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Higher Education Issue: How Do I Go Back to School? by Heidi Lynn Russell Contributing Editor
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e was bartending, when a customer ordering a drink suggested he should consider going back to school. Colin OShea, a former Chinook pilot, CW2 and an Iraq-Afghanistan veteran, had been out of the Army since early 2014. He’d already coasted through sales and insurance jobs. The bartending gig was a stop-gap
– a place to catch his breath while pondering careers. But school? He wanted to go but wasn’t even sure where to begin, much less what he wanted to study. He had taken some classes at EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University during his service but was at a loss on next steps. That’s when the guy at the bar suggested his alma mater – Morningside – a liberal arts college in Sioux City, Iowa. Surprisingly, not
only was the private school financially feasible, but OShea could also transfer his 74 credits from EmbryRiddle. He is scheduled to graduate in December with a degree in business administration – just shy of 18 months from his start date. With the right support at the right school, you also could find yourself in OShea’s shoes. Here’s how to get going on your degree, with tips from military student advisors at California State University, Fresno; Texas A&M
Webinar: Getting Started With Your VA Benefits Join us for this informative event on July 19, August 16 or September 20.
University-San Antonio; and Texas Woman’s University. Why should I go back to school? You’ve already earned the benefit through your service, says Richard Delgado, Director of Military Affairs & Army Colin OShea, wife Kimberly and baby Sierra
continues page 4
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Medal of Honor Recipient Excels in Civilian Job and as an Author 16-MIL-122 Military Transition News June Print Package_HRR3.indd 2
by Heidi Lynn Russell Contributing Editor
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ucked in the steep Kamdesh river valley of eastern Afghanistan, the U.S. Army’s Combat Outpost Keating provided soldiers with none of the comforts of home. But it was their duty to defend the isolated terrain as if it were their own, and on the morning of Oct. 3, 2009, they did just that. The actions of Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha that fateful day earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force that can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. By the end of the 13-hour battle for Outpost Keating, 50 Army soldiers had prevailed against nearly 350 Taliban insurgents, with Romesha playing a central role. The battle was the first for which two living Americans were awarded the
Medal of Honor since the Battle of Ap Bac in 1963 (SSGT Ty Carter also received the award). It may be no surprise to those who have known combat firsthand that Romesha’s outlook on that mission – one of duty and optimistic stick-to-it-iveness – carried through when it was time for him to look for a civilian job. His open-minded approach to his first entry-level role swiftly propelled him into promotions at an oilfield construction company, KS Industries, LP. KS Industries was so wowed with Romesha’s job performance – and Medal of Honor designation – that management gave him a sabbatical to pen a book, released this May. Entitled, “Red Platoon: A True Story of American Valor” (Dutton/ Penguin Random House LLC), the book is Romesha’s first-person account of the deadly battle. Here are Romesha’s tips on finding your way into a new civilian
career and making the most of opportunities. During your job hunt: Have a “Plan Z.” The economy was slumping when Romesha exited the Army in 2011. He had been trying to get a job with the Department of Energy, in a role similar to his military occupation. “I could not pass the medical requirements with hearing, and it fell through,” he says. His brother-in-law, who worked in the oil field arena in Wyoming, pestered him to consider that industry. “He knows I’m not a college type. I’m hands-on trades and mechanical. I can’t learn much out of a book,” Romesha says. “He said, ‘You have common sense and a work ethic. You can go far.’ So when the job fell through, I took him up on the idea. His company had just put in a new shop in North Dakota, and the state had less than two percent unemployment. I thought, ‘Why
not head on north?’” Romesha had 90 days of transitional leave saved up, which gave him time to make sure the job was right for him. “Make sure you have Plan A, B, C, D, plus more. You need multiple options. Don’t wait until the last minute to look,” he says. Remember that entry-level jobs lead to bigger things. Romesha’s family relocated from Colorado to North Dakota so he could take an entry-level position called “Swamper.” He was the “lowest man,” taking care of a hydro excavator. This high-pressure washer and vacuum allows for nonmechanical digging to find live oil lines. Romesha was only in that job for three months before managers spied his potential. He obtained his Commercial Driver’s License, and they promoted him to managing
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five trucks, then promoted him again to his current job, Field Safety Specialist. And he has been off duty for about 18 months writing the book. “Just get yourself established and get a job first. If you’re picky and choosy, you limit yourself,” he says. continues page 6
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Feature: Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient..... page 1
Transition Talk:
Finance:
LinkedIn Tips for Success ....................page 3
5 Ways to Pay for School ......... page 10
Career Coach’s Corner: The Education of Self ..... page 21
Job Fairs: Summer Schedule ...........page 22
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Spouse Series: No More Excuses by Janet Farley, Contributing Editor
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t doesn’t take an advanced degree to understand that the pursuit of higher education can lead to bigger paychecks, expanded employment opportunities and elevated levels of self-actualization. Despite those promising outcomes, the same tired old excuses often get in the way of earning an advanced degree, acquiring a professional certification or even simply learning a new skill set for whatever reason tickles one’s fancy. Let’s change that, shall we? Excuse: It’s too expensive. Reality: Yes, an academic degree, certification or select professional development can be costly. That’s not so much an excuse as a sad reality. Still, cost shouldn’t stop you. There are many tuition-busting resources that may be available, such as in-state tuition for military spouses and employersponsored tuition reimbursement programs. “Many colleges/universities also offer a discount for military members and spouses, making college more affordable,” says Rebecca Roth, a recently “retired” Army spouse. Rebecca There are also a number of Roth federal programs, too, including:
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Federal Student Aid: https:// studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grantsscholarships MyCareer Advancement Account Scholarship: https://aiportal.acc. af.mil/mycaa/ Post 9-11 GI Bill Transferability: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/ post911_transfer.asp
Military-centric organizations such as the National Military Family Association (http://www.militaryfamily.org/spousesscholarships/) also offer online laundry lists of other potential sources of funding. If you’ve already spent a fortune and want to eliminate the debt, look into federal loan repayment plans (https://studentaid. ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/understand/plans) or even public loan forgiveness plans (https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/ forgiveness-cancellation/public-service). Excuse: I don’t know where or how to begin. Reality: You don’t have to know where or how to begin. Let the paid professionals help you, at no cost to you, of course. You can find them at the nearest education center, and they can introduce you to the resources that best fit your situation. “Knowing which resources are available to you can help you prepare and plan for
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your next move and reach your goals as quickly as possible,” says Jennifer Oswalt, an Air Force spouse stationed in Germany. Education counselors can also help you avoid making costly mistakes.
