Jeff Guild served for more than 20 years as a U.S. Navy SEAL, with tours of duty in Afghanistan, Europe, South America, and Africa. When he decided to retire from the military, he used the GI Bill—which supports education and job training for vets—to transition into commercial real estate by taking CCIM designation courses.
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| Former U.S. Navy SEAL Jeff Guild used CCIM Institute’s Veterans in Real Estate Program to transition into commercial real estate after retiring from the military. |
“This was the most comprehensive pathway I found into the industry,” Guild says. “I was constantly researching the best ways to make up for lost time, and the answers always returned to CCIM Institute.”
U.S. veterans, as well as eligible beneficiaries, can now take advantage of the institute’s CCIM Veterans in Real Estate Program, offered in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Benefits under the GI Bill will cover the cost of tuition and fees.
“Veterans bring a strong work ethic and a high level of discipline to the commercial real estate industry,” says 2017 CCIM Institute President Robin L. Webb. “Adding the quality of a CCIM education to that skill set makes these veterans highly sought-after real estate practitioners.”
U.S. Army veteran Jeremy Otto, who served more than seven years as a staff sergeant with tours of duty in Iraq, says that, similar to the military, commercial real estate requires due diligence, thorough research, discipline, and a well-planned strategy. His military experience made the jump to commercial real estate a smooth one, he says.
Steven Rosa, a former Human Resources Senior Sergeant in the U.S. Army with combat experience in Iraq, was tasked with placing personnel in the right positions. He says he has seen many veterans struggle with finding a career that fits with their previous skill set once they leave the military. But commercial real estate seems to be the right fit for many veterans—including Rosa himself. “I firmly believe veterans bring a lot to the table in any business,” he says. “But the prestigious CCIM Institute program opens further doors and elevates us to the highest levels of commercial real estate professionals.”
According to the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2017 Commercial Member Profile released Wednesday, the median gross annual income for a commercial real estate practitioner in 2016 was $120,900, an 11 percent increase from 2015.
Source: CCIM Institute
