Let Kansas Serve You

Kansan active-duty military service members, veterans and their dependents are granted an arsenal of special veterans’ benefits across the state. Check out KanVet, which is a one-stop shop for comprehensive veteran resources and benefits. They provide veterans employment training services, as well as mental and physical healthcare services. The Kansas Office of Veteran Services (KCVAO) offers a wide range of programming to support service members, including hiring preferences for veterans seeking state employment.

Additionally, local Chambers of Commerce offer special services to connect active duty and retired service members with career and professional development opportunities. The Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, for example, provides employment and professional development resources through its Workforce Advisory Board while creating networking opportunities and building local relationships with its Military Relations Committee. With a thriving defense industry, Kansas is also a hub for veteran employment. Major employers, such as Raytheon in Shawnee or John Deere in Dodge City, offer special preference to veteran job seekers and organizations like the Kansas Hire a Veteran Job Board help connect you to employers from large and small businesses looking to hire military-affiliated personnel.

Educational institutions across the state also host specialized resources for military personnel and their families. Kansas State University (K-State) established the Military Affairs Innovation Center in 2016, which focuses on advancing the university’s military scholarship and research, including the 48 Fallen-48 Found Cultural History Project honoring the K-State students who fought in WWI.

K-State also developed the Institute for the Health and Security of Military Families, which focuses on research, outreach, and academic and clinical service programs for disabled veterans that help to identify and address the complex, long-term physical and mental health effects of wartime service.

Kansas also supports American veterans, women veterans, military spouses, and their families by providing comprehensive access to VA health care and VA benefits. Military-affiliated personnel who meet eligibility requirements can take advantage of the GI Bill to pursue higher education and vocational training at various Kansas institutions.

The University of Kansas demonstrates strong advocacy for military-affiliated personnel through various programming. In addition to waiving application fees for undergraduates, the university has developed interdisciplinary MA programs for U.S. Foreign Area Officers (FAOs) in the Americas, South Asia, Europe, Eurasia, China, North Africa, Middle East, North Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Many local providers also offer tailored programs that cater specifically to the needs of veterans and their families, ensuring they have access to quality care and opportunities for advancement in civilian life. Visit VA.gov to learn more about the opportunities available.