As America invests billions of dollars to modernize its transportation infrastructure, Veterans are finding new opportunities to continue serving the nation, this time by helping move people, goods and essential services across the country.
That message was at the center of a recent episode of “At the Table,” where VA Deputy Secretary Paul R. Lawrence, Ph.D. sat down with U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Steve Bradbury to discuss the growing role Veterans are playing in the transportation sector.
For many former service members, the transition from military service to civilian employment can be challenging. Yet transportation careers often provide a natural fit. The discipline, technical expertise, leadership skills and mission-focused mindset developed in the military align closely with the demands of aviation, trucking, maritime operations and infrastructure management.
According to Bradbury, the Department of Transportation is currently overseeing one of the largest modernization efforts in its history. Thousands of infrastructure projects are underway nationwide, strengthening highways, ports, rail systems and air traffic control networks. As those investments expand, so does the need for skilled workers capable of managing complex systems, maintaining safety standards and operating effectively under pressure.
Those are qualities Veterans bring with them every day.
Aviation Careers Take Flight
Among the most promising opportunities for Veterans is the aviation sector.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is one of the federal government’s largest employers of former military personnel, with nearly 40 percent of its workforce having military experience. Veterans serve in a variety of roles, including air traffic controllers, aviation safety inspectors, maintenance specialists and technical experts.
Military pilots transitioning to civilian careers can find pathways to certification through FAA programs. Likewise, Veterans with backgrounds in logistics, aircraft maintenance, communications systems and mechanical operations often possess skills that transfer directly into aviation careers.
Air traffic control, in particular, demands precision, composure and rapid decision-making under pressure, traits that many service members developed during their military careers.
As demand for aviation professionals continues to grow, Veterans interested in FAA careers can explore available opportunities through the FAA’s employment resources.
Freedom Haulers Opens Doors in Trucking
For Veterans who operated military vehicles during their service, commercial trucking may offer a familiar and rewarding career path.
Bradbury highlighted the Department of Transportation’s Freedom Haulers initiative, a nationwide effort designed to connect more Veterans with careers in commercial trucking. Through programs administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, eligible Veterans may qualify for streamlined commercial driver’s license procedures based on military driving experience.
The trucking industry continues to experience strong demand for qualified drivers. Veterans frequently stand out because of their experience with logistics operations, safety procedures and mission execution.
Industry leaders have also noted that Veterans often maintain some of the strongest safety records among commercial drivers, making them attractive candidates for employers across the nation.
Maritime Careers Offer New Horizons
The transportation sector’s opportunities extend well beyond highways and airports.
The Maritime Administration, commonly known as MARAD, supports the nation’s merchant marine fleet, which plays a critical role in national security, global commerce and emergency response efforts.
Veterans from the Navy, Coast Guard and Army often transition successfully into maritime careers, including shipboard operations, engineering positions, officer training programs, port operations, shipbuilding, welding and logistics management.
To assist transitioning service members, MARAD provides credentialing assistance, fee waivers and workforce training programs designed specifically for military Veterans entering the maritime industry.
These programs help former service members build careers that continue supporting America’s economic and national security interests.
Entrepreneurship and Business Opportunities
Veterans interested in owning businesses or securing government contracts may also find opportunities through Department of Transportation programs.
DOT regularly hosts small-business matchmaking events that bring together Veterans, employers, contractors and federal partners. An upcoming Veterans Small Business Summit at DOT headquarters in Washington, D.C., will offer networking opportunities, hiring resources and information about business partnerships available to Veteran entrepreneurs.
The initiative reflects a broader effort to expand economic opportunities for Veterans while helping agencies and private industry benefit from the leadership and problem-solving skills former service members bring to the workforce.
A New Mission After Military Service
Transportation careers allow Veterans to continue serving the nation in meaningful ways.
Whether guiding aircraft safely through busy airspace, delivering critical freight across the country, supporting maritime commerce, improving infrastructure or leading innovative transportation initiatives, Veterans are helping keep America moving.
For many, the mission has changed, but the commitment to service remains the same.
As transportation networks expand and modernize, Veterans are uniquely positioned to become the next generation of leaders responsible for maintaining the systems that power America’s economy and connect its communities. Their experience, dedication and proven ability to succeed under pressure make them valuable assets in an industry that will help shape the nation’s future for decades to come.