Jennifer Oswalt
“It’s important to do your homework and make sure the program you are interested in is legitimate and will provide you with a degree or certificate that is worth something,” Oswalt says, adding that a national accreditation is a good indicator of a legitimate program. Excuse: We’re PCSing soon. Why bother? Reality: That line of thinking is just so 1980s. “It’s important for military spouses to continue to better themselves and move their own education and careers forward regardless of where they may be stationed,” Oswalt advises. PCS moves needn’t get in the way. “It has become easier to go to college as a military spouse because of the online degrees that colleges are now offering,” Roth adds. Roth powered through multiple PCS moves and other military life challenges to earn her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Bowie State University. She now works as a registered mental health counselor intern in behavioral health. And finally … Let’s not forget that growing academically and/or professionally is not only good for your career, but it’s good for your soul, too. “The experience and the people that you meet in the process [of advancing your education] are amazing,” Roth says. Don’t worry about making mistakes, either. Life can be flexible and new directions can materialize. That’s what happened to Fort Leavenworth-based Army Jennifer spouse Jennifer Brewster. “When I was a younger Brewster spouse and a mother on the move, it was infeasible to keep up to date with [the required certification] for my original professional field as a clinical chemist,” she says. “Over the years, I took classes when possible and translated unlikely work and volunteer opportunities into relevant experiences,” Brewster continues. “Now I am excited and ready to return to graduate school to begin another profession, as a doctor of physical therapy to provide for my family as my husband prepares for retirement from the military.” Janet Farley is a noted career transition expert and the author of several guidebooks including her newest titled Military Life 101: Basic Training for New Military Families (Rowman and Littlefield, July 2016).
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Transition Talk Publisher Garrett Reed Managing Editor Kathy Scott Art Director Alec Trapheagen Contributing Editors Janet Farley Heidi Lynn Russell Tom Wolfe Director of Technology Don Nowak Executive Consultant Brett Comerford Consultant Tucker Harrell Account Representative Erin Feeley Account Representative Jillian LeBlanc Account Representative Deltria Lee Account Representative Robert Mulvihill Account Representative Glen Nelson Account Representative John Skinner Account Representative Ivy Williams Military Transition News is published by: CivilianJobs.com 1825 Barrett Lakes Blvd., Suite 300 Kennesaw, GA 30144 1-866-801-4418 Reproduction or use without permission of any editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. The inclusion of advertising is considered a service to our readers and is not an endorsement of products or advertising claims. Opinions expressed in articles are the opinions of the contributors and do not necessarily express the opinions of Military Transition News or its staff. Subscription rate: $12 per year (6 issues). To subscribe, call 1-866-801-4418. ©2007-2016 Civilian Jobs, LLC. All rights reserved. Military Transition News and CivilianJobs.com are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Bradley-Morris, Inc. (BMI), the largest military-focused placement firm in the U.S. Top right cover photo: Photo by Sgt. Michael Reinsch, U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs
by Mike Arsenault Vice President of Candidate Services
Bradley-Morris answers questions from transitioning military job seekers.
Q: As with many of my peers, I’ve been somewhat active on social media during my time in service. But as I approach my transition, it’s clear that it’s something I should be paying more attention to, especially as it relates to my job search. Can you give me some guidance on LinkedIn especially and how to use it? Plus, what are the privacy issues I am also hearing about?
A: Thanks so much for the question. It’s an important
one because everything you do or have done online becomes part of your social media footprint. In addition, I think you’re coming to understand that social media is not at all social. It can also be a virtual networking opportunity for careers. So first things first, what is LinkedIn? Pretty simply, it’s like Facebook but with a focus on careers and jobs instead of family and pet pics. So you can understand why companies seeking to hire would be active on it. Anyone who applies for a job these days can be pretty sure that if you’re a serious candidate for the position, the business will search for your LinkedIn profile. It’s a billboard of you, so they want to see how much of your profile you’ve filled out, whether it matches the resume on their desk, if you chose a professional looking picture and if there are spelling errors – all things that may play into their decision to move forward with you as a candidate for a job. So it’s important that you put your best foot forward. Spend at least as much time on your LinkedIn profile as you do on your resume. You’ll probably spend more time on LinkedIn, in fact, as you’ll be looking to join groups that highlight your professional activities and aspirations, and those groups will hopefully serve as networking activities, as well.
But you said you’ve been active on social media previously. Does the impression you’ve left on your other social media channels match the professional picture that a business would find on LinkedIn? If not, it may be a reason a company eliminates you from consideration for a job opening. Therefore, it’s equally important to spend time deleting any embarrassing or controversial material on other social media channels. Part of this involves checking the privacy settings on each of them in detail. Hopefully, you can lock down your Facebook so only friends can see it. Twitter is tougher as it’s much easier to share and like content – look to delete any tweets that you’ve made with a controversial hashtag. However, because your posts may be cached or because someone finds a way around the protections, you pretty much have to assume that anything you post will be open to the world. Unfortunately, if you have been especially active and/ or have a very distinctive name, your activity may be easy to find. In this case, do as much damage control as you can by deleting content and updating privacy settings, then make sure to fill your most recent and ongoing posts/ tweets/pictures with positive professional impressions. Whew. After all that is done, go back to LinkedIn: The site offers a free one-year Job Seeker upgrade and a free one-year subscription to Lynda.com for eligible military and veterans. Lynda.com offers thousands of video tutorials on numerous educational opportunities. To take advantage of this benefit, just log on to upgrade your LinkedIn profile at https://veterans.linkedin.com/. Good luck with your career search! Mike Arsenault is Vice President of Candidate Services at military placement firm Bradley-Morris, Inc. He can be reached at (800) 330-4950 ext. 2105 or by email at marsenault (at) bradley-morris.com.
The Top 40 Under 40 Military Program is Seeking More Top Performers A
re you a top military-experienced performer in your branch of military service, in your civilian career and/or in the community at large? Do you know someone who is? CivilianJobs.com presents the opportunity for outstanding service members to be recognized through its seventh annual Top 40 Under 40 Military program. The criteria for consideration are as follows: • Less than 40 years of age • Serving or has served in the U.S. Armed Forces • Received or expect to receive an Honorable discharge • Exemplary military performance as per their assignments and evaluations • Must not have received the Top 40 Under 40 Military recognition previously
To apply go to http://bit.ly/T40U40_MTN . After submitting additional biographical information for consideration, winners will be chosen from a pool of finalists by a distinguished selecting committee. In honor of Veterans Day, this publication, Military Transition News, will recognize the class of 40 winners in its November/ December edition. For more information, please visit http:// www.CivilianJobs.com/40U40.htm. A sample of the 2015 Top 40 Under 40 Military bios that appeared in Military Transition News can be seen at right.
