Richard Reynolds, Cisco Coordinator and instructor, was recruited to implement the Transition Training Academy (TTA), a Wounded Warrior Project, for the local military community. The Academy provides innovative Information Technology training for veterans who have been wounded or injured on active duty in Afghanistan or Iraq, and who face unique challenges as they transition to civilian life. The goal of the Academy is to provide Information Technology skills and assist the veterans in gaining employment after they leave military service. The Academy was featured on ABC Nightly News on Veterans Day.

Academy courses include networking, computer and software support and Small Office Home Office (SOHO) network design and installation. The course design, content, and delivery process are customized to accommodate the veterans’ physical disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.

As of October 2008 over 200 warriors have graduated from the program. Although many of them remain in the medical facilities continuing to heal, two-thirds of them have found employment in the private sector or returned to service in an IT related position.  Plans for 2009 include expansion of the program to additional locations across the USA.

Each graduate is awarded a laptop computer to aid in their schoolwork, job search and civilian careers in addition to facilitating contact with family and friends.  This ‘basic tool’ is a tremendous motivator which further reinforces our country’s faith in their future and ability to overcome the obstacles they now face as they make every effort to support themselves and their families.

The TTA is a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL), Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, Cisco, the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).