CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Out-of-work military veterans hoped a pandemic program would lead to high-demand jobs, but the Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program eventually left them disappointed.
In the Carolinas alone, Congress dedicated millions of dollars toward VRRAP. Yet only 29 veterans have successfully found work in both North Carolina and South Carolina. In fact, Veterans Affairs records show more veterans have dropped out of the program in both states than have landed new jobs.
Overpromised, underdelivered
Army veteran Jason Otrin's future was looking up -- or so he thought.
The pandemic had grounded his job as a drone instructor, but he was hopeful a new career would soon take flight. A VA email fueled his optimism that he would secure the necessary training to become an in-demand commercial pilot.
"It was very frustrating," said Otrin, who trained at Fort Bragg. "My hopes had been built up that this was a program that I was going to be able to use."
He said conflicting statements have prevented him from using the benefit.
"It just takes a long time to get where I need to," he said. "I'm kind of afraid that I might miss my timing here and that could make a big difference when it comes to seniority and job stability later on for my family."
'Everything is always too complicated'
The same VA email inspired Navy veteran John McKenzie to enroll in the VRRAP program. McKenzie, who lives in California, lost construction work during the pandemic.
He expected VRRAP would cover 12 months of tuition and fees, along with a monthly housing alliance, so that he could pursue an advanced manufacturing degree.
Just like Otrin, failures within the program have dashed his hopes.
"If there's so much red tape attached to it that it makes it difficult or impossible to use, it's just a benefit in words. It's not an actual benefit to you," McKenzie said. "Everything is always too complicated."
Lack of participation, lack of outcomes
VA records show few veterans have actually benefited from VRRAP so far. Nationwide, the VA reports the program's helped more than 400 "previously-unemployed" veterans find jobs and helped train 7,000 veterans in all.
"While VRRAP has helped many Veterans during the pandemic...the program has not delivered the far-reaching results that we or Congress hoped..." the agency said in a statement. "VA has worked hard to recruit Veterans into VRRAP and ensure that, once enrolled, they have the best experience possible...Moving forward, VA will continue to recruit Veterans into VRRAP and serve the more than 2,300 Veterans who are currently enrolled in the program."
In the Carolinas, records show only around 450 veterans have enrolled in VRRAP and not even a third of them have completed their training. Just roughly 6% have found "suitable employment."
Not a 'Democrat or Republican boondoggle'
Veterans of Foreign Wars National Legislative Director Patrick Murray can't help but feel disappointed. He said the program, which started with the best of bipartisan intentions, just hasn't met expectations.
"What we wanted to see was this program being rapid -- it's not, and we wanted to see this very quickly putting people back to work. That's also not happening," Murray said. "This wasn't any kind of either Democrat or Republican boondoggle. This is something that was set up with the best intentions that frankly, just didn't pan out."
In hindsight, Murray said Congress and the VA shouldn't have tried to, in his words, "reinvent the wheel".
"What we probably should have done was reinvested in programs that were working successfully at the time," he added.
'Veterans deserve more'
Through VRRAP, eligible veterans can choose from a list of approved programs tied to high-demand jobs, but only some schools are participating, which has limited veterans' options. That, coupled with time-consuming bureaucracy, has reduced the likelihood of veterans finishing their schooling within the one-year time limit.
"Many of the veterans are finding the outcome of the VRRAP program to be completely demoralizing," said military and veteran law attorney Benjamin Krause. "They lost out on a year worth of potential training and job growth in a career that didn't pan out"
Like Murray, he thinks the biggest lesson learned is that the federal government needs to invest in existing programs.
"Veterans deserve more. It's time that Congress steps up and does things in a timely and an expedited way," Krause said. "Congress failed, VA failed and the institutions getting this kind of money also failed veterans."
Your move, Congress
Otrin has already shared his experience with members of Congress. He submitted comments earlier this year to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity about the challenges he's faced.
"Include us in the process," the veteran said. "We know where the difficulties lie."
Otrin, who lives in Connecticut, hopes Congress can find a way to extend the program, so veterans can work through VRRAP's hurdles and actually benefit.
When pressed about problems with the program, North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis (R), a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, told WCNC Charlotte he's committed to helping veterans.
In a statement, Sen. Tillis blamed the Biden Administration's implementation of the program for "unnecessary and unacceptable issues for a number of North Carolina veterans."
"A lot of work needs to be done to fix the issues plaguing the VRRAP and ensure veterans receive training for meaningful jobs, and Senator Tillis will continue to work with his colleagues to increase employment and educational opportunities for veterans and their families," a spokesperson for the senator said.
Right now, a little more than 200 veterans in the Carolinas are actively attending classes or training through VRRAP, the VA said. There is still time for new veterans to sign up though. Enrollment is set to close in December.
Contact Nate Morabito at nmorabito@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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