Military Transition News - March/April 2013, Transportation Issue by CivilianJobs.com, publisher of Military Transition News

MILITARY and TRANSPORTATION... Page 9 CivilianJOBS.com’s

The Essential Military-to-Civilian Transition Resource

March - April 2013

militarytransitionnews.com

Transportation: An Industry on the Go by Heidi Lynn Russell Contributing Editor

hat do an 18-wheeler truck driver, the general manager of the Denver Regional Transportation District and the Chief Operating Officer of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority have in common? They’re all military veterans who were surprised by the career opportunities and upward job mobility in the transportation industry. “I am having a ball!” says Keith Reday, a truck driver for Crete Carrier Corp., which is headquartered in Lincoln, Neb. “I spent 26 years in every other country of the world. I’m now seeing the country I spent 26 years defending. I’ve been to nearly every state. I’m just missing North Dakota, Rhode Island, Washington state, and Hawaii and Alaska.” Jobs aren’t just limited to roadway adventures or railroad tracks, however. In fact, if you name the skill, chances are, there’s a job for you in this everexpanding industry, say experts. As for the hiring outlook, if you select any niche of transportation, you’ll be going places. The current workforce is retirement-ready in areas of public transit, commercial railway companies, trucking and a little-known sector of the industry called, “intermediary services.” As a result, the hiring demand is expected to outpace the number of applicants in all industry sectors, experts note. “What an exciting time to come into transportation!” says Michael Melaniphy, president and CEO of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) in Washington, D.C. “You can be an attorney,

mechanic, engineer, logistics person, planner; whatever your skill set is, the demand for the jobs is right now. Think about public transportation alone. We build big things that last for generations and serve millions of people. We’re not only providing jobs, but opportunities that serve a higher purpose, and we get to be a part of the community. We have so many opportunities for military members.” Here’s a breakdown of the industry sectors and tips to get you on your way in transportation: Public Transportation “Public transportation is in a renaissance,” Melaniphy says. Because of the economy, this area is experiencing “record ridership numbers” nationwide, he says. “We are hitting capacity constraints with a lot of systems.” Not only that, the workforce is Boomer-heavy. APTA did a survey in 2010 and found that 89 percent of public transportation agencies had employees approaching retirement. “It’s a major concern for the industry. We have a workforce that will turn over, and that will create opportunities to grow and rapid career advancement for new hires,” Melaniphy says. Veterans are perfect candidates, because the military command structure of doing things “is indicative of what we do,” he adds. As a result, veterans intrinsically understand how things operate. Just at APTA alone, veterans hold such top-ranking jobs as director of IT, chief counsel, administrative manager and director of technical services, he adds. APTA also works closely with the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Security Administration and federal and local law enforcement agencies on major safety security

incidents of concern. So opportunities in security and law enforcement are even available. “It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’re from, we have proven opportunities for all backgrounds,” Melaniphy says. In June 2012, APTA initiated the Military/Transit Cooperative Task Force. The group is committed to bridging connections between transit systems and military communities via veteran job fairs, industry-wide hiring goals and facilitation of resource and information sharing. Alice Wiggins-Tolbert is Senior Manager of Parsons Brinckerhoff and Chair of this APTA Task Force. “Our transit systems around the country are partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that hosts veteran job fairs throughout the country. We are also partnering with the trucking and railroad industry. Wounded Warriors and Easter Seals are major advisors. Transportation associations around the country are sponsoring events and jobs fairs and so much more,” WigginsTolbert says. Phil Washington is General Manager of the Denver Regional Transportation District. He’s also a former Army Command Sergeant Major. When he exited in 2000 after 24-½ years of service, Washington saw a newspaper ad for “assistant general manager of administration” at the public transportation agency. The needed skills aligned with what he was doing in the military. He was in that position until 2009, when he became GM/CEO. “I was never in a transportation unit,” Washington says, adding that he never considered a civilian career in transportation. But the leadership skills required, as well as his experience with procure-

ment gained in the military, were a perfect match for him. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is Colorado’s largest public transit network and it has about 110 different job specialties, Washington says. The organization has more than 150 bus routes and five light rail lines, connecting the eight-county metro Denver community. And, the RTD is currently building the largest voter-approved transit system in the country. The “FasTracks” project is a multi-billion-dollar comprehensive transit expansion plan to build 122 miles of new commuter rail and light rail, 18 miles of bus rapid transit and 21,000 new parking spaces at light rail and bus stations. “There are plenty of IT and engineering jobs. Really, it’s across the spectrum as we build out,” Washington says. RTD also has a workforce program that includes hiring veterans, “The Regional Workforce Initiative Now” or WIN

program. The organization will collaborate with the Community College of Denver, Denver Transit Partners and Urban League of Metro Denver to train and place people into transportation careers. When hired by RTD, veterans automatically receive five extra points on the RTD’s ratings scale, which contributes to their standing in the organization. Lonnie Mitchell is COO of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He spent 30 years in the Navy. Like Washington, he faced retirement in 2000, wondering where to go next. He was a Captain stationed in Virginia Beach, Va., as Vice Commander of the Navy Exchange Service Command, when his boss, a Rear Admiral, came into his office with a job posting. “He said, ‘Hey, there’s a job in L.A. that’s written for you or me. You’re getting out before me. You apply for it,’” Mitchell recalls. Continued on page 4

