Veterans Affairs
The Susquehanna County Veterans affairs office proudly serves the Veterans of our County and their families.
Anyone with questions about the vast array of benefits available is encouraged to contact the County VA office, and we will be happy to answer your questions and provide assistance. The office is located in the County Courthouse at 31 Lake Ave. Montrose, Pa. and the office hours are Monday thru Friday from 8:30 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. except for scheduled holidays or required Certified Veterans Services Officer (VSO) training.
Individuals may also find complete information on veteran's federal benefits by visiting the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs web site at www.va.gov and state benefits at www.dmva.pa.gov/veterans/pages
Veterans in crisis or contemplating suicide may call the Veterans Crisis Line at 988 option 1 or text at 838255 for help
Finally to all our veterans, “thank you for your service” we look forward to serving you.
Veterans Corner
The Susquehanna County Veterans Affairs office writes an article once each month that is published in the Susquehanna Independent (also known as the Susquehanna County Independent). These articles called “Veterans Corner” provide information related to veteran’s issues and benefits. The articles are published once per month and can be found in one of the editions of the Susquehanna Independent. For your convenience we also make the articles available here on the County website.
Anyone with any questions about the benefits available to Veterans and their family members can call the Susquehanna County Veterans Affairs Office at (570) 278-5955
VETERANS CORNER
Vocational Assistance Available to
Veterans
Submitted By: Jeffery Mead
Susquehanna County Director of Veterans
Affairs/Veterans Service Officer
Listed in this article are some of the various
vocational supports available to Veterans.
Military Occupational Crosswalk
The Pennsylvania Department of State (DOS) has developed a Military Occupational Crosswalk to identify and relate civilian career opportunities and requirements to veterans' military experience. The crosswalk compares qualification details from nearly 300 military occupations and matches them to licensed professions administered by the professional licensing boards and commissions in Pennsylvania. This process is as follows:
1. The veteran should examine their military experience and training record.
2. Identify civilian occupations that correlate to the servicemember's career goals and skills/abilities.
3. Identify the education, experience, and credentials required for the identified occupation.
4. Document the gap (if applicable) between current skill set and what is required for the desired occupation.
Website: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/resources/professional-licensing-resources/military-and-veterans-licensure.html
Veteran Appointments to Federal Government Jobs
Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA)
Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) is an excepted authority that allows a federal government agency to non-competitively appoint an eligible veteran. If you:
Appointing a 30% or More Disabled Veteran
The 30% or More Disabled Veteran authority allows an agency to non-competitively appoint any veteran with a 30% or more service-connected disability.
Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998, as amended (VEOA)
VEOA allows eligible veterans and preference eligibles to apply to announcements that would otherwise be opened to so called "status" candidates, i.e., "current competitive service employees and certain prior employees who have earned competitive status."
Educational and Career Counseling (VA Chapter 36)
Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (PCPG), or VA Chapter 36, offers free educational and career guidance, planning, and resources to Veterans and their dependents who are eligible for a VA education benefit
There are 3 ways to apply for these benefits:
You can apply online: https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/education-and-career-counseling/apply-career-guidance-form-25-8832/introduction
or
You can apply by mail using VA Form 27-8832 (address is on the form)
or
You can take your application to your nearest regional office or VetSuccess on Campus counselor. (va.gov)
CareerLink
Veterans may contact their local Veterans Employment Representatives at CareerLink listed below. Veterans may also search for local jobs at the Trehab CareerLink centers in Montrose and Susquehanna listed below.
Local Veterans Employment Representative
Jason McNett Pa CareerLink (Towanda)
Phone: 570-265-1545
TTY: 570-265-5720
Cell: 570-485-8601
Fax: 570-265-2331
jmcnett@pa.gov
Susquehanna County (Trehab):
Montrose:
14 Public Avenue Montrose PA 18801
570-278-5202
1-800-982-4045 ext. 5202
Susquehanna:
1302 Main Street Susquehanna PA 18847
570-853-1103
1-800-982-4045 ext. 1104
Boots to Business (B2B) Classes
A two-day introduction to entrepreneurship course which introduces participants to key elements of small business ownership to assist in determining if entrepreneurship is a feasible and practical transition strategy.
For more information on classes: https://sba.my.site.com/s/b2b-course-information
Military and Veterans Licensure
Act 35 of 2022 will ease struggles for service members, veterans and their family members to obtain a professional license in Pennsylvania.
Website: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dos/resources/professional-licensing-resources/military-and-veterans-licensure.html
Veteran Small Business Certification (VetCert)
Veteran-owned small businesses can use this application to be certified by SBA to compete for federal contracts. https://veterans.certify.sba.gov
SCORE
(Service Corps of Retired Executives) has four types of SCORE volunteering opportunities: business mentors, workshop presenters, subject matter experts and chapter support roles. (Wikipedia) Website: https://www.score.org
Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31)
If you have a service-connected disability that limits your ability to work or prevents you from working, Veteran Readiness and Employment (formerly called Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment) can help. This program—also known as Chapter 31 or VR&E—helps you explore employment options and address education or training needs.
You’re eligible to apply for VR&E benefits and services if you meet both of these requirements:
You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge, and
You have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10% from VA
If you already have a VA disability rating, you can apply in any of these 4 ways.
Option 1: Online: https://www.va.gov/careers-employment/vocational-rehabilitation/apply-vre-form-28-1900/start
If you’re eligible, we’ll invite you to an orientation session at your nearest VA regional office.
Option 2: By mail
Fill out an Application for Veteran Readiness and Employment for Claimants with Service-Connected Disabilities (VA Form 28-1900).
Send your completed application here:
Department of Veterans Affairs
VR&E Intake Center
PO Box 5210
Janesville, WI
53547-5210
Option 3: In person
Go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee help you.
Option 4: With the help of a trained professional
You can work with an accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative to get help applying for VR&E benefits.
At Veterans Affairs of Susquehanna County, we have two Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) who are ready and willing to assist any Veterans who are seeking to file for VR&E benefits or link with any of the other vocational assistance programs, file for VA Compensation, or file for any State Veteran benefits. (va.gov)
Our office can be reached at the following:
P.O. Box 218 /31 Lake Avenue Montrose, PA 18801 (Courthouse-side entrance facing the green)Phone:
570-278-5955 or 570-278-4600 Ext. 3045
Fax:
570-278-5977
Upcoming Veteran Events:
Gulf War/Global War on Terror Veterans’ Support Group at Lenox VFW next meeting March 2nd, 2026, at 5:30 PM.
Vietnam Veterans Support Group at Lenox VFW next meeting on Monday March 2nd and March 16th, 2026, at 10:30 AM.
For Veteran Individual Readjustment Vet Center Counseling at Lenox/Elk Mountain VFW Post 8488 call Rob at 570-239-5191
Java for Joes Second Thursday of the month (March 12th , 2026) 10:00 AM to 12:00 at 798 Erie Ave Susquehanna, Pa at the Erie & Main Coffee House. Contact Melissa Dubas 607-765-1366.
Contact Information
Veterans Affairs
Department of Veterans Affairs
31 Lake Avenue (PO Box 218)
Montrose, PA 18801
Telephone: (570) 278-5955
Fax: (570) 278-5977
Jeffery Mead, Director / VSO