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SAN DIEGO – The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) and National Veterans Transition Services, Inc., organizers of the REBOOT Workshop, hosted a senior leadership panel discussion and networking forum for wounded warriors, May 14.
The event is part of an effort facilitated by SPAWAR to provide employment support and mentoring opportunities for the region’s wounded warriors and transitioning veterans. SPAWAR leadership has made a commitment to help veterans, in particular wounded warriors, find employment as they transition from active duty. One of the ways they are supporting the community is through networking opportunities co-sponsored with NVTSI.
Capt. Scott Hoffman, deputy commander for contracts at SPAWAR, kicked off the panel session.
“Wounded warriors and veterans, we are an Information Dominance systems command but please don’t let the IT scare you off,” said Hoffman. “There are a lot of positions throughout the organization. We have exceeded our wounded warrior hiring goals these past few years and once the hiring freeze is adjudicated, we will be looking to increase those numbers again at SPAWAR.”
The networking event was developed as part of national effort to help veterans, many of whom are wounded, ill or injured, as they transition to civilian life and find employment. SPAWAR works with organizations such as NVTSI to mentor veterans and help smooth the process as they move from active duty to the civilian world.
According to Kelly Price Noble, business development director for NVTSI and REBOOT, the organization has graduated more than 800 participants and held 50 classes to date.
“The REBOOT Workshop has taken off and we are now national,” said Price Noble. “Our leadership at NVTSI has been in contact with the current administration in Washington, including Michelle Obama. They have been informed about the national program and are supportive of our efforts.”
The REBOOT Workshop program started in 2010 as a way to assist transitioning service members who had spent part of their working life on active duty. NVTSI coined the workshop REBOOT because when entering the military one “boots up.” Hence, the name REBOOT when crossing the blue line off active duty into the civilian world. The three week workshop consists of training in developing interviewing techniques and advice on how to sell their skill sets to future employers. It is intended to augment the military’s Transition Assistance Program, assist with the networking process and help bridge that gap between active duty and civilian employment.
More than 18 businesses, from large corporations to small businesses and nonprofits, participated in the networking portion of the event. Representatives from Indus, Booz Allen Hamilton, POGO Inc. and Client Solution Architects, to name a few, provided booths and resources for veterans and wounded warriors interested in mentoring advice or employment opportunities.
“It’s all about networking today,” said Mark McLean, SPAWAR’s event organizer. “Individuals getting out of the military often don’t have a network. We brought in organizations like AFCEA and NDIA to facilitate the process, which will certainly help them with their networking.”
Transitioning veterans attending the day’s event were hopeful and found value in the panel discussion and networking opportunities.
Carlo Luna was one of those veterans attending the networking event. Luna spent seven years in the Navy as an aircraft mechanic and left active duty in October of 2012. He is currently attending Coleman College and is studying computer information systems. He went through the REBOOT Workshop after leaving active duty.
“The REBOOT Workshop helped me organize my goals and determine what I needed to do to get back to a civilian lifestyle,” said Luna. “I highly recommend attending REBOOT, especially if you are uncertain about transitioning. It helps get a good first step. They reach out to you and give you help when you need it.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the unemployment rate for veterans is higher than the general population. Part of the problem is that veterans who entered the service right out of high school often lack the education necessary to succeed in today’s stiff job market. Veterans with disabilities often face an even more difficult challenge due to their injury.
John Funk, who recently left the Navy after 28 years of service and is now deputy for the SPAWAR Fleet Readiness Directorate, summed it up.
“I’ve been on both sides of the table, so I know how the uncertainty feels,” said Funk, a retired captain. “When I’m hiring, I want someone who is enthusiastic and passionate. I want to see those qualities during the interview process. I want to see that you’ve done the research, tailored your resume and have targeted it for a specific job. I want to see that fire in your belly that I know you have from being of service to your country.”
The Navy's Information Dominance Systems Command, SPAWAR participates regularly in events and programs for wounded warriors with a goal of providing support to the men and women who have served their nation. The senior leadership panel discussion and networking forum is part of an ongoing series of programs that facilitate employment and mentoring opportunities for wounded warriors and transitioning veterans.
For more news from Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/spawar/.
| Date Taken: | 05.14.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 05.14.2013 19:15 |
| Story ID: | 106910 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 281 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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