As a former Marine, I know all too well the heavy price paid by veterans in service to our country.
Military service exposes many people to some of the very best and worst that the world has to offer. Given their sacrifices, it’s never expected but always appreciated when someone or an organization does something to help out a veteran. It has never been lost on me how much our country does to help those who have served.
Since becoming a commercial drone pilot in 2017, I have had the opportunity to participate in numerous drone-related programs for veterans. I know a lot of former service members who are also drone pilots, and I am surprised that so many aren’t aware of the numerous programs available to help them out.
In this article, I’ll share some of the programs worth checking out. Even if you are not a veteran, you probably know someone who is or may want to support some of these worthy causes.
It’s Best to Have a Part 107
While some of the opportunities on this list do not require a Part 107 license, if you want to get the most out of these programs, you will eventually need one.
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Some programs will help you earn your Part 107 while others are more focused on expanding your existing business. The Part 107 is the FAA’s license that allows you to fly drones for profit. The test for the license costs $175 and covers a wide range of topics. Unless you are already familiar with the rules related to drones, reading aeronautical charts, and understanding METAR/TAF reports, you will probably need to take a course to learn the material.
There are several courses and study guides on the market. Some of the best are online and offered by Altitude University and the Pilot Institute. Both of these schools offer military and veteran discounts if you email them and ask. Other platforms, like King Schools, offer similar discounts.
Opportunities Worth Exploring
There are a lot of resources for veterans looking to enter or grow in the drone industry. These resources include government programs, non-profit organizations, and publicly traded companies.
There are numerous programs, but here are a few of my favorites:
- Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
- Wounded Warrior Project
- Semper Fi & America’s Fund
- Work Vessels for Vets
- Vets to Drones
- CSX Transportation
The VR&E program is a great place to start. If you are a veteran with service-connected disabilities, it can help you find employment or start your own business.
If you qualify for the self-employment track, the program offers business plan development, training and education, business supplies and equipment, financial assistance, and ongoing guidance and support.
I have met a few veterans who took advantage of this program and shared a lot of positive feedback. In one case, the veteran I spoke with was provided everything they needed to start their drone business, including a $15,000 drone.
The one downside of the program is the long wait to get in. When I last checked to see the backlog, it was over a year. If you are interested in the program, contact your Veterans Affairs (VA)benefits team to learn more.
One of my favorite Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) is Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). If it weren’t for this organization, I wouldn’t be here today.
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Of the many programs it offers to benefit veterans looking to become drone pilots is the Warriors to Work program. This program is designed to help veterans and their families find success in the civilian workforce.
For those looking to start a career in the drone industry, WWP provides training to earn your Part 107 license and, in some cases, even buy you your first drone. Additionally, the group provides the following services:
- Career counseling
- Veteran job placement assistance
- Résumé writing assistance
- Interview preparation
- Tools and education for salary negotiation
- Goal-setting assistance
- Military skills translation guidance
- Networking opportunities
The Semper Fi and America’s Fund started back in 2003 as the first wave of wounded U.S. Marines and Navy sailors returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom. Over the years, the fund expanded to support veterans of all services.
Today, the fund offers many different types of assistance to service members and their families, particularly those with life-altering injuries.
The fund’s education and career assistance program offers education assistance, books, fees, training, clothes for interviews, technology, and other equipment. Each case is different, so your specific situation will dictate what the organization can do for you, but I have known several veterans who were provided training and drones by the fund.
Work Vessels for Vets (WVFV) is another great organization. It has helped over 3,000 veterans since 2008, including myself.
WVFV is hyper-focused on awarding critical and adaptive equipment to injured veteran entrepreneurs. Unlike some entities, like the VA, which is slowed by red tape and policies, WVFV tries to move quickly to support qualified veterans.
If you are a disabled veteran and looking to start or grow a business, the process begins with sending WVFV a business plan. The plan doesn’t need to be overly complicated, but it does need to show you have thought out the business and could benefit from its support.
If the group believes it can help, it will work with you to provide whatever it is that makes the most sense for your business model and its resources. In my case, the WVFV supported me with drones and equipment that significantly expanded the capabilities of my drone service business.
If you are looking for free resources to learn more about the drone industry, check out Vets to Drones.
Graduates of the program are Part 107 certified and tested to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The organization assists in relief efforts by performing tasks like drone mapping after hurricanes, which can give you great hands-on experience as a pilot. It also works with other industry partners, exposing vets to a larger network within the drone industry.
A final resource worth looking into are private and public companies.
There are numerous firms out there already benefiting from UAVs. As the drone industry continues to expand, an increasing number of businesses are adopting drone technology. From drone deliveries to utility inspections, there are many companies out there using drones, and that means they are also interested in drone pilots.
If you see a company using drones, it probably has a program for bringing in new pilots. There is no harm in contacting the firm directly and seeing if it has a program for veterans or transitioning service members. Many companies do or are partnered with VSOs that help facilitate bringing on new pilots.
One such company is CSX Transportation.
If you are not familiar with CSX, it is a leading supplier of rail-based freight transportation in North America. Chances are you have seen many of its trains crisscrossing all over the country.
CSX has a “Pride in Service” program that is focused on helping military, veterans, and first responders. Through this program, it partners with VSOs like Wounded Warrior Project and Operation Homefront.
As a part of this program, CSX hosts hands-on drone training sessions for veterans. With a fleet of 200 drones and 400 pilots, the company knows what it’s doing. It is eager to share its knowledge and help veterans start a career in the drone industry, even if it is not with CSX.
The company’s commitment to service members looking to begin a career in the drone industry is one of the best examples out there. Reach out to learn more.
As you can see from this list, there are many resources out there for veterans interested in drones. The drone industry continues to grow each year, and now is the time to jump in and start benefiting from all drones have to offer.
To all veterans, thank you for your service, and good luck in all your drone endeavors.
FAQ
Do I need prior drone experience to qualify for veteran drone programs?
No, many programs are designed for beginners and provide training from the ground up.
Do these programs help with drone industry job placement?
Yes, several offer résumé assistance, networking, and direct job placement support.
Can I apply to more than one veteran drone support program at a time?
Yes, there’s no restriction against applying to multiple programs simultaneously.
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