The Transformative Benefits of the Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation Program

The Veterans Affairs (VA) Vocational Rehabilitation program, also known as Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E), is a critically valuable resource for transitioning service members and veterans, despite often not being taught to them before discharge. 

Voc Rehab, as it is colloquially known, was established to assist veterans with service-connected disabilities in achieving their employment and independent living goals. The VR&E program offers a wide range of services, including career counseling, job training, and educational support, to include additional education benefits beyond whichever version of the GI Bill you rate. So what can Voc Rehab do for you?

Comprehensive Career Counseling and Guidance

The Party Line:

One of the primary benefits of the VR&E program is the personalized career counseling and guidance provided to veterans. This service helps veterans identify their skills, interests, and abilities, and align them with suitable career paths. The program’s counselors work closely with veterans to develop an individualized rehabilitation plan, which outlines the necessary steps to achieve their employment goals.

The Reality:

If you have a niche career field, like infantry, this may be of limited value, but give it a try anyway. You’d be surprised what you can manage even as an ancillary benefit. I for one learned to put my infantry experience into a monetary context. Hooking and jabbing doesn't translate on a resume as well as being in charge of millions of dollars worth of government inventory.

Educational and Vocational Training Opportunities

The Party Line:

The VR&E program offers a wide range of educational and vocational training opportunities to help veterans acquire the skills needed for their desired careers. These opportunities include on-the-job training, apprenticeships, non-paid work experiences, and post-secondary education at colleges, universities, and vocational schools. The program also covers the cost of tuition, books, supplies, and other necessary expenses, making it easier for veterans to pursue their educational goals without financial burden.

The Reality:

If you don’t use this program you’re throwing money away. The GI Bill has a limit of financing available, Voc Rehab does not operate in the same way, and it applies to just as wide a range of education and training opportunities. It’s free real estate.

Employment Services and Job Placement Assistance

The Party Line:

Another significant benefit of the VR&E program is the employment services and job placement assistance provided to veterans. The program’s counselors work closely with veterans to develop job-seeking skills, such as resume writing, interview preparation, and networking. Additionally, the VR&E program collaborates with employers to create job opportunities specifically for veterans, ensuring that they have access to meaningful employment. 

The Reality:

Sometimes a foot in the door is all you need to get started in a new career field, and it’s dramatically easier to get your foot in the door when someone breaches the door for you.

Support for Independent Living

The Party Line:

For veterans with severe service-connected disabilities that make it challenging to pursue traditional employment, the VR&E program offers support for independent living. This service focuses on helping veterans achieve the highest possible level of independence in their daily lives. The program provides assistance with daily living activities, such as personal care, mobility, and communication, as well as adaptive equipment and home modifications.

The Reality:

Let’s face it, no matter how much we want to be independent and reject help, sometimes it’s needed. As a veteran, realizing you can’t just clear through all of your problems solo is a hard pill to swallow, but once you do, this program can make a dramatic difference in setting you up to live a real life instead of an extended struggle.

There are many more options available from Vocational Rehabilitation, you just have to seek them out. Don’t let pride or lack of prior knowledge stop you from taking the next hill and kicking life in the teeth.