CPI Foundation
National Park Military Training Program
Application Deadlines
Early Application - Submitted prior to one year ahead of session start date
Regular Application - Submitted 180-360 days prior to session start date - The possibility of admission is greatest with regular application
Expedited Application - Submitted 90-180 days prior to session start date - Applicants are accepted on space available basis
Special Circumstances Application - Submitted 7-90 days prior to session start date - Apply even if last minute, positions may open at any time due to late cancellations
2 Program Options
Fees & Costs
No program cost to participants thanks to our generous sponsors, subject to change in the future
Participants required to pay their own food and personal expenses
12-Week Training Program + Career Placement Assistance - Apply >
Housing
Alcatraz: Housing is provided for accepted applicants by CPI in partnership with the National Park Service. Housing is located in the Marin Headlands just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The site is located within the National Park along the Pacific Ocean, just minutes from downtown San Francisco. We are fortunate to share these NPS housing facilities with other Park programs; an experience that provides the opportunity to interact with interns from diverse backgrounds and interests who are all dedicated to learning and stewardship of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Private bedrooms with shared kitchen and bath facilities. Local outdoor activities include hiking, fishing, road/mountain biking, etc.
Pearl Harbor: Active duty participant housing on local military bases
Hands-on and classroom-based career training program for transitioning active duty military personnel interested in civilian management or trades careers in, or related to, construction and infrastructure. Participants train, earn industry certifications, complete all management and hands-on aspects of construction and repair projects in national parks, prepare resumes, and improve interview skills. Individuals with or without experience, and/or prior interest in construction, are encouraged to apply and discover where they fit into the future of the US construction and infrastructure industry and its vast and varied career opportunities. We partner with large and small companies across the U.S. who interview candidates for careers at all levels in construction, production, transportation, sales, service, and related areas. Paid company internship options and connections to related college programs available. All participants automatically enrolled in the Career Placement Assistance program below.
My experience on Alcatraz was incredible. I learned more than I ever imagined I would. The instruction was amazing and the industry contacts I have as a result of the experience will carry into my future career.
- Michelle, 2013Required ltems
Individuals are required to provide their own steel toe work boots, long-sleeve work shirts, and full-length work pants
CPI program shirts, hats, and necessary Personal Protective Equipment provided
Transportation
Alcatraz: Transportation to and from CPI housing and Alcatraz Island/other program sites for training days is provided. Transportation to and from San Francisco at the beginning and end of a session and personal transportation outside of work hours are the responsibility of individual participants. The Marin Headlands housing is somewhat remote so individual cars are recommended; however, public transportation is available to points within and around San Francisco and the CPI van regularly stops at local stores to allow participants to purchase food and other necessities.
Pearl Harbor: Transportation is the responsibility of active duty military participants; CPI may assist with parking arrangements.
Who Should Apply
Active duty military service members - click here to apply
May apply to either the Alcatraz Island or Pearl Harbor locations
Participate during their last 180 days of active duty service
Remain on active duty for the duration of the full-time 12-week CPI program
Military veterans, reservists, and dependents, college students, other young adults - click here to apply
May apply to participate in the Alcatraz location only
Applicants accepted on a space available basis with priority going to active duty
Any participant with exceptional performance may be encouraged to apply for a second session as a CPI Fellow at their current location or another CPI Field Training location across the United States
No prior experience necessary, all participants must be at least 18 years of age
Career Placement Assistance - Request More Information >
Optional & Recommended ltems
Alcatraz Program: Participants may want to consider bringing a camera, mountain or road bike, hiking boots, running shoes, light and heavy jackets for varying weather conditions, special small cooking equipment (basic cooking equipment provided), fishing poles, and/or other reasonable items for physical fitness, site seeing, and recreation. If you are participating at the Alcatraz location, we recommend a Giant's baseball cap to wear in case you and your crew decide to take the ferry across the San Francisco Bay to a Giant's game. We welcome patronage for other sports teams, but please note that we do take our SF Giants very seriously.
Pearl Harbor: Participants live on military base, therefore off-work hours and activities are guided by customary military rules and expectations.
Participant lnformation
For service members unable or not interested in the 12-week training program, we offer assistance to connect candidates directly to employers and college programs across the U.S. No experience or prior interest required.