services, her or she will help you locate other resources to address any rehabilitation and employment needs identified during the evaluation. Referral to other resources may include state vocational rehabilitation programs, Department of Labor employment programs for disabled veterans, state, federal or local agencies providing services for employment or small business development, internet-based resources for rehabilitation and employment, and information about applying for financial aid.

Additional VR&E Benefits and Definitions.

Subsistence Allowance - In addition to receiving a monthly payment while attending training through VR&E, you may also qualify for a monthly subsistence allowance. This is paid each month during training and is based on the rate of attendance (full-time or part-time), the number of dependents, and the type of training. For example a full-time attendee with two dependents could receive up to $881.91 a month. Click here to view the current VR&E Subsistence Allowance Rates.

Begriming October 1, 2011, those who are eligible for both Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (chapter 31) benefits and Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33) benefits to choose the Post-9/11 GI Bill’s monthly housing allowance instead of the chapter 31 subsistence allowance.

Employment Handicap - An Employment Handicap is defined as an impairment of the veteran's ability to prepare for, obtain or retain employment consistent with his or her abilities, aptitudes, and interests. The impairment must result in large part from a service-connected disability. For veterans rated at 20% or more, a finding of employment handicap results in a finding of "entitled."

Serious Employment Handicap (SEH) - A Serious Employment Handicap is defined as a significant impairment of a veteran's ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with his or her abilities, aptitudes and interests. The SEH must result in the most part from a service-connected disability.

Note: For veterans rated at 10 percent and for veterans whose 12-year period of basic eligibility has passed, the finding of an SEH is necessary to establish "entitlement."

Suitable Employment - Work that is within a veteran's physical and emotional capabilities and is consistent with his or her pattern of abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

Non-Paid Work Experience (NPWE) program - NPWE provides eligible Veterans and Service members the opportunity to obtain training and practical job experience concurrently. This program is ideal for Veterans or Service members who have a clearly established career goal, and who learn easily in a hands-on environment. This program is also well suited to Veterans or Service members who are having difficulties obtaining employment due to lack of work experience. NPWE programs may be established in federal, state, or local (e.g. city, town, school district) government agencies only. The employer may hire the Veteran or Service member at any point during the NPWE.