Welcome, Veterans, and Military Personnel!

Thank you for your service. As you transition back to civilian life, we want to help you explore opportunities that make the most of your skills and experience.

We’ve put together some resources you might find helpful:

Articles about our certified Clinicians who have served in the military, sharing their experiences and insights.

Research from our team about EMS in the military, highlighting skills and lessons that translate directly to civilian careers.

The DOD SkillBridge program allows service members in their final 180 days the opportunity to gain valuable civilian work experience through training, apprenticeships, or internships while connecting with industry partners.

Explore these resources to learn more and discover opportunities that can help you successfully transition to your next career.

DOD SkillBridge: Connecting Service Members to Civilian Careers

The DOD SkillBridge Program helps service members transition to civilian life by offering up to 180 days of hands-on training, apprenticeships, or internships with approved industry partners. Participants gain valuable real-world experience while still receiving full military pay and benefits.

Learn more about SkillBridge opportunities

National Registry Research: Military and Civilian EMS

The National Registry conducts research that examines both military and civilian EMS practice, training, and performance. Our studies explore how military medics’ skills and experience align with civilian certification and care standards.

Comparison of the Scope of Practice of the Army Combat Medic Specialist and Civilian National EMS Certification Levels

The transition of Army Combat Medic Specialists (Military Occupational Specialty Code: 68W) from military to civilian emergency medical services (EMS) is challenging, and the pathway is not clearly defined. Our objective was to evaluate the current military requirements for 68W and how they compare to the 2019 EMS National Scope of Practice Model (SoPM) for the civilian emergency medical technician (EMT) and advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT).

Comparison of Air Force, Army, and Navy Emergency Medical Technician Candidates’ Performance on the National Registry Cognitive Examination

Military medics function similarly to civilian emergency medical technicians (EMTs); however, they perform their emergency medical care in combat zones and military treatment facilities. Both civilian and military EMTs must take and pass the National Registry of EMT’s cognitive examination to be certified as a Nationally Registered EMT; however, there is a discrepancy in requirements for obtaining and maintaining National EMT Certification between the military branches of the DoD. In our study, we aimed to compare the performance of the U.S. Air Force (USAF), U.S. Army (USA), and U.S. Navy (USN) EMT candidates on the National EMT Certification cognitive examination from 2015 to 2017.

Critical Connections: Military Voices in EMS

From military medics to civilian Clinicians, our Critical Connections series shares the unique journeys of those shaping the EMS profession through service, experience, and dedication.

From Special Forces to a special career

For Randy Brinckman, a career as a paramedic did not begin as the result of a family tradition or a childhood dream. Instead, it started with the need for a job and the desire for camaraderie. You see, as Brinckman concluded his service in the military as an "18D" – a medic in the...

Be a rock in the moment people are falling apart

The rigorous discipline of firefighting surmounted into a passion for Captain Jessica Cervantez, who says it carries her through the difficult times. Now surpassing two decades of service, her inclination to provide communit...

Lifelong Learning and Global Service: Chief Michael Visser’s journey in EMS

From an air base fire station in South Korea, Assistant Chief and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Michael Visser was the first person to complete National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (National Registry) recertification for the 2024-2025 cycle. This achievement underscores Visser'...

DOD SkillBridge Program