See a Sample Roadmap
Select a profile to see what a MissionFWD roadmap looks like — specific programs, realistic timelines, and a clear path forward.
Active Duty Military Spouse
Immediate Next Steps
Contact the JBLM Employment Readiness Program at Hawk Career Center Lewis North for free career coaching, resume assistance, and local job connections specific to military spouses. MySECO at mysecprograms.com offers free career coaching and education counseling for military spouses available 24 hours a day — schedule a session this week.
Short-Term Resources
MyCAA Scholarship provides up to $4,000 for military spouses in portable career fields. Apply at mysecprograms.com if your spouse is in pay grades E1 through E5, W1 through W2, or O1 through O2. The Military Spouse Employment Partnership at msepjobs.militaryonesource.mil connects you with hundreds of employers actively recruiting military spouse talent. Washington State offers expedited professional licensing reciprocity for military spouses through the Department of Licensing at dol.wa.gov.
Long-Term Pathways
Build a portable career that moves with your family. Options include remote-friendly industries, entrepreneurship through the Rosie Network at rosie-network.com, or professional certifications funded through MyCAA. The WDVA Military Spouse Initiative connects you to the Washington State Military Spouse Liaison Olivia Burley at olivia.burley@dva.wa.gov for personalized guidance.
This roadmap was built for you by MissionFWD, a service of MIL-CO First. You do not have to navigate this alone. If you would like a warm referral to any of the programs above, have questions about next steps, or need your roadmap updated as your situation changes, reach out to us at mil-cofirst.com. We are here.
Transitioning Service Member
Immediate Next Steps
Report to WorkSource JBLM at Hawk Career Center 11577 41st Division Drive Room 206. Phone 253-593-7320. Email worksourcejblm@esd.wa.gov. They provide individual employment plans, industry-specific training, career counseling, and job placement free for transitioning service members. Complete the Transition Assistance Program through JBLM Transition Services and Soldier for Life at sfl-tap.army.mil before your separation date.
Short-Term Resources
Military Service to Education through wacareerpaths.com pays for short-term certification programs for Pierce County or JBLM residents within 12 months of ETS using WIOA funding. Washington Vets to Tech at Saint Martin's University offers an IT and computer science certificate program with two certification exam vouchers included — phone 360-688-2970. Hire Heroes USA at hireheroesusa.org provides free resume assistance and job placement for transitioning service members.
Long-Term Pathways
Use your Post-9/11 GI Bill Chapter 33 for college, vocational training, or certification programs. Washington State tuition waivers are available at wsac.wa.gov for additional education support. Federal hiring preference gives you a competitive edge in government roles — explore CareerOneStop at careeronestop.org for federal job pathways.
This roadmap was built for you by MissionFWD, a service of MIL-CO First. You do not have to navigate this alone. If you would like a warm referral to any of the programs above, have questions about next steps, or need your roadmap updated as your situation changes, reach out to us at mil-cofirst.com. We are here.
Recently Separated Veteran
Immediate Next Steps
Visit the Pierce County Veterans Resource Center at 1305 Tacoma Avenue South Suite 104 Tacoma WA 98402. Phone 253-798-7449. Veteran Service Officers will help you file VA disability and benefits claims at no cost. Enroll in VA healthcare at va.gov or call 1-877-222-8387. If you served after September 10 2001 you may qualify for free healthcare for conditions related to your service.
Short-Term Resources
WorkSource Pierce at worksource-pierce.org provides veteran-specific job coaching, referrals, and Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialists. If you are experiencing housing instability contact Catholic Community Services SSVF at 253-582-8440 — they provide housing stability plans and short-term financial assistance for veterans at risk of losing housing within 30 days.
Long-Term Pathways
Your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits are available for up to 15 years after separation. Explore education and certification options at wsac.wa.gov. If entrepreneurship interests you Bunker Labs at bunkerlabs.org and the SBA Veteran Business Outreach Centers at sba.gov offer startup support, networks, and funding guidance specifically for veteran entrepreneurs.
This roadmap was built for you by MissionFWD, a service of MIL-CO First. You do not have to navigate this alone. If you would like a warm referral to any of the programs above, have questions about next steps, or need your roadmap updated as your situation changes, reach out to us at mil-cofirst.com. We are here.
