It's Official

Collaborative signing ceremony first of its kind


The Army Reserve recently struck an agreement with the National Guard to better provide employment opportunities for Soldiers returning home from deployment. Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, left, Chief of the Army Reserve, and Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Indiana Adjutant General, signed Employer Partnership Initiatives Monday and Tuesday, which stated that the two components would work together with civilian employers to acquire better job resources for troops. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Adam W. Jackson, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command)

By T.D. Jackson

Camp Atterbury Public Affairs

CAMP ATTERBURY JOINT MANUEVER TRAINING CENTER, Ind. – In a move the first of its kind, the Army Reserve struck a partnership with the National Guard to better provide employment opportunities for Soldiers returning home from deployment.

Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, and Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Indiana's adjutant general, signed an agreement that the two components would work together with employers to acquire better job resources for troops. Several Indianapolis employers, the Indianapolis Fire Department, UPS, and ITT Educational Services, also signing the Employer Partnership agreement on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

Monday Columbus, Ind., Mayor Fred Armstrong and Steven Chancellor, chairman of AmeriQual Group LLC., one of the producers of the Army's Meals Ready-to-Eat, signed an agreement in a separate ceremony.


Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, (far right) Chief of the Army Reserve, and Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, (far left) Indiana Adjutant General, signed an agreement Monday that the two components would work together to acquire better job resources for troops. Columbus, Ind., Mayor Fred Armstrong (second from left) and Steven Chancellor, chairman of AmeriQual Group LLC., one of the producers of the Army’s Meals Ready-to-Eat also signed the agreement which encourages them to send employment leads to the Reserve and Guard. (U.S. Army photo by T.D. Jackson, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs)

Stultz said often when Soldiers return from a deployment they are going back to jobs where they are underpaid and some, he said, don't have jobs at all.

"Everybody can benefit from this pact," said Stultz. "We're all one Army."

What the agreement states is the Army Reserve, Guard, and the employer partner agree to explore mutually beneficial initiatives that support the missions of each organization. The agreement encourages employers to post their job leads on the Army Reserve Web site that has a section dedicated to providing troops with better employment.

Roger Peterman of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) said this collaboration between the National Guard and Army Reserve with employers offers a variety of career opportunities to service members.

"We're ensuring that Warrior-Citizens are taken care of too," Peterman said. "We're very proud to join with the Army Reserve to best provide meaningful employment to servicemen and women.”

The adjutant general expressed his excitement about the milestone the state was setting.

"Indiana is the first state to sign this kind of agreement for the Guard," Umbarger said. "What this means is our very own Soldiers will now have access to this wonderful partnership which will pair them up with an employer who needs their specific skills."

Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, signed an autograph for Maj. Arthur Rabenhorst, an Army Reserve medical doctor at the Troop Medical Clinic here. (U.S. Army photo by T.D. Jackson, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs)

Stultz agreed. In his talks with various employers he found that the qualities they were looking for in a worker were the qualities that every Soldier already has, he said.

"The military is a great pool of talent that people are looking for," Stultz said. "Loyalty, dedication, responsibility … These are all the qualities that our Soldiers possess."

Stultz later explained a national strategy on how to maintain the force through the employer partnership is to match a Soldier's civilian skills with a similar job in the military - ensuring the Soldiers recieve the training they need to be a skilled worker and an experienced Soldier.

"For example you can build a force of nurses who already work in civilian hospitals, and as Reserve Soldiers they’ll work in military hospitals," he said. "Or like the Reserve Soldiers who, as civilians, are truck drivers for Conway. They’re doing it every day!"

Connecting Citizen-Soldiers with jobs that match their military skill sets is one of the goals of the Employer Partnership Office aims for, in addition to providing resources in a time when many are drying up.

Col. Todd Townsend, Camp Atterbury's commander, said he's excited about the three-fold agreement.

"It's great that the National Guard, Army Reserve and the civilian employers are coming together to support deploying Soldiers," Townsend said. "It's all about opening up the eyes of the civilian workforce and letting them know what Soldiers can bring to the table."


The Army Reserve recently struck an agreement with the National Guard to better provide employment opportunities for Soldiers returning home from deployment. Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, (far left) Chief of the Army Reserve, and Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, (far right) Indiana Adjutant General, signed an agreement that the two components would work together to acquire better job resources for troops.