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4 “Higher Education Issue: How Do I Go Back to School?” continued from page 1 ROTC at Texas A&M-San Antonio. And like it or not, civilian employers want to see a degree. “You need a degree to show you’re capable and have the book smarts. You may have the savvy. That’s great. But they Richard want the paper to see you’re Delgado certified and have the background to do what you’re doing,” Delgado says. “And to stay on the high end of the pay range, you need the degree,” he adds. Where do I start? Divide your starting point into three steps: searching, applying and deciding, says Amy O’Keefe, who works with student veterans at Texas Woman’s University. Amy • Search criteria includes location (your state may O’Keefe offer financial incentives to find a school there), school size (Do you prefer a large university setting or smaller class sizes?), how the school communicates (Do they answer your emails or questions promptly?) and most important, whether the school is military-friendly. “Don’t get overly worried about cost. That comes later,” O’Keefe says. “For example, we have a state benefit called the ‘Hazelwood,’ which is a tuition benefit that veterans can stack with their VA benefits.” That was the case for OShea, who qualified for a $5,300 state grant in Iowa, which he combined with his G.I. Bill. Even though Morningside is a private school, he got through with no out-of-pocket expenses and a Basic Housing Allowance with the G.I. Bill. OShea has worked two jobs 20 hours per week while attending school full-time: his bartending job and an internship-turnedpart-time job at a Security National Bank. He works as a securities analyst, and the bank has promised him a full-time position after he graduates. He and his wife are also parents to a newborn. What do I do? • Apply to four schools, Delgado says. Include one that’s a long-shot (a “shoot for the stars” school), one that is your top pick and two others as backups. “Normally, you will get two or three acceptance letters, and then you can choose,” Delgado says. Common application deadlines are December through March or April, but check the school’s admissions guidelines on their website. If you haven’t taken an SAT or ACT, some schools like Texas Woman’s may
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waive the test requirement due to your military experience. If yours doesn’t, see https://collegereadiness. collegeboard.org/sat/register/findtest-centers for SAT requirements and test sites and https://www.act.org/ content/act/en/products-andservices/the-act/taking-the-test/testcenter-locator.html for the ACT. Decide by comparing schools that accept you based on your search criteria: Who is the most militaryfriendly, and who offers the programs you need for your desired course of study?
Iliana Smiley was an Army Specialist in the Reserves, working paralegal duties in the JAG Corps. She is the first person in her family to obtain a degree. She graduated this May with a B.S. in government after attending Texas Woman’s University fulltime. Her choice of school came down to the type of student attending TWU. You may want to evaluate schools similarly, she advises. “When I started college, I was 25 or 26 and did not want to be around a lot of young people right out of high school. It made me feel old,” she says, explaining why she eliminated other universities. “Texas Woman’s is 90 percent female and has a lot of people with families and careers. The atmosphere is a little more serious.” What should I study? But what if you don’t know your desired major, and it’s holding you back on a school choice? What if you’ve served in the Infantry, for example, and don’t see how your military skills connect to an occupation? Robyn Gutierrez is Veterans Service Officer and Dr. Daniel Bernard is Executive Director of the Veterans Education Program at California State University, Fresno. They Dr. Daniel suggest you focus on your Bernard interests, because only then will you feel motivated to learn. “I encourage my own students to be careful of chasing trends. When it comes to what you’re interested in doing professionally, there will always be a fluctuating need in the workforce,” Bernard says. If you’re still stuck, utilize a school’s career counseling center. “Don’t go to a university that doesn’t have one of those,” says O’Keefe from TWU. “It’s an imperative. They have all kinds of assessments and tools to help students understand not only what they’re good at, but also how their aptitude matches career opportunities.” Heidi Lynn Russell writes about employment and business issues.
The Importance of Certifications In certain industries, a specific certification may be more important than what your degree is or whether or not you possess a degree. This is especially true if the certification relates to what you did in the military. Civilian recruiters may not understand the military descriptions for certain jobs, but a certification speaks volumes to them, says Tim Mossholder, Project Manager for Candidate Services at recruiting firm Bradley-Morris, Inc.
working for me, plus other language coders.” Be advised that no military experience will get you to these two levels except for leadership, so you need certifications in both. “If you head to the West Coast for a job and blend these with your military service, it’s perfect. You’ll get a job in plusor-minus 12 months,” Mossholder says. See https://www.scrumalliance.org/ certifications for more. •
Here are the top certifications sought by recruiters, according to Mossholder: • Project Management Professional (PMP): This gives you a license number maintained by the Project Management Institute, a standardized credential program. “Project management has lots of meanings. It gives you a tool kit for how to manage a project, and a PMP can go into a variety of industries,” Mossholder says. “Construction highly values it and so does manufacturing, especially if your job is to supervise maintenance or construction projects at a facility or an overhaul of a logistics entity.” • Software Development: In a world looking for certifications, focus on “Agile” and “Scrum.” “Agile is a software development methodology and Scrum is a project manager’s tool kit for managing Agile, developing software based on customer requirements,” Mossholder says. To understand it further, by contrast, JAVA code “is like being the fry cook, not the head chef,” he says. “If I’m Scrum certified, I have a JAVA code developer
Cyber security: If you served in any kind of security or information warfare capacity, strongly consider two “gold standard” certifications: The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). The CEH involves learning how to bust into a network to advise your employer about self-protection. The CISSP is a level or two up the ladder and requires five years of experience in the security field. “The CISSP is like the conductor, and the CEH is like the violin section. It’s the total picture for an enterprise versus a specific skill set,” Mossholder says. Syracuse University offers a nocost certification program for any post-9/11 veteran. “It’s all provided through an online course. If you complete any courses that require examination to earn certification, they’ll pay, assuming you passed and had good grades on required courses,” Mossholder says. See http://vets.syr.edu/education/ employment-programs/ for more.
Hot Jobs You might find that your top career interest aligns nicely with a field that is expected to see continued growth. The only thing required is a degree. Here’s a list of hot jobs from veteran counselors at Texas Woman’s University; California State University, Fresno; and Texas A&M University-San Antonio. • •
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Informatics (or, the broader category is “data analytics”) – “Anyone in the military has hands-on experience with this,” says Amy O’Keefe of TWU. You can obtain a general degree or one pertaining specifically to the health care field. “Since all medical records are required to be electronic, there is a huge need for people with this degree. It’s a degree that few people know about. Students who start out on this career are also exposed to different opportunities along the way.” Nursing – With aging Baby Boomers, this field is wide open. There is also
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a forecasted need for nursing practitioners. “This field allows them to not only be a nurse, but also come back to the university level and teach people to become nurses. They are forecasting a need of those who can teach the next generation,” says Dr. Daniel Bernard of CSU Fresno. Information technology and cyber security – “This is the cream of the crop,” says Richard Delgado at Texas A&M. “Here in San Antonio, the NSA moved into town, and that’s what they want. Veterans make a smooth transition if they meet requirements.” Manufacturing – Aerospace and automotive manufacturing are the “big” fields, Delgado says. “There are several degrees with robotics and learning to work with robotics on the assembly line. Before, it used to be in-house training. Now, there are several degrees to do that which come with technical aspects that are easier to learn in a classroom.”
