Jobs for Veterans with Criminal Records (2026)

VR&E (also called Chapter 31 or Vet Success) is one of the most valuable but underused VA programs for veterans with criminal records.

What VR&E provides: Comprehensive assessment of your skills, interests, and employment barriers. Individualized rehabilitation plan. Job training, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training. College or trade school tuition (independent of the GI Bill). Resume writing and interview preparation. Job placement assistance. Tools, equipment, and supplies needed for employment. Self-employment support for qualifying veterans. Monthly subsistence allowance while in the program.

Who is eligible: Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% (with an employment barrier) or 20% (automatic eligibility for evaluation). Active-duty service members expecting a medical discharge. Criminal records do not disqualify you from VR&E. The program is specifically designed to help veterans overcome employment barriers, including those caused by criminal history.

How VR&E addresses criminal records: Your VR&E counselor can help you navigate criminal record barriers. They can identify employers and industries that are veteran-friendly and flexible about criminal history. They can connect you with legal services for expungement. They can help frame your military experience and rehabilitation positively to employers. They can fund training for careers where your specific criminal record is less of a barrier.

How to apply: Apply online at VA.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation. Call 1-800-827-1000. Visit your nearest VA Regional Office.

VR&E is separate from the GI Bill. You can use both programs (though not simultaneously). VR&E has no time limit for application -- you can apply years after discharge. The program is worth approximately $50,000-$100,000+ in services, training, and education over the course of participation.

Veterans receive significant hiring preferences in government employment, even with criminal records:

Federal veteran preference: Under federal law, eligible veterans receive a 5-point or 10-point preference in competitive federal hiring. Disabled veterans receive the strongest preference (10 points). Veterans with 30%+ disability can be hired non-competitively (direct hire without competing against other applicants). This is a massive advantage.

Federal hiring and criminal records: Federal agencies conduct background checks, and criminal records are considered. However, the federal government follows the "ban the box" policy -- criminal history questions are not asked on the initial application. The background check comes later in the process. Agencies must consider the nature of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation. Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from federal employment (with the exception of certain positions requiring security clearances).

USAJOBS: All federal jobs are listed at usajobs.gov. Filter by "Veterans" to find positions where your preference applies. Your DD-214 documents your veteran status for hiring preference purposes.

State veteran preference: Nearly every state provides some form of hiring preference for veterans in state government employment. The details vary by state -- some add points to exam scores, others provide interview guarantees, and some require that veterans be hired over equally qualified non-veterans.

Military and veteran employer programs: Many private employers have formal veteran hiring programs. Companies like Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, USAA, Walmart, and hundreds of others have pledged to hire veterans. The Joining Forces initiative (joinforces.gov) connects veterans with participating employers.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC): Employers who hire veterans (especially those with service-connected disabilities or who have been unemployed long-term) can receive federal tax credits of $2,400-$9,600 per veteran hired. This creates a financial incentive for employers to hire you.

Your military training and experience translate to many civilian careers. Here is how to leverage your service:

Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) translation: Use tools like Military.com's Skills Translator, O*NET (onetonline.org), or the VA's career exploration tool to translate your MOS into equivalent civilian job titles and careers. For example: 11B Infantryman translates to security, law enforcement (in some states), project management, logistics. 68W Combat Medic translates to EMT, paramedic, healthcare. 25B IT Specialist translates to IT support, network administration, cybersecurity. 88M Motor Transport translates to CDL truck driver, logistics, fleet management.

Trades and construction: Veterans with combat engineering, construction, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or mechanical MOSs have skills that directly translate to well-paying civilian trade jobs. Programs like Helmets to Hardhats specifically connect veterans to union apprenticeships in construction trades. Many trade unions give veterans credit for military training, reducing apprenticeship time.

Security and law enforcement: Military experience is valued in private security, corporate security, executive protection, and some law enforcement agencies. Note: some law enforcement agencies have restrictions for felony convictions, but many private security firms are more flexible.

CDL and trucking: Veterans with military driving experience (88M or equivalent) can obtain a CDL with reduced training requirements under the Military Skills Test Waiver. Many trucking companies actively recruit veterans and are open to hiring those with criminal records. See our CDL guide for more details.

