WARTAC internship program offers career transition for service members

Scott Clark experienced homelessness before enlisting in the Air Force. Thirteen years later, when leaving the military, the possibility of experiencing it again hung over his transition. Fortunately, a VA representative suggested a career with VA. That’s when he learned about the Warrior Training Advancement Course (WARTAC).

WARTAC trains separating service members to become VA Veteran Service Representatives (VSR) or rating Veteran Service Representatives (RVSR) with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA). These federal employees are instrumental in delivering earned benefits to Veterans.

While serving, Clark married, and the family included two young children. Their overseas duty station complicated the decision to separate. Clark needed employment leads or housing to fall back on upon returning to the United States.

“My parents have passed,” Clark said. “I’ve got nothing stateside, so I went to the VA representative for home loan assistance and possible homelessness assistance. I’ve got a family of four and a dog. Where am I going?” he asked.

Clark looked up WARTAC on LinkedIn. “I saw graduation selfies posted by Marines, sailors and soldiers in uniform,” he said. Each was eligible to work at VA, helping other Veterans get the benefits they had earned.

About WARTAC

WARTAC is open to wounded warriors and active-duty service members in the 180-day transition process. The program offers long-term career opportunities, and graduates can be appointed directly into VBA positions.

After learning more about the program, Clark connected with Gregory Cross, the WARTAC program supervisor.

“Mr. Cross messaged me back and gave me a slew of [points of contact],” he said.

Clark worked with Cross to enter a WARTAC class at Fort Hood, Texas. Clark made the most of the opportunity, seeing it as his way to gain a new career and home.

According to Clark, it is rare for a service member overseas to apply for the program, especially when they want to be in the classroom instead of attending virtually. “I’m old school,” said Clark, in his 30s. “I need a brick-and-mortar [experience].”

Cross knew that WARTAC was a good fit for Clark’s concerns about potential homelessness. “WARTAC helps transitioning service members figure out what comes next after service,” Cross said. “The career opportunities the program provides reduce Veteran homelessness and unemployment.”

Clark told Cross he would “make magic happen” if he got a slot in a class.

“I will figure something out,” Clark told Cross after learning about the program. “I know there are qualifications. I’ll get them [completed] because my entire chain of command is behind me.”

Clark graduated from WARTAC Dec. 12, 2022, and started working at VBA’s Phoenix regional office as a VSR a few weeks later. Currently, he is assigned to public contact, working directly with Veterans as they enter the Phoenix facility.

Clark says helping Veterans one-on-one is an absolute pleasure. “You know the old saying, ‘If you enjoy what you do, you never work a day in your life,’” Clark said. “I seriously love coming to work.”

The WARTAC courses for Veteran Service Representatives and Rating Veteran Service Representatives last six and eleven weeks, respectively. To learn more about eligibility, qualifications, and the duties WARTAC graduates can perform, visit the WARTAC website.