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“The camaraderie that was taken away after 12 years – that was scary for me,” Romesha says. “So make time when you get a chance to reunite. There are certain things you can’t replace in life, like those friends.” Link to purchase Red Platoon: http://www. penguin.com/book/red-platoon-by-clintonromesha/9780525955054
Where America’s Military Connects With Civilian Careers
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In your new job: Keep an open dialogue with management. For Romesha, simple conversations with higher-ups paved the way for his promotion to Field Safety Specialist and also to receiving time off to write his book. In the case of his job promotion, he was attending a meeting to learn about OSHA regulations. He jokingly said, “I’m tired of being out in the cold. What do you have available for a promotion in safety?” The manager then told him that he had wanted to bring Romesha into his department, but there was a company policy that he couldn’t recruit him away from another team. However, because Romesha initiated the subject, there was nothing stopping this manager from giving him the job. Even at that, Romesha couldn’t believe it was a serious offer. “I said, ‘Why me? I’m not the safest guy in the world,’” Romesha recalls. “He said, ‘That is untrue. Your ability to follow rules and regulations, enforce standards, mentor and your attention to detail are exactly what we need.’” And when Romesha found out about the Medal of Honor award, he decided to quietly share the news with a few select company leaders. They supported him taking time to write a book. “It gives you inspiration to know there are companies out there who would do this,” he says. The Medal of Honor has definitely changed his life, opening up new opportunities. “Things are not the same for me as they were a couple of years ago,” Romesha says. “I was ‘just a veteran’ before. But having this gives me the chance to explain that the ‘blue ribbon’ is not mine. I was selected to wear it. It shows honor, integrity and sacrifice of everyone who was there. They deserve it just
as much as I do, and every American who has fought in past wars and future ones do, too. Being a recipient is an adjustment I’ll never get used to, and I hope I don’t.” Apply your “combat mindset” to the daily grind. When he was at Outpost Keating, Romesha and his comrades adopted a “motto,” which they found scribbled on a barracks wall: “It doesn’t get better.” They flipped the negative phrase and used it as motivation. For example, if someone received a coveted magazine from home, they’d say, “It doesn’t get better.” The mindset allowed them to cope with bleak circumstances. It also propelled Romesha through the battle with the Taliban. “We might have been outmanned, but we weren’t outgunned. And that doesn’t refer to more weapons, but to more fight in the heart. We had more fight in our hearts than all 300 Taliban put together,” he says. He suggests that if you feel misplaced in your first job or are struggling with life outside the military, apply that can-do optimism to each day at work. When he was in his entry role as a Swamper at KS Industries, he found that this disciplined approach motivated him to excel, which led to supervisors noticing him and promoting him quickly. “Have the mentality that yes, life sucks at times. It really does. But it’s on the individual to make the most of it. Make the day the best it can be. It doesn’t matter what your surroundings are. Do your best and your darndest to make it happen,” he says. Stay in touch with your battle buddies. One of the biggest adjustments to a civilian workplace is that you will profoundly miss your fellow soldiers, Romesha says. While promoting his book, he has traveled the country to do speaking engagements. If one of his battle buddies is in the area, he makes time to see them. Although it has nothing to do with your job, it will give you the psychological boost to maintain meaningful friendships, he says.
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“Medal of Honor Recipient Excels in Civilian Job and as an Author” continued from page 1
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Search and apply at www.eaton.com/MilitaryCareers Eaton is a global power management company. We help customers manage power, so buildings, airplanes, trucks, cars, machinery and entire businesses can do more while consuming less energy. As an integrated global company, we are unified in our commitment to powering business worldwide. Eaton is an Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action Employer, minority/female/ disabled/protected veteran.
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We want you. For your leadership, teamwork, integrity and talent. For so many reasons, veterans are great dentists. And we’re looking for a few great dentists to lead exceptional practices. You’ll focus on your patients and we’ll help with administrative tasks, giving you more time to enjoy your family, friends and everything else you love to do. Great Dentists Wanted.
DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Kissta DiGregorio, U.S. Army/Released
March 2 Success with the U.S. Army by Wendalynn N. Payne, SSG, U.S. Army
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he U.S. Army has a desire to help shape the future of America’s youth through programs such as March 2 Success (M2S) (www.march2success.com), which was created to assist in improving performance on not only the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), but also the SAT and ACT exams for students preparing for college immediately after high school. March 2 Success is a free web site sponsored by the U.S. Army that provides users with online study materials designed to improve performance on standardized tests. Additionally, M2S enhances math, science and English skills needed for secondary and post-secondary educational endeavors. There are seven full-length practice tests for the ACT and SAT designed like the actual test. Math, verbal and college readiness areas offer a pre-assessment exam. The High School Science Hub provides lessons and tests in earth science, biology, chemistry and physics. Army Recruiters use the March 2 Success program as a recruiting marketing tool because the Army seeks to enlist the best and the brightest into specialties and fields that will provide rewarding careers. The March 2 Success program was piloted in the early 2000s and has been keeping up with the latest advances in educational technology ever since. M2S launched a brand new SAT prep program in March 2016 that now includes (STEM) components. The program’s core curriculum is fulfilled under Peterson’s (http://www.petersonsdata.com/), the leading company in education services. For more than
50 years, Peterson’s has provided quality and dependable admissions resources and test prep materials. Service members are afforded the opportunity to take college classes while actively serving. Some complete degree programs while others barely get started. Regardless of where one falls on this spectrum - finishing an undergraduate degree or beyond - education is often a priority for newly transitioning service members who then may have the ability to focus more on college. As a transitioning service member entering the civilian workforce, test scores can and often will play an important role in both job and educational opportunities. Education Services Specialist Michele
Satterlund from the Atlanta Recruiting Battalion says, “In most cases, veterans will not be required to take the SAT or ACT, but they will likely have to take college placement tests. Can they pass reading? Do they have good math skills? They probably do, but it never hurts to take a quick look at the March 2 Success web site and make sure those skills are up to date.” Sections within the online portal include interactive games, quizzes and flash cards. M2S may be marketed toward applicants seeking entrance into the armed forces, but it can also be a successful tool to utilize upon exiting as well. Finally, M2S can benefit schoolage dependent children of transitioning service members or anyone who wishes to use it, as it is 100 percent free.
