Brannan was one of many Northern-California vets expected to attend the “Food and Farming Veterans Career Fair,” held at the Veterans Memorial Building in Santa Rosa on Friday. The event was sponsored by the Farmer-Veteran Coalition, a group formed in 2007 to help place combat-stressed veterans in farm-related civilian jobs. Brannan, who served in the 4^th Infantry Division in Iraq six years ago, said the physical challenge of agriculture work is “a healthy transition” for young soldiers used to rigors military life, and a “great career path.” The winery teamwork, he said, reminded him of the camaraderie he forged with his comrades while serving.

This story serves as a simple reminder that military service can help prepare you for any career field.

Among other things, the site includes information on employment , education and training for vets. The employment section features useful “how-to’s,” such as updating a military resume for the business world, and general career planning services and resources. Organizations that help fight veterans unemployment are featured on the site, including the Wounded Warriors Project, which the Call of Duty Endowment donated $100,000 to in February. Spreading the word about all of these great organizations to those who need it the most—veterans and service members looking for jobs—is one necessary step in the fight to lower vets unemployment.

I came across this idea of military discipline again recently, in a Fox news report out of Houston titled “Military Discipline an Employment Advantage.” The story profiles Rick Jones, who, after serving 25 years in the Marine Corps, organizes job fairs for veterans. Today, at least 30 employers are expected to participate in one of his veterans-only job fairs at Houston’s Minute Maid Park. “For the employers, they will be getting workers who have left a very regimented atmosphere, but that also means these are employees who are accustomed to structure,” the story reports. Jones also goes on to say, “that discipline is going to take them very far out here because they won’t stop. They’re going to get to work on time and they are going to stay until the job is done.”

I applaud Mr. Jones efforts to help fellow vets find employment, and I agree with him. The discipline and work ethic installed in members of the US Military will prove successful wherever civilian life may lead , whether that be the Olympic Bobsled track or a corporate IT office. As more employers learn about the incredible values and traits our military veterans bring to the workforce, the greater success we will have in combating the issue of veterans’ unemployment.

MCPO Maurice Wilson (USN-Ret.)

The story hits on an important issue —the diversity that former military men and women can bring to a graduate program or workplace. We’re not talking about diversity as it comes to the usual race or gender discussion, but rather the diversity of backgrounds, thoughts and life experiences. To earn acceptance into top graduate schools or corporate training programs, many candidates will have previous workforce experience; but only a few will have previous workforce experience that required judgment under extreme pressure, tight deadlines, and decision making that had immediate and obvious impacts that come with these individual’s time in the military. It’s this type of critical thinking training and direct accountability decision making will prove invaluable to employers.

As one vet explained of grad school, “We talk a lot of theory here.” For men and women who have served in the military, theory is just that—a school subject. But tangible skills and real-life decision making can’t be taught in the classroom alone…

Started by two former U.S. Army officers who received MBAs from the University of Illinois, the website is part of the MBA Veterans Network, an organization founded in 2008 that helps vets with MBAs secure corporate and private sector jobs. Since its inception, the parent organization has hosted an annual conference that connects military MBAs with recruiters from high-profile companies like Proctor & Gamble, Amazon.com and Fidelity Investments.

It’s encouraging to see more U.S. companies with growing internal operations focused on military recruiting. Combating veterans’ unemployment will be a joint effort, with corporations playing a vital role. There’s no question, the skill-set most veterans learn in the military is extremely valuable in the business world, and it’s just a matter of translating those skills and helping make a connection with future employers. Like CODE, “MBA Veterans Connect,” sounds like it could be valuable in bridging that gap and we applaud their initiatives…

The monthly employment figures released by the Labor Department recently remind us why CODE’s mission to help vets transition to civilian careers and fine them opportunities to pursue 21^st Century jobs is so important. According to the report, vets that have served since 9/11 are far more likely to be unemployed than non-vets. (To read the full report, click here.)

Specifically, 12.6 percent of recent vets are unemployed, compared to 10.4 percent figure of non-vets. In comparison, the national average of unemployed persons was at 9.7 percent [although this number is slightly lower due to seasonal adjustments].

The higher rate of joblessness among recent vets is alarming and simply unacceptable. The men and women who have put their lives on the line fighting for our country should not be fighting for a career at home. When these sorts of figures make news, it’s reassuring to know that groups like the Wounded Warrior Project and Paralyzed Veterans of America exist in part to help veterans find employment in civilian workforce, but we also need employers across the nation to step up and begin considering veterans for their open positions. Hopefully, our mission will encourage them to do just that…

According to the story, “Veterans Only” job fairs are becoming more common across the country, which I find encouraging. For all veterans, our service record goes beyond the basic infantry and combat training associated with a military career. For instance, one veteran mentioned in the news cast spent 12 years in the Army learning and doing all things communication—wiring optic lines, running data communication, running sat com. His 12 years of hands-on, in the field experience certainly qualify him for a position in the same field in corporate America. Why then, is veterans’ unemployment rate higher than non-veterans unemployment rate for every age group? In large part, it comes down to a resources issue—helping vets connect with employers and organizations that help vets transition from service life to civilian life.

The Call of Duty Endowment hopes to help fill that gap. By supporting organizations such as Paralyzed Veterans of America, which assists in the rehabilitation and training of paralyzed vets for vocational careers, I hope that CODE can help make a difference in one more vets’ life, and help give back what they have given to us.

BG Spider Marks (USA-Ret.), CODE Advisory Board Member

The Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization with a proven track-record of making a difference in veterans’ lives. The CODE grant will help launch WWP’s fifth Transition Training Academy.

In speaking with Chris Robert, Director of the TTA program at WWP, the academies have already served more than 350 veterans since their inception. As Roberts said in a brief interview with CODE, the program was created to:

“Help wounded warriors secure employment in the Information Technology (IT) field after service. Our program develops the IT skills that many vets leave the service with, and teaches real-world application which can help secure future employment or advanced coursework. TTA vets have had great success.”

We are honored that CODE is able to provide support to groups like WWP and make a difference in the lives of fellow veterans.

The President’s pledge arrives on the heels of the unveiling of the Administration’s “Feds Hire Vets,” a new website for the Administration’s veterans hiring initiative, which launched on January 21. The site offers information and tips for veterans on navigating the federal hiring process and how to ensure they take full advantage of the special authorities that apply to them. The site also includes sections geared towards hiring managers and federal agencies looking to employ veterans.

The fight to ensure employment opportunities for America’s vets will not be won overnight, but steps like these will certainly help us get there.

RADM Ronnie Froman (USN-Ret.), CODE Advisory Board Member

American Corporate Partners
American Corporate Partners offers free career counseling and mentoring to recently returned veterans by professionals from America’s finest corporations.