U.S. Army Reserve Partnership Perfect for Louisiana City

Slidell Mayor Ben O. Morris signed a agreeement with the U.S. Army Reserve Feb. 23 while U.S. Army Reserve Col. James Lee commander, 377th Sustainment Command, and Dave Lemaire, Army Reserve Employer Partnership Initiative Program Support Manager watch.

SLIDELL, La. - The City of Slidell joined forces with the U.S. Army Reserve Feb. 23 to take advantage of the Army Reserve Employer Partnership Initiative, a unique program which offers businesses tangible incentives to hire Army Reserve soldiers.

"The United States Army has invested a tremendous amount of time and money training these individuals in a variety of skills," said U.S. Army Reserve Col. James Lee, who met with Slidell Mayor Ben Morris, EPI's National Program Manager Johnny H. Dwiggins and Program Support Manager David Lemaire to formalize the city's participation agreement. "Now we just need to find places these soldiers can utilize these skills."

Since the Employer Partnership's launch in April 2008, cities across America have taken advantage of the program, employing Army Reserve soldiers as accountants, human resources managers, medical professionals, city planners, attorneys, transportation specialists, teachers, law enforcement officers, engineers, communication network experts, and more.

Joining the program is free and saves companies and cities money, Dwiggins said. To post a job on a commerical site for 30 days can cost from $99 to $385. If the employer uses a private placement company it can cost 20 to 30 percent of the employees salary or $25,000 for a $100,000 position.

It also saves partners in traning and health care costs.

The potential employees have already completed occupational specialty instruction through the Army Reserve, the City of Slidell will save money normally associated with on-the-job training, he added. Additionally, because Army Reserve soldiers must be healthy, physically fit and drug free to remain in the Army Reserve, the new employees will be, on average, healthier than the general population.

"So many of these soldiers complete their training and are ready to enter the workforce, but they don't have the means to find the employers who need someone with their skills," Dwiggins said. "The Employer Partnership Initiative makes it easy for the two to find each other."

Morris is confident that the partnership will enable the city to fill some of its vacant positions.

"This is a program that makes good business sense," said Morris, as he signed the paperwork. "The city is honored to be part of it."

Among those that joined the mayor in signing were Alex Gonzales, Sr. and Alex Gonzales, Jr. of Alex's Body Shop, Tye Tycer of Mount Tycer and Gerard Clade and Red Childers of MEW shuttle service.

After the signing ceremony, Lee presented Staff Sgt. Shane Leake a Certificate of Appreciation for setting up new computers purchased to support the Army Reserve Employer Partnership Initiative.

"Staff Sgt. Leake is a prime example of the many men and women whose services are available through the Reserve Employer Partnership," Lee said. "He's an outstanding Internet Technology Specialist. If I were a business, I'd leap at the opportunity to hire him."

Businesses interested in learning more about the program should contact Lemaire (985)649-7011 or 1-888-649-7011.