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SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command and Naval Medical Center San Diego hosted a senior leadership panel discussion and networking forum for wounded warriors and transitioning service members, March 15.
The event is the second in a series of events SPAWAR is spearheading to provide employment support and mentoring opportunities for the region's wounded warriors. The day's event included a panel discussion with SPAWAR and industry senior leadership and was followed up with a networking session comprised of members of local businesses to discuss veteran hiring programs, internships and employment opportunities.
SPAWAR commander, Rear Adm. Patrick Brady kicked off the event held at the wounded warrior barracks auditorium at Balboa Hospital. He compared this generation to the generation coined in the book "The Greatest Generation" by Tom Brokaw.
"I really think this generation is one of the greatest, so first I want to say thank you for your service," said Brady. "Events like this are important because you didn't transition into the military on your own. We're here to help you figure out what is possible and then put you on a path to get there."
Brady was part of a senior leader panel that included Marty Brown, deputy director SPAWAR Fleet Readiness Directorate; Dan Slack, wounded warrior lead for SPAWAR Systems Center Pacific; Gerry Borja, wounded warrior internship lead for Qualcomm; Gabriel Castleberry, wounded warrior program manager for the Southwest Regional Maintenance Center; Trevor Blair from Manpower; and Justin Casido from Booz Allen Hamilton.
A recurring theme from all panel members was the value of networking. The question and answer portion of the discussion included a full range of topics, from resume preparation and subsidy benefits for businesses hiring veterans to utilizing social networking to look for work. More than eighty percent of businesses will do a Google search on a job candidate or will check various social networking sites. According to panelists, the key to gaining any type of employment is preparation and taking advantage of the employment programs available to veterans.
SPAWAR developed the event as part of a hiring initiative to ensure seven percent of all new hires in 2012 are wounded warriors, which is a subset of the broader phrase wounded, ill and injured, said Cmdr. George Byrd, SPAWAR's wounded warrior program manager.
"Our strategy has become more proactive," said Byrd, who is also the wounded warrior regional coordinator. "Most of our wounded, ill and injured population in the region are the 19-25 years old's who haven't gone to college and may not have the technical pedigree needed to get a high tech job in San Diego. We help them find other paths to their next career through myriad programs, internships, training and mentoring opportunities."
More than 15 businesses, from large corporations to small businesses and non-profits, participated in the networking portion of the event. Representatives from Qualcomm, Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton, Major Innovations, Soltek Pacific and the Workshop for Warrior non-profit, to name a few, provided booths and resources for transitioning warriors interested in mentoring advice or employment opportunities.
"The main goal of this networking event is to connect warriors to opportunities," said Mark McLain, the event organizer for SPAWAR. "Many of the businesses here have some sort of veteran hiring program. They are here today to show they care about our wounded warriors and want to provide assistance to the men and women who served their country and now need our help. It's great to be able to provide that kind of support."
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rates for young veterans age 18 to 24 is more than thirty percent. Part of the problem is that younger veterans who entered the service right out of high school often lack the education necessary to succeed in today's stiff job market. Wounded warriors with disabilities may face an even more difficult challenge due to injury.
However, wounded warriors attending the event were hopeful and found value in the panel discussion and networking opportunities. Marcus Chischilly, a Marine who lost his left leg stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan last year, said he hoped to see what kinds of job are out there and available for veterans like himself.
"I'm currently participating in a radiology internship," said Chischilly. "The difficulty for me is the physical aspect. I'm somewhat limited in what I can do. My hope is that I can find something I like and enjoy. This is a great opportunity to see what's available."
The Navy's Information Dominance Systems Command, SPAWAR participates regularly in events and programs for wounded warriors with a goal of providing support to the men and women who have served their nation.
For more news from Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/spawar/
| Date Taken: | 03.15.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.16.2012 14:49 |
| Story ID: | 85370 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 264 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, SPAWAR and the Naval Medical Center Host Wounded Warrior Networking Event, by Tina Stillions, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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