If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) can help. This program — also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E — helps you explore employment options and address education or training needs. In some cases, your family members may also qualify for certain benefits.
Veteran Readiness and Employment offers five support and services tracks to help you get education or training, find and keep a job, and live as independently as possible. However, the Long-Term Services Track will help meet your educational goals.
Employment through the Long-Term Services Track
If you have a service-connected disability and employment barrier, Veteran Readiness and Employment can assist in getting the education or training you need to find work in a different field that better suits your current abilities and interests.
You may be eligible for these benefits if you’re a servicemember or veteran with a service-connected disability, and you meet all of these requirements:
- You have an employment barrier or handicap
- You’re enrolled in VR&E
- Your service-connected disability makes it hard for you to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment (a job that does not make your disability worse, is stable, and matches your abilities, aptitudes, and interests)
Note: You may be eligible for both VR&E training and GI Bill® benefits. You will need to decide which benefit you want to use.
Veteran Readiness & Employment Benefits
- A complete skills assessment
- Career guidance
- Job- market evaluation
- Education and training for a professional or vocational field that’s a good fit for you
- Apprenticeship, on-the-job training, and volunteer opportunities
- Employment assistance
Veteran Readiness & Employment Application Process
You will need to apply for VR&E benefits, then you will be assigned to a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) in your local area. If you have received a VA disability rating, you can apply online.
If you are determined to be eligible for VR&E, the VR&E program will set up an orientation session at your nearest VA regional office. For more information about what to expect after applying for VR&E benefits, please visit the VA website.
Note: You can apply if you’re a servicemember who hasn't received a disability rating yet.
Note: VR&E is a program that’s separate from the GI Bill® and may be used to pay for education needed to train for suitable employment. If you were discharged from active duty on or after January 1, 2013, the 12-year basic period of eligibility doesn’t apply to you. There’s no time limit on your eligibility.
Veteran Readiness & Employment Process with American Military University
Once you are approved for Veteran Readiness and Employment Service benefits, please follow these Steps to use your benefits:
1. Apply for admission to our university.
2. Select a program of study that best meets your future goals.
3. Provide a copy of your academic degree plan to your VR&E counselor for review.
4. Log into the student ecampus and register for a class, selecting the Veteran Readiness and Employment payment method.
5. Inform your VR&E counselor of your course registrations and provide registration confirmations for review.
6. Your VR&E counselor will need to submit a purchase order authorization for educational benefits to American Military University using the Tungsten Network portal. This purchase order authorization will allow the university to grant course access for upcoming registrations.
7. American Military University will submit your enrollments (22-1999) to your VR&E counselor. Any stipends you are entitled to will be reviewed against the 22-1999 enrollment certifications.
8. Visit the Finance Center in the student ecampus to view your VA Enrollment Status (Rate of Pursuit) table for course load requirements.
We recommend that your VR&E counselor submit a purchase order authorization with starting and ending dates. This authorization should coincide with our monthly course start dates to allow you the flexibility to schedule courses based on your personal schedule (courses start the first Monday of each month).
Note: Education benefits to which you are entitled through the VR&E program are separate from GI Bill® benefits. If you use VR&E benefits, the VA will not deduct entitlement from your other VA education benefits, like the Post-9/11 GI Bill® or the Montgomery GI Bill®.
Find Your Local Military Education Manager
If you cannot find a representative in your area, please email [email protected] or call
877-755-2787
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET
Sat - Sun: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET
