Pathways from Service to Career in North Carolina
Educational Opportunities for Military Families and Veterans
North Carolina is home to one of the largest military populations in the nation, with more than 100,000 active-duty service members, nearly 800,000 veterans, and hundreds of thousands of military spouses and children. From Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and Coast Guard stations along our coast, the military is a vital part of our state’s identity, communities, and economy.
Service members, veterans, and their families face unique transitions as they move between military and civilian life. For many, that means reentering the workforce, supporting a military-connected student, or pursuing a new career path. Education plays a critical role in making these transitions successful.
Just as service members and families commit themselves to protecting and strengthening our country, North Carolina is committed to supporting them in return. Education is a pathway to stability, growth, and opportunity — and military-connected learners are vital to achieving our state’s goal of 2 million residents with a high-quality credential or postsecondary degree by 2030.
Resources for Military Families and Veterans
Education & Training
- Heroes Make America – Manufacturing career training for the military community.
- NC Community Colleges Military Programs – Career training, technical programs, and credit for prior learning
- NC Department of Military & Veterans Affairs (DMVA) – State-level support and resources for veterans, service members, and families
- Onward to Opportunity (O2O) – Free career training and certification support
- The Honor Foundation (THF) – Career transition for Special Operations Forces
- University of North Carolina System Military Education – Military-friendly campuses, transfer credits, and GI Bill® resources
Workforce & Career Transition
- DoD SkillBridge Program – Civilian work experience for service members before separation
- Hiring Our Heroes – NC Chapter – Transition support for veterans and military spouses
- NC4ME – Connects employers with skilled military talent
- NCBiotech MOVE – Transitions military talent into life sciences
- NCWorks Veterans Portal – Job search, career planning, and veteran hiring initiatives
- Oplign – Data-driven matching of military talent to jobs
- 2025 Military Friendly Employers – Recognizes organizations that create lasting benefits for the military community
Support for Military-Connected Students & Families
- Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3) – Helps students transition between schools across states
- Military Child Education Coalition – Resources and advocacy for military-connected children
- MyCAA Scholarship Program – Financial assistance for military spouses pursuing degrees, licenses, or certifications
- NC Department of Public Instruction: Military Families – Guidance and support for K–12 families in North Carolina
Interested in Learning More?
If you’d like to learn more about opportunities for military-connected communities, please contact myFutureNC Regional Impact Manager Dr. Robert Locklear at 910-374-5728 or robert@myfuturenc.org for more information and next steps.
Dr. Robert Locklear
myFutureNC Regional Impact Manager
Phone: 910-374-5728
Email: robert@myfuturenc.org