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MSSA Application Window Now Open!

US and UK-MoD applicants—The window to submit applications to MSSA's US and Europe cohorts running April 7–August 1, 2025 is now OPEN! Submit your application to the application portal before December 2 at 1700 Pacific Time.
Kick off the admissions process

Helping the military community find opportunities in today’s digital economy.

Microsoft is transforming how we support the military community. Together with our partners, we take a holistic approach to preparing the military community for entry into high-impact, in-demand tech jobs in any industry.
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Military training is career training

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Skilling veteran talent for the IT frontier

Veterans and transitioning service members bring deep experience to the table. Our mission is to enable the military community to develop foundational tech skills to get their start—and then build on their core skills in a rewarding career in tech.

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Veterans have cultivated career skills that transfer to all dimensions of the tech sector.

We erected Microsoft Military Affairs in 2014 to bridge the IT talent gap and underemployment in a highly skilled but underutilized population—the military community.

3 in 5 veterans are underemployed. Microsoft and our dedicated partners are changing that.

We solve for the IT skills gap by getting veteran talent tech-ready.

Our mission is to provide transitioning service members and veterans with the technical and career-navigation skills to build from their enormous skillset in today’s growing technology industry.

10 years ago we created the Microsoft Software and Systems Academy (MSSA) program to connect the dots between the shortage of technical talent and the abundance of under-employed military talent. 10 years later, we’ve infused >3.6k MSSA graduates throughout the IT industry.

More on MSSA’s journey and graduate impact

Announcing MSSA for military spouses

Learn more

Impact
  • 2 in 3
    MSSA graduates rank mentorship as a program highlight
  • 749
    Microsoft employees mentor veteran hires
  • 1k
    companies have hired MSSA graduates
  • 3,924
    MSSA program graduates
  • 95%
    graduation rate from MSSA
  • 90%
    MSSA graduates are employed in tech
  • 8
    years of active duty service (average for incoming MSSA participants)
  • 95%
    graduates are employed or are pursuing further education as a result of MSSA
  • >90%
    graduates have an active security clearance
  • 2013
    graduation year of our pilot cohort (December, Joint Base Lewis-McChord)

Microsoft’s mission

Empowering every person and organization on the planet to achieve more

Providing a path forward for U.S. military service members

Transitioning from a military career to the civilian workforce is more than a career change—it’s a paradigm shift. Our work is to facilitate service members’ transition to rewarding careers in tech, where military training has already prepared them to shine.

Microsoft’s technical training resources are at your disposal

Whether you’re seeking quick lessons in technical topics, to expand your knowledge with self-paced learning paths, to develop your resume with industry-recognized certifications, or work with Microsoft as a SkillBridge transition program—Microsoft is invested in empowering the military community in their career growth in our industry.

Learn IT, anywhere

Whether you are deployed, active duty, transitioning to civilian life, or a veteran—the technical training to enable your career journey is at your fingertips.

Technical training, your way. Learn more
Empowering the military community with Microsoft’s learning ecosystem

Learn new skills and discover the power of Microsoft products with step-by-step guidance, or jump-start your career by demonstrating your achievements through earning industry-recognized Microsoft certifications. Start your journey today by exploring learning paths, modules, and certifications from the Microsoft learning ecosystem.

Not quite sure what your next step is?

Read career transition stories and lessons from veterans working in IT at Microsoft and our hiring partners.

Skilled up and ready to interview?

If you’re ready to dive into a career at Microsoft, browse open roles and opportunities for veteran talent.

Join our community

Community is integral to what we do and offer at Military Affairs. Our team of learners, instructors, mentors, coaches, and colleagues are passionate about the network we’ve built—and where we’re headed.

Transforming lives through meaningful opportunities

We’re passionate about the impact that the military community has at Microsoft and within our partner network. We’ve taken a holistic approach to supporting veterans through career transition and skilling them for meaningful careers in the IT sector.

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We partner with other leading institutions and veteran organizations to holistically support the military community in their career transition.

Microsoft partners with numerous tech industry leaders to offer training, mentorship and employment opportunities.

 

Over 1,000 companies have hired veterans trained at MSSA

Learn why

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To recruit and retain top talent, be sure your company is veteran-ready—not just veteran-friendly

How companies set veterans up for success

Inclusion is Innovation

MSSA Application Window Now Open!

US and UK-MoD applicants—The window to submit applications to MSSA's US and Europe cohorts running April 7–August 1, 2025 is now OPEN! Submit your application to the application portal before December 2 at 1700 Pacific Time.
Kick off the admissions process