The PMIWDC Military Outreach Program introduces active duty, separated, and retired military personnel, and their spouses, to careers in project management. We are proud to have a team committed to this effort and look forward to continuing a program that will present service members and veterans with the many opportunities that project management has to offer.
PMIWDC – Military Outreach Program Goals:
1. Contact local military installations and organizations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area to:
- Inform military communities about project management values, processes, skills, and certifications.
- Engage transitioning military personnel and/or military spouses to consider the project management field.
- Explain the benefits of a Project Management accreditation.
2. Provide certification information and/or application assistance to:
- Assist in the selection of applicable PMI certifications.
- Help to translate military skills and experience.
- Provide guidance and mentorship throughout the application process.
3. Share military outreach information within PMIWDC to:
- Increase visibility and awareness of military-related opportunities to PMIWDC members.
- Integrate the military community with military-friendly companies and programs.
- Showcase the value of the military outreach program for transitioning military personnel and military spouses.
PMIWDC – Military Outreach FAQs:
Below are FAQs written by the PMIWDC Military Outreach Team. FAQs range from information on the PMP application process to available military discounts.
How to apply for PMP certification?
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The application process requires three steps.
Step 1. Confirm you are eligible. Eligibility is based on a combination of academic and work experience.
Step 2. Gather your information. You will need to document your education and work experience.
Step 3. Create a pmi.org account and fill out the application.
The following link has more detail on each of these steps. https://www.pmi.org/certifications/project-management-pmp/earn-the-pmp/how-to-apply
For extra information on filling out the application, here is a link to the application checklist. https://www.pmi.org/-/media/pmi/documents/public/pdf/certifications/your-pmp-application-checklist.pdf?v=19b658fe-b091-4156-bb40-7e1422200ad0
The following link provides information on translating your military experience into project management: https://www.pmi.org/chapters/wdc/military-outreach
How to use Post 9-11 GI Bill to pay for PMP Test?
The GI Bill offers financial assistance for PMP certification as well as supplemental education and training. Eligible service members and veterans can use the GI Bill to pay up to $2,000 in fees for certification exams. For additional information or help regarding your eligibility, contact VA 888-GIBILL-1 (888-442-4551).
If eligible, the following link has specific information on the process and contains the Application for Reimbursement of Licensing or Certification Test Fees (Form 22-0803). https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/test-fees/
Is there a military discount for the PMP Exam?
Unfortunately, the PMP exam does not have a military discount. There are ways some military members can receive reimbursement for the cost of the exam. If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities, please visit the Post 9-11 GI Bill and DOD Credentials Program Office links below.
The https://www.military2pm.com/funding/ site has links to the GI Bill Benefits page as well as each service Credentialing Opportunities Online (COOL) sites.
Is there a military discount for membership in the DC Chapter?
Yes. Once you are a member of PMI, just let us know and we can send you a military discount code for a one year membership at no charge to use when registering for DC Chapter membership. To learn more about our chapter, please visit our website: https://www.pmi.org/chapters/WDC.
How do I translate my military skills and experience into the PMP application?
The first step is to review your military evaluations. Identify any bullets where you led or participated in a project. A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. Find events you’ve organized/helped organize and executed, training you developed or instructed, SOPs/policies you’ve written, etc.
The following link provides information on translating your military experience into project management: https://www.pmi.org/chapters/wdc/military-outreach
If you are looking for additional assistance, Vets2PM provides a military application translator—free of charge. Visit the following link and create an account. https://vets2pm.com/member/student-portal/
In the student portal area of the website, you will see the link to the PMP Application Translator.
Do you have any recommendations for exam preparation?
We highly recommend that all exam candidates register for training through PMI Authorized Training Partners. These instructors are required to complete the PMI Authorized Training Partner Train the Trainer – PMP Exam Prep® program and use PMI-developed training course content. A list of these courses can be found at the following link. https://www.pmi.org/learning/training-development/authorized-training-partners
How do I volunteer as a military liaison?
If you are a DC Chapter member, the volunteer process is easy. Log into pmi.org and visit the Volunteer Relationship Management System (VRMS). You can access VRMS by hovering your mouse over the ‘Membership’ tab on the Home page, then select ‘Volunteering’. You will see the purple VRMS button on the right. You can search all available Chapter opportunities, or you can search terms ‘military’ or, simply enter ID# 29854 for the PMIWDC Military Liaison position. https://vrms.pmi.org
How do I resolve a member not seeing the membership rate to take their exam?
Two-step process:
- E-mail [email protected] with the members name and PMI ID and explain the situation to them.
- Receive the response from Member services and forward it on to the member.
Can you explain the Guest Pass program?
This program introduces PMI members who have not yet joined their local chapter to discover the benefits and the value of participation at no additional cost for the remainder of their membership cycles.
As long as you are a PMI member, and have not received the Guest Pass previously from PMIWDC, PMIWDC may provide a guest pass for up to a one-year membership to PMIWDC. The membership will expire at the same time your PMI Membership expires. It may be renewed with your PMI Membership. Take some time to review our website to see if you would be interested in the pass (https://www.pmi.org/chapters/wdc).
If interested, the following steps will get you your guest pass.
- Visit https://www.pmi.org/membership/chapters
- Login to the site with your PMI membership credentials via the button in the top right-hand corner of the page
- Find PMI Washington DC and select JOIN CHAPTER
- Click on Continue to Checkout
Look for Promo Code field, enter your code provided to you by PMIWDC , then click on Apply to process it
Confirm the billing address is correct and review the order
Click Place Order to complete the transaction (you will receive an email confirmation from PMI)
Join our free New Member Orientation webinar to know all about the chapter and opportunities
Our PMIWDC Chapter includes an AVP Lead Military Outreach Liaison Team who seek transitioning military personnel interested in project management and connects them with veterans currently working in the field. These veterans help assist and advise each individual on the transition process from prior careers into the field of project management.
Below are resources to assist in translating your military experience into private sector project management terminology as well as several podcasts to discover how your military experience is project-related. There is also a document to and learn the initiatives the PMIWDC Chapter is performing to help veterans.
Translating your Military Experience
These links and documents provides you with a high level overview of how you can translate your military experience and transition to a career in Project Management.
- You can take your military experience and transition to a career in Project Management, click on the hyperlink to view PMI’s recommendations
- You can reference Mr. Timothy A. Dalhouse article on how to use your military experience to qualify for the PMP exam
- There are great articles from LinkedIn you can use to assist you with converting your military experience. For example, Mr. Brent Prigge, MBA shared his experience in his article, “Converting Military Experience into a Project Management Certification (Part 1)".
- The Project Management Professional Handbook, written and published by the Project Management Institute, Inc. This handbook contains information on how you can apply for the globally recognized, highly valued PMP Certification. Access this handbook.
PMIWDC – Military Outreach Volunteers:
Volunteer Now
Join our team!
Have military-related experience? Want to help fellow service members on their journey into the civilian workforce while sharpening your project management skills? Join the PMIWDC Military Outreach Committee!
Preferred Qualifications:
- A desire to assist military members and military spouses.
- Any PMI certification.
Quick Links
PMI’s Authorized Training Partner Directory
Pearson VUE Testing Sites (US Military Installations Included)
Scan the QR code below to contact the Military Outreach Program team:
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