Northwest Florida offers a unique competitive advantage for businesses looking to innovate and thrive — access to one of the highest concentrations of skilled, highly-trained, and ready-to-work populations in the country. A dense network of military installations brings thousands of service members and their families to Northwest Florida every year, and many decide to stay when they separate from the military.
Every year, well over 5,200 highly skilled individuals leave the military. Of that, 47 percent plan to stay in the region, adding 2,250 individuals to our workforce, and this number is growing. These individuals bring with them unmatched experience in leadership, logistics, engineering, cybersecurity, aviation, and advanced technology—skills that are mission-critical for today’s economy.
5,200
Average annual number of personnel separating from the military in FGNW.
47%
Plan to stay in the region. Adding 2,250 highly skilled individuals to the civilian workforce a year.
59%
Of personnel hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Separations in FGNW Region
Source: Lightcast, BLS, QCEW, US Census Bureau. Data visualization provided by the UWF Haas Center.
A separating service member in the FGNW region is nearly twice as likely to hold a four-year degree. Many majored in cyber, aeronautics, or logistics. National research shows veterans’ home ownership jumps from 43.0 percent three months after separation to 73.0 percent within six and a half鈥痽ears.
Survey Results: Educational Attainment of Separatees & Spouses in FGNW
Source: Haas Center & CareerSource Military Survey (2025). Data visualization provided by the UWF Haas Center.
Built-in Savings
Many veterans are cleared for high-level security operations. They possess certifications, technical training, and real-world problem-solving skills. A wide range of missions and capabilities lead to a diverse workforce, idea for sectors including defense contracting, manufacturing, IT, aerospace, and professional services (DCSA - Defense Counterintelligence & Security Agency FY25 rate).
Clearance Credential Savings
A Tier-5 (Top-Secret/SCI) investigation costs $5,355 — hiring veterans with credentials removes that cost and months of waiting.
GI鈥態ill鈥慞owered Upskilling
Local colleges and universities (UWF, Northwest Florida State, Gulf鈥疌oast State) convert GI鈥態ill dollars into your custom certificate needs, zero training鈥恇udget drain.
Retention via Lifestyle & VA Benefits
Beach-front living, no state income tax, and VA medical hubs keep turnover low.
In-Demand Skill Sets
| Civilian Fit | Military Role | Competitive Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced MRO / composites | F鈥�35 & MQ鈥�9 Avionics | ISO鈥�9001 discipline, stealth鈥憈ech expertise |
| Agile supply鈥慶hain manager | Special鈥慜ps Logistics | Lean鈥慡ix鈥慡igma under combat timelines |
| SOC, zero鈥憈rust architect | Cyber / EW Analysts | TS/SCI cleared on Day鈥�1 |
| UAS & hypersonic R&D | Range Test Engineers | 134k鈥憁i² Gulf range experience |