SE North Carolina News

Washington, D.C. — Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) has joined a bipartisan letter to the Department of Defense suggesting new ways to improve transition assistance that better support the needs of the men and women who ensure the military has the tools and weapons needed to succeed.

“Service members and veterans are uniquely positioned to fill skilled labor needs due to their distinctive military skills and experiences. Upskilling and educating service members is a vital effort, but so is matching service members who already possess a valuable skill with job openings in the defense industrial base,” the Senators said. “It is crucial that the DoD explore how current transition programs can be better utilized to guide service members and veterans towards careers that fill critical gaps in the defense industrial base.”

The letter was led by Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and co-signed by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), John Boozman (R-AR), Mark Kelly (D-AR), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ).

Full text of the letter:

We write with regard to U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) efforts to leverage transition programs for military service members and veterans to address critical gaps in the defense industrial base workforce. As you are aware, a robust defense industrial base is vital to America’s national security and essential to military readiness. However, the U.S. faces challenges meeting skilled workforce needs, which limits manufacturers’ ability to produce everything from basic goods to complex weapons systems and munitions needed in potential armed conflict. Service members and veterans are uniquely positioned to fill skilled labor needs due to their distinctive military skills and experiences. Upskilling and educating service members is a vital effort, but so is matching service members who already possess a valuable skill with job openings in the defense industrial base.

It is crucial that the DoD explore how current transition programs can be better utilized to guide service members and veterans towards careers that fill critical gaps in the defense industrial base. It is no secret that the U.S. shipbuilding industry is in a precarious position with some analysts stating U.S. ship production has reached its “worst state” in decades. Even a cursory view of the skilled labor needed for a thriving shipbuilding industry reveals that shortfalls in production often stem from workforce challenges. The welding workforce, for example, will face a nationwide shortage of about 330,000 welders by 2028. Similarly, the Navy will face a shortage of about 100,000 skilled trade workers in the submarine industrial base by 2034. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that transition programs match skilled veterans and transitioning service members with civilian jobs in industries that support U.S. military readiness.

Specifically, the DoD should examine programs’ unused capacity as identified in recent studies which can be used to support transitioning service members’ move into the defense industrial base. For example, additional opportunities for on-the-job training prior to an individual’s end of service could prepare them for an in-demand civilian role. The DoD should also devote more resources toward oversight of these programs to maximize value while eliminating redundancy. Additionally, increased transparency in identifying gaps within the defense industrial base could benefit from promoting such opportunities as part of current transition programs.

Transitioning service members and veterans must be provided with necessary resources for direct movement from their service into skilled trade jobs vital for national defense. In 2022, nearly 25 percent of service members did not attend transition assistance classes according to Government Accountability Office data; moreover, data utilization for improving participation was lacking within DoD programs such as SkillBridge or Credentialing Opportunities Online aimed at equipping skills post-service.

Given significant federal investment particularly focused on education within transition assistance—identifying if current funding supports objectives adequately—is imperative alongside ensuring these programs align other national security goals where possible while only dedicating 10 percent expenditure toward employment-specific aid lacking consistent reliable funding needing filling workforce gaps across industries enhancing transitions meeting civilian market demands ultimately benefiting our industrial base.

Therefore we request information addressing issues outlined answering following questions:

1) What specific transition programs currently guide service members toward careers supporting defense industry?

2) How successful have these been attracting participants acquiring jobs?

3) Steps taken addressing critical gaps transitioning fills?

4) Recommended adjustments aligning program needs better.

5) Resource assessment between education-focused versus employment assistance adequate supporting objectives.

6) Coordination among Labor/Veterans Affairs ensuring proper implementation reducing redundancy/red tape.

7) Promotion methods highlighting occupations critical bases.

8) Additional legislative/budgetary requirements enhancing bolstering transitions.

Please provide update on GAO report recommendations "Servicemembers Transitioning Civilian Life: DOD Can Better Leverage Performance Information Improving Participation Counseling Pathways."

We appreciate attention looking forward response.