CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- -- Camp Pendleton held a graduation for 19 students who graduated the Warrior Training Advancement Course (WARTAC) at the Pacific Views Event Center, April 28.

WARTAC is a program that was developed between the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs to train transitioning service members into becoming Veterans Service Representatives with Veterans Affairs.

“It just makes sense to hire service members that are transitioning out and ready to move on to their next career,” said Emily Misbach, the course manager of Warrior Training Advancement Course at Camp Pendleton.

The program teaches the students how to work Veteran Affairs disability claims that come through. This is the first iteration of this program on Camp Pendleton and it is also their first time working on a Marine base.

“The Marines have a lot of motivation,” said Misbach. “They came to class every day, they wanted to be in class every day. They just had that motivation to be at class and to be here and to learn the job.”

For this calendar year, the Department of Veterans Affairs has four of these classes scheduled for this year on Camp Pendleton. The goal for this year’s programs is to have 300 students go through the program and graduate.

“This was a great opportunity,” said Jose S. Valerio, a graduate of the WARTAC program. “In addition to helping me transition out of the military it keeps me in a military environment by allowing me to help veterans, so I am not going to be just put back into the civilian world, which minimizes the culture shock and I think that is very helpful.”

Valero added that this program is also a way to give back to service members who have given so much for their country.

“We will be assisting the military,” said Valerio. “Our fellow brothers that were out there and fought with us, that have injured themselves in the line of duty. It is going to be another mission and we have to provide for them, which is going to be the most rewarding thing, helping fellow service members.”

For more information contact Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) and ask about transitioning programs.