More service members are attending military-to-civilian transition classes than ever before, but thousands are still falling through gaps in the separation process and missing out on help needed to successfully start their lives as veterans, advocates and lawmakers warned on Wednesday.

Of particular concern are the large numbers of separating troops who are missing mandatory two-day transition classes. In a report released this week, officials from the Government Accountability Office found that the requirement was waived for more than half of all service members — and nearly one-fourth of those troops were considered at risk for transition problems.

That translated last year into nearly 11,000 military members — many of them enlisted — leaving the ranks without clear employment plans or a handle on what support resources are available.

In addition, about 70% of all troops are taking transition assistance classes less than a year before their planned separation, later than required program deadlines.

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Military transition classes improving, but attendance still lags (militarytimes.com)