INSIDE THIS MONTH’S TRANSPORTATION ISSUE Ask the Recruiter:

Spouse Series:

Career Coach’s Corner:

Job Fairs:

Hot Jobs:

What about background checks? ....................page 3

Harnessing the winds of change ...............page 7

Transportation similarities to military ....................page 9

2013 Spring calendar ........page 10

Veteran-focused companies ........page 11

NEWS

JOIN OUR RANKS Our goal is to be the best trucking company in America. Not necessarily the biggest–although we are one of the industry’s largest companies– but the very best, in everything we do. To accomplish this we need to hire more of the best people including: – Professional Truck Drivers – Shop Technicians – Office Management We’re looking for men and women with honesty and integrity, who assume responsibility and adhere to a code of ethics. In other words, if you succeeded in the military, we’d like to enlist your services. There are no shortcuts™

800-998-2221 | 800-669-0322 cretecarrierjobs.com/military

Mar/Apr 2013

NEWS

Transition Talk Publisher Managing Editor Art Director Associate Editor Contributing Editors Director of Technology Executive Consultant Account Representative Account Representative

Pete Charest Kathy Scott Alec Trapheagen Anthony Morris Janet Farley Carolyn Heinze Heidi Russell Rafferty Tom Wolfe Don Nowak Marla Smith Rhonda Davis Rick Parker

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. ©2007-2013 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.

by Mike Arsenault Director of Candidate Services

Bradley-Morris answers questions from transitioning military job seekers.

•Q: I know that most employers do background

checks, but I’ve heard that they can also do credit checks. I’m not even sure what my credit looks like. Would bad credit disqualify me from a job?

•A:

Yes. Employers from most industries will frequently run a credit check at some point during the hiring process, especially if your position has access to personal employee/customer information or entails financial responsibility. A credit check can also be required for something as simple as when you need a corporate credit card as part of your job. I’d suggest that you check your credit standing. First, pull your credit report. The official site set up by the top three credit reporting agencies is AnnualCreditReport. com. Getting a copy is free at the site and you can repeat the process every 12 months. Fix anything that is incorrect or questionable. A recent Federal Trade Commission report found that 25 percent of people have an error on their credit report. The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires employers to get your permission to conduct a credit check, so this will not be a surprise during the interviewing process or when you receive your offer letter. However, bad credit may not mean immediate disqualification as employers may accept minor blemishes on a credit report (late payments,

school debt, etc.). According to Forbes contributor Kerry Hannon, the top two reasons why a company wouldn’t hire you due to credit are for accounts in debt collection and current outstanding judgments (you have not paid a debt that a creditor has the legal right to collect).

•Q: I have an interview coming up and I’m extremely nervous. Any tips?

•A: Don’t worry about the things you can’t control. If you’ve done your research on the company, can explain why you are a fit for the position, have extensively prepared for the interview and are set with the logistics/itinerary for the interview, relax and be sure to get a good night’s sleep. If you really want the position, you’ll naturally be a bit nervous in advance of the interview. However, if you prepare, arrive early, and have taken care of everything under your control, you should be as calm and confident as possible.

Mike Arsenault is Director 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.

Mar/Apr 2013

NEWS

“Transportation: An Industry on the Go” continued from page 1 “I got the job because my boss knew and found out about the job from somebody else. Networking – it’s a very big deal.” Mitchell was also surprised to find transportation had great career mobility opportunities. “I hadn’t thought about it, even though I rode buses and trains growing up. I got into it because of my procurement contracting background,” he says. Los Angeles’s transportation authority also has an aging employee workforce and an ever-growing public transportation system. Jobs are aplenty, Mitchell says. More than 600 employees are veterans; 61 came on board last year. The organization’s goal is for veterans to comprise 12 percent of new hires in 2013. “We’re not a ‘transit authority.’ We do transit and help fund para-transit, but we also build construction, do regional planning and accept grant money from the DOT. We have a financial arm, planning arm, construction arm and also have all the functions: controllers, treasurers, financial officers, budget officers, purchasers, warehousers, janitorial, carpenters, mechanics and service attendants,” Mitchell says. Trucking The American Trucking Associations, Inc., estimates that its industry “will not fill all of the existing truck driver positions we have,” says Bill Wanamaker, Director of Government, Traffic and Security Operations. “There are 3.46 million truck drivers in the United States, and the population is old like me and they’re retiring, and we need to replace them.” He adds that, “a quality truck driver has job security. There are always opportunities. The trucking industry employs nearly nine million people; that’s one in 15 civilian workers.” Starting pay for a full-time, large-commercial, 18-wheeler driver is $28,000 annually. With experience and a safe record, that can build to $85,000, Wanamaker says. If you have a security clearance and are hauling for the Department of Defense, your salary may be closer to $80,000, depending on how much you’re driving, he adds. Crete Carrier Corp. ranks as one of the largest privately owned trucking companies in the country, offering a full range of transportation services. Jeff Dady oversees Driver Development, and Jessica Reay is the HR Generalist. They say the company is looking at 2,900 new hires in 2013. “It’s daunting for an organization,” Dady says. “A lot of those positions are on the driving side, but we also have office, shop and logistics positions to fill as well. We have a huge recruitment task ahead of us.” Periodically, mid-level positions are open for military leaders to consider, Reay says. Those include logistics positions and managers who oversee drivers’ time. “And we have opportunities for management beyond that,” she adds. The company has also hired a military recruiter, who is an Air Force veteran. “There are a lot of values that the military has which really tie in with our values – selflessness, being able to think on their feet and being part of the team. Those really fall in line with our values and what we’re

