As Americans observe Memorial Day this Monday, many communities will honor their military members. For thousands of veterans transitioning into civilian life each year, the holiday may bring questions about what comes after their service ends.

For some veterans, the roofing industry has become part of that next chapter.

Why Veterans Are Drawn to Roofing

Kimberly Santiago, program manager for the GAF Roofing Academy, said many veterans are drawn to roofing because the work reflects qualities familiar to military service, including structure, teamwork and accountability.

“Veterans are used to working in demanding environments, adapting quickly, and solving problems under pressure, which translates well into roofing,” Santiago said.

The GAF Roofing Academy is a tuition-free training program focused on roofing systems, restoration and in-home sales. According to Santiago, the program also connects participants with employers in the roofing industry.

The academy launched in 2020 and placed more than 3,000 participants into roofing jobs, according to information provided by GAF. The program includes a focus on veterans and other underrepresented groups entering the trades.

“To date, the program has trained hundreds of service-affiliated participants and has achieved a 49.54% placement rate with this group, successfully placing them into various jobs within the roofing industry”, said Santiago. 

From Military Skills to Roofing Work

Santiago said one of the biggest challenges veterans face after leaving the military is moving from a highly-structured environment into one where career paths may feel less defined.

“Without a straightforward roadmap, it can be difficult to identify where to start or how to gain traction in a new industry,” she said.

The academy participates in the Department of Defense SkillBridge program, which allows transitioning service members to receive civilian workforce training during their final months of military service. Santiago said that structure can help participants apply skills developed in the military to civilian careers.

Jacob Radford, a Navy veteran and graduate of the academy, said roofing offered him a career that matched the mindset he developed during military service.

“In both the Navy and roofing, you’re constantly problem-solving under pressure,” Radford said. “The physical demands don’t intimidate me because I’m used to hard work. Mentally, it’s about staying sharp and adaptable.”

Radford described the academy as similar to a “roofing bootcamp” where participants can quickly build skills, even without previous industry experience.

Santiago said roofing can also provide multiple career paths beyond field work, including sales, operations, leadership and business ownership.

“Homes and buildings will always require maintenance, repair, and replacement,” Santiago said. “For veterans, this creates a reliable career path with multiple options for growth.”