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Military Services

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BUILDING CAREERS FOR THOSE WHO SERVED
EMPOWERING TRANSITIONING MILITARY AND VETERANS

HBI creates career pathways in the skilled trades for transitioning service members, Veterans, spouses, and dependents. Through our no-cost training programs, we help those who served prepare for a successful civilian career outside of the traditional GI Bill path.

Eligible participants include transitioning service members with command approval, as well as Veterans, Military spouses, and dependents.
Enrollment Inquiry
BUILDING CAREERS FOR THOSE WHO SERVED
  • DoD SkillBridge Program partner
  • 12-week, cost-free training
  • Carpentry and electrical pathways
  • Hands-on instruction and industry-recognized certifications
  • Job placement support and career coaching
  • No GI Bill or military funding required
HBI SKILLBRIDGE LOCATIONS
  • Camp Pendleton, CA
  • Fort Carson, CO
  • Fort Bliss, TX
  • Fort Hood, TX
  • Fort Riley, KS
  • Fort Campbell, TN
  • Fort Bragg, NC
  • Fort Stewart, GA
  • Norfolk, VA
  • Jacksonville, FL*
*HVAC also available
ADDITIONAL NON-SKILLBRIDGE

HBI is a member of the DoD Skillbridge Program. With the approval of their chain of command, transitioning service members in each region served by an HBI training facility can participate in the cost-free 12-week program. No military or GI Bill funding is required as part of the Department of Defense (DoD) SkillBridge program. During the program, service members experience hands-on training, earn professional certifications, and receive job placement support. Prior to enrolling in the DoD SkillBridge Transitioning Military Program, service members complete an interview with HBI staff.

All 10 SkillBridge sites offer a 12-week carpentry/electrical program.

Connect with our Military Services team
Download our Military program flyer
Military Services Video
From Service to Skilled Careers

HBI’s Transitioning Military & Veterans Program helps service members, veterans, and military families successfully transition to civilian careers in the skilled trades.

Through the DoD SkillBridge Program, eligible participants can enroll in a cost-free, 12-week carpentry and electrical training program that includes hands-on instruction, industry certifications, job readiness training, and career placement support.

In partnership with organizations such as The Home Depot Foundation and Habitat for Humanity, HBI connects military families to rewarding careers while helping meet the nation’s growing demand for skilled construction professionals.

Interested in becoming an employer partner for our Military Services grads? Let’s connect! 

THANKS TO
OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS

Home Depot Foundation
Florida Commerce Logo - Nearby Opportunities HBI Partner

The transitioning military programs located at Crestview Career Center, Jacksonville Career Center, and the BuildStrong Academy of Orlando are sponsored by HBI and the State of Florida, Department of Economic Opportunity.

Trades and What You’ll Learn

HBI CARPENTRY MILITARY

CARPENTRY:

  • Building walls, installing floor and ceiling joist.
  • Installing roof rafters and trusses.
  • Installing roof decking and shingles.
  • Insulating, weatherstripping, and caulking.
  • Install doors, windows, and more.
HBI electrical Military

ELECTRICAL:

  • Installing circuit panels.
  • Installing electrical conduit and wiring for homes and commercial sites.
  • Cabling.
  • Installing switches, receptacles, and lighting fixtures.
  • Systems testing and repair and more.

HBI Military & Veteran Services

2026 Cohort Schedule - Carpentry & Electrical

HBI will match students with a class schedule that aligns to the date of separation from the military and to the prospective student’s career goals. The program is open to transitioning service members, military veterans, and military dependents.

The Carpentry/Electrical curriculum is available at all 10 Military and Veteran Services locations.

An interview with the HBI staff is required before enrollment.

CLASS MONTHSTART DATEEND DATE
January 202601/05/202603/27/2026
February 202602/17/202605/08/2026
April 202604/06/202606/26/2026
May 202605/18/202608/07/2026
July 202607/06/202609/25/2026
August 202608/17/202611/06/2026
October 202610/05/202612/23/2026
November 202611/16/202602/12/2027
January 202701/04/202703/26/2027

HBI Military & Veteran Services

2026 Cohort Schedule - HVAC

HBI will match students with a class schedule that aligns to the date of separation from the military and to the prospective student’s career goals. The program is open to transitioning service members, military veterans, and military dependents.

Please note that HVAC is only available at the Jacksonville, FL Career Center.

An interview with the HBI staff is required before enrollment.

CLASS MONTHSTART DATEEND DATE
January 202601/05/202603/27/2026
April 202604/06/202606/26/2026
July 202607/06/202609/25/2026
October 202610/05/202612/23/2026
January 202701/04/202703/26/2027

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Charles Records

HBI Graduate

Charles Records, originally from Pennsylvania, joined the U.S. Army at 18, taking him in a different direction. While transitioning to civilian life at Fort Hood, Texas, he discovered HBI’s electrical training program and applied. Since graduating, he has built a career with a local company in Central Texas. Passionate about the trades, he hopes to one day teach or start his own business.

“HBI gave me the opportunity to follow my passion and build a career I love.”

