Transitioning from military to civilian life poses unique challenges, especially when translating military experience and training into terms that resonate with civilian employers. The DD Form 2586, titled "Verification of Military Experience and Training," serves as a critical tool in this process. It documents the service member's personal details, including name and pay grade, alongside the years of service, specific military service and component, and a comprehensive record of their training and experience history, arranged in reverse chronological order. Updated in January 2010 and requiring Adobe Professional 8.0 for access, the VMET ensures that the broad and varied skills gained in military service are accurately captured and presented in a format that can facilitate the transition to civilian employment. By providing a standardized document that outlines a service member's qualifications, the VMET acts as a bridge between military and civilian employment, promoting a smoother adjustment for veterans seeking to apply their skills and expertise in the civilian workforce.
The VMET document records your personal information, pay grade, branch of service, and a detailed training history listed in reverse chronological order. Each entry in your experience and training history includes the military occupational specialty, the dates of service in that role, and the civilian equivalent job titles that correspond to your military duties. The document also captures any formal education, certificates, and training programs you completed during your service. This information allows civilian employers, particularly federal agencies and defense contractors, to evaluate your qualifications without specialized knowledge of military ranks or occupational codes. Training certificates listed in the VMET can also support applications for professional licenses and help verify your education and certifications in civilian job markets.
Active duty service members and veterans can access and download the VMET document through the milConnect portal, maintained by the Defense Manpower Data Center. You will need a DoD Common Access Card (CAC) or a DS Logon to access the system. Once you are logged in, navigate to the Education and Training section to view and download your documents. If your VMET document is not yet available, it may be because your transition processing has not been completed. In that case, contact your unit's transition office for assistance. Guard and Reserve members may experience a processing delay of several weeks after their separation date before the document becomes available for download.
Once you have your VMET, you can use it alongside your resume and cover letter when applying for civilian positions. Many job listings, particularly in government and defense industries, ask for documentation of your military experience and training. A career transition counselor can help you interpret the civilian equivalent information in the document and build resume bullet points that highlight your transferable skills. Some states accept the VMET as supporting documentation for professional license applications and for education transcripts verification. Keep a copy of your VMET stored securely and provide it to any employer that requests verification of your military background during your job search.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | Dd Form 2586 |
| Form Length | 1 pages |
| Fillable? | No |
| Fillable fields | 0 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 15 sec |
| Other names | dd2586, dd form 2586, dd form 2586 pdf, dd 2586 |