looking for in an individual,” Dady says. Richmond, Va.-based Estes Express Lines is a full-service freight transportation provider that was founded in 1931 by W.W. Estes and is still owned by the Estes family. The company has grown from a small, local carrier into one of the most respected total-solution providers in the industry. It has more than 13,350 employees and more than 27,000 tractors and trailers, plus more than 200 terminals. Curtis Carr is VP of Safety and Risk Management. The number of open positions fluctuates, but the company can have as many as 600 available jobs, he says. Like everywhere else, those also run the gamut, from driving, sales, and clerical work, to logistics and information technology, among others. The company is actively trying to recruit military members and has attended job fairs at Fort Hood, Fort Campbell and Fort Bragg. And there’s a good reason the company has a soft heart for veterans: the late Robey W. Estes, the second-generation family company president, stormed Normandy on D-Day. He was a staff sergeant and led the riflemen of E Company of the 116th Infantry, a Virginia National Guard regiment. He also fought in the Battle of the Bulge, Carr says. Transportation Intermediaries Transportation intermediaries, or third-party logistics companies, act as the facilitators to arrange the efficient and economical movement of goods. Robert Voltmann is CEO and President of the Transportation Intermediaries Association in Alexandria, Va. He says 90 percent of intermediaries businesses are familyowned. “It’s a totally invisible industry that does about $160 billion a year worth of business,” Voltmann says. Anyone who is good at customer service will like this job, he says. Businesses “pay a good living and are always looking for talented people. You build relationships with customers – the shippers, the people who make things and the carriers that actually move them to market. My guys operate like travel agents. They help the manufacturer find the capacity to move their goods to market, and they help the carriers find freight so the equipment is loaded,” Voltmann explains. Voltmann adds that 80 percent of U.S. trucking companies have five or fewer trucks and don’t have sales forces. The intermediaries fill that gap. “They come in every shape and size, but every one of them is looking for talented people.” And, no surprise here: Like the rest of the transportation industry, the intermediaries are hurting for employees. “My guys can’t hire enough people,” Voltmann says. To locate companies in your geographic area, Voltmann suggests doing job board searches on the phrases, “logistics, thirdparty logistics and property brokerage.” Rail Amtrak is equally searching for qualified talent, says Paul Ho, Talent Acquisition Advisor in Los Angeles. “We foresee a huge amount of hiring and are in the middle of it now. We’re so incredibly busy,” Ho says. “We go to veteran job fairs. We strive to hire veterans. It’s one thing in which we’re trying to increase our numbers, and the corporate office fully supports it, and it’s

one of our initiatives.” In the transportation arena, jobs include assistant passenger conductor, passenger engineers, and a lot of entry-level customer service positions. Amtrak provides training for engineers (the drivers). Light-duty mechanics and heavy-duty mechanics are also needed. “We hire electricians all the time from the military,” Ho says. Machinists are mechanics that troubleshoot and repair engines. “Car men” handle the light-duty repairs on windows and doors. “There are customer service related positions in management that we would consider people without railroad backgrounds,” Ho adds. Amtrak also has a police department. And, if you have an engineering specialty in the military, the various engineering positions

include bridge and track engineers, signal engineers and building engineers. “Our website lists all the jobs by geographic location, job title and job category. Applicants need to create a profile and submit to whatever they’re interested in,” Ho says. Ready to get started? Great! Take a look at upcoming military job fairs in your area in this issue’s job fair calendar or at CivilianJobs.com online. You can also log on to CivilianJobs.com’s job board to view opportunities that might fit your skills. And don’t forget to review the transportation advertisers’ ads in this issue. Transportation companies want you! Heidi Lynn Russell writes about employment and business issues.

