When Cristine Carpenter transitioned out of the Navy, she carried the same questions many servicemembers do: What comes next? For me, for my career, for my family? How do I make the most of my education benefits? The transition process felt uncertain, and she wished for a guide that could help her see the road ahead more clearly.

That longing turned into a mission. After founding a small business, Cristine and her team would go on to create Career Path DECIDE (CPD) — a free, easy-to-use platform that has become a crucial toll in the exploration and planning toolbelt for more than a million veterans, servicemembers and military families since its launch in 2018. For many, it has been the stable co-pilot at their side, helping them chart a course to the right civilian career after leaving the military and weigh the best education options to get there.

Earlier this year, when CPD went offline due to federal budget cuts, thousands felt the loss. Veterans trying to figure out how to best use their tuition assistance dollars, families guiding their children toward college and active-duty servicemembers planning ahead all suddenly lost a trusted compass.

Cristine understood that pain. “When I was serving, I struggled to know how to use my tuition assistance to prepare for life after the Navy,” she shared. “That’s why I believe CPD is more than a tool — it’s a lifeline.”

Thanks to the generosity of philanthropic sponsors Walmart, the Schultz Family Foundation and the Tullman Family Office, and support from partners like the American Council on Education (ACE) and Student Veterans of America (SVA), CPD relaunched in August, more accessible than ever before. Now anyone can use it, free of charge, to explore potential careers, match their skills to the best education programs and set confident goals to make a plan for the future.

For veterans, it means a smoother path into civilian life. For American Legion families, it means children and grandchildren have a place to turn when deciding on majors, careers or mid-life changes. And for Cristine, it means knowing others won’t have to face transition alone.

Career Path DECIDE is a companion for every step of the career and education journey, helping veterans and their families move from uncertainty to opportunity.

Explore it today at www.careerpathdecide.org.

To learn more about Cristine and her company, visit https://www.vantagepoint-inc.com.