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Jul/Aug 2016
5 Ways to Pay for School
by Ashley Feinstein Gerstley Contributing Writer
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ongratulations, you’ve decided to go back to school! Your next thought: How am I going to pay for this? While getting a degree can be very expensive due to rising tuition costs and the time you will be taking away from work, there are steps you can take to mitigate these costs. Before we can work through the various ways to pay for school and decrease out of pocket expenses, it’s important to come up with a plan. Take inventory of what going back to school will actually cost you. First, how long will the program take? What are tuition costs each year as well as schoolrelated expenses such as textbooks, supplies, room and board, and your day-to-day living expenses? While these numbers will change as you have more information about the specific program and classes you’ll be taking, it’s extremely helpful to get an idea of the overall cost of going back to school by adding up the various expenses. Now let’s look at how you’ll pay for them. 1. Minimize Your Expenses Once you’ve tallied up an estimate of the total cost, we can work to whittle that
number down. Where can you save on the various expenses associated with going back to school? Brian Morris from Hobbes Enterprises says textbooks are a great place to start. “Students can save up to 90 percent and an average of 50 percent on textbooks and access codes when they buy them online instead of at the bookstore,” Morris says. “That’s a significant savings when you consider the average student pays nearly $5,000 for textbooks over the course of earning a four-year degree.” You can also look to decrease your living expenses. Tania Brown, U.S. Army Veteran and Financial Planner with Financial Finesse recommends using tools like Liveability.com to find the most affordable places to live (http://www. cbsnews.com/media/the-15-most-affordableplaces-to-live-in-america/) so any funds you get to support yourself while you’re in school can stretch as far as possible. As a student, you may get various other perks that will reduce your cost of living, including gym memberships, student discounts and subsidized housing. Overall, creating and sticking to a budget can greatly reduce the price you will pay to go back to school. Once you’ve determined the cost of getting the degree and how you will mitigate expenses, it’s time to figure out where you will get the money to pay for it. This most likely will be a combination of savings, earnings from working while you are in school, military benefits, student loans and financial aid. 2. Determine Your Military Benefits This is a good place to start. One of the reasons Brown joined the military was because of the military education benefits. For those interested in an undergraduate degree, Brown recommends that students take advantage of the Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) career counseling services to explore career options to help you decide on your major in college. “Choosing your major early may prevent you from
taking unnecessary college classes,” Brown advises. She also recommends using resources like the New GI Bill Calculator (http://www.newgibill.org/calculate-yourbenefits/) to get an estimate of possible benefits available to you. 3. Apply for Financial Aid Next you will want to find out what you are eligible for as far as a combination of grants, loans and work-study funds. This means applying for financial aid via Free Application of Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (https://fafsa.ed.gov/). To make the application process as easy as possible, you’ll want to gather various documents and have certain pieces of information handy, including the following: • • • • •
Your social security number Your driver’s license number Federal tax information Records of untaxed income Information on your assets including cash and investments
4. Apply for Scholarships There are many opportunities for outside scholarships funded by companies or private foundations that many potential students aren’t even aware of. Some are location- or industry-specific. For example, Hot Sauce Depot’s $500 scholarship (http://www.hotsaucedepot.com/scholarsprogram.aspx) is only for students enrolled in Texas-based schools. All types of companies offer these scholarships ranging from $500 to $20,000. While it takes some time and effort to search for the various
scholarship opportunities you qualify for, these funds can go directly toward tuition, books or housing and greatly reduce the cost of your education. 5. Work Your Way Through School Finally, you can supplement other forms of income by working while you’re in school. There are often work-study jobs available on campus or you can get a separate parttime job that you choose based on your availability, interests and skills. This is not only a great way to pay your bills and minimize the cost of going back to school, but it’s also a great résumé booster as you can build some of the skills and experience necessary to land the career you’re interested in pursuing after you graduate. If you’re ready to go back to school or enroll in school for the first time, it’s important to have a financial plan in place so you can get the most of out of your education with the least financial stress. By minimizing expenses and maximizing your financial resources, you can create a plan that works best with your situation and goals. Ashley Feinstein Gerstley is a money coach demystifying the world of money and personal finance. Get her exclusive how-to guide “30 Days to Financial Bliss” (http://unbouncepages. com/30-days-to-financial-bliss-militarytransition/), free for Military Transition News readers.
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Service ∙ Relationships ∙ Teamwork These are the values that define our employees at Rentokil North America. If you are passionate about providing world class service, working in a team environment, robust training, and advancement and development opportunities, then we want to talk with you!
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“M
ilitary-friendly” means many things to different members of the military, their spouses and dependents. But when you’re shopping for a university or college, be aware that it encompasses much more than awarding credit for your military experience. It’s also about “providing an educational experience that will accelerate your career and providing support services to assist along that journey,” says Jim Cronin, VP of Military Operations at University of Maryland University College in Adelphi, MD. “When evaluating schools, first look at the career you want to pursue when you transition, find out what degree best supports it, and then select a school that offers that program. Focus your search on schools that support military students. These schools have the knowledge and resources to support your transition. In addition, focus on institutions and academic programs that are of quality and fit into the career you are pursuing,” Cronin says. There are five key aspects to militaryfriendly schools: affordability, navigation of funding for military members and families, scholarships, accessible materials, and a dedicated veterans’ advising team. Here are examples of how UMUC meets those criteria. When you’re shopping for your learning institution, analyze each one for similar policies, Cronin advises.
