Programs for Veterans

EMERG Workforce Development Program for U.S. Veterans

AMPP is committed to helping qualified and interested U.S. veterans receive the training and support they need to embark on a rewarding career in the corrosion and protective coatings industry. Through our Workforce Development Program, we provide career training through select training courses. The program offers a choice of three different training paths, up to a Level I certification, and reimbursement for any necessary travel and lodging during training.

AMPP training paths available in this program

  1. Path A – Coating Inspection

    First Course (eCourse): Fundamentals of Protective Coatings (C1) – eCourse

    Second Course (in-person): Coating Inspector Program Level 1 (CIP 1)

  2. Path B – Naval Coating Inspection

    First Course (eCourse): Fundamentals of Protective Coatings (C1) – eCourse

    Second Course (in-person): NAVSEA Basic Paint Inspector (NBPI)

  3. Path C – Cathodic Protection

    First Course (virtual): Basic Corrosion – Virtual

    Second Course (optional eCourse): Cathodic Protection Fundamentals: Math & Electricity eCourse

    Third Course (in-person): Cathodic Protection 1 – Tester (CP1)

Eligibility requirements

Veterans who meet the eligibility requirements can submit an application for consideration.

Minimum Education: Candidates must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.

Non-Certified In Corrosion: Applications received from candidates who currently hold an AMPP (NACE or SSPC) certification will not be considered.

Military Veteran, “Short” Active Service Members, National Guardsmen, or Reservists: Candidates must fall into one of the following categories, and must meet all requirements as outlined.

EMERG training for veterans

Applying for the Workforce Development Program

AMPP is accepting and processing candidate applications for the Workforce Development Program. The number of participants accepted per enrollment period is subject to availability of funds, and AMPP reserves the right to close and restart enrollment for the Workforce Development Program at any time.

Requirements How to submit an application Become a mentor Community of interest

How to submit an application

Individuals who meet all of the eligibility requirements as outlined in their appropriate category will have the opportunity to submit an application for the Workforce Development Program. All candidates are required to submit a completed application, including all requested documentation, prior to being considered for the program. Incomplete applications will not be submitted for review by the Selection Committee.

Start Your Application

Application requirements

  • Completed Application
  • Two Reference Letters- Two (2) signed letters of references from commanding officers, employers, or colleagues
  • Category-Specific Documents
    Please select appropriate category below and include required document(s) and/or proof of veteran status
U.S. Military Veteran Discharged from Active Service

DD-214 Form (long, unedited version) with Character of Service

Current National Guardsmen or Reservists

DD-214 Form (long, unedited version) with Character of Service

“Short” Active Service Members

Separate letter from Commanding Officer (with signature) which includes the following information:

  1. Candidate’s Anticipated Separation Date
  2. Candidate’s Anticipated Character of Service
  3. Candidate’s Current Military Grade, Rate or Rank
  4. Candidate’s Current Pay Grade

Submitting your application

  1. Click the “Sign Up” button to create an account to begin the application process.
  2. Complete the General Application (part 1) and select the “Workforce Development Program” under Program Applications.
  3. Once you complete the General Application, you will be redirected to complete the Workforce Development Program application (part 2).
  4. Complete the Workforce Development Program application, and upload all required documents (DD-214, 2 letters of recommendation, etc.).
  5. Click the “Finish and Submit” button to submit your application.

Application review process

Completed applications, including all requested documentation, will be forwarded to the review group for consideration. In some cases, it may be necessary to obtain further information from a candidate prior to a determination about acceptance into the program. We will notify all applicants via email, regardless of outcome.

In the event a candidate is not selected for participation, their completed application for the Workforce Development Program will be held on file for future consideration for up to one review period. If a candidate’s application is denied a second time, a new application from the candidate will be required for future consideration.

*Our objective is to assist veterans in developing a skillset that will enable them to independently pursue a successful career beyond the military. While it is the expectation to provide every possible service to each candidate, AMPP is in no way making a guarantee of employment upon completion of the Workforce Development Program. It is ultimately the responsibility of each candidate to use the training, opportunities, tools, and information provided to secure employment.

Become a mentor

Interested in becoming a mentor?

Your knowledge and experience of the corrosion and protective coatings industry can assist veterans with their transition into a rewarding and recession-proof career.

