Heroes prepare for workforce hire

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jonathan Stefanko
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Veterans and dependents attended a Hire Heroes USA course to help ease their transition from military life to the civilian workforce Sept. 21 and 22, on Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

During the course, students learned the importance of monitoring social media, ways to market their skills, how to transform a performance report into a resume and how to have a successful interview.

"One of the more difficult skills I had to learn was writing a resume," said Senior Master Sgt. Nathan Kiser, a functional manager in U.S. Air Forces in Europe. "Before, it felt like I was trying to translate one language to another, but working with the instructors really helps because they act as the interpreters."

To further assist their students, the Hire Heroes USA team ensures there is a balanced ratio between instructors and veterans, allowing them to have one-on-one discussions.

"Focusing on small groups is important to our team," said Spencer Milo, Hire Heroes USA veteran programs manager. "The people participating in this course are coming from a specific way of life and may require help adjusting. Our job is to provide that support, and working in small groups ensures that is done effectively."

Though the room was made up of primarily military members, retired service members and spouses were welcomed to the workshop.

"We won't turn someone away just because they are not active duty," Milo said. "We know spouses are just as much a part of the military as their loved ones. Having to constantly move or unable to start a career are just a couple challenges spouses may face, and applying for a job may be difficult if they feel they don't have skills relevant to what they want to do.

"In truth, spouses are just as valuable in the civilian work force as their military counterparts," Milo added. "Through our guidance, our students gain confidence in their abilities. Chances are they already had the skills required for what they wanted to do; they just didn't know how to put it on paper."

While service members are already required to attend the Transition Assistance Program (TAPS) near the end of their military career for generalized information, Hire Heroes USA provides in-depth counseling and takes advantage of small group discussions.

"TAPS is a weeklong course that was helpful; however, I feel I have gained more from this two-day course because of the one-on-one interaction," Kiser said.  "Hire Heroes is another opportunity to prepare me for the future, and I would suggest it to anyone before getting out of the military."

For more information on Hire Heroes USA, visit www.hireheroesusa.org.