Duval Times

The welding, automotive, aviation maintenance, submarine, shipbuilding, and other defense-related trade industries are facing a workforce shortage. Many service members and veterans possess the skills to excel in trade jobs benefiting the defense industrial base (DIB). With the urgent need for skilled labor in the DIB, transition assistance programs for service members and veterans should better guide individuals towards opportunities in the DIB after their service. These changes would support veterans and service members in their transition to civilian life and significantly strengthen national security.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and colleagues sent a letter to U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Lloyd Austin regarding how to improve transition assistance efforts to better support DIB needs.

“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.”

Joining Rubio were Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), John Boozman (R-AR), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ).

The full text of the letter is below.

Dear Secretary Austin:

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 a 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 nation-wide 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, the DoD should investigate additional opportunities to provide on-the-job training prior to an individual’s end of service that could prepare him or her for an in-demand civilian role. The DoD should also devote more resources toward oversight of these programs to maximize value for transitioning service members while eliminating redundancy.

Additionally, transparency should be increased regarding identifying gaps within the defense industrial base that could benefit from unique skillsets possessed by service members and veterans while promoting such opportunities as part of current transition programs.

Transitioning service members must be provided with necessary resources directly moving them from their services into skilled trade jobs vital for national defense purposes.

In 2022 Government Accountability Office revealed nearly 25 percent did not attend classes; hence data collection on usage improving participation marketing timely placement essential federal investment educational-focused GI Bill invaluable only ten percent dedicated employment-specific lacking consistent reliable funding additional investment job-focused enhancing transitions filling critical workforce gaps across industrial bases supporting objectives possible

Therefore request information issues identified answers following questions:

What specific transition programs currently guide toward careers supporting DIB? How successful attracting acquiring jobs?

Steps identifying addressing critical gaps filled?

Adjustments enhancements recommended aligning needs?

Assess allocation between education-focused employment adequate supporting objectives?

Coordination ensuring implementation reducing redundancy red tape promoting occupations benefits additional legislative budgetary support required Congress enhance bolster updates implementing recommendations titled "Servicemembers Transitioning Civilian Life: Better Leveraging Performance Information Improving Participation Counseling Pathways."

Appreciate attention looking forward response.

Sincerely,