Service members who are considering careers in the teaching profession have probably heard of the Troops to Teachers program. Now there is the Hire in Advance Program which guarantees active military members a teaching position up to three years before they separate/retire from service.

The Department of Defense/Department of Education program, provides a seamless transition from the military to the classroom while helping fill a growing teacher shortage. Working directly with the participating school district, Hire in Advance participants are interviewed and have their background and initial credentials reviewed up to three years before they plan to leave the military. If qualified, they will be guaranteed a position within the district. If they require additional education and/or teaching credentials, military members may do that prior to separating.

Assignment to a specific school is not guaranteed, but the agreement secures a job in the district at the credential-qualified grade level. A salary projection is also provided.

Individuals will receive a signed “Letter of Intent for Employment” a year to two years in advance outlining specific contingent requirements, such as testing and education requirements.

Troops to Teachers (TTT) was established in 1994 as a Department of Defense program. The National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2000 transferred the responsibility for program oversight and funding to the U.S. Department of Education but continued operation by the Department of Defense. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 provides for the continuation of the TTT Program. TTT is managed by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), Pensacola, Florida.