Veteran
Immediate Next Steps
Contact the Pierce County Veterans Resource Center at 253-798-7449 to connect with a Veteran Service Officer who can review your current benefits, identify any unclaimed compensation, and assist with PACT Act toxic exposure claims if applicable. If you need emergency financial assistance the Pierce County Veterans Assistance Fund provides food, rent, utilities, and medical assistance — call the same number.
Short-Term Resources
If you are seeking employment WorkSource Pierce at worksource-pierce.org offers veteran-specific job coaching and placement. Valley Cities Counseling offers free mental health treatment for veterans — call 866-326-5520. If you are 55 or older and in King County the PEARLS program through Aging and Disability Services at agingkingcounty.org provides free in-home support.
Long-Term Pathways
Washington State property tax exemptions and deferrals are available for veterans and surviving spouses — VA disability compensation is excluded from income calculations which can significantly affect eligibility. Contact your county assessor. Explore the WDVA Veteran Innovations Program at vip@dva.wa.gov for employment assistance and the Washington State Labor and Industries apprenticeship programs at lni.wa.gov for career pathway entry.
This roadmap was built for you by MissionFWD, a service of MIL-CO First. You do not have to navigate this alone. If you would like a warm referral to any of the programs above, have questions about next steps, or need your roadmap updated as your situation changes, reach out to us at mil-cofirst.com. We are here.
Military Spouse Seeking Employment
Immediate Next Steps
Schedule a free career coaching session through MySECO at mysecprograms.com — available 24/7 for military spouses regardless of your spouse's branch or duty status. Contact the Washington State Military Spouse Liaison Olivia Burley at olivia.burley@dva.wa.gov to learn about Washington-specific employment resources, license reimbursements, and employer connections.
Short-Term Resources
The Military Spouse Employment Partnership at msepjobs.militaryonesource.mil connects you with hundreds of employers actively recruiting military spouse talent. If you hold a professional license from another state Washington offers expedited licensing reciprocity — visit dol.wa.gov or doh.wa.gov depending on your profession. MyCAA Scholarship at mysecprograms.com provides up to $4,000 for education in a portable career field if your spouse is in qualifying pay grades.
Long-Term Pathways
Build credentials that move with you. Consider remote-friendly certifications, healthcare licensing, education credentials, or entrepreneurship through the Rosie Network at rosie-network.com. MilSpo First — a structured cohort program being developed by MIL-CO First — will offer education pathways, internship placements, professional development, and workforce readiness leading to employment with follow-up support. Inquire at mil-cofirst.com/contact.
This roadmap was built for you by MissionFWD, a service of MIL-CO First. You do not have to navigate this alone. If you would like a warm referral to any of the programs above, have questions about next steps, or need your roadmap updated as your situation changes, reach out to us at mil-cofirst.com. We are here.
Military Dependent Seeking Education Support
Immediate Next Steps
Contact the JBLM School Liaison Office at dodea.edu/schoolLiaisons for enrollment support, records transfer, and special education coordination if you are relocating. If you are college age explore the Washington State Dependent Tuition Waiver at wsac.wa.gov which waives all undergraduate tuition and fees at Washington State colleges and universities up to 200 quarter credits.
Short-Term Resources
The Survivors and Dependents Educational Assistance Program Chapter 35 at va.gov provides education and training benefits for eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled or who died as a result of a service-connected condition. Fisher House Scholarships for Military Children at militaryscholar.org provides annual scholarship funding for military dependents. STEM programs and youth activities are available through the USO at uso.org and Team Red White and Blue at teamrwb.org.
Long-Term Pathways
If your parent was killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty the Fry Scholarship provides full education benefits. The Pat Tillman Foundation at pattillmanfoundation.org offers scholarships and a leadership community for military-connected students. Student Veterans of America at studentveterans.org provides campus community and peer support for veteran and military-connected students in college.
This roadmap was built for you by MissionFWD, a service of MIL-CO First. You do not have to navigate this alone. If you would like a warm referral to any of the programs above, have questions about next steps, or need your roadmap updated as your situation changes, reach out to us at mil-cofirst.com. We are here.