Wade Robinson ⋅ Great Falls, VA Glen Associates, LLC ⋅ 36 years experience

Jack:Two points:
1. The most successful career transition technique is to target the firms expected to grow in the next few years. See the International Business Times article online at: http://www.ibtimes.com/12-companies-will-conquer-drone-market-2014-2015-1534360 They list the 12 UVA companies most likely to grow most in 2014,2015. Those companies include:
The Boeing Company
General Atomics
Lockheed Martin
Northrop Grumman
SAIC
General Dynamics

2. Look at their websites, send a resume to each company, even if you have to use an opening other than UAV to get your resume into their database. Then look at their websites, who are the veterans on the leadership team and board of directors. Send these corporate leaders a hard copy letter with attached resume and indicate you would appreciate their support in elevating your candidacy as a veteran and “champion” you with HR and the hiring organization. Make sure you have their title and office address correct. Follow-up with a call. After several years as a veteran and certified career transition consultant, I have found this the most effective approach to a successful job search.

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

See also:
"UAV career - I'm trying to help a Veteran interested in pursing a career related to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs, "drones")"
https://www.linkedin.com/groupItem?view=&gid=4466143&item=5888390733789941761&type=member&commentID=discussion%3A5888390733789941761%3Agroup%3A4466143&trk=hb_ntf_COMMENTED_ON_GROUP_DISCUSSION_YOU_CREATED#commentID_discussion%3A5888390733789941761%3Agroup%3A4466143#!

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

*How and why did you select Embry Riddle worldwide?

- Have you studied detailed information regarding the career and success rates of Embry Riddle students?

- What do you plan to study (major, minor, etc.)?

- What is your desired "end-state" upon graduation?

- Have many other Embry graduates already achieved this end state?

* When can you begin utilizing Embry's career planning center and other resources (alumni network, alumni clubs, etc.)? Have you reached our to the career center and alumni relations office and requested assistance?
http://careers.erau.edu/#!
http://www.eraualumni.org/s/867/splash.aspx#!
http://careers.erau.edu/alumni/index.html#!

* There are also 2 new discussions regarding UAV related careers within the MC4 group on LinkedIn and the Veteran Mentor Network group on LinkedIn. Take a look, they might be helpful. I utilize multiple resources to try and find good advice and information.

* One of the posts in the discussion is from a senior leader at VCTP Syracuse. You may want to reach out to VCTP by phone and have a conversation. VCTP may be able to pass on information regarding UAVs, and some of the certifications related to Project management and Program Management might interest you.

Jack Vanover ⋅ Puyallup, WA U.S. Army, Sergeant First Class ⋅ 13 years served

University of North Dakota.
I actually looked at an aeronautical engineering degree plan. I'm horrible with math an it seemed like I would be setting my self up for failure. I start embry riddle worldwide for a business administration degree July 1.

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Can you share links to specific job listings that interest you?
Is your main goal to operate UAVs?
Do you have any interest in pursuing an engineering degree?
Do you retain any GI Bill benefits?
What courses, program, degree etc. are you curreltly taking using Vocational Rehabiliation?
What is UND?

Jack Vanover ⋅ Puyallup, WA U.S. Army, Sergeant First Class ⋅ 13 years served

I believe that it would be important to know all aspects. So if I start as a sensor operator or as the pilot, it would all be what I would need to excel. I am attending school through voc rehab, I raised the question of going to UND which offers a really great drone program, but they won't get behind it, due to the fact they can't predict the future in UAV's. So know I'm trying to get into a company using what I have.
Commercial fixed wing pilot
Flight instructor
13 years infantry
The main reason I'm looking toward UAV's- 2015 the FAA is going to merge the airways, anyone flying drones will need a commercial flight license. And I'm hoping that flying drones will be more lucrative for my family than fixed wing. Thank you for your questions.

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Do you know the role or roles you want to play in the UAV field?
Why are you interested in this field?
What skills do you offer related to this role, and how can you further develop skills related to this role?
Are you open to attending school full or part-time?