Affordability Seek out schools that will go out of their way to make classes affordable for both military members and their families. For example, starting in the spring 2016 term, UMUC made its undergraduate
military tuition rate of $250 per credit hour available to all uniformed service members (Active duty, National Guard Soldiers and Reservists) and to those in the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The rate is also available to their spouses and children. Previously, that tuition rate was only available to the service member. Compare that to the in-state tuition of $284 per credit hour (or out-of-state $499 per credit hour) for civilian students. Funding Navigation You want a strong team behind you as you navigate the intricacies of post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits and any other state grants or scholarships available to the military community. UMUC has more than 150 staff members available to assist military members at bases and installations worldwide, for example. Additionally, backing up that front-line staff are dedicated military and veteran advisors at the university’s headquarters in Maryland. They are available online 24/7. “That can further assist students in choosing the right program, navigating V.A., DoD Tuition Assistance and Department of Education benefits, as well as other forms of financial aid like scholarships,” Cronin says. “Every individual situation is a little bit different, but in most cases, students can work through most funding processes in a matter of weeks. Because we have the staff available, we really assist the student in working the funding processes so they can focus on their education.” Scholarships Military-friendly schools should offer a wide range of merit- and need-based scholarships slated specifically for military personnel, spouses and family members and veterans. UMUC has nearly 120 scholarship opportunities available at both undergraduate and graduate levels, many of which target the military community, for example. The actual requirements GPA, credit hours, essays, etc. - vary by the
individual scholarship. All are listed on the university’s website: http://www.umuc. edu/military-veterans/benefits-andfinancial-aid/scholarships.cfm . Scholarships are awarded for the academic year on a first-come, first-served basis. The application deadlines are July 1 for the academic year or fall semester only and November 1 for spring semester only, Cronin says. Accessible materials Look for a school with a cutting-edge approach to educational tools, because this also will save you time, money and effort as a student. Starting in 2015, for most undergraduate courses UMUC moved away from publisher textbooks to digital resources that are made available to students without charge, either through the university’s online library or through the UMUC Learning Environment Online. The materials are embedded in the course and accessible anytime, anywhere. “We think there are two big advantages to this approach. One, it eliminates the cost of textbooks for our students, many of whom may be squeezing their budget to afford higher education while juggling work and family commitments. Two, it empowers our faculty to be flexible in creating and customizing course content, and to find the best, most up-to-date resources to help students learn rather than relying on one textbook,” Cronin explains. The Open Education Consortium’s 2015 President’s Award recognized UMUC’s work with Open Education Resources for exceptional service.
Advising consists of evaluating military experience and prior college coursework for credit, course planning, navigating payment options (including V.A. benefits) and career exploration. “Transition assistance is a large part of what our advisors do. For those transitioning out of the military, our advisors can help translate their military experience into college credits and marketable skills for their resume, set a pathway to graduation and prepare for their first civilian job,” Cronin says. UMUC also has several resources for students who may be struggling in their classes, including a mentoring program that is specifically for military and veteran students. The mentoring program pairs new students and students who need additional support with tenured students. “In addition to mentoring, we have tutoring services available online and inperson. For veterans, UMUC has a VetSuccess on Campus counselor on site who can also assist with V.A.-provided programs such as their Tutorial Assistance Program. The critical key here is for students to reach out early, even if they are unsure if they need help in their classes. Early assistance is paramount to getting the help you need in the classroom before it’s too late,” Cronin says.
A dedicated veterans’ advising team One of the biggest assets of a militaryfriendly school is a consortium of veteranadvising staff members, Cronin says. “Our advising staff is comprised of a centralized team that support military students at our headquarters in Largo, Maryland, and our front-line staff that support military and veteran students at military instillations and civilian locations throughout the world. All together, we have over 300 staff members advising military students worldwide,” he says.
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Call 800-939-UMUC or visit umuc.edu/mtn to learn more. *Named “Best for Vets” for 2015 by Military Times, “Best of the Best” for 2015 by US Veterans Magazine, and “Educator of the Year 2015” by the World Affairs Council.
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ou have the courage to fight for your goals, and DeVry University supports your hard work to reach them. It is our honor to serve America’s military personnel and educate the veteran community. DeVry University has a long history of helping current and former members of the U.S. military reach their higher education goals. From training Army Air Corps instructors on electronic devices in the 1940s to being one of the first schools approved to accept the original GI Bill® following W WII, DeVry University continues to educate and support America’s military personnel and the veteran community. In addition, DeVry was the presenting sponsor of CivilianJobs.com’s 2016 Most Valuable Employers (MVE) for Military® recognition. This award endeavors to recognize the top companies that value veterans’ education, experience and skill
sets, and that strive to hire them for civilian jobs. Your accomplishments mean something, and DeVry University understands the importance of connecting you with the programs and resources you need to succeed. You can earn your degree from DeVry in prominent fields like technology, business and health – and we offer dedicated support to guide you from day one. With degree programs in more than 40 career fields and flexible options to fit your schedule and your life, we’re prepared to help you succeed. Prior Learning Assessment Learning happens in many places outside of the traditional classroom. The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program at DeVry University provides military personnel the opportunity to demonstrate that you have mastered the competencies of one or more specific DeVry courses by creating a portfolio for credit evaluation.
Prior Learning Assessment allows students to earn college-level credit for prior learning outside a traditional classroom. Military Education Savings at DeVry DeVry offers a variety of benefits to those who qualify, such as military pricing and the Yellow Ribbon program to help prepare you for what’s next. We know that future earnings don’t help pay for your degree today. That’s why we do everything possible to help make your DeVry University degree affordable. We offer millions of dollars in scholarships and grants every year, including $65 million in available funds for the 2015-2016 award year**. In addition, you may be eligible for a Military tuition assistance program. Don’t let anything hold you back from moving on to all that awaits. To learn ways DeVry can help you balance school and military life visit DeVry. edu/military.
IF YOU’VE GOT THE COURAGE TO FIGHT FOR YOUR GOALS YOU’RE OUR KIND OF DIFFERENT You’re determined to succeed, and DeVry University can give you the tools to help. DeVry offers degree programs in more than 40 career fields – like Business, Technology and Healthcare – and flexible options to fit your schedule and your life. DeVry has a long history of educating and supporting America’s military personnel and the veteran community. A varety of benefits such as military pricing and the Yellow Ribbon program may be available for those who qualify to help prepare you for what’s next.
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Jul/Aug 2016
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Grand Canyon University is a proud participant in the Post-9/11 Yellow Ribbon Program Grand Canyon University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. (800-621-7440; http://hlcommission.org/) For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.gcu.edu/disclosures. Please note, not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities. Program availability is contingent on student enrollment. 16MIL0080
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Military Leadership in Action: A Q&A with CEO Jerry Ashcroft by Bobby Whitehouse
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U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trever Statz
was fortunate to have the opportunity to speak with military-experienced executive Jerry Ashcroft who was recently selected to be the Chief Executive Officer of an Jerry iconic oil and gas industry Ashcroft brand. Mr. Ashcroft was a decorated Major in the United States Marine Corps. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the United States Naval Academy and his MBA from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. I was eager to ask Mr. Ashcroft questions about how his military experiences informed his business career. My first question was centered on finding out what the biggest leadership lessons were that he learned from the Naval Academy and as a Marine that he applied to running a business. Mr. Ashcroft replied, “Discipline and servant leadership”. When I heard his answer, “discipline” made sense; that sounds very much like a Marine leadership characteristic. However, when we look beyond Marine Corps stereotypes, so is “servant leadership”. Servant leaders build trusting team environments that bring out their players’ best potential.