IT and cybersecurity: Military IT and communications MOSs translate directly to civilian IT careers. Programs like VetSec and Hiring Our Heroes provide free cybersecurity training and certifications (CompTIA Security+, CISSP, etc.) for veterans.

Healthcare: Military medics, corpsmen, and healthcare specialists can pursue civilian healthcare careers. Many states have expedited licensing for military healthcare workers. VA VR&E can fund additional training needed to meet civilian certification requirements.

These organizations provide free employment assistance to veterans, including those with criminal records:

Hire Heroes USA (hireheroesusa.org): Free career coaching, resume writing, interview preparation, and job placement for all veterans and military spouses. Hire Heroes has helped over 75,000 veterans find jobs. They work with justice-involved veterans and understand the challenges of job searching with a criminal record. All services are completely free.

American Corporate Partners (acp-usa.org): Free mentorship program that pairs veterans with corporate professionals for career guidance. Mentors come from companies like Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, Amazon, and others. The mentorship lasts 12 months and covers career planning, networking, resume review, and professional development. ACP does not screen for criminal records.

Helmets to Hardhats (helmetstohardhats.org): Connects veterans to career training and employment opportunities in the construction trades. Partners with building trade unions to provide apprenticeships in electrical, plumbing, carpentry, ironwork, sheet metal, and other trades. Union apprenticeships provide paid training (you earn while you learn), health benefits, and pension. Many construction trades are more forgiving of criminal records.

Veterans Inc. (veteransinc.org): Comprehensive employment services including job readiness training, resume assistance, job placement, and career counseling. Specifically serves homeless and at-risk veterans, including justice-involved veterans.

Center for America (centerforamerica.org): Works with major employers to create jobs for veterans. Focuses on matching military skills with civilian job requirements.

Team Rubicon (teamrubiconusa.org): Uses veteran skills for disaster response. Provides leadership opportunities, skills training, and community service that builds resumes and networks.

DOL Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS): The Department of Labor's VETS program provides employment services, job training, and career counseling through American Job Centers. Find your nearest center at careeronestop.org.

Many well-paying jobs (especially in defense, government contracting, IT, and intelligence) require security clearances. Here is how criminal records affect clearances:

Can you get a security clearance with a criminal record? It depends on the offense, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation. Minor offenses (especially those that are old and isolated) do not automatically disqualify you. More serious offenses (felonies, drug trafficking, espionage) are more problematic. There is no absolute bar based on criminal history for most clearance levels -- each case is evaluated individually.

Factors the adjudicator considers: Nature and seriousness of the offense. How long ago it occurred. Your age at the time of the offense. Circumstances surrounding the offense. Whether it was an isolated incident or part of a pattern. Evidence of rehabilitation (completion of treatment programs, employment stability, community involvement). Honesty on the application (lying about your record is worse than the record itself).

Dishonorable discharge and clearances: A dishonorable discharge makes security clearance extremely difficult but not technically impossible. OTH and bad conduct discharges are evaluated case by case.

Practical advice: Always be completely honest on the SF-86 (security clearance application). Dishonesty or omission is grounds for automatic denial and can result in criminal charges. Get a copy of your criminal record before applying so you can report it accurately. Consider consulting with a security clearance attorney if you have a complex criminal history.

Jobs that do NOT require security clearances: Many excellent veteran-friendly careers do not require clearances -- trades (electrician, plumber, welder, HVAC), CDL/trucking, IT (many private sector positions), healthcare, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship.

Commercial truck driving is one of the best career paths for veterans with criminal records. The pay is good ($50,000-$85,000+ first year), the industry is desperate for drivers, and many companies actively hire people with records.

Military Skills Test Waiver: If you held a military MOS that involved operating heavy vehicles (88M, 88H, or equivalent), you can obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) through the Military Skills Test Waiver. This waives the CDL skills test (backing, driving) in most states. You still need to pass the written knowledge test and medical exam.

VA-funded CDL training: VA VR&E (Chapter 31) can fund CDL training programs if truck driving is part of your rehabilitation plan. The GI Bill (Chapter 33) can also pay for approved CDL training programs. Many CDL schools are approved for VA education benefits.

