Chicago, Illinois State Employees Sign Public-Private Partnership

Employer Partnership Initiative Supports Careers, Strengthens Economy

CHICAGO – The Army Reserve and the National Guard signed partnership agreements today with dozens of Chicago and Illinois State employers to work collaboratively to enhance job opportunities for America's Soldiers and Veterans. The alliances, launched as part of the Army Reserve Employer Partnership Initiative (EPI), will help strengthen the community, support Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers and their Families, and maintain a strong economy.

"I'm pleased to begin lasting partnerships with the State of Illinois and so many of the Chicago area's leading employers. I look forward to collaborating with our newest valued partners to achieve mutual goals to attract, develop and retain a quality workforce," said Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief, Army Reserve. "This is a natural partnership because today's partners have always been great friends of the military."

Through the EPI, employers and the Armed Forces secure and share the talents of trained professionals. Businesses and organizations benefit from the employment of men and women with Army values, experience and proven leadership skills. Since its inception in April 2008, nearly 500 public and private employers have joined the initiative.

"The men and women of the Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve are highly motivated, seasoned professionals and some of the highest caliber potential employees for private industry. This partnership is good for our Soldiers, local communities in Chicago and around the Nation," said Maj. Gen. William L. Enyart, adjutant general, Illinois National Guard.

The Army Reserve and Army National Guard are teaming up with business leaders and public officials across the country to develop staffing solutions to meet industry demands, tackle the issue of workforce preparedness, and reinvigorate the employee base in order to remain competitive in the global economy.

"It is our duty to take care of Veterans, who have answered the call to duty and bravely defended our country," said Gov. Pat Quinn. "I salute Helmets to Hardhats and all the partners here today. We join together in signing this memo of understanding so that we can help provide our Servicemembers and Veterans the jobs they deserve."

Among the partners who joined the EPI are: the State of Illinois, City of Chicago, Chicago 2016, Cook County, Teamsters Joint Council 25, The Chicago and Cook County Building Trades Council, Chicago Federation of Labor, and SEIU.

"The Teamsters are committed to ensuring Veteran Soldiers forever play a role in strengthening our economy and contributing to the future of our communities," said John T. Coli, president, Teamsters Joint Council 25. "Joint Council 25 is honored to bring the Army Reserve and National Guard together with so many of Illinois' esteemed employers in support of our Soldiers and their Families."

ABOUT THE UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE

The Army Reserve provides trained and ready units to complement the Army, ready to perform their mission during peacetime, overseas contingencies and war. Our Soldiers are highly skilled full-time patriots whom civilian employers share with the Army Reserve. The value the Army Reserve brings to America is embodied in these professional men and women who possess the skills and capabilities that can be used on the battlefield and in the civilian sector. The Army Reserve is a reservoir of trained and experienced professionals in transportation, management, law enforcement, health care, information technology, telecommunications, construction, engineering, and human resources, among other fields. Army Reserve Soldiers have played a vital role in every American military and humanitarian mission of the past 100 years. Today, roughly 206,000 trained Army Reserve Soldiers in units across the country stand ready to serve the Nation when called upon by the President of the United States. Our Soldiers are one of the best returns on investment American citizens make for the security and freedoms they enjoy.

ABOUT THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL GUARD

Since 1636, the U.S. National Guard has brought glory and honor upon itself and its soldiers through quiet and selfless service. The National Guard is an elite group of warriors who dedicate a portion of their time to serving their nation. It is the only branch of the military whose existence is actually required by the Constitution. The National Guard has a long a noble history of serving at home and abroad to ensure the safety and freedom of American citizens. We have combated natural disasters, supported regular Army troops, and when called upon, borne arms against America’s enemies. Nearly 400 years ago, the Guard mobilized for the first time to help neighbors in times of need. This is still our main role: helping the community during natural disasters and civil emergencies.

