JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Veterans with the Wounded Warrior Project are learning on how to become drone pilots as part of a collaboration with CSX Railroad Transportation to diversify job opportunities and employ more veterans.
At a recent drone training session for FAA certification, one veteran told News4JAX this program is opening new doors.
“It’s just another way to get into flying,” said retired veteran Rich Possert, who is eager to get his license.
Training typically takes six to eight weeks but can vary per person.
“I’ve always been fascinated with flying, and I was on ships all 23 years that I was in the military. Never got the chance to fly or learn how to fly and when I was retired, I was a little too old,” Possert said.
Now, he and dozens of other Wounded Warriors veterans from across the country are getting that chance.
CSX is leading the training at its Moncrief Yard in partnership with the WWP to help veterans take a shot at jobs that work well with their prior military experience.
“Our partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project to have this ‘Warrior to Work’ drone certification training program really is about helping the veterans in our community who are served by the Wounded Warrior Project to get the training and experience they need to help them make that transition from their military background to the civilian workforce,” said Bryan Tucker with CSX.
According to the Department of Labor, the veteran unemployment rate sits at 3.0%.
Possert said transitioning out of the military and into the workforce is extremely challenging.
“Transitioning is something that we’re still constantly improving in the veteran service sphere. It’s one of the hardest things,” Possert said.
With trainings like the CSX partnership that open diverse job opportunities, Possert believes veterans will not just get by but soar.