At the Indiana War Memorial Tuesday, Aug. 4, several local employers signed the Employer Partnership Initiative. Shown are Jim Lewis, UPS; Col. John Layton, Marion County Sheriff’s Office; Joe Opalka, Aero Industries; Larry Dewey, Allison Transmission; Honorable Paul Ricketts, Mayor, City of Lawrence, Ind.; Randy Reichmann, Old National Bank; Todd Mayse, ITT Educational Services, Inc.; Chief Dudley Taylor, Indianapolis Fire Department; Lorinda Peters, VA National Cemetery Administration, Indianapolis; and Thomas Mattice, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Adam W. Jackson, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command)

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.

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.

Tips to Get Your Resume Noticed

Many corporate human resources recruiters and government agencies search the resumes they receive by keyword. It's important to include all the relevant and appropriate keywords in your electronic resume. Read the position description to get the keywords you should include in your resume. Also use keywords to define your skills, experience, education and professional affiliations.

Describe your work experience with concrete words. Quanity your experience in terms of the number of people you've supervised, the tangible improvements you've made, the size of the budget you've managed, the positive results of programs and projects you've developed and executed, and the like. Show prospective employers how you've benefited the bottom line.

Translate your military experience into civilian terms that people who have little or no exposure to the military will understand. Speak their language.

Use industry-specific jargon and acronyms where applicable.

It's not just a job, it's a career

U.S. Army Reserve Pfc. Jason Black (standing) and U.S. Army Pfc. Nathan C. Fischer both of Bravo Company, 264th Medical Bn., practice their radiology training. Black demonstrates the use of the X-ray machine as part of his radiological specialist training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. (Army Reserve photo by Lt. Col. William A. McCaskill Fort Sam Houston Public Affairs Office)

By 1st Lt. Olivia Cobiskey

Director of Marketing - Media

Employer Partnership Initiative

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –Jason Black has a job lined up with Inova Health System as soon as he finishes the Army's radiology specialist program.

"I feel like I hit the lottery," Black said.

Black was the first person hired under the Army Reserve Employer Partnership Initiative, a public-private venture that allows the Army Reserve and employers to recruit, train and employ people interested in serving their country and in pursuing civilian careers fields like health-care, transportation, law enforcement and construction.

Black, who had worked on his associate's degree in general studies while an executive caterer with Capital One, decided to switch careers and had started his course work in radiology when a recruiter told him about the EPI.

The decision wasn't hard, Black said.

An Applied Science Degree in radiography at Northern Virginia Community College takes five semesters, which is 72 credits, including 10 prerequisite credits, and costs more than $20,000.

The Army's radiology specialist school is only 46 weeks – half the time, said Black, now a private first class in the Army Reserve and in the school's first phase.

"This allowed me to go to school and still handle my responsibilities as a father and take care of my family financially," said the 28-year-old Soldier. "I thought it was a win-win situation all around."

Black will complete his second phase, a 22-week practical internship at a military hospital in D.C., at Walter Reed Army Medical Center or in Virginia at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital to be close to his wife, Judith Rodriguez, a financial manager at Capital One, and their three-year-old daughter, Jasmine, in Woodbridge, Va.

Brig. Gen. Lie-Ping Chang, commander of the 807th Medical Command, agreed the partnership makes everyone a winner.

"It's win-win for everyone. It's good for the Soldier, for the employer and the community," said Chang, 59, a family practice doctor in Virginia. "In today's environment, it is very challenging to find a job and pay for school. The medical industry is one of the few sectors still hiring."

Three more individuals have taken advantage of the program and will be leaving for basic training this summer, Chang added.

Once the Soldiers graduate from the Army's radiology course they qualify to sit for the national exam of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Black plans to take the ARRT certification exam as soon as he finishes his internship. Soldiers also receive 57 college credits when they complete the radiology specialist school and 12 credits once they pass the certification exam.

"That's 69 credits, I can transfer 33 credits from my associate's degree, I believe, I'll only be six classes shy of receiving my bachelor's in radiology," said Black, who has both the G.I. Bill and tuition assistance. "I'm thinking about putting in my OCS packet after I get a little bit of training and my degree."

