Feature Story

November 2015

Veterans Earn Scholarships Toward Fitness Careers

Every year, thousands of military men and women are faced with the battle of finding a new career when their active duty service in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard comes to an end. More than two-thirds of U.S. veterans consider finding a job the greatest challenge in transitioning from military to civilian life, and difficulties are largely attributed to unemployment and health challenges, according to research from Prudential on veteran's employment challenges.

Taking a stand for the military community, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) launched its Salute You Scholarship program in 2013. The program gives honorably discharged military men and women the opportunity to pursue new careers in fitness as ACE Certified Personal Trainers. The program equips veterans with the ACE Personal Trainer Certification program study materials, an exam registration voucher and one-on-one study assistance at no cost. To date, more than 1,000 veterans have been awarded a scholarship and are working toward earning their certifications and beginning new careers in fitness.

"The Salute You Scholarship is our way of honoring our military heroes for their service, courage and leadership, and giving them the opportunity to continue serving through a career in fitness," said ACE President and CEO Scott Goudeseune. "We are proud to support all of the men and women who have become ACE Certified Personal Trainers in the last two years, and privileged to continue partnering with them as we carry out our unwavering mission to get people moving."

ACE is committed to eradicating the obesity and inactivity epidemics by 2035, and with the help of veterans worldwide, the nonprofit will be able to deepen its impact and empower more people to make meaningful lifestyle changes in physical activity, nutrition and behavior change.

To learn more about the scholarship program, visit www.acefitness.org/military/scholarship.aspx.