Memphis, Tennessee veteran employment help: priority of service, hiring preferences, VR&E training, and free job placement near you.
Memphis (population 633,104) is one of the larger metros in Tennessee, and several local and statewide programs serve veterans here. Most VA-administered care for Memphis is delivered through Memphis VA Medical Center. This page lists verified employment resources filtered to Memphis, plus the broader Tennessee guide for help that is available statewide.
Veterans in crisis: dial 988 then press 1, text 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net (24/7).
Veterans bring exceptional skills to the civilian workforce — leadership, discipline, technical expertise, and the ability to perform under pressure. Tennessee, home to approximately 470,000 veterans, offers a robust network of employment resources to help service members transition to meaningful civilian careers.
This guide covers federal and state employment programs, hiring preferences, career counseling, training opportunities, and veteran-friendly employers in Tennessee.
Department of Education-funded TRIO Veterans Upward Bound program serving Memphis-area veterans. Free academic refresher courses, college application help, financial aid guidance, and transition support for postsecondary success.
Community-based VA Vet Center serving Memphis area combat veterans and their families with free counseling, readjustment services, and bereavement support. Vet Centers are independent of VA medical facilities and confidential.
Dial 2-1-1 or search 211.org for Memphis-area emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance, and homeless veteran outreach. Local 2-1-1 specialists screen for veteran-specific programs (HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD) and connect callers to the nearest intake point.
Department of Labor American Job Center serving Memphis veterans. Priority of service, Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) staffing, training referrals, and resume support.
Veterans Treatment Court diversion option for justice-involved Memphis veterans with eligible offenses. Combines court supervision with VA treatment, peer mentors, and wraparound services as an alternative to incarceration.
Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) serving Memphis, TN administer the Housing Choice Voucher used for HUD-VASH. Use HUD's official PHA contact list to find the right local PHA, request the veteran-priority waitlist, and confirm intake hours.
Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and certifying-official support for GI Bill students at community and technical colleges in the Memphis area. Help with VA Form 22-1995, Yellow Ribbon, and credit-for-prior-learning evaluations.
VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) options for Memphis, TN veterans. CBOCs deliver primary care, mental health, and select specialty services closer to home than the parent VA medical center.
HUD-VASH (Housing & Urban Development - VA Supportive Housing) combines a Housing Choice Voucher with VA case management for homeless Memphis veterans. Apply through the local public housing authority and your nearest VA medical center.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Hiring Our Heroes runs hiring fairs, employer fellowships, and corporate fellowship cohorts open to Memphis-area transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses.
Free civil legal help for Memphis-area veterans through Legal Services Corporation grantees and the Stateside Legal veteran-facing directory. Common matters include discharge upgrades, VA benefits appeals, family law, and housing.
VA Regional Office and benefit-counselor lookup for veterans in Memphis, TN. Confirm in-person hours, schedule a claims appointment, or find your nearest VBA benefits office.
Student Veterans of America (SVA) recognized chapters at colleges and universities in the Memphis area. SVA chapters provide peer support, advocacy, and connections to GI Bill, scholarship, and career resources.
SSVF grantee outreach for very low-income veteran families in Memphis who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. SSVF can fund rapid re-housing, temporary financial assistance, and case management.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31, VR&E) services for service-connected Memphis veterans pursuing employment, self-employment, or independent living. Tuition, fees, books, and a monthly subsistence allowance may be covered.
American Legion Department of TN accredited service officer support for Memphis-area veterans. Service officers help draft VA claims, gather evidence, and represent veterans through the appeals process at no cost.
Local HUD-funded Continuum of Care coordinated-entry intake for Memphis-area veterans experiencing homelessness. CoCs route veterans to HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD transitional housing, and local nonprofit partners.
Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility serving Memphis, TN veterans with primary care, mental health, and specialty services. Use the VA find-locations tool to confirm hours, services, and the closest clinic.
Self-service and pro bono discharge upgrade resources for Memphis veterans, including the VA's official application guide and matching with attorneys who handle BCMR/DRB cases.
Accredited county Veterans Service Officer for Memphis area veterans. Free help filing VA disability, pension, dependency, and burial benefit claims. Walk-in and appointment hours vary by office; call before visiting.
These Tennessee programs are not based in Memphis but accept residents.
Department of Labor American Job Center serving Clarksville veterans. Priority of service, Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) staffing, training referrals, and resume support.
Dial 2-1-1 or search 211.org for Knoxville-area emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance, and homeless veteran outreach. Local 2-1-1 specialists screen for veteran-specific programs (HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD) and connect callers to the nearest intake point.
Local HUD-funded Continuum of Care coordinated-entry intake for Nashville-area veterans experiencing homelessness. CoCs route veterans to HUD-VASH, SSVF, GPD transitional housing, and local nonprofit partners.
Community-based VA Vet Center serving Chattanooga area combat veterans and their families with free counseling, readjustment services, and bereavement support. Vet Centers are independent of VA medical facilities and confidential.
American Legion Department of TN accredited service officer support for Nashville-area veterans. Service officers help draft VA claims, gather evidence, and represent veterans through the appeals process at no cost.
Veterans Treatment Court diversion option for justice-involved Murfreesboro veterans with eligible offenses. Combines court supervision with VA treatment, peer mentors, and wraparound services as an alternative to incarceration.
Self-service and pro bono discharge upgrade resources for Clarksville veterans, including the VA's official application guide and matching with attorneys who handle BCMR/DRB cases.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31, VR&E) services for service-connected Knoxville veterans pursuing employment, self-employment, or independent living. Tuition, fees, books, and a monthly subsistence allowance may be covered.