Mentor responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

  1. Sharing your expertise and experience of the corrosion and protective coatings industry with veterans, while offering firsthand knowledge and advice on possible career paths and expectations.
  2. Providing veterans with opportunities to network with other industry professionals, AMPP members, and/or potential employers, including but not limited to attending AMPP Chapter meetings, AMPP conferences and events, and field site visits.
  3. Communicating regularly with veteran to monitor progress during and after program participation and providing periodic updates on veteran’s progress to EMERG staff.

If you are interested in mentoring a veteran in our Workforce Development Program, please download and complete the application below, and return to emerg@ampp.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

 Join the AMPP U.S. Military, Government Civilian & Veterans Community of Interest

An AMPP Community of Interest (COI) is a group of individuals with a common shared interest, either technical or social. The U.S. Military, Government Civilian & Veterans COI is a platform for active-duty members and veterans of the U.S. military, as well as government civilians, to connect with peers who are active in the coatings and corrosion industry. This is a space for members with similar backgrounds, who are new to the industry and would best relate to you all to be successful in their line of work. There will be open-ended discussion threads, Q&A opportunities, and a space to share upcoming events that may appeal to members of this community. We hope that you can take time to connect with peers on this platform, consider mentoring others and invite anyone who you think will find value here. Thank you all for your service to our country, past and present, and for continuing to support our industry with your expertise.

Get Involved

U.S. Military Veteran Discharged from Active Service

  • Candidates who fall under this category have served full-time as a member of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard.
  • Individuals who enlisted on or before September 7, 1980 must have served on Active Duty at least 180 continuous days, not including time spent training, to be considered a full time veteran. (DD-214, Item 12.c.). Individuals with less than 180 continuous days may apply if the individual was medically discharged for a service-connected disability. (DD-214, Item 28).
  • Individuals who enlisted after September 8, 1980 must have served at least 24 continuous months on Active Duty, not including time spent training, to be considered a full-time veteran. Candidates who do not meet the minimum length of service of 24 months requirement will not be considered for participation in the program. (DD-214, Item 12.c.)
  • Veterans who meet the requirements outlined in this section must have an “Honorable” Characterization of Service (DD-214, Item 24) to be eligible to apply for the program.
  • Application Requirements: U.S. military veterans must submit a program application, 2 letters of references, and their DD Form 214 separation papers.

Current National Guardsmen or Reservists

  • Candidates who fall under this category currently serve in one of the following: The Army National Guard of the United States, The Army Reserve, The Navy Reserve, The Marine Corps Reserve, The Air National Guard of the United States, The Air Force Reserve, and The Coast Guard Reserve.
  • To be eligible to apply for the program, individuals currently enlisted in the National Guard or Reserves must have a DD Form 214 proving that the individual has served at least 180 continuous days of Active Duty service, not including time spent training, in an area for which the individual received combat tax exemption, imminent danger pay, hostile fire pay, a campaign badge. Current members of the National Guard or Reserves will have received a DD Form 214 only if they have been activated into Active Duty and completed deployment.
  • Guard or Reserves members with less than 180 continuous days may apply if the individual was medically discharged for a service-connected disability. (DD-214, Item 28).
  • National Guardsmen or Reservists who meet the requirements outlined in this section must have an “Honorable” Character of Service (DD-214, Item 24) to be eligible to apply for the program (DD-214, Item 12.b.).
  • Application Requirements: National Guardsmen or Reservists must submit a program application, 2 letters of references, and their DD Form 214 separation papers.
  • Candidates must also include a schedule of commitments, or “Drill Schedule,” for the next full year, including training dates that are held “one weekend a month, two weeks a year”.

“Short” Active Service Members

  • A candidate who falls under this category is currently serving in active duty but is approaching his or her expiration of term of service (ETS) date. To be eligible to apply for the program, individuals currently serving in the armed forces must be formally separated and/or discharged within 180 days of application for the program.
  • Application Requirements: Candidates who fall under this category must submit a program application and 2 letters of references. In place of a DD Form 214, candidates must also submit a signed letter from his or her commanding officer (CO) that includes the following information about the candidate:
    1. Candidate’s Anticipated Separation Date
    2. Candidate’s Anticipated Character of Service (e.g. Honorable, General (Under Honorable Conditions), Other Than Honorable, Dishonorable, etc.)
    3. Candidate’s Current Military Grade, Rate or Rank
    4. Candidate’s Current Pay Grade