Daniel Nichols, director of Recruitment and HRIS (Human Resource Information System) for Inova, said a radiation technologist staring salary is $51,000. Black can expect to see a significant raise – anywhere between 3 and 10 percent – his first year, Nichols added.

Nichols said the partnership has helped fill positions throughout the five hospitals that make up Inova’s integrated health care system in Virginia. Inova has also hired a respiratory therapist and a surgical technician through the partnership.

One of the issues Inova was facing before the partnership, was there simply were not enough graduates from local schools to fill its positions. Now the Army Reserves is providing employees that have both clinical and leadership experience, Nichols added.

"You can't equal that in the civilian world," Nichols said. "The Army has a far more robust clinical training aspect to their program – which allows service member to hit the ground running."

Nichols recommends the program to anyone considering a career in health care. Positions in health care are portable – that means Citizen-Soldiers are able to find jobs nearly anywhere even internationally, Nichols said.

As nice as the pay raise sounds – a private first class makes around $20,000 a year - it isn't just about the money, Black said. The same thing that drew him to the Army Reserves drew him to radiology – service, he added.

"I like the fact that when I go to work, I'm helping somebody. I can go home feeling good about myself, that I've accomplished something as an individual and as a Soldier," Black said. "I'm a good role model to my daughter."

Black will drill with the 48th Combat Support Hospital at Fort Meade, Md., once he finishes his training and begins his job at Inova. Creating synergy between Soldier's military and civilian career helps maintain the Soldier's clinical competency in both their civilian and military careers, said Chang, who helped initiate the relationship between Inova and the Army Reserve.

"It's not just a job, it's a career," Chang said. Black agreed the Army Reserve has given him more than a career."It's been a good experience," Black said. "It's been hard, but if you can get through basic training at Fort Benning, you can accomplish anything."

Top Ten Questions from Army Reserve Soldiers

by Guest Blogger Ray Luppe
Program Support Manager - EPI

Program Support Managers across the country answered my call for questions Soldiers had when it came to the Army Reserve Employer Partnership Initiative. I want to thank these fine folks for the time they have given this request and the questions they submitted to me so that I can provide answers to our Soldiers using Work Smart.

Here's the Top Ten Questions from Army Reserve Soldiers:

1. Is EPI a part-time job Web site?

A: Not at this time. The first priority of EPI is to find full-time employment for qualified Army Reserve Soldiers.

2. Is this EPI just another "flavor of the month" that will disappear from view once there's a change of command?

A: Definitely not! EPI is gaining popularity and universal support within the Army Reserve Command and employer partners are signing on at a steady pace. EPI is here to stay!

3. Can EPI help a college student get an internship?

A: Sorry, not at this time. That is one area where the EPI staff is studying and hopes to be able to provide support in the very near future.

4. Are they really doing anything?

A: The Program Support Managers and the EPI staff are working every day to help our troops find work and there are many success stories, even in the present economy. Look at next months Soldiers Magazine.

5. Do I have to follow up?

A: Certainly doesn't hurt! The purpose of EPI is to move your name up to the top of the list. We’ll help you get there but you have to take some initiative in your job search as well. Together we can do it.

6. Is it going to cost me anything?

A: Not a dime, nada, zip, bupkiss! You paid for this when you put on that uniform.

7. If I go online, am I going to start getting a bunch of junk mail?

A: We don't think that is going to be a problem but you may want to check your spyware software on your computer just to be sure.

8. Can I get resume help through EPI?

A: EPI signed a partnership agreement with Tip of the Arrow Foundations and they offer Soldiers one-on-one resume advice. There also are lots of free services available on the Web – just Google "resume help."

9. Can I give my resume to the Program Support Manager who comes to my unit for a briefing?

A: Of course you can. But the best way to handle a resume is for the individual soldier to the Employer Parntership Initiative Web site and submit the online form that is available there. An Army Reserve Career Manager will then match your MOS with an employer seeking those same occupational skills and then contact you to notify you of existing opportunities.

And the 10th most asked Question from Army Reserve Soldiers is ...

10. Why do I have to enter my personal data each time I want to look at an advertised job opening?

A: The primary reason is to collect data on the program, how many people are using the portal and how many jobs each applicant is applying to. The secondary reason is it allows us to follow up with you. In the very near future, the system will allow participants to enter the portal with a name and password.

