Troops to Teachers

“Proud to Serve Again”

By: John R. Gantt, PhD.

Troops to Teachers began in 1994 as a Department of Defense program to help career military personnel transition to another public-service career during the major drawdown of the active duty military forces in the mid-1990’s.  Based on the success of the program, legislation was introduced to continue the Troops to Teachers as a teacher recruitment program under the Department of Education.  Troops to Teachers became an effort to attract mid-career and retiring professionals into public education as teachers.  Since the program began, nearly 12,000 military veterans have begun new careers as teachers, approximately 25% of those teaching math or science at the middle or high school level.

Troops to Teachers is a teacher recruitment program with a network of 32 state offices. These offices were established to assist program participants to understand teacher certification requirements, routes to certification, and placement assistance.

A recent study concludes that Troops to Teachers brings to public education exactly what the nation has identified it needs:

• More men
• More minorities
• Teachers in high demand areas – inner cities
• Teachers in high demand subject areas – special education, math, science
• Well-educated teachers
• Competent teachers
• Teachers who believe all children can learn
• Teachers who value high standards for themselves as well as for students
• Committed teachers
• Teachers who plan to stay a while

A review of the data reveals that over 80% of “Troops” are men, 40% minorities, over two-thirds teach in high-need schools, 25% teach math or science, and the retention rate for those who began teaching five years ago is 75%.  In addition, these military veterans bring many of those “value added” skills that have proven to be excellent foundations for success in the classroom:dedication,commitment, determination, focus on mission accomplishment, personal discipline, leadership and ability succeed under stress.

“Troops” are mature, average age is 42, and are excellent role models, especially for those students who come from broken or troubled families.  Military personnel who enter the teaching profession bring a wealth of subject matter knowledge as well as practical experience.  Many of the “Troops” who teach math or science have advanced degrees in their field and are able to relate their subject to experiences from their military careers.  Pilots, submarine commanders, experts in missile technology, engineers, high tech communication and electronics specialists, and nuclear power specialists, represent a few of the backgrounds represented by “Troops” teachers.

Studies provide evidence “Troops” teachers are helping to address some of the needs of public education and are having a positive impact on student achievement.  They bring diversity to public school faculties along with a wealth of knowledge, experience, and relevant skills to the Nation’s classrooms.

Further confirmation that military veterans are highly effective teachers comes from the number of awards and recognition they receive.  William Mc Aleer, the current Chief of DANTES Troops To Teachers, attributes much of the program’s success of Troops to Teachers to the practice of a set of “core values”:  “Service above self; Integrity first; and Excellence in all I do.” TOC