Find A Military Program
MARIO GONZALEZ

Vice President of Workforce Training & Employment

Mario joined HBI as a Regional Career Development Coordinator of HBI’s Military Services in 2019 and was promoted to Associate Vice President of WTE Community & Corrections Programs in 2022.
Now serving as Vice president of WTE (2024), he oversees the daily operations of HBI’s WTE Community & Corrections, Military Services, & Academies programs, working with partners to advance HBI’s expansion and enhance job placement opportunities for graduates. Mario serves as the liaison between HBI and external stakeholders to include military installations. He ensures successful outcomes for HBI graduates from transitioning service members & veterans to justice involved adults & youths. Internally, he provides strategic operational perspective to HBI’s senior leadership team. Prior to joining HBI, Mario served for 21 years in the U.S. Army across multiple locations globally & nationally and has an MBA from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN. Mario resides in Tennessee with his wife and children and spends time in Texas where his mother, adult children, and grandchildren reside. He enjoys the outdoors and serving in his community. 
JOSEPH F. LANDERS

Executive Officer of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts

Joseph F. Landers, 71, is the Executive Officer of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Massachusetts having assumed that role in 2018 with a mandate from the Board of Directors to harmonize the five MA local associations, increase communications from the state to the membership, increase the public profile of the association,

create a path to financial stability and elevate the states lobbying efforts. Prior to taking on the challenging state association role, Joe was Chief Executive Officer and founder of Customized Structures Inc., a custom manufacturer of single-family, multi-family and commercial modular and panelized structures which began operations in 1984. Joe has been involved in the building industry, both site-built and factory-built, since 1973 and has worked in all phases of construction from development through design and production including on site management and sales. Customized Structures produced on average 330 single family homes per year, had an employee base as high as 180 and was known as the innovator in the production and design of modular components.

After the sale of Customized Structures Inc. to a private equity firm in 2003 Joe remained on the Board of Directors of the Company and functioned as a consultant to the CEO. He further took on the role of helping failing building systems companies return to profitability and successfully oversaw the sale of those companies. Mr. Landers has lectured frequently on the benefits and utilization of systems-built construction to building professionals around the country and has utilized his substantial professional and industry background to provide consultation services to both national and foreign companies interested in the processes and pitfalls of building and developing utilizing building systems components.

Joe attended Northeastern University and St. Anselm’s College graduating with a B.S. in 1972. 

Joe has been a member of the National Association of Home Builders since 1974. He is past president of two local Home Builders Associations and has served two terms as President of the  State of NH Home Builders Association. Joe is also a past president of the Modular Building  Systems Council of the NAHB, has been Chairman of the National Building Systems Council (BSC)  and has served five terms as a Trustee of the BSC during which time he created the BSC logo and  wrote the brochure “Most Frequently Asked Questions about Modular Homes”. 

In 1989, Joe received the National Pacesetter Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership  and contribution to the housing industry and in 1991 was awarded the title of Builder of the Year  by the Home Builders Association of N.H. In 1992 he was appointed by the Governor to the NH  Board of Fire Control within the Department of Safety and since then was reappointed three times.  He has served as a member on the State of New Hampshire Building Code Review Board and was  appointed by the Governor of NH to the Shore Land Protection Commission. Joe was selected to  receive the 2000 S. A. Walters Chairman’s Award, the premier award in the U.S. Systems Built  Housing Industry and was installed to the New Hampshire Housing Hall of Fame for his significant  and lasting contributions to the housing industry in the State of New Hampshire.  

Joe is a Senior Life Director of the National Association of Home Builders; he is served six terms on the NAHB Budget & Finance Committee serving as Vice Chair for four of those years, he has served  as Chairman of the Resolutions Committee, the International Housing Committee and the Building  Products Issues Committee of NAHB serving on the NAHB Executive Committee multiple times. 

In 2001 Joe was elected an Area Vice President of the National Association of Home Builders  representing builders through out the northeast. 

Joe is active in his community having served as finance chairmen of his church, is a member of the  International Order of Odd Fellows, and has served on multiple boards and committees on a  volunteer basis.  

Joe and his wife, Denise, reside in Plymouth, MA, they have two children, Jessica and Brad and two  grandchildren, Lily and Jack ages 13 and 11. 

Seth Appleton

President of U.S. Mortgage Insurers

The Honorable Seth Appleton is President of U.S. Mortgage Insurers. In this role, he leads USMI’s efforts to enable sustainable access to affordable mortgage credit for borrowers while protecting taxpayers. Seth previously served as President of MISMO, the real estate finance industry’s standards organization. Prior to that, Seth served as the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research at the U.S.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),
a position for which he was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. In addition to his service as Assistant Secretary, Seth concurrently served as the Principal Executive Vice President of Ginnie Mae, a government corporation guaranteeing the timely payment of
principal and interest on more than $2 trillion in mortgage-backed securities.

Before joining HUD, Seth worked on Capitol Hill, including serving as Chief of Staff for U.S. Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer for more than eight years. A native of Missouri, Seth is a graduate of Stanford University and is a co-chair of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Housing Council. 

Zach Harris

BuildStrong Academy of Greater New Orleans Graduate

Zach Harris is a native New Orleans resident, two-time graduate of Tulane University and a 27-year-old construction entrepreneur. Zach comes from a family of builders and grew up around real estate and residential construction. In fact, Zach enrolled in no-cost trades training at the BuildStrong Academy of Greater New Orleans with his mother in 2022, followed by his father and two brothers in 2023.

Zach Harris - HBI Build Strong Academy New Orleans Graduate

His construction company, Zach the Builder, crafts safer New Orleans homes via reliable roofing services. “The Academy classes cater to different experience levels and different interests. I had the construction business experience but needed to understand the craft,” says Zach. “You can’t be a great coach if you haven’t played football before.”

Outside of running his company, Zach enjoys using his in-demand skill set to give back to the community. To commemorate Memorial Day 2023, Zach and other students and graduates from BSA Greater New Orleans volunteered to help build a home for a veteran in the Lower 9th Ward.

2023 MVP Class Schedule
2023 MVP Class Schedule - HVAC