Wounded Marines search for meaningful careers after the Corps

Photo By Aquita Brown | Marine veteran Frida Lintz speaks with an employment specialist during the Hiring Heroes workshop at the Grey Research Center here. The two-day event hosted by Hire Heroes, United Service Organizations and the Wounded Warrior Regiment’s transition cell provided transitioning and veteran Marines with resume writing, interview do’s and don’ts, and networking opportunities. (Photo by Chris Bilski)  

QUANTICO, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES

06.20.2012

Story by Aquita Brown 

Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. — Hiring authorities from leading organizations gathered at the Grey Research Center here to provide job tips and hire wounded, ill and injured Marines during the Hiring Heroes workshop. The two-day event hosted by Hire Heroes, United Service Organizations and the Wounded Warrior Regiment’s transition cell provided specialized transition assistance to wounded, ill and injured Marines whose career pathways may have changed.

“I thought that I had a good resume until I attended this event,” said Marine veteran Frida Lintz. “I have participated in other hiring events but I never got the experience I had here,” continued Lintz.

The event focused on real-world job search scenarios by placing Marines in mock interviews with leading organizations. The participants got to work one-on-one with subject matter experts on how to prepare for an interview and tailor their social networking profiles to impress potential employers.

Participants like Sgt. Jermaine C. Francis came to the event because he expects to transition from the Corps at the end of September. “I came to this event looking to hone my resume-writing skills and networking opportunities,” said Francis.

Francis joined the Marine Corps in 2004 and was diagnosed with an illness in 2008. His military occupational specialty in the Corps is 3531, motor transport operator.

“The event was really insightful. The instructors were extremely knowledgeable on how to translate our military experience into job skills that employers are looking for,” said Francis.

“Today we assisted wounded, ill and injured transitioning and veteran Marines with resume writing, interview do’s and don’ts, and networking opportunities,” said Mr. Gary Simpson the Department of Labor liaison Wounded Warrior Regiment employment coordinator. “The Regiment’s transition cell will continue to work with the Marine participants in this event until they find a productive career that meets their goals.”

Lintz and Francis were two of the 15 wounded, ill and injured Marines who attended the event. “We need more events like this,” said Lintz. “We need to make certain that other veterans are aware of programs like this. They are not alone and should become involved in these sessions.”

Established in 2007, the United States Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment provides and facilitates assistance to wounded, ill and injured Marines, and sailors attached to or in direct support of Marine units and their family members in order to assist them as they return to duty or transition to civilian life. The Regimental Headquarters element, located in Quantico, Va., commands the operations of two Wounded Warrior Battalions located at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Camp Lejeune, N.C., and multiple detachments in locations around the globe.

For more information about the Wounded Warrior Regiment or transition cell go to woundedwarriorregiment.org, call the Sergeant Merlin German Wounded Warrior Call Center at 1877-487-6299 or visit us on Facebook at http://Facebook.com/wwr.usmc

• Date Taken: 06.20.2012
• Date Posted: 06.22.2012 14:00
• Story ID: 90458
• Location: QUANTICO, VIRGINIA, US