Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond Chandler talks with Soldiers at United Parcel Service Headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, Jan. 7. Chandler was on a fact finding mission to evaluate and improve the Army’s Transition Assistance Program. He also talked with UPS human resources personnel about the company's military-friendly hiring practices.
Sgt. Maj. of Army Visits Bluegrass
By Fonda Bock, USAREC, Public Affairs Office
Jan. 12, 2015
“We love hiring veterans, they’re excellent employees and give UPS a competitive edge,” United Parcel Service Veterans Affairs Manager, Pat O’Leary told Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond Chandler, Jan 7. Chandler met with company officials, veterans and transitioning Soldiers at UPS's Louisville, Kentucky global headquarters on a fact finding mission to evaluate and improve the Army's Transition Assistance Program.
TAP's goal is to make sure veterans get quality employment, education, and healthcare.
UPS launched an aggressive veteran's outreach effort in October 2011 to hire 50,000 veterans by 2018.
“If someone walks through our doors with an honorable discharge in his hands, I know he’s drug free, I know his criminal background been checked, and I know he’s the kind of person willing to volunteer to subject himself to the toughest physical training on the planet to protect our country,” said O’Leary.
Still, the military-friendly employer has had challenges when trying to find veterans whose military experience matches up with necessary skills for some of the company’s jobs.
Chandler said while TAP has made significant strides over the past decade, there's room for improvement in preparing veterans for the civilian job market.
Army Reservist Sgt. Major Jeffery Brock, who’s transitioned four times since 1991, can attest to that.
“My first interaction in 1991 was ‘thank you for your service, here’s your paycheck, goodbye,’” he said. “They didn’t tell you anything about the VA or finding a job. Now they teach you how to write a resume, give you the tools on how to find a job, where to locate the jobs, who to reach out to, and give you a support system. Before, you were your own support system. I sat on unemployment for months before the state of Florida assisted me.”
Brock’s job search continues after sending out more than 90 resumes since October.
Chandler retires at the end of the month and finds himself dealing with similar anxiety.
“This is the first time since I entered the Army in 1981 that I don’t know where I’m going to go or what I’m going to do,” he said.
One Soldier commented that while the TAP was beneficial, he found it overwhelming.
“After my first day I had so much information in my head, the rest of the week was a blur,” said Sgt. 1st Class Chad Cloutier. “I’ve talked to a lot of Soldiers who actually had to go through it twice. By the time you get to that Friday, you’re so drained from all the information that was thrown at you so quickly, it’s impossible to retain it all.”
He suggested breaking down the TAP training into sessions.
Other Soldier comments included encouraging Soldiers to register for TAP at least 12 to 24 months prior to transitioning and expanding the range of jobs for which TAP prepares applicants, to include outdoor occupations.
A UPS human resources specialist recommended veterans seek additional training and courses online to enhance their skills. One of the challenges Larry Whiteman said he sometime faces when hiring veterans as mechanics is the Army equipment experience doesn’t always match the knowledge needed to work at UPS.
Chandler offered advice to Soldiers present.
“We do a great job of hyping up NCOs about all the great leadership opportunities for which they’ll be qualified upon leaving the service,” Chandler said. “But you might have to accept something a little more entry level at the beginning.”
By Fonda Bock, USAREC, Public Affairs Office
Jan. 12, 2015
“We love hiring veterans, they’re excellent employees and give UPS a competitive edge,” United Parcel Service Veterans Affairs Manager, Pat O’Leary told Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond Chandler, Jan 7. Chandler met with company officials, veterans and transitioning Soldiers at UPS's Louisville, Kentucky global headquarters on a fact finding mission to evaluate and improve the Army's Transition Assistance Program.
TAP's goal is to make sure veterans get quality employment, education, and healthcare.
UPS launched an aggressive veteran's outreach effort in October 2011 to hire 50,000 veterans by 2018.
“If someone walks through our doors with an honorable discharge in his hands, I know he’s drug free, I know his criminal background been checked, and I know he’s the kind of person willing to volunteer to subject himself to the toughest physical training on the planet to protect our country,” said O’Leary.
Still, the military-friendly employer has had challenges when trying to find veterans whose military experience matches up with necessary skills for some of the company’s jobs.
Chandler said while TAP has made significant strides over the past decade, there's room for improvement in preparing veterans for the civilian job market.
Army Reservist Sgt. Major Jeffery Brock, who’s transitioned four times since 1991, can attest to that.
“My first interaction in 1991 was ‘thank you for your service, here’s your paycheck, goodbye,’” he said. “They didn’t tell you anything about the VA or finding a job. Now they teach you how to write a resume, give you the tools on how to find a job, where to locate the jobs, who to reach out to, and give you a support system. Before, you were your own support system. I sat on unemployment for months before the state of Florida assisted me.”
Brock’s job search continues after sending out more than 90 resumes since October.
Chandler retires at the end of the month and finds himself dealing with similar anxiety.
“This is the first time since I entered the Army in 1981 that I don’t know where I’m going to go or what I’m going to do,” he said.
One Soldier commented that while the TAP was beneficial, he found it overwhelming.
“After my first day I had so much information in my head, the rest of the week was a blur,” said Sgt. 1st Class Chad Cloutier. “I’ve talked to a lot of Soldiers who actually had to go through it twice. By the time you get to that Friday, you’re so drained from all the information that was thrown at you so quickly, it’s impossible to retain it all.”
He suggested breaking down the TAP training into sessions.
Other Soldier comments included encouraging Soldiers to register for TAP at least 12 to 24 months prior to transitioning and expanding the range of jobs for which TAP prepares applicants, to include outdoor occupations.
A UPS human resources specialist recommended veterans seek additional training and courses online to enhance their skills. One of the challenges Larry Whiteman said he sometime faces when hiring veterans as mechanics is the Army equipment experience doesn’t always match the knowledge needed to work at UPS.
Chandler offered advice to Soldiers present.
- When writing your resume translate military jargon into civilian language.
- Learn to network - a lot of hiring actions take place by word of mouth and referral. Connect with veterans you know who’ve been successful in finding civilian employment.
- Learn how to sell and promote yourself and your accomplishments, how you’ve personally contributed to an organization’s success.
- Contact veteran mentoring organizations, such as, American Corporate Partners
- Seek out assistance from groups such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Vets that can be advocates for veterans seeking services from the VA.
“We do a great job of hyping up NCOs about all the great leadership opportunities for which they’ll be qualified upon leaving the service,” Chandler said. “But you might have to accept something a little more entry level at the beginning.”