Col. Donna Martin, USAREC deputy commanding officer, was one of the keynote speakers at the annual Strengthening America's Youth conference at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, July 28. During her presentation, she discussed how Army careers transition into the civilian workforce.
Army Jobs Translate into Civilian Jobs – the Topic of SAY
Story and photos by Fonda Bock, USAREC, Public Affairs Office
July 30, 2015
Developing career and life-readiness skills through Army service was the focus of the annual Strengthening America’s Youth conference at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, July 28.
Consisting of approximately 30 national leaders from educational institutions and multicultural organizations, the SAY committee was established in July 2010 to unify and improve the Army’s national COI partnerships and activities.
Attendees heard from Col. Donna Martin, U.S Army Recruiting Command deputy commanding officer; Col. Sean Gainey, U.S. Army Cadet Command deputy commanding officer; and Col. Deydre Teyhen, lead for the System for Health & Performance Triad, Office of the Surgeon General.
“This meeting was beneficial because it brought educators and Army personnel to a common understanding,” said Martin. “It gave us, the Army, the opportunity to highlight how Army careers translate to civilian skill sets. It provided the opportunity to discuss the challenges that not only affect the Army, but affect society. And finally, it gave us the opportunity to dispel myths about the Army being the career of last resort.”
In her presentation on “Transitioning Army Careers Into the Civilian Workforce,” Martin discussed the educational and health challenges of recruiting, qualifications for joining the Army, the benefits, and how Army MOSes match the 16 national career clusters.
When young people serve in the Army, she said, America gets back men and women who are self- reliant, self-sufficient, self-motivated, team-oriented, mentally and physically fit, good leaders, and engendered with a set of values.
A panel of Soldiers discussed how their Army training and educational opportunities enhanced their Army and civilian careers, and how their skills continue to contribute to their long-term personal aspirations.
SAY members participated in small group discussions to explore ideas and solutions for tackling educational challenges impacting youth and how to share the message about Army opportunities with youth, parents, and educators.
This was the first time Shannon Sevier, vice president for the National Parent Teacher Association and a military spouse, attended the event.
“I’m learning what my colleagues in the field don’t understand about the Army,” said Sevier. [Being an] Army spouse, I obviously love and support my Army, but I haven’t unlocked what’s missing with the general public in terms of their support of the Army. This has been instrumental in kind of giving me a perspective into other professionals in terms of what they’re missing and then how do we gap-fill.”
This was the second year of attending the conference for Steve DeWitt, deputy executive director for the Association For Career and Technical Education. He finds networking and the small group discussions beneficial.
“I think that’s where the real ideas and ‘ah ha’ moments come up,” said DeWitt. “I will go back to my office and think about what other activities we can do that are really going to promote the Army careers to our to students and other adults.”
The Army’s goals of the SAY event include soliciting feedback from members about how the Army is perceived, seeking input on specific ways the Army can connect with students and educators, keeping the Army in the forefront of career opportunities, and deepening COI appreciation for the value of Army service as a viable and respected career option.
Story and photos by Fonda Bock, USAREC, Public Affairs Office
July 30, 2015
Developing career and life-readiness skills through Army service was the focus of the annual Strengthening America’s Youth conference at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, July 28.
Consisting of approximately 30 national leaders from educational institutions and multicultural organizations, the SAY committee was established in July 2010 to unify and improve the Army’s national COI partnerships and activities.
Attendees heard from Col. Donna Martin, U.S Army Recruiting Command deputy commanding officer; Col. Sean Gainey, U.S. Army Cadet Command deputy commanding officer; and Col. Deydre Teyhen, lead for the System for Health & Performance Triad, Office of the Surgeon General.
“This meeting was beneficial because it brought educators and Army personnel to a common understanding,” said Martin. “It gave us, the Army, the opportunity to highlight how Army careers translate to civilian skill sets. It provided the opportunity to discuss the challenges that not only affect the Army, but affect society. And finally, it gave us the opportunity to dispel myths about the Army being the career of last resort.”
In her presentation on “Transitioning Army Careers Into the Civilian Workforce,” Martin discussed the educational and health challenges of recruiting, qualifications for joining the Army, the benefits, and how Army MOSes match the 16 national career clusters.
When young people serve in the Army, she said, America gets back men and women who are self- reliant, self-sufficient, self-motivated, team-oriented, mentally and physically fit, good leaders, and engendered with a set of values.
A panel of Soldiers discussed how their Army training and educational opportunities enhanced their Army and civilian careers, and how their skills continue to contribute to their long-term personal aspirations.
SAY members participated in small group discussions to explore ideas and solutions for tackling educational challenges impacting youth and how to share the message about Army opportunities with youth, parents, and educators.
This was the first time Shannon Sevier, vice president for the National Parent Teacher Association and a military spouse, attended the event.
“I’m learning what my colleagues in the field don’t understand about the Army,” said Sevier. [Being an] Army spouse, I obviously love and support my Army, but I haven’t unlocked what’s missing with the general public in terms of their support of the Army. This has been instrumental in kind of giving me a perspective into other professionals in terms of what they’re missing and then how do we gap-fill.”
This was the second year of attending the conference for Steve DeWitt, deputy executive director for the Association For Career and Technical Education. He finds networking and the small group discussions beneficial.
“I think that’s where the real ideas and ‘ah ha’ moments come up,” said DeWitt. “I will go back to my office and think about what other activities we can do that are really going to promote the Army careers to our to students and other adults.”
The Army’s goals of the SAY event include soliciting feedback from members about how the Army is perceived, seeking input on specific ways the Army can connect with students and educators, keeping the Army in the forefront of career opportunities, and deepening COI appreciation for the value of Army service as a viable and respected career option.
Strengthening America's Youth members break down into small group discussions at the annual conference at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, July 28.