Fort Carson — Transition Guide
Everything you need to plan your transition from Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, CO. Local job market, VA resources, and CO veteran benefits.
ACTIVE DUTY
24,500
TOTAL COMMUNITY
65,000
MAJOR UNITS
6
TAP OFFICE
Yes
Major Units at Fort Carson
Colorado Springs, CO Job Market
The Colorado Springs, CO metro area is the local job market for veterans transitioning from Fort Carson. Many veterans choose to stay in the area due to established community ties.
Transition Tips
- 1.Start your job search 6-12 months before separation
- 2.Attend Fort Carson's TAP workshops and career fairs
- 3.Connect with local veteran employment organizations
- 4.Research Colorado Springs, CO cost of living and salary ranges
Colorado Resources
- •16 VA facilities in Colorado
- •400K veterans in Colorado
- •State veteran benefits and tax exemptions
TAP / Transition Office at Fort Carson
Soldier for Life — Transition Assistance Program (SFL-TAP) Fort Carson
Bldg 1218, Room 135, Fort Carson, CO 80913
Phone: 719-526-1001
Walk-in registration M-F starting 9am at 719-526-1002. Some classes held in Bldg 1042, 1853 O'Connell Blvd. Required for all separating Soldiers.
VA Facilities Near Colorado Springs
The closest VA medical centers, clinics, and Vet Centers for veterans transitioning from Fort Carson.
PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Clinic
CBOCColorado Springs, CO · 10 mi N · 3141 Centennial Blvd
719-327-5660Colorado Springs Vet Center
Vet CenterColorado Springs, CO · 10 mi N · 3737 E Pikes Peak Ave
719-633-2902Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (Aurora)
VAMCAurora, CO · 70 mi N · 1700 N Wheeling St
303-399-8020Veteran-Friendly Employers in Colorado Springs, CO
Major employers in the Colorado Springs, CO area known to hire transitioning service members and veterans. Roles range across defense, healthcare, technology, and skilled trades.
Lockheed Martin
Defense contractorMajor Colorado Springs presence — space systems, missile defense, cyber. Strong cleared-veteran pipeline.
Northrop Grumman
Defense contractorSchriever SFB-area work, missile defense, space ground systems. Heavy SCI-cleared hiring.
Boeing
Defense / AerospaceMissile defense and space contracts at Schriever and Peterson SFB.
Raytheon Technologies
Defense contractorMissile defense and space systems work co-located with the Air Force operational commands.
L3Harris Technologies
Defense contractorMission networks and cyber operations support to Space Force/USSPACECOM.
Centura Health (St. Francis, Penrose)
HealthcareLargest health system in southern Colorado. Strong veteran-hiring presence in clinical and admin.
Schriever / Peterson SFB DoD civilian (DA Civ / GS)
Federal civilianMany Fort Carson separating soldiers transition into GS positions on the same installation.
United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee
Sports / NonprofitColorado Springs HQ; veteran-friendly hiring and Paralympic Service Member program.
Local Veteran Service Organizations
Free representation, peer support, and benefit assistance from accredited VSOs in the Colorado Springs area.
El Paso County Veterans Service Office
County VSO — accredited claims help, free. 1675 W Garden of the Gods Rd, Colorado Springs.
719-520-7177Colorado Department of Military & Veterans Affairs (CDMVA)
State VSO with offices throughout Colorado.
303-914-5832Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center
Colorado Springs nonprofit — accredited claims help, employment services, peer support. 530 Communication Cir.
719-309-4714DAV Department of Colorado
Multiple chapters in Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Find via dav.org/locator.
VFW Department of Colorado
Posts throughout the Pikes Peak region. Find via vfw.org.
Housing & BAH at Fort Carson
Colorado Springs is a moderate-cost market — BAH covers most reasonable rents in the broader Pikes Peak region. Areas like Briargate, Stetson Hills, Falcon, and Fountain are typically within BAH for E-5+. Downtown and the foothills run higher. 2026 rates increased 2.1% from 2025.
| Rank | With dependents | Without dependents |
|---|---|---|
| E-5 | $2,358 | $1,860 |
| E-7 | $2,487 | $2,166 |
| O-3 | $2,595 | $2,397 |
BAH ZIP: 80913. Sample rates FY2026. Confirm current rates with the official DoD BAH calculator.
Army Career Translation Guides
Explore civilian career paths for Army occupations commonly found at Fort Carson.
Infantryman
7 career paths
Combat Engineer
5 career paths
Fire Support Specialist
4 career paths
UH-60 Helicopter Repairer
5 career paths
Cavalry Scout
4 career paths
Information Technology Specialist
7 career paths
Signal Support Systems Specialist
4 career paths
Paralegal Specialist
4 career paths
VA Claims & Disability
Start your VA disability claim before or after separating from Fort Carson. File a Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) claim 90-180 days before separation for faster processing.
Plan Your Transition from Fort Carson
Use our free toolkit to translate your MOS, build your civilian resume, track VA claims, and explore Colorado benefits — all in one place.