VETERANS! Here’s a great new mission:

Northern California College of Construction Stockton, California

www.ccc-north.com toll free: (800) 870-9757

Red Rock College Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

www.redrockcollege.com toll free: (888) 616-5446

Read this issue online now at http://Online.MilitaryTransitionNews.com

Mar/Apr 2013

NEWS

Franchising: A Systemized Approach to Business

▲

▲▲▲▲▲▲

▲

Now placing into Sales / Sales Manager positions as well

▲▲▲▲▲▲▲

▲▲▲▲▲▲

▲▲

▲

▲▲

▲▲▲▲▲▲

▲

ranchising boasts some amazing statistics, such as more than 300 franchises sold every week and one in every 12 businesses in the U.S. is a franchise. Franchises also stimulate America’s economy, as they employ more than 18 million Americans and account for about 50 percent of all retail sales. If you’re wondering why people invest in a franchise, consider how most studies show that 80 percent of small businesses fail within the first five years of opening. However, only 10 percent of franchises fail within their first five years of business. It is a pretty daunting statistic, but a lot of people who are thinking about opening a small business look into franchising just because they have a much better chance at success. Franchising is a systemized way of doing business. The franchisor has invested a great deal of money to make sure the systems and procedures they have for their franchisees work. That encompasses everything from marketing and financing to legal counsel and human resources. Another benefit is having a collective pool of intelligence. The veteran franchisees at The Dwyer Group, Inc. enjoy being able to call a neighboring franchisee and asking for help or advice. Buying power and brand recognition are two major factors as well. A franchising company can buy the goods

▲

they use for business much cheaper than an independent contractor. Now that we know why people get into franchising, let’s talk about the VetFran (Veteran Franchise Initiative) program. VetFran was started by the late Don Dwyer of The Dwyer Group at the end of The Gulf War. Since 2003, VetFran has helped more than 1,400 veterans start their own franchises. Dwyer was in the Army for a brief time, and the military was something near and dear to his heart. Bottom line, VetFran gives veterans a substantial discount on buying a franchise. When Dwyer started the program he saw many vets coming home wanting to start a business, but they didn’t have the sufficient funds to do so. The benefits of participating in VetFran to start a franchise include: • A percentage off the purchase of the franchise • Preferred financing with lenders • Discounts on start-up materials • Vendor discount programs specifically for veterans There are many ways to find franchisors that are participating in VetFran, but the easiest is on the IFA website www. franchise.org.

▲

by Chris Loudermilk CFE, Franchise Consultant at Aire Serv LLC

NEWS

Mar/Apr 2013

COMP

Do the best work of your life. At URS, we believe that when you create an environment that encourages individuals to collaborate and solve complex problems, you attract the best

CIVILIANJOBS

people. As a leading provider of management and technical services to the U.S. Government, URS values the wealth of experience, discipline and integrity that veterans bring to our business. So if you thrive on meeting complex challenges and are looking to do the best work of your life, we invite you to explore careers at URS.

POWER INFRASTRUCTURE FEDERAL INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL

MILITARY TRANSITION NEWS

URSCORP.COM

N E W

HIREMILITARY.COM

Visit us at www.bestworkofyourlife.com.

Mar/Apr 2013

Spouse Series: Moving On by Janet Farley Contributing Editor

he winds of change within the greater military community are certainly stirring. Sequestration, once thought to be a simple deterrent to inaction, is quickly becoming an all too in-our-face reality. It’s like we’re stuck in a grainy blackand-white film version of “The Wizard of Oz” and the storm has almost arrived. The wind is swirling faster and faster all around us. The cows are flying, and we’re trying our best to batten down the hatches. We’re all screaming at each other, and no one can hear anything. It’s going to be a big one, folks. Seek safe shelter now. Whether you are anticipating another PCS move or a major military-to-civilian career transition for whatever reason, change is going to happen and you can do nothing to stop it. You can, however, move on gracefully, with the intent to succeed, no matter what debris will be kicked up by the imminent wind tunnel of life. The secret to weathering this storm of epic proportions is emergency preparedness. Are you ready? Now is the time to develop a sequester emergency plan if you haven’t already done so.

MILITARYRESUMES.COM

W S

Make sure everyone in your family understands the severity of the situation. Everyone in your family should have an age-appropriate, realistic understanding of the status quo. If you are facing certain separation from service, desired or not, keep everyone informed. Making a transition under any circumstances can be challenging. A constant flow of communication and an open willingness to hear ideas, fears and thoughts should be present. Identify your potential exits. Where will you go? What will you do? Identify those locational and job preferences now. Begin to research each on a more in-depth level. It’s never too early to gather information.

Why Join the

Estes Team?

Know the hazards and be ready to confront them. Is timing going to be issue on any level? Do you have enough of a cash flow to sustain you and your family through a relocation or through an extended period of unemployment? Can you afford to rent or buy a home with this move? How are you going to close out the business of your current life in a smooth manner? Think of those painful details and identify the potential hazards that could accompany them. Troubleshoot the issues now so they are manageable in the future.

• Great schedules—Most drivers are home daily or every other day • Competitive wages • Comprehensive benefits

• Growth opportunities • Terrific work environment • Company stability (Celebrating 80 years of service!)

Positions Available!

