Walser Sales Training Program GI Bill Eligible for Veterans

Veterans pursuing civilian careers in automotive retail now have a new pathway at Walser Automotive Group. Walser’s on-the-job automotive sales training program is now GI Bill® eligible, allowing qualified veterans to receive education benefits while building full-time sales careers.
 

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Dominic Tolkinen First to Use GI Bill at Walser

Walser Customer Specialist Dominic Tolkinen is the first veteran to utilize Walser’s new GI Bill benefit-eligible program. Tolkinen is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served as a Lance Corporal and CBRN Defense Specialist. He joined Walser in June 2025 and later became eligible for retroactive GI Bill Benefits after the company’s sales training program received approval in early 2026.

“Making GI Bill benefits available is a statement of who Walser really is and what they stand for,” Tolkinen said, “And just like in service to our country, at Walser we are driven by a commitment to protect, support, and serve with integrity.”

GI Bill-Eligible Job Training Newest Support for Veterans Working at Walser

The GI Bill approval builds on Walser’s veteran employment efforts, including the company’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon company designation in 2025 and goal to hire 50 veterans annually. Walser worked alongside its veteran employee resource group, Veterans at Walser, and the Minnesota’s Department of Veterans Affairs to certify the 12-month, 2,000-hour training program as eligible for both the federal and Minnesota GI Bill.

“Walser making their sales training benefit-eligible creates a bridge from service to purpose,” said Tolkinen, “Walser does more than thank their veterans for their service: they invest in their lives, their families, and their next chapter.”

As a result, veterans like Tolkinen and other eligible beneficiaries enrolled in Walser’s sales training program can now receive GI Bill benefits alongside our military-focused benefits, such as military training pay and differential pay for active deployments. Together, these benefits provide financial stability and ease the transition for military personnel.

“The word ‘thank you’ often feels insufficient for our veterans’ sacrifice, and making our sales training program benefit-eligible is an actionable way to show gratitude and support to our veterans,” said Kristen Baker, Walser’s Director of Training.

Inside Walser’s GI Bill Eligible Automotive Sales Training Program

The sales training program was redesigned in 2024 to center on the learner experience and support multiple learning styles.

“Many dealerships drop new hires off on the show floor with no support or guidance. This is a structured, compassionate training program that not only builds skills, but careers as well,” Baker said.

Walser’s GI Bill-eligible sales training program, also called the New Hire Customer Specialist Training Program, combines classroom instruction, self-guided learning, workshops, and hands-on dealership experience. The structured approach prepares sales consultants for high-performance sales roles and long-term leadership opportunities.

Beyond the program’s high-quality content, all instructors are former Customer Specialists who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and experience.

The New Hire Customer Specialist Training Program is a paid training program. With the additional eligibility of the GI Bill benefit, veterans are well-positioned to succeed both financially and in their new sales careers.

Walser Expands Support for Veteran Well-Being

In 2026, Veterans at Walser plans to implement a veteran mentorship program designed to connect new veteran hires with experienced veteran mentors who can provide guidance and support during a critical transition period.

In addition to the support available to our veterans working at Walser, the company also offers a lifetime military discount on all vehicle purchases with no eligibility restrictions. This discount can be combined with any military benefits offered by vehicle manufacturers, providing additional savings for veterans.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://benefits.va.gov/gibill/.