Photo By Staff Sgt. Patricia McMurphy | Certificates of Completion were presented to the graduates of the Camo2Commerce’s...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - “Camo2Commerce,” a full-service pilot program geared towards helping service members transition into the civilian workforce, held its first graduation of the Heroes Corporate Fellowship Academy at the John D. "Bud" Hawk Transition Center on Joint Base Lewis-McChord North, Washington, April 9.
On January 12, the first cohort of transitioning service members began their 13-week fellowship through the newly launched Heroes Corporate Fellowship Academy. This program provides members an opportunity to learn through hands-on experience by working with a corporate company in the local area, and additionally through 120 hours of in classroom corporate management training at City University of Seattle.
“The only way something like this comes together is through partnerships,” said Sean Murphy, project director, Camo2Commerce.
CityU, a local institution of higher learning, partnered with Camo2Commerce and provided courses for the Heroes Corporate Fellowship Academy to help prepare JBLM service members to transition from the military into civilian life and the 21st century workforce through business and on-the-job training. As the education partner, CityU has begun teaching Service men and women foundational business strategies, project management and leadership skills.
The companies that partnered with the fellowship thus far included Amazon, Compass Group, Fred Hutch, Tacoma-Pierce Chamber, Thurston EDC, ThyssenKrupp, TrueBlue, Starbucks, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn Kids, West Elm and Pottery Barn.
“You have truly lead the way in something that was experimental and you have proven yourself,” said Col. H. Charles Hodges Jr., JBLM garrison commander.
The service members spent Monday through Wednesday with their host learning through hands-on experience about the company and refining networking abilities.
Thursdays, they were back in the classroom gaining additional knowledge that supplemented their learning in areas such as project management, business writing and other topics necessary for success in their transition.
Fridays were available to continue service obligations and efforts needed to transition.
“I am very proud of what you’ve done,” said Hodges as he spoke at the ceremony. “Job well done.”
Camo2Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program seeks to capitalize on senior noncommissioned officers and junior to mid-grade officers with fellowships at partner companies in the Seattle and Tacoma area.
One of the fellows that has already accepted a job off from his host company said the program was very fulfilling and was instrumental in getting him off on the right foot.
“This transition process is a scary situation; you have to get out of your comfort zone,” said Kurt Erickson, a transitioning service member from, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, “You are going to be challenged and you have to pick yourself up.”
“We have been a great support group for each other,” he added. “Think big and take risks.”
The Camo2Commerce program assists transitioning service members by helping obtain gainful employment through coordination with the JBLM Service Member for Life Transition Assistance Program which can help with such things as training costs, funds for work clothes, work tools, gas cards, certificate fees and a business network team to market your skills to local employers.
Guest speaker for the event, Washington State Congressman Denny Heck, United States House of Representatives, said he was also proud of the fellows and wished them well.
“You are going to make any company that hires you bigger, better and stronger and it is a privilege to be here,” said Heck, “Thank you.”
The program is geared towards providing the Fellows the opportunity to maximize their experience in serving by learning the skills needed to be successful in transitioning into careers in corporate America.
To register for this service visit the Stone Education Center, 6242 Colorado Ave, JBLM, room A-202 or call 253-966-7366.
| Date Taken: | 04.13.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.28.2015 14:11 |
| Story ID: | 161544 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 89 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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