Photo By Sgt. Alleea Oliver | Billy Gazdagh, a military recruit manager for Werner Enterprises, discusses career...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, NC — The 82nd Airborne Division hosted its third, “Paratroopers For Life,” forum inside the Division headquarters at Fort Bragg, N.C., Jan. 25, 2018.
The Division, America’s Guard of Honor, launched the PFLF in December 2016 to assist Paratroopers that are separating from the U.S. Army with easier transitions to civilian life.
“The Paratroopers For Life program was built on some of the same tenets of the Army’s Soldier for Life program, which helps troops connect their military service to potential civilian careers,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Buccino, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs Officer. “The idea is that we want our Paratroopers to have a soft landing when they depart the 82nd Abn. Div.”
The U.S. Army recently restructured the Soldier for Life-Transition Assistance Program to allow soldiers transitioning from active duty up to 18 months to access services that will educate them on a variety of civilian careers and provide training opportunities before separation; retirees would have 24 months.
Threaded into the SFL-TAP, the PFLF’s objective is to ensure every Paratrooper who wants to depart from service is educated on the opportunities available to them and their families.
“Once you wear the ‘AA’ patch, you’re a member of the 82nd family forever,” said Buccino.
During this forum, the transitioning members of the Division gathered with representatives from Fort Bragg’s SFL-TAP, Johnston Community College, and Schneider National and Werner Enterprises trucking companies.
Billy Gazdagh, a military recruit manager for Werner Enterprises and U.S. Army retiree, is eager to partner with the Division and provide Paratroopers who are separating with the opportunity to work in his company.
“We want to be participants in the next step, which is job fairs, career days and partnering with Fort Bragg,” said Gazdagh. “We want to be able to provide an option for the Soldier.”
Having served 22 years, Gazdagh feels he knows the capabilities Paratroopers have and will value having them on the team.
“We know what you are capable of as a soldier,” he said. “You are dependable, reliable and trustworthy. We want that in our company.”
“A Soldier takes care of business,” said the native of Sebring, Florida. “They are the ones we want.”
Gazdagh believes this program will help Paratroopers depart from service with additional support.
“It’s cost free for the service member,” he said. “When the Soldier is hired, the company will value them, ensure them income, health insurance and retirement benefits. We want this to benefit the Soldier.”
With PFLF in place, All American Paratroopers can be better prepared while going through their transitioning process.
Sgt. Greg Means, a motor transport operator assigned to the 126th Composite Truck Company, 82nd Sustainment Brigade, 82nd Abn. Div., is assured this forum will help him secure employment.
“This was very beneficial to me,” said the native of Columbia, South Carolina. “I can come out making more than I make now.”
Means is nine months away from departing service and believes the efforts being implemented by the Division are essential for all Paratroopers to know.
“Every leader should know about this and inform their Soldiers,” he said. “I have seen Soldiers leave without a plan of action.”
“This is very educational for me,” said Means. “Everyone has been helping me.”
So far, PFLF has focused on law enforcement and fire and emergency services.
America’s Guard of Honor plans to conduct a forum each quarter, highlighting the information technology industry next.
| Date Taken: | 01.25.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 01.31.2018 16:41 |
| Story ID: | 264182 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | SEBRING, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 295 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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