MCAS Yuma prepares marines for transitioning to civilian life
Getting to a new career after a military career - News 11's Arlette Yousif reports
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Changing careers can be challenging, but it's even more difficult if you're exiting the Armed Forces. Especially with a higher than normal unemployment rate due to the pandemic. Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma prepares Marines for transitioning not just to a new career, but also civilian life.
One Marine says he's excited to start this next chapter in his life.
"I'm kind of just nervous about like, moving to a new place alone, getting a new job. You know, it's a new lifestyle. Something that I haven't done in five years, so it's just all new to me. So I'm just trying to figure out what I'm going to do," says U.S. Marine F35 Power Line Mechanic Dylan Sherman.
Marines receive hands-on experience before they hit the job hunt.
"They give you a lot of resources you need, like building resumes, learning how to interview for a job. So it’s super helpful ‘cause a lot of the people here don’t really have that experience ‘cause the marine corps is their first job. So it helps them prepare for their next chapter in life," explains Sherman.
MCAS Yuma exit programs are available to both Marines and Sailors on the base.
Programs are tailored to provide assistance for the different career paths available as well as further education options.
"Some are gonna go for federal employment. Some are gonna go for civilian sector employment. Some are gonna go to school and so what we do is we have a five-day course that’s called the Transition Readiness Seminar and the [it] just gives them all of the tools that they need," says Transition Readiness and Family Member Employment Assistance Program Manager Alison Longoria.
After the five-day seminar, service members can choose a more specific path to continue their preparation for civilian life.
Optional tracks like these are two-day programs.
"There [are] programs all across the united states that service members can be a part of. So, they’re allowed to do it within their last 180 days of their contract and it’s an opportunity to get training and build their skills toward a program that they’re interested in," explains Longoria.
Job fairs are regularly available on base. Some service members go into contract work with the military itself but as civilians.