Identify your service providers. You don’t have to through this alone. There are service providers, inside and outside the military community to help make this transition. Use them. You don’t always have to take their advice, but in times of stress, it’s always a good idea to hear many sides. Start with the family service and support center and the military transition center on the installation nearest you.

• Drivers

(Class A CDL with Hazmat and Doubles)

• Supervisors

• Dock • Clerical • Mechanics

(Power and Trailer)

Do the paperwork. Resumes, cover letters and job applications. Oh my. Don’t wait until the last minute to begin putting together the documentation that will hopefully lead you to a safe landing on the other side. While you’re messing around with the paperwork, don’t neglect to keep all those other important papers in one place, too. Plan to hand-carry, not only your resume, but your DD 214, any professional certifications, college transcripts, insurance policies, bank account numbers, important passwords and medical records. Stay strong. You’re no stranger to challenging times. This is just another one in the bigger picture of life. Take a deep breath. Reach down into your inner reserves and grab an umbrella…and watch out for flying cows. Janet Farley is the author of "The Military Spouse’s Guide to Employment: Smart Jobs for Mobile Lifestyles”.

Need a resume? Make sure you stand out from your peers Get a resume that best translates your military experience for civilian hiring authorities. Backed by 20 years of military placement experience - Companies have told us what they want to see on an ex-military resume. Call 1-877-641-8318 to get started.

MILITARYTRANSITION.COM

BRADLEY-MORRIS.COM

ANIES

NEWS

Be sure to visit www.Work4Estes.com for a complete list of positions available. Toll-free recruitment line: 1-877-WRK4ESTES (1-877-975-4378) Current Operating Area AA/EOE

11-0218 110729 Estes Civilian Job Ad.indd 1

7/29/11 11:50 AM

NEWS

Mar/Apr 2013

Over 60,000 military alumni within our ranks. Having already helped so many members of the military community, we understand the challenges veterans, active duty servicemembers and military spouses face. Whether in the military or civilian world, we can help you enhance your career. See how our education is preparing military members to get to work at phoenix.edu/mil

Florida: Licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education, License No. 2308. Georgia: Authorized under the Nonpublic Postsecondary Educational Institutions Act of 1990. Illinois: University of Phoenix is authorized to operate as a post-secondary educational institution by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, 431 E. Adams, 2nd Floor, Springfield, IL 62701-1404, www.ibhe.org. Indiana: Fully accredited by the Indiana Commission for Postsecondary Proprietary Education. AC-0188. Indianapolis Campus: 7999 Knue Rd., Suites 100 & 500, Indianapolis, IN 46250; Northwest Indiana Campus: 8401 Ohio St., Merrillville, IN 46410. Ohio: Registration Number 1154320. Cleveland Campus: 5005 Rockside Rd., Ste. 130, Independence, OH 44131-2194; Cincinnati Campus: 9050 Centre Pointe Dr., Ste. 250, West Chester, OH 45069-4875; Columbus Campus: 8415 Pulsar Place, Ste. 100, Columbus, OH 43240-4032. Oklahoma: University of Phoenix is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (ncahlc.org). College credit granted by University of Phoenix. Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether or not credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice. Puerto Rico: University of Phoenix operates under a renewal license granted by the Puerto Rico Council on Education. South Carolina: 1001 Pinnacle Point Dr., Columbia, SC 29223. Licensed by the South Carolina Commission on Education. Tennessee: Memphis Campus: 65 Germantown Court, Ste. 100, Cordova, TN 38018; Nashville Campus: 616 Marriott Dr., Ste. 150, Nashville, TN 37214; Chattanooga Campus: 1208 Pointe Centre Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37421. Clarksville Learning Center: 141 Chesapeake Dr., Clarksville, TN 37040; Murfreesboro Learning Center: 2615 Medical Center Pkwy., Murfreesboro, TN 37129. Virginia: The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia has certified University of Phoenix, Richmond Campus, to operate in Virginia. University of Phoenix, Richmond Campus, 6600 West Broad Street, Ste. 200, Richmond, VA 23230. © 2013 University of Phoenix, Inc. All rights reserved. | MIL-01941

Mar/Apr 2013

NEWS career coach’s corner

by Tom Wolfe Career Coach and Contributing Editor

n doing research for this column, I ran across the following: I provide the Nation’s warfighters of all services what they need, when they need it, where they need it. That phrase is part of the motto and creed of the U. S. Army’s Logistics Corps (Army Logistician, PB 700-07-04, Volume 39, Issue 4). Although the words belong to the Army, it would not take much tweaking to make it apply to the logistics mission in all branches of service. Furthermore, change a few words and a logistics company in the private sector could adopt it as a corporate mission statement. It seems appropriate to share it with you given that the theme of this month’s issue of Military Transition News is transportation. Transportation is a component of logistics, and logistics is a classic example of operations management. Regardless of your branch or military occupational specialty, that is good news. Why? Suppose I ask you to ensure a group of people is welltrained and well-equipped. Give them a clear understanding of the mission and the tools. Provide for their safety. Carry out the plan and complete the mission. Sound familiar? I thought so. For many military personnel, that is a pretty good description

