APRIL 3, 2025 — The Career Skills Program, a tool offered by the Fort Cavazos Transition Assistance Program, assists in connecting transitioning service members with corporate America so they have the opportunity to gain training certifications and employment.
“Quite a few service members come into the military upon graduation from high school so they don’t know how the civilian world works,” said Adrian Thompson, transition services specialist, TAP. “So now we need to assure that we (TAP) take care of them for the long term — for the next chapter of their lives — by connecting them with employment opportunities and training and certifications.
“We build a bridge between the military and civilian world,” he continued. “We help them massage their professional skills in the military and translate it into the civilian workforce. We teach them the understanding that their jobs are similar; it’s just a few words that are changed around.”
Staff Sgt. Zachary Adair, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 210th Aviation Regiment, 128th Aviation Brigade (Fort Eustis, Virginia) is currently part of the CSP as a basketball coach at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas, where he is involved in many aspects of the men’s team including player development, game preparation and film analysis.
“I wanted to participate in the Career Skills Program to gain hands-on experience in the coaching field and determine if this career path was the right fit for my transition from the military,” he said. “Additionally, I saw it as a valuable opportunity to network with professionals in the basketball coaching industry.”
Adair said basketball has been a passion of his and he even played in college, though he didn’t initially plan on becoming a coach.
“After my playing career ended, I remained involved in the game by training players and volunteering whenever possible,” he said. “Over time, my passion for playing evolved into a passion for coaching. Helping young athletes develop, achieve their goals and find success has been incredibly fulfilling, and that is what ultimately inspired me to pursue coaching as a career.
“The CSP has been instrumental in preparing me for a career outside of the Army by exposing me to all aspects of coaching,” he added. “It allowed me to immerse myself in the profession, gain practical experience and refine the areas where I needed development. Through this program, I have grown tremendously, and the knowledge and experience I have gained have already led to job opportunities in the coaching field.”
Adair will transition out of the military on June 6 and said the CSP is an important tool for transitioning service members to utilize.
“The CSP provides transitioning Soldiers with a unique opportunity to gain real-world experience in their desired career field before officially leaving the military,” he said. “It allows them to explore potential career paths, develop relevant skills and build a professional network. Additionally, it offers peace of mind by enabling them to seek employment opportunities ahead of their transition, ensuring a smoother adjustment to civilian life.”
Adair expressed his gratitude to UMHB and the men’s basketball coaching staff.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and the Men’s Basketball coaching staff, particularly Coach Cliff Carroll and Coach (Uriah) Hunter (a retired chief warrant officer 3), for giving me the opportunity to gain invaluable experience and build my professional network while still serving in the military,” he said. “Their support has provided me with confidence in my transition, knowing that I have opportunities lined up for my future.”
By Blair Dupre
Fort Cavazos Public Affairs