Free CDL programs for veterans: Several programs offer free CDL training specifically for veterans. Troops to Truckers and similar programs provide training, job placement, and support. Schneider National, Werner Enterprises, and CRST International all have veteran CDL training programs with job guarantees.

Criminal records and trucking: The trucking industry is more flexible about criminal records than many other industries. Most companies will not hire for violent felonies, sex offenses, or theft convictions within the past 3-5 years. But many DUI offenses (after a waiting period), drug possession charges, and older felonies do not automatically disqualify you. Each company has its own policy -- see our jobs section for company-specific hiring policies.

DOT drug testing: All CDL drivers are subject to DOT drug testing (pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion). You must be drug-free. DOT tests are 5-panel (marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, PCP). See our drug testing guide for details.

Owner-operator path: After gaining experience, many veteran truck drivers become owner-operators, running their own small trucking businesses. The SBA has veteran programs to help with financing. This is a path to self-employment with excellent earning potential ($100,000-$200,000+).

Self-employment is an excellent option for veterans with criminal records because you are your own boss and do not need to pass someone else's background check.

Boots to Business: The SBA's Boots to Business program provides entrepreneurship training for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses. The program includes a 2-day introduction to entrepreneurship course and an 8-week online foundations course. It is completely free. Visit boots2business.org.

SCORE veteran mentoring: SCORE (score.org) provides free business mentoring. SCORE has a veteran-specific mentoring track that pairs veteran entrepreneurs with experienced business mentors. Mentors help with business planning, financing, marketing, operations, and growth.

Veteran-owned small business certification (VOSB/SDVOSB): The VA certifies veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, which gives you access to federal set-aside contracts. The federal government has a goal of awarding 3% of all federal contracting dollars to SDVOSBs. This is a significant competitive advantage.

SBA veteran loans: The SBA Express loan program offers loans up to $500,000 with a streamlined application process and an SBA guarantee. Veterans receive reduced SBA guaranty fees. The SBA also has a microloan program (up to $50,000) for small startups.

VetFran: The International Franchise Association's VetFran program (vetfran.org) offers franchise discounts and special incentives for veterans. Over 650 franchise brands participate. Franchising can be a lower-risk path to business ownership because you get a proven business model.

Veteran business incubators: Organizations like Bunker Labs (bunkerlabs.org) provide co-working space, mentorship, and networking for veteran entrepreneurs. Bunker Labs hosts Launch Lab (a veteran startup accelerator) and CEOcircle (peer advisory groups).

Criminal records and business licensing: Some business licenses may require background checks. The impact of a criminal record varies by business type and state. Most general business activities (freelancing, online businesses, consulting, trucking, landscaping, cleaning, etc.) do not require licenses that screen for criminal history. Check your state's specific requirements for the type of business you want to start.

A criminal record creates real employment barriers, but veterans have tools to overcome them:

Ban the box: Over 35 states and 150 cities/counties have "ban the box" laws that prohibit employers from asking about criminal history on initial job applications. This means you get a chance to make a first impression before your record comes into play. The federal government also follows ban the box for federal hiring.

Fair Chance Act: The federal Fair Chance Act (2019) prohibits federal agencies and federal contractors from asking about criminal history until after a conditional offer of employment. This applies to millions of jobs.

Expungement: If you are eligible for expungement or record sealing, this can remove your criminal record from background checks entirely. Many states have expanded expungement eligibility in recent years. See our expungement guide for state-by-state information. Veterans may be eligible for expungement through veterans treatment courts or as part of their VTC graduation.

Certificates of rehabilitation: Some states issue certificates of rehabilitation or relief that demonstrate your recovery and can help with employment. These certificates may also restore rights that were lost due to conviction.

VA advocacy: Your VA VR&E counselor, VJO specialist, or case manager can provide references and advocate on your behalf with employers. Having a VA professional vouch for your rehabilitation carries significant weight.

Disclosure strategies: When you do need to disclose your criminal record, frame it honestly but positively. Mention what you learned, the treatment you completed, your military service, and your goals. Many employers value honesty and evidence of personal growth.

Industries that are more forgiving: Trades and construction, CDL/trucking, warehouse and logistics, food service, staffing agencies, landscaping, cleaning services, and tech (many companies focus on skills over background). See our felony friendly jobs section for specific companies.