Start Your New Cybersecurity Career with Vet Tec 2.0 and Cyberkraft!
Going from a career in the military can be a hard leap to make. You served your country, climbed the ranks, led people to complete tasks and complete missions. The outside world requires different things of you, including education, certifications or even certain experience that you may never have used.
That doesn’t make your military experience less valuable. It means you may need to add some new skills and learn how to present your existing experience in terms civilian employers understand.
For eligible Veterans and transitioning service members interested in technology, VET TEC 2.0 offers one possible route.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs created VET TEC 2.0 — Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses 2.0 to support approved, non-degree training in high-tech fields. Areas covered include computer programming, software, data processing, information sciences, and media applications.
A Focused Alternative to a Four-Year Degree
Not every technology career requires a traditional degree. Depending on the role, employers may place considerable value on technical training, certifications, and practical skills.
VET TEC 2.0 is designed around approved, non-degree technology courses. Eligible participants may receive tuition and fee payments, housing assistance, and support for books and supplies, subject to program requirements. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA currently lists requirements concerning service history, age, and discharge status. These include at least 36 months of active-duty service and being under 62 when the application is approved. Veterans generally need a discharge other than dishonorable, while active-duty service members generally must be within 180 days of separation. Applicants should confirm current eligibility with VA before applying. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Cyberkraft’s VET TEC 2.0 Programs
Cyberkraft is an approved VET TEC 2.0 training provider offering programs in cybersecurity, networking, cloud computing, and project management.
The Cyberwarrior Program combines preparation for three CompTIA certifications: A+, Security+, and CySA+.
The progression starts with core IT knowledge, moves into security, and then develops cybersecurity analysis skills. This three-month program includes instructor-led training, hands-on labs, practice assessments, exam preparation, and instructor support.
The Network Defender program prepares students for CompTIA Network+, Security+, and CySA+.
The program begins with networking before moving into security and cybersecurity analysis. Veterans with experience in communications, technical operations, or information systems may find some of the underlying concepts familiar.
Technology companies also need people who can organize projects, coordinate teams, manage resources, and keep work moving.
Cyberkraft’s Project Management Expert program is designed for people pursuing project management careers. Cyberkraft states that it is a Project Management Institute Authorized Training Partner and a CompTIA Authorized Training Partner, with preparation for certifications including PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Project Management Professional (PMP), and CompTIA Project+.
For Veterans, project management can be a natural option when previous service involved planning, leadership, coordination, or managing competing priorities.
Cloud technology has become an important part of modern IT infrastructure, supporting computing, storage, applications, networking, data, and security. 99.99% of companies have some infrastructure in the cloud.
Cyberkraft offers the Cloud Defender career program through VET TEC 2.0.
This in-demand program trains candidates in three certifications: the CompTIA CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst), CompTIA Cloud+, and the ISC2 Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP).
Dedicated pages for these programs are still being developed. Veterans can visit Cyberkraft’s Veterans programs and training options or contact the organization for current information.
When comparing programs, look beyond the certification itself. Consider what skills you will gain and whether they match the type of position you want to pursue.
What Comes After Training?
Completing training is only part of a career change. The goal is to put those new skills to work.
VA states that VET TEC 2.0 participating providers have requirements related to student outcomes. After completing training, graduates receive a certificate from their provider and work with the provider toward employment or further education. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Before choosing a program, consider the job you want, the skills employers expect, and which of those skills you still need to develop.
Your Military Experience Still Matters
A career transition doesn’t erase what you learned in the military.
Leadership, problem-solving, accountability, communication, planning, and adaptability can all have value in civilian workplaces. The challenge is often explaining those abilities in language a civilian employer will recognize.
Someone who led personnel, managed resources, maintained equipment, or responded to unexpected problems already has experience that can be relevant to technology and project-based roles. New technical training can build on that foundation.
Cyberkraft’s Veterans programs help Veterans explore technology and cybersecurity career opportunities. The company also identifies its founder, Dennis Kraft, as an Army Veteran whose career included security operations and training work with the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of Homeland Security.
Finding the Right Path
There is no single technology career that suits every Veteran.
Cybersecurity may appeal to someone who enjoys investigating threats. Networking or cloud may suit someone interested in infrastructure. Project management may be a better match for someone whose strengths lie in organization and leadership.
For eligible Veterans and transitioning service members, VET TEC 2.0 provides access to approved non-degree technology training. Cyberkraft’s VET TEC 2.0-approved offerings include Cloud Sentinel, Cyberwarrior, Cloud Defender, Network Defender, and Project Management Expert.
The best choice depends on your experience, interests, and career goals.
You are not starting from zero; you are using the experience you have gained and applying it to a new, but related, field. Explore Cyberkraft’s VET TEC 2.0 and Veterans programs to learn more about the available training options.
