ABOUT THE AUTHOR: K.L. Allen is the regional vice president of the Northeast region at Western Governors University.

Each Veterans Day, America pauses to honor the men and women who have worn its uniform. We celebrate their courage, resilience, and devotion to something greater than themselves. But gratitude cannot end with a salute. True appreciation is measured not in words, but in the opportunities we build for them next.

Today, the mission continues, not on the battlefield, but in classrooms, workplaces and communities across the nation. Veterans are entering a civilian workforce transformed by artificial intelligence, automation and digital transformation. The economy they once protected now demands a new kind of readiness, defined by adaptability, creativity and lifelong learning.

As an Army National Guard veteran and educator, I’ve lived on both sides of that transition. The military teaches mastery, discipline and mission focus. Every skill is tested until it becomes second nature. That approach, learning by proving what you can do, should guide how we educate and credential adults. If we truly want to honor service, we must ensure those who served can translate their experience into opportunity.

Too many veterans return home only to find their skills misunderstood or undervalued. Someone with years of logistics experience shouldn’t have to start over. A medic who cared for wounded soldiers during combat shouldn’t face barriers working in health care. And those who kept our systems secure shouldn’t have to prove their worth all over again.

The issue isn’t ability, it’s recognition. Veterans bring leadership, resilience and problem-solving skills our economy needs. What they lack are systems that see their value clearly and turn it into career advancement.

That starts with rethinking how we educate and develop talent.

We can start by making learning flexible and outcomes-based. Education should measure what students can do, not time spent in class. Veterans balancing work, family and service need programs that respect their pace and build on what they already know.

We must also ensure that experience counts. The knowledge and competencies gained through military training should translate meaningfully into degrees, certifications and professional advancement.

Finally, education must keep pace with the workforce itself. Collaboration between universities, employers and policymakers should define pathways to high-demand careers in cybersecurity, health care and artificial intelligence.

This work extends beyond higher education. It’s necessary. Government agencies, employers and nonprofit partners must work together to create systems that meet veterans where they are and help them reach their goals. No one who served should have to navigate unnecessary barriers to access the opportunities they’ve earned.

In the Northeast, home to some of the country’s largest employers in technology, finance and health care, the stakes are especially high. The region’s competitiveness depends on a workforce that can keep pace with innovation. Veterans bring exactly that mindset. They lead under pressure, adapt quickly, and execute with precision.

But they shouldn’t have to do it alone. We owe them more than admiration; we owe them real support. That means making education more accessible, reducing the cost of earning a degree, and ensuring that military experience truly counts in civilian careers. It means replacing barriers with pathways that lead to opportunity.

Saying “thank you” is only the beginning. Real gratitude means helping veterans turn service into success.

This year let’s redefine what it means to honor them. Let’s build an education and workforce system worthy of their dedication. One that helps veterans not just find their place after service but shape the future of the workforce itself.

Because the mission of service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. It evolves. And the best way to honor that service is to ensure veterans carry not just memories of duty, but the tools and opportunities to build the future they fought to protect.