Project Next S.T.E.P. (Service member Transition Education)

Project Next S.T.E.P. (Service Member Transition Education Program), a partnership with Booz Allen Hamilton and the Safeway Foundation, allows USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore (USO Metro) to offer a variety of career education programs designed to prepare transitioning service members for in-demand civilian certification tests. Project Next S.T.E.P allows participants the opportunity to learn new skills that will complement their strong leadership skills, as well as prepare them for competitive post-military employment. Programs vary in length from five to twelve weeks, and all classes are currently held at the USO Warrior and Family Center at Fort Belvoir during evening and weekend hours. Open to active duty and wounded, ill and injured service members who are transitioning out of military service within 12 months, Project Next S.T.E.P. offers the following career education programs throughout the year:

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) - Designed for entry level network engineers this program teaches the ability to install, configure, operate and trouble shoot routed and switched networks. Instruction for this program is provided by Veterans Institute of Training and Technology, Inc. a partner of USO Metro.

Project Management Professional (PMP) - Designed for those with prior management experience this program prepares attendees for the PMP certification exam; validating competence in the ability to lead and manage projects and teams. Instruction for this program is also provided by Veterans Institute of Training and Technology.

Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) - Designed for those interested in a career in cyber security this is a comprehensive course teaching information systems security.

Please contact Maura Gondek, Program Specialist, Project Next S.T.E.P., at mgondek@usometro.org or 571-267-2086 for more information.