Register for the Soccer Virtual Certification Seminar
Certification Seminars
Your first step to becoming a Soldier Coach.
Free for the military community, these virtual certification seminars build coaching skills, leadership, community, and a renewed sense of purpose for service members, veterans, military spouses, and Gold Star family members.
Each coach’s journey is unique but the following provides a framework for a better understanding of how to get involved with STS.
Whether you have already been coaching for decades or you have never coached a day in your life, below is a step-by-step process to get involved with STS.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Four Live Virtual Sessions
A focused, high-impact seminar delivered live over four evenings designed to fit your schedule while launching your journey as a Soldier Coach.
Learn From the Best
Hear directly from accomplished coaches at the college, professional, and national levels who bring real-world insight and experience.
Practical Coaching Tools
Gain strategies you can apply immediately to run practices, build team culture, and develop confident athletes.
Leadership That Translates
Apply the leadership principles you built in the military to coaching environments and athlete development.
Develop The Whole Athlete
Learn how to coach athletes not just to perform, but to grow as leaders in sport and in life.
Join The Network
Become a part of a nationwide community of Soldier Coaches committed to building better lives through better coaching.
Discover a Renewed Sense of Purpose After Military Service Through Serving Others
Who Should Attend
For both aspiring coaches and those already leading a team
Active duty
service members
Veterans
Military spouses
Gold Star
family members
8
Sport-Specific
Certification Pathways
3,970
Soldier Coaches
Certified
198,500
Athletes Impacted
Nationwide
Upcoming Virtual Certification Seminars
Soccer
- June 15-18, 2026
- Powered by Wounded Warrior Project
Read our past Soccer blog.
Basketball
- August 24-27, 2026
- Powered by Wounded Warrior Project
Read our past Basketball blog.
Adaptive Athlete
- September 21-24, 2026
- Powered by Wounded Warrior Project
Read our past Adaptive Athlete blog.
Prefer an In-Person Experience? Learn More About the STS Summit Here.
For Companies and Corporate Partners
Why Companies Support Soldiers To Sidelines
Partnering with Soldiers To Sidelines strengthens your veteran workforce, builds confident leaders, and helps employees stay engaged through purpose-driven professional development.
Key Benefits
-
Leadership development for military employees
-
A stronger sense of purpose within your organization
-
Connection to a nationwide community of leaders
-
Access to elite coaches and mentors
For Service Members Who Want to Coach
Why Become a Soldier Coach
Becoming a Soldier Coach transforms military experience into meaningful mentorship through sport. Participants gain new leadership skills, build confidence, and join a nationwide community committed to growing athletes and strengthening local communities.
Certification is the first step in the STS Journey
Upon certification, you officially become a Soldier Coach and gain access to the STS Journey – our ongoing professional development experience that supports coaches throughout their careers.
For Companies and Corporate Partners
Why Companies Support Soldiers To Sidelines
Partnering with Soldiers To Sidelines strengthens your veteran workforce, builds confident leaders, and helps employees stay engaged through purpose-driven professional development.
Key Benefits
-
Leadership development for military employees
-
A stronger sense of purpose within your organization
-
Connection to a nationwide community of leaders
-
Access to elite coaches and mentors
For Service Members Who Want to Coach
Why Become a Soldier Coach
Becoming a Soldier Coach transforms military experience into meaningful mentorship through sport. Participants gain new leadership skills, build confidence, and join a nationwide community committed to growing athletes and strengthening local communities.
Certification is the first step in the STS Journey
Upon certification, you officially become a Soldier Coach and gain access to the STS Journey – our ongoing professional development experience that
supports coaches throughout their careers.
A Message From Our Founder
Make sure to listen to this short video from our Executive Director, Harrison Bernstein, to learn more about what Soldiers To Sidelines can do for you.
At Soldiers To Sidelines, the journey begins with one clear step: becoming a certified Soldier Coach. In this short video, CEO and Founder Harrison Bernstein explains how the STS pillars—Education, Community, and Opportunity—come to life through certification, laying the foundation for purposeful coaching, connection, and impact on and off the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Soldiers To Sidelines certification free?
Is the Soldiers To Sidelines certification free?
Yes. Soldiers To Sidelines Certification Seminars are completely free for eligible members of the military community, including active-duty service members, veterans, military spouses, and Gold Star family members, with costs covered through the support of sponsors and donors.
Do I need coaching experience to participate?
Do I need coaching experience to participate?
No. Prior coaching experience is not required. Our certification seminars are designed for both new and experienced coaches and provide practical tools you can apply immediately.
What sports certification pathways are available?
What sports certification pathways are available?
The Soldiers To Sidelines (STS) sports certification pathways span a wide range of sports and coaching specialties. These include certifications in football, basketball, soccer, endurance sports, sports performance (strength and conditioning), adaptive athlete coaching, and military women’s sports & fitness, with additional offerings such as lacrosse available in certain years or programming cycles.
What happens after I become certified?
What happens after I become certified?
Once certified, you officially become a Soldier Coach and gain access to the STS Journey, our ongoing development experience that supports you as you grow throughout your coaching career.
What do I receive after certification?
What do I receive after certification?
– Certificate of Completion sent via email
– Soldier Coach gift box mailed to first-time certified coaches
– Access to the STS Journey
How is my military affiliation verified?
How is my military affiliation verified?
During registration, participants verify their military affiliation through ID.me, a secure verification service widely used by government and military organizations.
How long does the certification seminar take?
How long does the certification seminar take?
Certification seminars are delivered live and virtually over four evenings, Monday – Thursday, 6:30pm – 9:30pm Eastern.
What is a Soldier Coach?
What is a Soldier Coach?
A Soldier Coach is a member of the military community who has completed the Soldiers To Sidelines certification seminar and is committed to serving others through coaching.
Do I need to attend every session to become certified?
Do I need to attend every session to become certified?
Yes. To receive certification, participants must attend all seminar sessions and complete the required assignments. Because the seminar is delivered live, there are no make-up sessions or substitute assignments.
Soldiers To Sidelines ® is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
To contact us, email info@soldierstosidelines.org
View our 2024 Financials
- Annual Report
- 990
Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) # 42644
© 2025 Soldiers To Sidelines
Soldiers To Sidelines ® is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
To contact us, email info@soldierstosidelines.org
View our 2024 Financials
- Annual Report
- 990
Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) # 42644
U.S. Army Veteran, Sergeant Major (Ret.)