This week, CompTIA was invited to attend an event with Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) at the American Legion Hall in Alexandria, VA. Kaine has introduced his first piece of legislation since joining the Senate last fall, called the “Troop Talent Act of 2013,” and Duckworth introduced the companion bill in the House. They were there to share information about the bill and urge the veterans and industry supporters in the audience to ask members of the Armed Services Committees to support its passage either as a standalone or as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act.
The bill proposes to do three things:
- Improve translation of military skill-sets to civilian job descriptions and encourage military personnel to obtain industry certifications or licenses during their military careers that match their military occupational specialty training.
- Reestablish a committee at the Department of Veterans Affairs that provides oversight of the credentialing process to ensure quality and validity of credentials.
- Increase access to high-demand career fields for service members by expanding the current Department of Defense Pilot Program on IT Credentialing.
CompTIA is already a part of the DOD pilot program and welcomes this additional effort to get military personnel credentialed early in their careers and on the path to a great IT career if and when they choose to enter civilian life. We look forward to working with Kaine and Duckworth as this legislation advances.
