This Digest discusses the conversion of military personnel to school employees and describes a U.S. Department of Defense program called "Troops to Teachers" that helps military personnel affected by defense cut-backs pursue new careers as teachers and teachers' aides. Created by Congress in 1992 through the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 (Public Law 102-484), the program extends financial assistance to military personnel so they can obtain required teaching credentials and provides partial salary subsidies to enable qualified school districts subsequently to hire these individuals. To obtain credentials and complete the transition as quickly as possible, participants are steered to alternative certification programs, particularly those that award credit for military service or education. Recipients seeking teacher certification must have a bachelor's degree or higher when applying for a $5,000 stipend, while those interested in teachers' aide courses must hold at least an associate's degree. All participants must agree to acquire necessary credentials within two years of their separation from the military and accept full-time employment for five consecutive years in schools that receive federal grants for compensatory education programs. (LL)