A holistic approach to planning the preretirement education of active duty noncommissioned officers was formulated on the basis of Sample and Kaufman's Organizational Elements Model. The approach stresses removing the responsibility for education and employment of veterans from the state and Federal level and placing it on the individual soldier. The model is divided into internal and external elements, which are in turn subdivided into organizational efforts and societal impact. Organizational efforts include inputs containing resources, physical facilities, existing needs, goals, and objectives. The processes include teaching, training, developing, and using the small-group approach. The outputs are certification, job entry, improvement skills, or licensure. Outcomes are current and future self-sufficiency, production, and improved quality of life. The proposed program is based on the assumption that the real responsibility for the transition into civilian life for the veteran must be placed on the individual and is designed to assist active duty soldiers by providing them with a plan of action to follow. (MN)