AirForceReserve

You know transportation of their jobs, and it describes what business refers to as operations management. With these similarities, it should not be surprising, therefore, that more than half of the people leaving the military end up in some form of operations management when they transition. Although the bottom line changes (profit versus war fighting/readiness) and you may learn new systems, methods, technology, vocabulary, and organizational structure, the operations management tools in your toolbox are already honed and ready to be applied. Caution — the term “operations management” is both descriptive and convenient, but relying on it too much can get you in trouble. ‘Operations’ could mean logistics, combat, supply, support, covert, humanitarian, peacekeeping, procurement, and more. And almost everything you have done in the military has had something to do with ‘Management’: personnel, money, supplies, acquisition, projects, missions, planning, supervision, leadership, allocation, priorities, timelines, deadlines, crisis, and paperwork, just to name a few. Putting those two words together and using them to describe what you have done and/or may want to do might be convenient, but in doing so you may also come across as vague or uncertain with respect to your true objective. One way to mitigate this risk is to focus in on a segment of operations management that is specific enough to convey both your skill set and also hit the hot buttons of a job opportunity. For many military personnel, the field of

logistics is a logical choice. There are many military specialties and occupations for which it is hard if not impossible to find direct civilian counterparts or equivalencies—Infantry officer, F18 pilot, armorer, air defense, submariner, cryptographer, and others. However, the news is better for those military personnel who know something about logistics, which is almost everyone. Some of you are trained and certified military logisticians with experience in supply, quartermaster, transportation, acquisition, contracting, inventory, purchasing, pre-positioning, airlift, and replenishment. Even if your military occupational specialty, branch, or designator falls outside of those fields, you still practice logistics every day. Acquiring, accounting for, moving, allocating, and employing resources is what you do for a living. Those resources are numerous and varied: equipment, materiel, personnel, consumables, rolling stock, foodstuff, ammunition, medical supplies, fuel, weapons, money, construction supplies and more. One of the most important and predominant activities within supply chain management is transportation. Jobs within the transportation industry are relatively plentiful, and hundreds of companies in that industry are predisposed to hire veterans and transitioning service members. Look at the companies that are featured and advertise in this issue. Many of these companies are looking for specific transportation-related skill sets and training that they know the

@AirForceReserve

military has provided. Others are focused on general leadership and management talents, knowing full well that you can be taught the specifics and technical side of the industry. For example, I visited the employment opportunities page on the website of one of the companies featured in this issue and found job openings in the following disciplines: warehousing, pricing, estimating, customer service, supply chain management, shipping, inventory control, freight forwarding, procurement, sales, drivers, mechanics, forklift operators, billing, collections, information technology, contract negotiation, and program management. Assuming that the military version of operations management is one of your strengths, you should consider seeking out the civilian version as a way to launch your new career. As I have emphasized in previous Career Coach’s Corners, you need to work both hard and smart. It would be smart to consider the transportation industry for reasons mentioned above. It would be smarter still to focus on companies that have already decided to focus on people like you, such as those that appear throughout this issue. GOOD HUNTING! Tom Wolfe is contributing editor & columnist for Military Transition News and author of ‘Out Of Uniform: Your Guide to a Successful Military-to-Civilian Career Transition.’

USAirForceReserve

For more information scan this QR code with your smart phone*

A part-time job in the Air Force Reserve made a difference. It gave me the time and financial support to continue my education and begin a civilian career. It’s ideal because I wanted to continue to serve but stay close to home. And I discovered the Air Force Reserve is offering signing bonuses up to $20,000. If you’ve served in any branch of military, you can join the Air Force Reserve without repeating Basic Training. I kept my rank as well as the sense of service and teamwork I’ve learned to love. Best of all, now I serve my country from where I choose to live.

Scan the QR Code with your smart phone for AFR news, events and information * Message and data rates may apply. Text CHAT to 71212 to initiate an SMS conversation with an Air Force Reserve advisor. Text STOP to 71212 to opt out. Text HELP to 71212 for more information. This program employs operators who are paid to participate in chat. Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 10:00 pm EST. See program terms and conditions and privacy policy at http://sms.afreserve.com.

110419_CivJobNews_Half-Pg_HZ.indd 1

Text CHAT to 71212 to reach an advisor* 800-237-8279 • AFReserve.com/Prior 3/23/12 12:45 PM

Mar/Apr 2013

NEWS

Job Fair Calendar Date: Location: Sponsor:

March 6, 2013 Ft. Lee Job Fair 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Lee Club - Ft. Lee, VA CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: Location: Sponsor:

March 13, 2013 Ft. Campbell Job Fair 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 1610 William C. Lee Road, Ft. Campbell, KY POC Harold Riggins Harold.t.Riggins.civ@mail.mil (270) 798-6410

Date: Location: Sponsor:

