I’m borrowing an Army theme for this month’s blog. It’s the theme LTG Brown and I emphasize as we’ve had the opportunity to talk to local businesses about the great Soldiers who are transitioning from service here at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. A Soldier is a Soldier for life.
Recently, I attended the Hire America’s Heroes Gala and the Starbucks Coffee Company’s unveiling of its plan to hire 10,000 separating service members and their spouses. At both of those venues, I saw corporations that were eager to hire our separating Soldiers. They’re doing our Army a great service – in part because they want to help – but mostly, because they recognize the excellence in our ranks, and want to incorporate it into their own.
I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of efforts like these. As a senior non-commissioned officer, I am charged with making sure our young men and women are taken care of. That responsibility doesn’t end just because they either decide to take off the uniform, or are involuntarily separated because of budget cuts. I’ve been proudly wearing this nation’s uniform for 32 years now. Though one day I will remove it, nothing can sever the tie that unites me and my fellow Soldiers.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that the unemployment rate for veterans ages 18 and over is 6.5 percent. This equates to roughly 700,000 unemployed veterans. For our Iraq/Afghanistan-era veterans ages 18-24, the unemployment rate is much higher. We, as NCO leaders, have a part in that.
Our responsibility in this effort to transition roughly 100,000 Soldiers per year for the next half decade is critical. It is up to us to prepare our teammates for the transition into civilian life. If our Soldiers are not aware of private-sector initiatives like Starbucks, Hire America’s Heroes and others, we are failing. If they aren’t being led to the great resources at the Army and Air Force Career and Alumni Program (AACAP) 18 months in advance of separation or 24 months in advance of retirement, we’re letting them down.
And if we allow our mission to stand in the way of our Soldiers’ preparation for a successful transition through workshops and other events we are flat-out poor leaders.
The federal government enacted the VOW to Hire Heroes Act back in 2011, improving transition programs and offering tax credits for hiring veterans – they’re doing their part.
Here at JBLM, we’re seeing successful efforts such as the Veterans in Piping Program, and the Microsoft Academy that are providing our Soldiers the necessary skills before they leave the military. In addition to the skills they acquire, the Soldiers in these programs are guaranteed jobs upon completion. This program is successful because leaders – military and private sector – care about their Soldiers.
We, the NCO leadership at JBLM need to make sure WE are doing all we can do to ensure our Soldiers have a plan before they hang-up their uniform. We have to make it a priority that our troops are afforded the time to prepare, whether its job hunting or participating in one of the programs mentioned above. Our Soldiers are Soldiers for life – and as our creed says, they are entitled to outstanding leadership. Let’s continue to provide that leadership all the way up to the end.
Courage 7
