Building career pathways and economic opportunities for veterans

As a retired Staff Sergeant of the United States Marine Corps, combat veteran, Navy Cross recipient, and a committed advocate for America’s veterans, I am honored to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Labor Department’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS).

VETS’s mission is to prepare America’s veterans, service members, and military spouses for meaningful careers, provide them with employment resources and expertise, protect their employment rights, and promote their employment opportunities – causes I’ve supported throughout my career. 

I enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 17 and served in Fallujah, Iraq, as part of Operation Phantom Fury. The courage and sacrifice of my fellow Marines continue to inspire my life’s work. Since leaving active duty, whether working for government, nonprofits or the private sector, I’ve always had the same focus: making sure transitioning service members, veterans and military families don’t fall through the cracks and have the tools they need to succeed.

Honoring service means ensuring American military service members and veterans have access to meaningful careers, economic mobility, and long-term success in the civilian workforce. To that end, I have two chief priorities for VETS: 

1. Prepare service members, veterans, and military spouses for “High-Paying, Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future.”
2. Expand and strengthen the Employment Navigator and Partnership Program to ensure seamless transitions from service to civilian careers.

While I’ve only recently assumed leadership of VETS, already I’ve been impressed by the staff’s dedication to their mission. President Donald Trump and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer have demonstrated unwavering support for our military, veterans, and military spouses, and I look forward to supporting these efforts to honor their service and expand opportunities as they transition to civilian life. 

Under my leadership, this agency will continue to strengthen programs that work, expand employer engagement, and modernize pathways that connect transitioning service members and military veterans to high-quality employment.

Jeremiah Workman is the assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service. Follow the agency on LinkedIn and X for updates, resources, and opportunities.