I hope this clears a few things up for you Army Reserve members looking to take advantage of this wonderful new program.

Would your Employer make a good Partner

Let us know if your employer would make a good Army Reserve Employer Partner by contacting us at ARCareers@usar.army.mil.

Lt. Gen. Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, and commanding general of U.S. Army Reserve Command, is looking for new businesses and agencies to join him in a collaborative relationship to help you achieve your goals in both your civilian and military careers. He wants to partner with military-friendly companies that support your service and recognize that you bring value to the workplace because of your military training, leadership skills and real-world experience.

Start you Job Search today!

Start your JOB SEARCH today on the Employer Partnership Initiative Web site!

If you can any other questions or concerns contact us at ARCareers@usar.army.mil.

Truly an Operational Force

Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, Chief, Army Reserve, and Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve Command gives Keith Eugene Fiscus, a Wal-Mart greeter, a coin on Veterans' Day. Fiscus, 83, was captured by German forces and taken as a prisoner of war to Dachau concentration camp in Germany.

WASHINGTON - Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, answered questions from online journalists and bloggers Jan. 28.

"This is no longer, the Army Reserve that I came into way back in '79 that said, 'One weekend a month, two weeks in the summer; that's all we ask.' This truly is an operational force," Stultz, who is also commanding general United States Army Reserve Command, told journalists during the conference call.

Stultz talked about his recent trips to Iraq and Afghanistan and the operational role of the Army Reserve in today's U.S. Army. He also spoke of the employer partner initiative he began about a year ago.

Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg wrote a story for U.S. Department of Defense and you can find transcripts and audio at DoDLive, The Department of Defense Bloggers Roundtable.

Laid Off and Looking

In the blog so ably named The Wall Street Journal follows eight out-of-work M.B.A.s as they search for jobs in a post-meltdown world. One of the contributors, Mr. Murphy, 35, writes, about the difficulty he has translating his military experience into applicable skills for their potential employer.

"One of the challenges I face as a career switcher who spent almost a decade in the service is trying to translate my prior military work experience to potential employers. I also have to dispel any preconceived notions that the interviewer harbors regarding my strengths and weaknesses; it seems that since I've spent such a significant amount of time in uniform, some interviewers question my ability to operate in a corporate environment, as well as my willingness to take on a lower-level position again," Murphy wrote. "Still, I realize that my background as a Marine officer and pilot is what differentiates me; the tough part is being able to convey that to someone during a typical 30-minute interview. I almost always stress that I posses a significant amount of leadership and general management experience, which is uncommon to find in a recent M.B.A. grad."

It's a feeling parroted in dozens of posts after the blog entry.

One of the best responses was from DennyTheTech because it was relevant to so many of our service members looking for jobs.

"Mr. Murphy, when an interviewer gets around to pointing out my lack of experience in their field, I like pull out my favorite interview line. I tell them "I have never gotten a job with prior experience in a company's core business." It throws the interviewer off a little, and gives me a chance to explain that I have a very deep background and can pick up new technologies quickly.This applies to nearly everyone all of the time, but it is an unusual point of view, and it gets you noticed. This line gives you a good opening to explain situations where you used your background to resolve a new problem. One example might be your experience in night landings. I bet you didn't become a Marine aviator based on your experience landing at night.Before you use this line, you ought to have a little script ready and rehearsed. Keep it brief and add details as necessary."

Another good response was from ExNavy Finance Rep. His advice was more specific, however, extremely useful for service members in finance.

"I made the transition in 2001 following the dot-com bubble and struggled for 6-12 months before landing with my current employer. My most fruitful efforts were working with my ex-military network and a JMO recruiter.In terms of translating skills in a Finance interview, when screening JMO's for Finance positions I listen for them to communicate two things: 1 - How they intend to lead in a corporate role, and how their experiences have helped them develop this leadership breadth. More specifically the increasing role of influence and consensus building as opposed to just direct authority. 2 - how they have processed vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently. Any conflict situation requires the skill, but many JMO interviewees don't realize it's value which tells me they don't really know what their career choice entails."

While not all the comments are positive there are nuggets of gold to be had. Many people offered encouragement and wrote that as employers they would hire a qualified applicant with military experience over one who did not.