Photo By Sgt. Maj. Valerie Resciniti | Sgt. 1st Class Jason Manella, Army 2013 Best Warrior NCO of the year and Chief Warrent...... read more read more
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NEW YORK - The Army Reserve celebrated 106 years of service April 23 by officially un-wrapping the new Private Public Partnership Initiative, P3I, during an event held at the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce here.
“The P3I program allows industry leaders to leverage the civilian capabilities and military leadership of our citizen soldiers,” said Lt. Gen. Jeffery Talley, chief of Army Reserve, and commanding general, while addressing a group of business owners and leaders.
P3I is a mutually beneficial program that connects qualified Soldiers and family members with private sector businesses in need of the specialized skills Army Reserve Soldiers bring to the table, said Talley.
Hiring Soldiers with these unique capabilities not only gives businesses a competitive edge, but helps improve the readiness of the Army Reserve force.
“What we did here today was talk to employers about how we can best network with them and how they can network with us so in the future our Soldiers can have a better job in the on the civilian side,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Phyllis Wilson, commanding chief warrant officer of the Army Reserve. “We have a number of soldiers that don’t have a job they desire. So we’re trying to find ways to incorporate with companies so that Soldiers have the job they want.”
The goal is for government and the private sector to work together, said Talley.
“Think of P3I as a platform where you can launch your ideas, your activities, and your interests that benefit the organization you have the privilege to lead, as well as it benefiting the Soldiers and their family members,” he told the audience.
“Army Reserve Soldiers bring so many extra things to a civilian employer,” said Wilson, “Reliability, accountability, and certainly leadership. That’s what civilian employers can expect when they hire a Reserve Soldier.”
Several companies have already joined P3I including GE Health Care, Fox Sports, Kenai Drilling and the Major League Baseball Network. These organizations are currently reaping the benefits of employing Army Reserve Soldiers.
“In my line of work everything must be very exact, and Army Reserve Soldiers have that discipline,” said Jack Simmons, senior vice president of production, Fox Sports. “The people I’ve met throughout the Army are so well educated and prepared, and soon top of their game. It’s really impressive to see the people that are leading our military today.”
“Any employer wants good people, and the Army Reserve provides that,” said Jay Mercer, human resource manager, Kenai Drilling. “They have soft skills, hard skills; they can identify hazards; they have leadership skills that are exceptional to any civilian counterpart.”
Another important aspect of P3I is connecting with experts of industries to help educate Army Reserve Soldiers in areas like fitness, health, and finance. Talley introduced the newest powerhouse to join the P3I, financial guru Suze Orman.
“If you really want your bottom line to increase, then you need to make sure your employees are financially educated,” said Orman during her speech. “That is what we are trying to achieve, especially with the Reserve.”
While at the podium Orman asked Sgt. 1st Class Jason Manella, the U.S. Army 2013 Noncommissioned Officer of the Year, if he felt “money strong?”
He confidently responded, “Yes.”
Orman, visibly surprised by the answer, “Good, and you know your FICO score correct?”
“No,” said Manella. Through audience laughter Talley called out, “Suze one, Jason zero.”
Though the point was made slightly at Manella’s expense, it illustrated the reason Orman is so vital to the Army Reserve P3I.
“I hope with this partnership that we can produce men and women that know their FICO scores, know which retirement asset to put money in, know what to invest in, know if they can afford to put their kids through college, and on and on,” said Orman.
Orman announced that she is currently working with P3I to develop an online financial course for Army Reserve Soldiers and family members to get educated in what she deemed the most important aspect of their lives.
“Because of general Talley’s efforts we’ve come together to say we are going to educate you sir [Manella], and make you really strong so that you really can win any financial battle that’s out there. Because the stronger we are with our money, the stronger we are as employees, and as citizens to the U.S.,” said Orman.
Talley closed the meeting with an invitation to any business interested, to join the P3I.
“We’re not endorsing one partner over another,” said Talley, “We’re merely finding a way to work together. Hiring and investing in these heroes is not just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do.”
| Date Taken: | 05.01.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.01.2014 17:13 |
| Story ID: | 128467 |
| Location: | NEW YORK, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 374 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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