ABOUT TEAMSTERS JOINT COUNCIL 25

Founded in 1911, Teamsters Joint Council 25 is the governing body representing 22 Teamster local unions in the greater Chicagoland area. The Joint Council assists its local unions in coordinating Teamster activities, solving problems, and organizing.

Four Employer Partners among the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Awards recipients

Consolidated Electrical Distributors, Inc., of Westlake Village, Calif., First Data Corporation, of Wilmington, Del., Microsoft Corporation, of Redmond, Wash., and TriWest Healthcare Alliance, of Phoenix, Ariz., were among the 15 employers for their outstanding support of their employees who serve in the Army National Guard and Army Reserve.

The 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award represents the highest recongnition awarded by the Department of Defense.

The 2009 recipients include:

FMC Technologies – Houston, Texas

AeroDyn Wind Tunnel LLC – Mooresville, N.C.

AstraZeneca International – Wilmington, Del.

Cambridge, MA Fire Department – Cambridge, Mass.

Consolidated Electrical Distributors, Inc. – Westlake Village, Calif.

First Data Corporation – Greenwood Village, Colo.

Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Department – Jonesboro, La.

Marks, O’Neil, O’Brien & Courtney, P.C. – Philadelphia, Pa.

Microsoft Corporation – Redmond, Wash.

Mid America Kidney Stone Association – Kansas City, Mo.

NetJets – Woodbridge, N.J.

Ohio Department of Public Safety – Columbus, Ohio

Perpetual Technologies, Inc. – Indianapolis, Ind.

Santa Ana Police Department – Santa Ana, Calif.

TriWest Healthcare Alliance – Phoenix, Ariz.

“In the eight years our nation has been at war, America's employers - almost universally - have done an outstanding job of supporting their Citizen Warrior employees, said Dennis M. McCarthy, assistant secretary of defense for reserve affairs. “These fifteen employers are the ‘best of the best’ this year. They reflect the powerful synergy that exists between the men and women of the National Guard and Reserve, and their employers.”

A record 3,200 National Guard and Reserve members or their family members from across the country nominated their employers for the Freedom Award this year. A national selection board comprised of senior Defense officials and business leaders selected the recipients. The Freedom Award will be presented to these employers during a formal ceremony Sept. 17, 2009 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.

The Freedom Award was instituted in 1996 under the auspices of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to recognize exceptional support from the employer community.

More information about the Freedom Award is available at http://www.FreedomAward.mil or by calling the ESGR office at (800) 336-4590.

U.S. Army Reserve Launches Partnership with Helmets to Hardhats

Partnership to Connect America’s Soldiers and Veterans with Job Opportunities

Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, chief, Army Reserve, Maj. Gen. Raymond Carpenter, acting director, Army National Guard, and Darrell Roberts, executive director, Helmets to Hardhats sign an Employer Partnership agreement on July 2, 2009 at the Pentagon. For the first time since EPI’s inception, the Army National Guard will also benefit from this partnership.


WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Army Reserve launched a partnership July 2, under the Army Reserve Employer Partnership Initiative, with Helmets to Hardhats, a nonprofit program that connects America’s military service members with quality career opportunities in the building and construction trades. For the first time since EPI’s inception, the Army National Guard will also benefit from this partnership. This joint venture will enable each organization to recruit highly-skilled employees, support military families and contribute to a stronger national economy.

“I’m pleased to begin this partnership with Helmets to Hardhats, an organization that has been a great friend to the military. I look forward to collaborating with our newest valued partner to achieve mutual goals to attract, develop and retain a quality workforce,” said Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief, Army Reserve. “This is a natural partnership because Army Reserve Soldiers are well trained and have the appropriate skill set for the building and construction industry.”

Through this partnership, both Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers will gain opportunities for employment in the construction industry and the chance to learn a skilled trade through federally-approved apprenticeship training programs. The Army Reserve, National Guard and Helmets to Hardhats will work together to recruit and train qualified Soldier candidates.

Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, chief, Army Reserve, commander U.S. Army Reserve Command, Maj. Gen. Raymond Carpenter, acting director, Army National Guard, Darrell Roberts, executive director, Helmets to Hardhats, and David Beckler, senior vice president of Labor Relations Tennesse Valley Authority sign an Employer Partnership agreement on July 2, 2009 at the Pentagon.

"The Army National Guard is excited to be partnering with the U.S. Army Reserve and American industry in the Employer Partnership Initiative Program. The men and women of the Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve are highly motivated, seasoned professionals and some of the highest caliber potential employees for private industry. This program is good for our Soldiers, local communities and the Nation," said MG Raymond Carpenter, Acting Director, Army National Guard.

The Employer Partnership Initiative (EPI) establishes a process whereby employers and the Army Reserve secure and share the talents of trained professionals. Partners, like Helmets to Hardhats, benefit by receiving greater access to men and women with military values, knowledge and proven leadership skills.

“Helmets to Hardhats is excited to have this opportunity to help bring the Army Reserve and the National Guard; the Building and Construction Trades Department; AFL-CIO; America’s Building Trades Unions and the nation’s leading construction contractor associations together in support of America’s Citizen Soldiers and their Families,” said Darrell Roberts, Executive Director, Helmets to Hardhats.

Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, chief, Army Reserve, Maj. Gen. Raymond Carpenter, acting director, Army National Guard, and Darrell Roberts, executive director, Helmets to Hardhats sign an Employer Partnership agreement on July 2, 2009 at the Pentagon.

Since its inception in April 2008, the EPI has joined forces with over 400 public and private employers, including Fortune 500 corporations, state agencies, police departments and medical facilities, in order to secure job stability for America’s Soldiers and Veterans.

ABOUT THE UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE

The Army Reserve provides trained and ready units to complement the Army, ready to perform their mission during peacetime, overseas contingencies and war. Our Soldiers are highly skilled full-time patriots whom civilian employers share with the Army Reserve. The value the Army Reserve brings to America is embodied in these professional men and women who possess the skills and capabilities that can be used on the battlefield and in the civilian sector. The Army Reserve is a reservoir of trained and experienced professionals.

Army Reserve Soldiers have played a vital role in every American military and humanitarian mission of the past 100 years. Today, roughly 206,000 trained Army Reserve Soldiers in units across the country stand ready to serve the Nation when called upon by the President of the United States. The quality of our force has never been higher. Our Soldiers are one of the best returns on investment American citizens make for the security and freedoms they enjoy.

ABOUT HELMETS TO HARDHATS

Helmets to Hardhats is a free, nonprofit program that connects National Guard, Reserve, retired and transitioning active-duty military members with quality career training and employment opportunities in the construction industry.

Helmets to Hardhats is administered by the Center for Military Recruitment, Assessment and Veterans Employment (CMRAVE), a joint labor-management committee sponsored by the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO; 15 Building and Construction Trades Unions, and nine leading construction contractor associations representing more than 80,000 employers in the construction industry.

Military personnel interested in securing a rewarding career in the construction industry are encouraged to register with Helmets to Hardhats online or to call 866-741-6210 (toll-free).

ABOUT THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL GUARD

The Army National Guard (ARNG) is one component of The Army (which consists of the Active Army, the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve.) The Army National Guard is composed primarily of traditional Guardsmen -- civilians who serve their country, state and community on a part-time basis (usually one weekend each month and two weeks during the summer.) Each state, territory and the District of Columbia has its own National Guard, as provided for by the Constitution of the United States.

The National Guard has a unique dual mission that consists of both Federal and State roles. For state missions, the governor, through the state Adjutant General, commands Guard forces. The governor can call the National Guard into action during local or statewide emergencies, such as storms, fires, earthquakes or civil disturbances.

In addition, the President of the United States can activate the National Guard for participation in federal missions. Examples of federal activations include Guard units deployed to Kosovo and the Sinai for stabilization operations, and units deployed to the Middle East and other locations in the war on terrorism. When federalized, Guard units are commanded by the Combatant Commander of the theatre in which they are operating.