March 13, 2013 Ft. Meade Technical Job Fair 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Ft. Meade Club, Ft. Meade, MD POC Jerome Duncan jduncan@dllr.state.md.us (410) 674-5240

Date: Location: Sponsor:

March 19, 2013 Ft. Hood Job Fair - Club Hood 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. - 24th St. and Wainwright St. Bldg. 5764, Ft. Hood, TX CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: Location: Sponsor:

March 19, 2013 West Point Job Fair 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Building 603 Cullum Road, West Point, NY POC Christina Overstreet christina.overstreet@usma.edu (845) 938-3655

Date: Location: Sponsor:

March 21, 2013 JBLE Job Fair 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 2123 Pershing Avenue, Ft. Eustis, VA POC Reba D. Gordon reba.d.gordon.civ@mail.mil (757) 878-2881

Date: Location: Sponsor:

March 26, 2013 Ft. Bragg Hiring Event 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Bldg. 1-4930, Totten & Armistead Streets, Ft. Bragg, NC POC Dianna Williams dianna.williams@us.army.mil (910) 643-2984

Date: Location: Sponsor:

April 4, 2013 Ft. Benning Job Fair 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Benning Conference Center, Ft. Benning, GA CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: Location: Sponsor:

April 9, 2013 Ft. Leavenworth Job Fair 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Frontier Conference Center, 350 Biddle Ave., Ft. Leavenworth, KS POC Brett Rosene acap.leavenworth@serco-na.com (913) 684-2590

Date: Location: Sponsor:

April 16, 2013 Ft. Bragg Career Fair 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Ft. Bragg Club, Totten/Armested, Ft. Bragg, NC POC Cecelia Wallace cecelia.m.wallace.civ@mail.mil (910) 907-3421

Date: Location: Sponsor:

April 16, 2013 Ft. Riley Hiring Heroes Job Fair 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Rileyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Conference Center, Ft. Riley, KS POC Jeff Reade jeff.b.reade@us.army.mil (785) 239-4752

Date: Location: Sponsor:

April 17, 2013 Rock Island Job Fair 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Baylor Conference Center (tentative), 1 Rock Island Arsenal, Bldg. 104, 3rd Flr., Rock Island, IL POC Ethel Robinson ethel.m.robinson@us.army.mil (309)782-2913/5711

Date: Location: Sponsor:

April 25, 2013 Camp Pendleton Job Fair 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Pacific Views Event Ctr. (formerly South Mesa Club), Camp Pendleton, CA CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: Location: Sponsor:

April 25, 2013 Carlisle Barracks Spring Job Fair - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Letort View Community Center, 313 Lovell Ave., Carlisle PA POC Jeffrey Hanks, ACS (717) 245-3684

Date: Location: Sponsor:

April 25, 2013 Ft. Belvoir Job Fair 10 am. - 2 p.m. Community Center Ft. Belvoir, VA POC Laureen Dupree laureen.t.dupree.civ@mail.mil (703) 805-2605

Date: Location: Sponsor:

April 30, 2013 Ft. Lee Job Fair - 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Lee Club, Bldg. 9009, Battle Drive, Ft. Lee, VA POC Carmen Rohena Pastrana, TSM (804) 734-6615

Date: Location: Sponsor:

May 1, 2013 Marine Corp Air Station Yuma Job Fair - 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Marine Corp Air Station Yuma, Bldg. 1200, Yuma, AZ POC Alicia Rucalba (928) 269-2680

Date: Location: Sponsor:

May 2, 2013 Ft. Drum Job Fair 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Commons, Fort Drum, NY POC Lori Guler - (315) 772-3284

Date: Location: Sponsor:

May 14, 2013 Ft. Carson Job Fair 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Elkhorn Catering and Conf. Center, Ft. Carson, CO CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

Date: Location: Sponsor:

May 30, 2013 Ft. Benning Job Fair 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Benning Conference Center, Ft. Benning, GA CivilianJobs.com (866) 801-4418

For more job fair dates and locations, go to CivilianJobs.com

Bradley-Morris, Inc. (BMI) is the largest military-focused recruiting firm in the U.S. that for over 20 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. HireMilitary.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

