San Diego Chapter Champions Military Families Career Path Program

In partnership with Vets2PM, the International Code Council’s Military Families Career Path Program (MFCPP) educates veterans who are transitioning to civilian life, along with their family members, about building safety career opportunities.

The program helps those leaving the military pursue building industry job options. By sharing possible construction career paths, potential prospects become educated on required prerequisites and certifications, along with how to obtain the resources to meet those credentials. Mentoring and guiding candidates towards successful new opportunities is also a part of the program.

San Diego, a Military Town

San Diego Code Council Chapter President Julissa Garcia began promoting MFCPP in 2023 when she assumed her leadership position. San Diego is home to multiple military installations, including over 115,000 active-duty service members split between the Navy and Marine Corps. Over 230,000 military veterans call the area home as well. San Diego’s military history is closely intertwined with the city’s growth and development, which impacts the local economy, community, culture and identity.

“We are currently in discussion with the local Fleet and Family Support Center to include a program brief to retiring service members during their required transition assistance program class,” said Garcia, Principal/Owner of j.design.studio, a commercial planning and design firm. “We will advertise the building safety industry program to as many in this community as possible.”

Garcia has a personal connection to the project – multiple family members have served in the military, including her boyfriend, an active-duty Navy Chief with over 21 years of service.

“Military experience and training closely mirror the responsibilities of building safety officials,” Garcia added. “Military members know how to comply with regulations and have been trained with a culture of safety. They serve the country and protect lives, much like building safety professionals who also safeguard their neighbors by ensuring safe buildings in which to work, live and play.”

Those with military service skill sets are ideally suited to the building safety profession, sharing traits like organization, commitment, attention to detail, technical knowledge, experience with teamwork and a strong work ethic.

“Military service helped me to focus and, most importantly, gave me the discipline to work in the building safety industry,” said Jeff Whitney, former Code Council Board Member.

“The training and experience I gained during my military service translates almost daily into my responsibilities as a building official,” echoed Kris Bridges, former Code Council Board Member.

Building Trades Offer Low-Cost Pathways to Well-Paid Post-Military Jobs

Building Official certification offers no- or low-cost training that is much cheaper than a two- or four-year college degree. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under the Montgomery G.I. Bill can repay qualified veterans while the Military COOL Program links in-service experience with certification and offers a fee voucher program for credentials. Most certifications require about 150 hours of studying and testing, and students can train from anywhere since most material is available online.

Those construction industry certifications can also transfer from state to state and sometimes internationally. The median salary for Code Officials ranges from $50-70,000 per year, sometimes up to $100,000 annually, significantly higher than the $36,000 national median personal income.

“Serving in the Army prepared me for the many challenging and rewarding experiences that I’ve encountered,” said Donny Phipps, former Code Council Board Member.

Mentorship Works in Uniform and on Job Sites

Many state and local governments also give preference to hiring veterans and the Code Council’s Mentor Program can connect working professionals with veterans seeking guidance in the industry.

Garcia credits her own mentor, San Diego Building Official Medhi Shadyab, with helping her become a Chapter President. “He taught me how to navigate through a building plan review, something not taught in school,” she said.

Then, she asked him about code compliance and accessibility requirements, which led to her joining the chapter when he nominated her for a leadership role.

The Construction Industry Mirrors Military Initiatives

Garcia has been in the industry for 25 years and she founded her firm 12 years ago as an interior designer who specialized in commercial and residential planning and design, accessibility compliance and building code regulatory adherence. When she was in school, she learned how to draft building plans using paper and mechanical pencils on a drafting table. Now her work is all computerized, using programs, apps and laser scanners to assist in all phases of building projects. Keeping up with ever-evolving technology aligns with military veterans who are learning and growing as they pursue new career skills.

She’s seen the construction industry’s focus shift to health and wellness, in tandem with green and environmentally friendly buildings and designs, which also aligns with modern military interests.

Additionally, Garcia is excited to see more women in the building trades, particularly in engineering, code enforcement and technical fields, which also parallels trends in the military’s five branches.

“You can learn something from every project and everyone you work with in the industry, similar to military service,” Garcia said.

To learn more about the Code Council’s Military Families Career Path Program, click here.