Transitioning from military service to civilian life can bring an important question: “What’s next?”

For veterans looking for a new career path, Vets to Drones offers an opportunity to turn the skills developed through military service into valuable experience in the growing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and commercial drone industry.

Vets to Drones is a veteran-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2023. Its mission is to help veterans move “from service to sky” by providing training, mentorship, real-world experience, and connections to employment opportunities in the drone industry.

What Is Vets to Drones?

Vets to Drones was created to help veterans build a new mission after leaving military service.

Rather than focusing only on classroom education, the organization combines training with hands-on experience, mentorship, networking, and opportunities to participate in real-world drone missions.

Its programs are designed for veterans who may already have drone experience as well as those who are completely new to the field. According to Vets to Drones, no prior drone experience is required for its apprenticeship program.

What Training Is Available?

One of the major benefits of Vets to Drones is its focus on practical, industry-relevant training.

Veterans can receive access to resources and training that may include:

• FAA Part 107 certification preparation

• NIST standards training

• Drone flight and operational training

• Photogrammetry and mapping

• Real-world flight scenarios

• Mentorship and career guidance

• Job placement and industry connections

FAA Part 107 certification is an important credential for individuals who want to operate drones commercially in the United States.

Vets to Drones also provides opportunities for veterans to develop skills in areas such as mapping, aerial data collection, infrastructure inspection, surveying, and other commercial UAS applications.

The Vets to Drones Apprenticeship Program

For veterans who want more hands-on experience, Vets to Drones offers the Vets to Drones Apprenticeship Program (VDAP).

The program is structured into three phases:

Phase 1 – Ground Training

Participants begin with foundational education, including preparation for the FAA Part 107 examination, photogrammetry, and drone mapping software.

Phase 2 – Drone Operations

Participants develop practical drone-flying and operational skills while working toward NIST certification and applying what they've learned through hands-on training.

Phase 3 – Real-World Missions

Participants put their training into practice by working alongside instructors on real-world mapping and photography missions, including missions conducted in challenging terrain.

This combination of classroom preparation and practical experience can help veterans build a stronger foundation for pursuing opportunities within the commercial drone industry.

More Than Just a Career Program

One of the things that makes Vets to Drones particularly interesting is that its mission extends beyond employment.

The organization identifies five major areas of focus:

Workforce Development – Preparing veterans for careers in the commercial drone industry.

K-12 STEM Education – Introducing students to drone technology and STEM opportunities.

Disaster Response – Supporting communities through trained drone crews and aerial capabilities.

Conservation – Using drones for aerial surveys, mapping, and environmental projects.

Recreational Therapy – Creating opportunities for veterans to use drone flight as a recreational and community-building activity.

For veterans, this means drone technology can potentially become more than simply a job—it can become a way to continue serving communities while developing a new professional identity.

Who Might Benefit From Vets to Drones?

This resource may be worth exploring if you are a:

• Veteran transitioning into civilian employment

• Veteran interested in technology or aviation

• Former service member interested in commercial drone operations

• Veteran looking for new technical skills

• Veteran interested in disaster response or conservation

• Veteran entrepreneur exploring drone-related business opportunities

• Service member preparing for a career after military service

And importantly, you don't necessarily need previous drone experience to explore the program. Vets to Drones specifically states that its apprenticeship program is open to veterans interested in transitioning into the drone industry, including those with little to no prior drone experience.

Why We’re Sharing This Resource

At Victory Veteran Protection, we believe supporting veterans goes beyond helping them navigate their VA benefits.

Veterans deserve access to resources that can help them build a fulfilling life after service—including education, employment, entrepreneurship, community, and opportunities to continue making an impact.

Vets to Drones is one resource worth exploring for veterans who are interested in developing technical skills and pursuing opportunities in the growing commercial drone and UAS industry.

Whether you're already an experienced drone operator or simply curious about where your military experience could take you next, this may be an opportunity worth investigating.

Ready to Explore?

Learn more about Vets to Drones, its training opportunities, membership, and veteran programs: https://vetstodrones.org/