Next, I asked how those lessons compared or contrasted with the lessons of business school. “I feel my experience in business school was built on those lessons and allowed me to focus on being a team member in a business setting,” explained Mr. Ashcroft. “It was also a great way to sharpen my skills in a civilian environment.” In my experience, business school and military leadership are a proven combination for successful corporate leadership. I moved on to delve into what education or experience helped Mr. Ashcroft the most while leading his company through challenging times in the energy sector. He replied, “I believe my military experience helps me prioritize what is really important. Having a clear direction usually provides a calming influence for the team. From my observations, I also think it helps you to work well under pressure and keep a level head when others may become flustered.” A key discussion point centered on whether military-experienced leaders are good fits for energy companies. “I think they are a good fit for all companies,” said Mr. Ashcroft. “Those that are used to selfsacrifice and putting others first deliver global wins across an organization.” On a more personal note, I asked if he believed his military background had anything to do with his becoming a leader
in an energy company. Mr. Ashcroft replied, “Yes, it gave me leadership experience in my twenties versus most having to wait until their forties”. In this response, Mr. Ashcroft has arrived at a reoccurring theme I regularly see with Leadership Development Programs or LDPs. When a company has a need for middle management leadership positions (to build bench strength against projected retirements; to help institute culture change; to staff up for growth, etc.), many times an LDP program is the answer. And Bradley-Morris has the second piece of that answer in the form of (relatively) young and motivated Junior Military Officers (JMOs). These job seekers have leadership experience that is leveraged to fast track into the specific business via the LDP. Finally, I asked Mr. Ashcroft what he would most want to share with other CEOs about hiring military. “The most important resource is your human resource and the military has done a great job teaching how to lead and care for that resource,” he said. Bobby Whitehouse, a U.S. Navy veteran and Client Partner at military recruiting firm Bradley-Morris, Inc. (BMI), has more than 15 years of experience helping employers hire military for their civilian jobs. Image courtesy Jerry Ashcroft.
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Student Veterans of America: A Good Resource for Your College Career by Heidi Lynn Russell Contributing Editor
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liana Smiley, a former Army Reserves Specialist, found herself commuting up to an hour-and-a-half to Texas Woman’s University four days a week. As an offcampus student, she had nowhere to go to study in between classes on extended days. That may not sound like a big deal to some people, but for Smiley, that inconvenience could have severely hampered her ability to do well in school. That’s where the Student Veterans of America (SVA) came into the picture – with a dedicated lounge on campus specifically for veteran students. It was outfitted with places to eat and microwave meals, two computers and study areas, a never-ending supply of coffee and even a sofa where Smiley found herself crashing for naps more than once. “I had somewhere to go. People don’t expect they’ll have two- or three-hour gaps in between classes, but when finishing school, it helped to have an area that was safe for me. I didn’t have to worry about people stealing my backpack while I slept, because it was a place just for veterans. And there were two advisers for SVA where I could go to their office and get help, and that was nice, too,” Smiley says. Although the lounge is a nice benefit, the Student Veterans of America is so much more than that. If you go back to school, this organization has resources in place to connect you with other veterans, shore up financial support and even lobby your concerns about veteran education issues on Capitol Hill. Here are a few facts about the SVA and ways you can connect: •
My skills are valued, and so is my willingness to learn.
To search for jobs using our Military Occupation Code Translator and learn about Marriott ’s commitment to U.S. Veterans, visit marriottvetcareers.com.
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The 501(c)(3) nonprofit group is a coalition of more than 1,300 student veteran chapters, representing more than 540,000 veterans in higher education nationwide. Their mission is to provide you with resources, support and advocacy as you enter college and launch your career after graduation. To find the chapter at your campus, see http://www. studentveterans.org/chapter/ directory. This May, the group announced it had surpassed the $1 million mark in total academic scholarshipdollarsawarded to student veterans since 2011. SVA has awarded 121 scholarships to veterans nationwide. Check this fall for scholarship opportunities at http://www.studentveterans. org/programs/scholarships. The group closely studies and analyzes the student veteran population to advocate for you effectively. It issues a “Spotlight” report to reveal
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new insights. This year, the report uncovered that a large group are enrolling in school after retiring in their 40s, for example. Since 2014, the SVA Vet Center Initiative has built and improved veteran spaces on 61 campuses, much like the one Smiley experienced at Texas Woman’s University. To help, The Home Depot Foundation has offered $400,000 to 50 SVA chapters for their “vet centers.” SVA provides “Leadership Summits” for student veterans, in which chapters share best practices for supporting their students on campus. The summits are hosted in multiple locations nationwide each summer. For the 2016 Leadership Summit schedule and locations, see http:// www.studentveterans.org/programs/ leadership-institute-series. SVA’s Government Affairs Department team works closely with the federal government and Congress to promote forward-looking policies on veteran education and employment. The team has testified on such issues as the Transition Assistance Program, veteran student debt and the Veteran Success on Campus program.
Heidi Lynn Russell writes about employment and business issues.
