The Fullerton College Drone Technology Program — one of the most robust drone education programs on the West Coast — is flying to new heights to strengthen veteran and military connections.
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Veterans coming into the program with relevant military experience could be awarded class credit in the drone program, bypassing beginning courses.
And a new partnership with a nonprofit that connects veterans to jobs in the autonomous robotics industry is meant to provide more tailored job opportunities once they transition out of the program.
Nicholas Stafford, left, carries a submersible UAV as he and Blake Castillo inventory equipment at the Fullerton Drone Lab at Fullerton College in Fullerton on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The school recently announced three new initiatives to strengthen California’s workforce in the autonomous systems industry. A partnership with Vets to Drones, an expanded Credit for Prior Learning system, and new ROTC pathways for students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Drone and Autonomous Systems. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Matthew Alayoubi, left, and Nicholas Stafford inventory equipment at the Fullerton Drone Lab at Fullerton College in Fullerton on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The school recently announced three new initiatives to strengthen California’s workforce in the autonomous systems industry. A partnership with Vets to Drones, an expanded Credit for Prior Learning system, and new ROTC pathways for students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Drone and Autonomous Systems. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Matthew Alayoubi, right, controls a robotic drone with Nicholas Stafford at the Fullerton Drone Lab at Fullerton College in Fullerton on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The school recently announced three new initiatives to strengthen California’s workforce in the autonomous systems industry. A partnership with Vets to Drones, an expanded Credit for Prior Learning system, and new ROTC pathways for students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Drone and Autonomous Systems. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nicholas Stafford works to inventory equipment at the Fullerton Drone Lab at Fullerton College in Fullerton on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The school recently announced three new initiatives to strengthen California’s workforce in the autonomous systems industry. A partnership with Vets to Drones, an expanded Credit for Prior Learning system, and new ROTC pathways for students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Drone and Autonomous Systems. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Matthew Alayoubi, left, Nicholas Stafford, center, and Blake Castillo, work to repair a fixed-wing UAV at the Fullerton Drone Lab at Fullerton College in Fullerton on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The school recently announced three new initiatives to strengthen California’s workforce in the autonomous systems industry. A partnership with Vets to Drones, an expanded Credit for Prior Learning system, and new ROTC pathways for students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Drone and Autonomous Systems. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Matthew Alayoubi at the Fullerton Drone Lab at Fullerton College in Fullerton on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The school recently announced three new initiatives to strengthen California’s workforce in the autonomous systems industry. A partnership with Vets to Drones, an expanded Credit for Prior Learning system, and new ROTC pathways for students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Drone and Autonomous Systems. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
For students interested in beginning a career in the military, the program has also partnered with two Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and Cal State Fullerton.
“It’s just more opportunities for students coming in to have this full experience and utilize their resources,” Director of the Drone Technology Program Jay Seidel said about the ROTC partnerships.
The new initiatives will help provide a smooth transition in and out of the military for many of the 200 students already involved in the program.
“Before joining the program, I knew drones was a growing industry, but I did not realize the breadth of the opportunities that existed, or the potential this field has to shape the future,” Army veteran Priscilla Medina, who joined the program in 2023, said.
Medina is one of 30 students starting the new bachelor of science in drone and autonomous systems this fall. The 120-unit program is the first bachelor degree offered at Fullerton College.
“It’s historic, it is the first of its kind and it’s just absolutely amazing that it’s available at Fullerton College and accessible to students,” Medina said.
After taking a few classes in the drone program, Medina was introduced to Vets to Drones, a free network of veterans, instructors and organizations who provide training and mentorship to connect veterans with the drone workforce.
“When service members transition out, they carry discipline, technical skill and a mission-first mindset that few civilians can match,” founder and CEO of Vets to Drones Chris Lewis said. “Unmanned systems are one of the best places in the economy to put that talent to work.”
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Veterans in the drone program will continue to be introduced to the Vets to Drones network, and members will also be connected to the various programs at Fullerton College.
“We’re seeing an increased number of veterans,” Seidel said. “I have a feeling the more the military integrates drones at various levels, we’ll see a lot of folks coming out that are knowledgeable in something, and we can move them into a degree program.”
For Jorge Tovar, a Marine veteran also starting the bachelor’s degree this fall, the program has done more than introduce him to the drone industry.
“For veterans, I think this is an excellent opportunity,” Tovar said. “It not only provides an educational experience, but there’s camaraderie there. It’s also therapeutic in a way, because you’re out in the field and you are doing things outdoors.”
By implementing a Credit for Prior Learning program — which awards class credit for skills gained outside the traditional college setting — the drone program will also allow veterans to bypass classes in which their military experience is equivalent.
“We’re kind of building that plane while we’re flying it together,” Seidel said. “As more training gets developed through the military, then we can develop more classes for Credit for Prior Learning in our program.”
And for those students looking to gain military experience, the partnerships with local ROTC programs will allow them to continue taking classes through the drone program while benefiting from ROTC scholarship opportunities and specialized military training.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Commander of the Air Force ROTC program at Loyola Marymount University Adrian Cruz said. “We’ve been trying to let students in the Los Angeles area know about the opportunities that exist to join our program, and potentially become officers in the Air Force and Space Force.”
As the program continues to develop, Seidel hopes that students will discover the burgeoning drone industry and find unique opportunities to use the degree and other resources.
“It’s not just drones,” Seidel said.
“It’s a broader tech degree anchored in the autonomous systems world,” Seidel said. “Students that go into the program are well-rounded and can go into any aspect of the autonomous industry, or any other organization using autonomous systems.”
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