Every Veteran's situation is different, but the steps below cover what almost everyone in St. Louis needs to do — and where to get free help.
Your DD-214 proves your service. Request a free copy from the National Archives if you don't have one.
Request DD-214 (eVetRecs) →Healthcare enrollment is the foundation for most benefits. Most post-9/11 Veterans qualify automatically under the PACT Act.
Apply online — VA Form 10-10EZ →Service-connected conditions can be compensated monthly. A free accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) makes the process much easier.
Start a claim →Post-9/11 GI Bill, Vocational Rehab (Chapter 31), and Survivor benefits can cover tuition, housing, and books.
Compare GI Bill benefits →American Legion, VFW, DAV, and Missouri Veterans Commission file claims for you at no cost. Use the official VA Accredited Representative Finder to search by ZIP for VSOs, claims agents, and attorneys recognized by the VA.
VA Accredited Rep / VSO Finder →Tech pays well, hires remote, and welcomes Veterans. Below is a curated stack of funded programs, coding bootcamps, cybersecurity academies, and St. Louis–local options — most are free or fully covered by your VA benefits.
Get VA-approved: enroll in VA Healthcare and confirm your GI Bill / VET TEC / VR&E eligibility on VA.gov.
Pick a track: IT Support → Cybersecurity → Cloud → Software is the most common ladder. Start where your interest and aptitude meet.
Stack a free credential first (Google IT Support, FedVTE Security+, or AWS Cloud Practitioner) — it proves commitment and unlocks scholarships.
Apply to a funded program (VET TEC, MSSA, SANS VetSuccess, Code Platoon). Most have rolling admissions every 4–8 weeks.
Build a portfolio: 2–3 GitHub projects, a LinkedIn profile flagged 'Open to Work — Veteran', and a one-page resume translated out of MOS-speak.
Network locally: LaunchCode meetups, STL Tech Slack, VetsInTech events, and the American Legion Post 770 (St. Louis) tech committee.
Use Hiring Our Heroes Career Forward & DOD SkillBridge for paid 6-month internships at major tech employers in your last months of service.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
VA-funded high-tech training in software development, computer science, data processing, info science, and media application. Does NOT use your GI Bill entitlement.
VA
Use 36 months of benefits at any VA-approved tech bootcamp, university CS program, or apprenticeship. Yellow Ribbon Program covers private-school overages.
VA
If you have a VA disability rating and an employment barrier, VR&E can fully fund retraining into tech, plus tools, laptops, and a monthly subsistence allowance.
State of Missouri
Combat Veterans who served after 9/11 pay no more than $50/credit at any Missouri public university — stacks with the GI Bill.
Microsoft
Cloud development, server & cloud admin, cybersecurity, data engineering, or AI/ML tracks. Guaranteed interview with Microsoft or 400+ hiring partners.
Salesforce Military
Become a Salesforce Admin or Developer. Vetforce covers exam fees and connects you with hiring partners across the Salesforce ecosystem.
Google + Hiring Our Heroes / Onward to Opportunity
IT Support, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, UX Design, Project Management, IT Automation w/ Python. Industry-recognized, no degree required.
Syracuse University IVMF
Career training and certifications in IT, cybersecurity (CompTIA Security+, CySA+), cloud (AWS), PMP, Lean Six Sigma, customer service, and HR.
VetsInTech (national)
Full-stack web dev, cybersecurity, cloud, and data science bootcamps designed exclusively for Veterans. Strong employer network.
Operation Code (501c3)
Nonprofit helping Veterans break into software engineering — mentorship, study groups, and scholarships to partner bootcamps.
Code Platoon (501c3)
Veteran-only full-stack coding bootcamp (Python, JavaScript, React). Career services and a strong Veteran alumni hiring network.
Sabio
Approved provider for GI Bill and VET TEC. .NET / C# / React full-stack development.
Galvanize
Immersive software engineering and data science. Yellow Ribbon participant for tuition coverage.
CISA / DHS
800+ hours of cybersecurity training — CISSP, CEH, Security+, malware analysis, incident response. Free CompTIA exam prep included.
SANS Institute
Elite cybersecurity training plus GIAC certifications (GSEC, GCIH, GCIA). Highly competitive, leads directly to cybersecurity jobs.
U.S. Chamber Hiring Our Heroes
Free training from Cisco, AWS, Palo Alto, ISC², and others. Direct pipeline to cybersecurity employers.
Amazon Web Services
Cloud computing training for people with little or no tech experience. Prepares you for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and entry-level cloud jobs.
LaunchCode
St. Louis-born nonprofit. Free coding education plus a paid apprenticeship-to-hire program with 500+ regional employers. Veteran-friendly intake.
Claim Academy (St. Louis)
Java, .NET/C#, JavaScript, and cybersecurity tracks. STL-based with local employer placement.
STLCC
IT Support, Cybersecurity, Cloud, Networking, and Programming credentials with on-campus Veterans Services.
University of Missouri–St. Louis
NSA-designated Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. Dedicated Veterans Center on campus.
WashU McKelvey School of Engineering
Part-time evening/weekend bootcamps run with edX. Career services and STL employer network.