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Jul/Aug 2016
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NEWS career coach’s corner
by Tom Wolfe Career Coach and Contributing Editor
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elcome to the July/August edition of Military Transition News, featuring Education as the central theme. Although this issue focuses on the importance of your academic profile and the need to apply it to your search or supplement it before that search begins, I will veer off that course in this column and approach education from a slightly different angle. For most military personnel, the career transition process is as much about selfeducation as it is about finding a job. During my career I have discovered that approximately 50 percent of the people who leave the military to pursue civilian employment end up working for companies unknown to them when their searches began. Furthermore, they accept positions about which they initially had little or no knowledge. Why does this happen? One explanation is that most military personnel have little exposure to the private sector prior to joining the service. With a few exceptions (military-sponsored graduate school, education-with-industry, defense program management, etc.), this lack of exposure continues throughout their time in the military. The result is a shortage of information about their options. This lack of
The Education of Self knowledge is one of the largest obstacles in the military-to-civilian employment transition. How can one answer the question “What do you want to do?” without even knowing the choices? Most military personnel base their knowledge of the business world on their experiences as consumers. They’re very familiar with companies that have high brand recognition. Most of us are familiar with Intel, The Home Depot, Capital One, JPMorgan Chase and General Electric. Very few recognize names such as Patterson-UTI, Marsh & McLennan, SAIC and Xcel. All of these companies are world-class and leaders in their fields and, even more important for you, all of them are also winners of the CivilianJobs.com 2016 Most Valuable Employers (MVE) for Military®. At first glance, you might think you would prefer to work for one of the former, but with additional information, you might discover that one of the latter is better for you. Here’s another way to look at this – Just because you’ve never heard of that company does not mean you might not want to work there. Regarding job categories, among those making the transition from military to civilian careers, there may be a certain amount of familiarity with titles such as technician, supervisor, production manager, sales representative and project engineer. However, titles such as business analyst, program manager, consultant and brand manager might be less familiar. If you’re not careful, that
familiarity could predispose you to the former category. There’s nothing wrong with those jobs, of course, but you should allow for the possibility that the best job for you just might be in the second category. Although this choice depends mostly on your training, experience and personality, you must also consider the importance of exposure. You may feel more comfortable concentrating on the familiar, but doing so will cut your options in half. Educating yourself about companies – known and unknown – and jobs – also known and unknown – will improve your odds of finding the right match the first time. Sounds logical, but now the tough part: How do you do this? Here’s a good way to start. Much can be said for initially interviewing for everything for which you’re qualified, either because you already know you’re qualified or trusted advisors tell you you’re qualified or an employer believes you’re qualified. As you learn more about these options, you’ll also learn more about yourself. Your understanding of the job and career path will be enhanced, your level of interest in each will build or wane, the picture will clarify and an elimination process will begin. Cross off the job categories that do not interest you and focus on those that do. And this process works both ways. If you’re rejected every time you interview for a particular type of job, maybe you should reconsider your suitability for that position. A certain amount of this self-education process occurs before the interviewing
phase of the job search begins. Although research, information interviews, and informal discussions with family members and friends can give you a sense of what’s out there, for most people it’s the actual interview that produces the most important information. One way to view this phenomenon is to consider a job hunt as an information-gathering and self-knowledge enhancement process, a by-product of which is the job offer you really want! By the way, this “interview for it if you are qualified for it” approach works only if you maximize your self-education and awareness. The preparation – enhanced selfknowledge – is critical. When faced with the question “Why do you want to be an XYZ?” you can comfortable reply, “I am interested in XYZ because I will be good at it and it will be good for me and here is why (finish the sentence by emphasizing your skills and traits that are the most XYZ appropriate).” For more on this approach, several chapters from my book “Out of Uniform: Your Guide to a Successful Military-to-Civilian Career Transition” are dedicated to this subject. In closing, perhaps Socrates said it best and definitely most succinctly: Know Thyself. Thanks for your service and good hunting! Tom Wolfe is a Career Coach, Columnist, Author and Veteran and can be found at www. out-of-uniform.com.
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Job Fair Calendar Date: Location: Sponsor:
July 7, 2016 Security University, Herndon, VA - 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. 510 Spring St. POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473
Date: Location: Sponsor:
July 13, 2016 Colorado Springs, CO 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton, 1775 East Cheyenne Mountain Blvd. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
Date: Location: Sponsor:
July 14, 2016 Houston, TX - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Houston Marriott South Hobby Airport, 9100 Gulf Fwy. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
Date: Location: Sponsor:
July 20, 2016 Norfolk, VA - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Ted Constant Convocation Center, 4320 Hampton Blvd POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
Date: Location: Sponsor:
July 21, 2016 Hampton, VA - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Embassy Suites Hampton, 1700 Coliseum Dr. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
Date: Location: Sponsor:
July 26, 2016 Ft. Drum - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Commons, 4350 Euphrates River Valley Road, Bldg. #P-4350 POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
Date: Location: Sponsor:
August 16, 2016 Patuxent River NAS MD 3 p.m. - 7 p.m./ Bay District Vol Fire Dept. Social Hall, 46900 S. Shangri-La Dr. POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473
Date: Location: Sponsor:
August 17, 2016 Hunter Army Airfield 10 a.m. - 2 p.m./ Hunter Club, 135 Duncan Drive #6015, Savannah POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
Date: Location: Sponsor:
August 18, 2016 Ft. Stewart - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Club Stewart, 1020 Hero Rd., Bldg. 405 POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
Date: Location:
August 18, 2016 Andrews AFB - Joint Base Andrews Chiefs Group Job Fair, MD - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Club At Andrews Bldg. 1889, Arnold Ave.
Sponsor: (Cont.)
POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473
Date: Location: Sponsor:
August 24, 2016 Ft. Lee - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Regimental Club, 2609 C Ave. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
Date: Location: Sponsor:
August 25, 2016 Belvoir-Springfield, VA 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. American Legion Post 176 6520 Amherst Ave. POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473
Date: Location: Sponsor:
August 25, 2016 Ft. Lee - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Regimental Club, 2609 C Ave. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
Date: Location: Sponsor:
September 14, 2016 Huntsville, AL - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Holiday Inn Research Park, 5903 University Dr. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
Date: Location: Sponsor:
September 21, 2016 Ft. Bliss - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Centennial Conference Center, 11199 Sergeant E. Churchill St. POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
Date: Location: Sponsor:
September 22, 2016 Dahlgren, VA - 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Univ. of Mary Washington Dahlgren Campus 4224 University Dr., University Hall/Room 110 POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473
Date: Location: Sponsor:
September 27, 2016 Reston, VA - 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Bechtel Conference Center, 1801 Alexander Bell Dr. POC: Janet Giles, www.JobZoneOnline.com Janet.Giles@JobZoneOnline.com (434) 263-5102 or (540) 226-1473
Date: Location: Sponsor:
September 27, 2016 Camp Pendleton - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Pacific Views, San Jacinto Rd., Bldg. 202850 POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
Date: Location: Sponsor:
September 29, 2016 Las Vegas, NV - TBD POC: CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418
For more job fair dates and locations, go to CivilianJobs.com
Join CivilianJobs.com on...
Bradley-Morris, Inc. (BMI) is the largest military-focused recruiting firm in the U.S. that for over 25 years has specialized in placing prior military job seekers with Fortune 1000 companies.
CivilianJobs.com helps military-friendly companies who actively recruit candidates from the military by offering cost-effective and customized solutions to meet their hiring needs.
NEWS Military Transition News is a bi-monthly publication providing military job seekers with relevant career and transition advice. It is distributed in print and online to over 500 military bases.
MilitaryResumes.com provides professional resume writing and consulting services for transitioning military, veterans, and their spouses seeking a civilian or federal career.
Essential Events and Travel, Inc. provides expert event planning services for corporate events and meetings. We excel in managing specialized events.
HireMilitaryBlog.com is a blog dedicated to educating and assisting employers (HR Recruiters) with sourcing and hiring candidates with prior-military experience.
MilitaryTransition.com is a blog devoted to providing transition assistance information and tools to service members transitioning from the military to a civilian career.
LARGEST MILITARY FOOTPRINT
Jul/Aug 2016
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Jul/Aug 2016
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Arm yourself. For advancement. grantham.edu/transition 800.471.7684
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