Mar/Apr 2013

NEWS

HOT JOB OPENINGS ALABAMA Benjamin Moore & Co - Secretary/Office Manager Benjamin Moore & Co is seeking a secretary/office manager as internal administrative support. Responsibilities include submitting payroll hours on a bi-weekly basis; accurately updating employee vacation days and banked time; and submitting major expenditure requests. As general office support, the secretary/office manager would ensure efficiency of office equipment and quantity of office supplies and actively participate in the Benjamin Moore’s Health and Safety programs; direct Customer Service; coordinate facility meetings and prepare reports. Visit the CivilianJobs.com Job Board to view all responsibilities and qualifications as well as to apply. FLORIDA Sierra Nevada Corporation - Inspector Aircraft (FAA Cert) Duke Field - Sierra Nevada Corporation is seeking an Inspector Aircraft (IA) to perform inspection functions for aircraft, including power plant, materials, parts and subassemblies. IA would review aircraft and engine log books (including historical records and TBOs as appropriate) at all checks and review all pilot/crew discrepancy reports and deferred maintenance items write-ups and corrective actions taken on appropriate work cards. Qualified candidate must have 5-10 years of experience on DoD aircraft as well as experience on DoD/fixed wing turboprop aircraft. Previous military/ civilian supervisory experience desired. Ability to obtain and retain a DoD security clearance required. Current driver license and U.S. Passport required. Must be willing to travel outside the US 60% to 70% of the year and be FAA certified with a current Inspection Authorization. Contact monique.moultrie@sncorp.com to apply. PENNSYLVANIA Exelon - Technical Specialist - Electrical Job Exelon Power is seeking a Technical Specialist. The company is responsible for managing, operating, and maintaining the company’s fossil and hydroelectric fleet of generating assets. Responsibilities for this job include: execution of Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) programs and their associated technologies at all Exelon Power sites; completing administrative tasks associated with programmatic efforts and attend training when required; performing condition monitoring

activities on substation equipment, writing reports, and maintaining the logs; and providing technical support to plant operations, maintenance staff, and engineering. The Qualified Candidate should have an Associate’s Degree in Engineering Technology, Electronics, or related field OR HS Diploma and minimum of 18 months of trade or technical training in Power Plant Technology or related field and minimum of 5 years Power Plant experience. Visit the CivilianJobs.com Job Board to view all responsibilities and qualifications as well as to apply. TEXAS Compass Group - Customer Service Manager - This is a Great Opportunity to become a leader in a great company and growing Sector of Compass Group, Canteen Vending Services. As a Customer Service Manager, you will supervise and coordinate activities of route service persons to assure the highest standard of customer service by performing the following duties: Responsible for the growth of our vending business; Responsible for communication to and retention of client account; Coordinate vending installations in new and existing accounts; Schedule and modify route structure to improve productivity and control overtime compensation. Qualified candidate must have valid driver’s license and good driving record. Experience in a route based business preferred. Log on to CivilianJobs.com to view the entire job description and apply.

Jim, Averitt Associate

VIRGINIA Ecology and Environment, Inc. - Military Projects Specialist - Ecology and Environment, Inc. is seeking a Military Project Specialist for our Virginia Beach, Virginia, office. The company is a fully integrated environmental consulting firm committed to supporting sustainable development through responsible environmental stewardship. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of naval/military aircraft operations, systems, and culture and serve as a subject matter expert in these areas. Responsibilities include: Managing NEPA and environmental planning related projects (EAs, EISs, EAPs, AICUZ, RAICUZ and RCUZ); Managing noise impact analysis component of NEPA and environmental planning projects; preparing budgets, scopes of work and schedules and leading proposal efforts focusing on naval/military aircraft and related operations. Please view our website at www.ene.com to view the entire job description and to apply online. Ecology and Environment, Inc. is an EEO/AA employer. M/F/V/D

Where America’s Military Connects With Civilian Careers

experience It is really about the

Whether you’re a veteran CDL-A driver or just starting your career, Averitt gives you the knowledge and experience you need to succeed. To ensure that you get the most out of working with us, we offer positions that will fit you and your lifestyle, no matter how that may change over the years.

Employers If you are seeking to recruit / source military talent, let CivilianJobs.com design a staffing solution to fit your needs:

Job Seekers CivilianJobs.com is more than a great place to post your resume. Your skills are valuable and marketable, and we provide you with the best methods to pursue military-friendly employers including via our job board and military job fairs.

• Contract Recruiting • RPO • Per Hire or Contingency • “IQ” Talent • Military Base Newspaper/ Employer Advertising • Military Job Fairs • Military Job Board

» Regional Van » Regional Flatbed » Dedicated Van » Dedicated Flatbed » Local

The leading career resource for the military community.

1-866-801-4418

IF YOU WANT TO BUILD A BETTER CAREER, GIVE AVERITT A LOOK.

Founded by military veterans with years of experience in placing military candidates in new careers.

Read this issue online now at http://Online.MilitaryTransitionNews.com

Also offering paid driver training programs for recently graduated students & CDL-A drivers with limited experience.

888-362-8603 AverittCareers.com

cjn-AV-mar-experience.indd 1

» Equal Opportunity Employer » Females and Minorities Encouraged to Apply Facebook.com/AverittCareers .

2/1/13 11:44 AM

Mar/Apr 2013

NEWS

This is your invitation to join an organization offering greater opportunity, greater challenge and greater satisfaction. An organization dedicated to teamwork and collaboration. An organization working in the forefront of technology, including 89 of the Fortune Global 100 to reinvent business. As a military man or woman, your strong work ethic, commitment to excellence and attention to detail mirror many of the same core values we live at Accenture. And, with our wide range of career opportunities for military professionals, you can transfer these values – and the lessons you’ve learned – to the work we do. We are proud of our vibrant community of Accenture military employees. Join Accenture and discover how great you can be. Visit accenture.com/military today.