Veterans can get free career training without using the GI Bill. Fourteen programs — from Salesforce’s VetForce and Microsoft’s MSSA to union trade apprenticeships — cost nothing and lead to careers that commonly start at $50,000 or more.
Why do companies do this? Veterans bring discipline, leadership, and problem-solving that employers want. They pay for your training because they want to hire you afterward. Save your GI Bill for a degree — or transfer it to your spouse or kids — and use these programs first.
Free tech training and certifications
1. VetForce (Salesforce)
What it is: Free Salesforce certification training built for veterans and military spouses. Salesforce runs the customer software used by more than 150,000 companies, and certified administrators and developers are in steady demand. Training is self-paced, usually 3–6 months, and covers tracks like Salesforce Administrator, Developer, and Platform App Builder.
Who qualifies: Veterans, active duty, and military spouses. A high school diploma or GED is enough — no tech background needed.
How to apply: Sign up at Salesforce Military (VetForce) and verify your military connection.
2. Google Career Certificates
What it is: Professional certificates designed by Google in IT support, data analytics, project management, UX design, cybersecurity, and digital marketing — free to veterans through Grow with Google partnerships. Most people finish in 3–6 months at about 10 hours a week, and the certificates are recognized by a large employer consortium that includes Google itself.
Who qualifies: Veterans with a computer and internet access. No prior experience required.
How to apply: Start at grow.google/veterans and verify your veteran status.
3. Microsoft Software & Systems Academy (MSSA)
What it is: An intensive, full-time 17-week program that trains you in server and cloud administration, cybersecurity, cloud application development, or database administration — with a direct hiring pathway to Microsoft and its partner companies.
Who qualifies: Transitioning service members and veterans with an honorable discharge. A bachelor’s degree or relevant experience is expected.
How to apply: Apply at military.microsoft.com/mssa. Cohorts fill up, so apply early.
4. AWS Training for Veterans (Amazon)
What it is: Free, self-paced cloud computing training and certification prep from Amazon Web Services — the world’s largest cloud platform. Tracks include Cloud Practitioner, Solutions Architect, Developer, and SysOps Administrator. Amazon is one of the country’s largest employers of veterans.
Who qualifies: Veterans and transitioning service members. Basic computer skills help, but you set your own pace.
How to apply: Browse the free courses at aws.amazon.com/training.
5. VET TEC (Department of Veterans Affairs)
What it is: The VA pays for high-tech training — coding bootcamps, computer programming, data processing, information science — at approved providers, and pays you a housing allowance while you train. Your GI Bill months are not used up.
Who qualifies: Veterans with at least one day of unexpired GI Bill eligibility who are seeking work in a high-tech field and are not enrolled in another VA education program.
How to apply: Funding is limited and enrollment has run in rounds, so check current availability on the VA’s VET TEC page.
6. Cisco Networking Academy Military Program
What it is: Free networking and cybersecurity training that prepares you for the CCNA and other respected industry certifications. Self-paced, typically 6–12 months.
Who qualifies: Veterans and transitioning service members with basic computer skills.
How to apply: Enroll through Cisco Networking Academy for veterans.
7. CompTIA Military Program
What it is: Free or heavily discounted exam vouchers and study resources for CompTIA’s foundational IT certifications — A+, Network+, Security+, and more. These are the standard entry credentials for IT jobs nationwide, including many federal positions.
Who qualifies: Active duty, veterans, and military spouses.
How to apply: See CompTIA’s military page.
8. FedVTE — Federal Virtual Training Environment
What it is: Free, self-paced cybersecurity courses from the Department of Homeland Security — fundamentals through ethical hacking, risk management, and incident response. A strong on-ramp to government or private-sector security work.
Who qualifies: U.S. citizens. No security clearance is needed for most courses.
How to apply: Create a free account at fedvte.usalearning.gov.
Career transition programs
9. Onward to Opportunity (O2O)
What it is: Free career training with industry certifications through Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families. Tracks include IT, cybersecurity, project management, business management, customer service, and human resources — most run 4 to 14 weeks.
