For many veterans, the transition back to civilian life marks the beginning of a challenging chapter, finding a career out of uniform that matches their skill set and experience. The
Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
is making strides in harnessing the unique skills veterans bring to the table through the Department of Defense SkillBridge program. With more than 1,300 veterans already part of their workforce,
TxDOT
sees value in the discipline, teamwork, and technical prowess these individuals offer.
As reported by
TxDOT
, Senior Master Sergeant “DJ” Berryman is one such veteran transitioning his two-decade-long military experience into a civilian role with TxDOT’s Abilene District. Specializing in traffic studies, design, and signals, Berryman started training with the agency’s Intelligent Transportation Systems lead in June. This move is pivotal, setting him up with industry experience before he officially joins the civilian workforce in December. “The SkillBridge program has provided an opportunity to leverage the skills I’ve developed in my military career while also exploring a new career field,”
Berryman told TxDOT
.
Participants in the SkillBridge program, Such as Berryman, continue to receive military compensation and benefits while gaining the crucial civilian training needed for the post-military career transition. More than 50,000 servicemembers have utilized the program to make this transition since 2011. Randee Shields, Abilene District Director of Transportation Operations and also the spouse of a retired Marine, acknowledges the hurdles veterans face post-service. Impressed by Berryman’s impact,
Shields said
, “His technical skills in electrical systems have been vital and he has even provided electrical on-the-job training to some of our staff.”
The industry partnership between SkillBridge and TxDOT has been mutually beneficial, with TxDOT already employing an average of 13.6% new hires over the 2020-24 period. Chief Administrative Officer Richard McMonagle, a 25-year veteran of the Marine Corps himself, is testament to this synergy. “Although every day I use the planning, leadership, and decision-making skills that I learned in the Marine Corps, it is in preparing for [emergency] response operations where I really employ my operational experiences,”
McMonagle shared with TxDOT
. This approach not only assists veterans in their transition but also enriches TxDOT with a workforce that is well-versed in leadership and crisis management.
TxDOT’s Talent Acquisition Team is actively seeking military talent, participating in 20 to 25 events statewide annually. This effort aligns with their broader goal of cultivating a workforce with a minimum of 10% veterans, a goal they continue to exceed thanks to initiatives like SkillBridge. Programs like these support veterans, like McMonagle and Berryman, in their pursuit of civilian professions where they can still serve—a different kind of mission, yet one rooted in the same dedication and tenacity that their military roles demanded.
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