Who qualifies: Veterans, service members within 180 days of separation, and military spouses with a high school diploma or GED.
How to apply: Register at onward2opportunity.org.
10. SkillBridge (Department of Defense)
What it is: Civilian job training with hundreds of participating companies during your last 180 days of service — while you keep receiving full military pay and benefits. Fields range from tech and trades to business and healthcare.
Who qualifies: Active duty members in their final 180 days with commander approval and honorable service.
How to apply: Find programs at skillbridge.osd.mil and talk to your command early.
11. Hiring Our Heroes (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation)
What it is: Free career-readiness programs including a 12-week Corporate Fellowship, SkillBridge partnerships, résumé and interview workshops, and hiring events with major employers.
Who qualifies: Transitioning service members and veterans. A dedicated military-spouse program is also available.
How to apply: Explore programs at hiringourheroes.org.
12. LinkedIn Premium for Veterans
What it is: One free year of LinkedIn Premium, including full access to LinkedIn Learning’s course library, InMail, and job-search tools — a meaningful boost while you hunt for that first civilian role.
Who qualifies: Veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce, verified with a DD-214 or other proof of service.
How to apply: Claim it at LinkedIn’s veterans program page.
Skilled trades — earn while you learn
13. Helmets to Hardhats
What it is: A national program that connects veterans with registered apprenticeships in the building trades — electrical, plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, welding, ironworking, and heavy equipment. Apprenticeships run 2–5 years and pay a real wage the whole time, with union benefits.
Who qualifies: Veterans and transitioning service members able to do physical trade work. A driver’s license is usually required.
How to apply: Register at helmetstohardhats.org.
14. Veterans in Piping — VIP (United Association)
What it is: An accelerated 18-week program that trains transitioning service members in welding, HVAC/R, plumbing, pipefitting, or sprinkler fitting — with direct placement into a union apprenticeship and benefits when you finish.
Who qualifies: Active duty members within 180 days of discharge, with commander approval through SkillBridge.
How to apply: Details and locations at uavip.org.
Your GI Bill is still there when you want it
None of the programs above touch your GI Bill entitlement. When you are ready for a degree, the Post-9/11 GI Bill covers tuition, a housing allowance, and a book stipend for up to 36 months — and it can be transferred to a spouse or child while you are still serving. Compare options on our GI Bill guide or see everything on the VA education benefits page.
Two related pages while you are here: our VA disability pay rates guide explains ratings and 2026 pay — worth a look if you have a service-connected condition and never filed — and our verified veteran discounts list includes technology and education deals that pair well with any of the programs above.
Not sure which program fits? Ask us — we answer within one business day, free. Program details and availability change, so always confirm directly with the provider before you plan around a start date.
Common questions
Do these programs use up my GI Bill?
No. Every program on this list is paid for by the company, union, or agency that runs it — not by your GI Bill. The one partial exception is VET TEC, which requires at least one day of unexpired GI Bill eligibility to enroll but does not draw down your months of entitlement. That means you can train free now and still save the GI Bill for a degree or transfer it to your spouse or children.
Which program is best if I have no tech experience?
VetForce (Salesforce) and Google Career Certificates are both built for complete beginners — no prior tech experience is required for either. If you prefer working with your hands, Helmets to Hardhats connects you with paid trade apprenticeships where you earn a wage from day one.
Can my spouse use these programs too?
Several are open to military spouses, including VetForce, Onward to Opportunity, CompTIA’s military program, and Hiring Our Heroes, which runs a dedicated spouse program. Check each program’s eligibility page, because spouse rules vary.
What proof of service will I need?
Most programs verify veteran status with your DD-214 or through a free online verification service such as ID.me or SheerID. If you cannot find your DD-214, your County Veterans Service Officer can help you request a copy at no charge.
Can I enroll in more than one program?
Usually, yes. Many veterans stack a self-paced certification (like CompTIA or AWS) with a career program (like Onward to Opportunity or Hiring Our Heroes). The main exceptions are full-time programs such as MSSA and SkillBridge, which need your full attention — and VET TEC, which cannot be combined with another VA education program at the same time.