CRYSTAL CITY, Va.--Just as most military operations begin with a rundown of goals, objectives and safety measures, so too did the 3rd Annual Day with the Army Reserve.
After a safety briefing, complete with instructions on how to awaken your snoring "battle buddy," attendees were afforded the opportunity to understand the how and why of partnership with the U.S. Army Reserve Private Public Partnership (P3) in Crystal City, July 29.
"The idea was to bring current and future private sector partners together to collaborate and discuss different ways our organizations can work together and benefit each other," said Erin Thede, director of P3. "We want employers to understand and appreciate the benefits their organizations can achieve through a partnership with the Army Reserve's P3 while assisting their Army Reserve Soldiers."
The theme for the day was 'Generating Readiness through Partnerships' and this year's event focused on the U.S. Army Reserve's three major lines of effort in terms of private public partnership collaboration: individual readiness, leader readiness, and unit readiness.
The event also showcased an employer panel, featuring local and national employers who were invited to talk about their experience with and the advantages of hiring veterans in addition to fielding questions from the audience on topics such as educating non-military employees on how to welcome veterans into the work place.
Employment Panel
Anthony Odierno, executive director of military and veterans affairs at JPMorgan Chase, spoke about his organization's commitment to hiring our nation's heroes.
"Our leadership has dedicated significant resources to build out our military and veteran employment program, and since 2011, JP Morgan Chase has hired over 9,100 veterans and military spouses," said Odierno.
JP Morgan Chase is a part of the 100,000 Jobs Mission, a collaboration among private sector companies that, at the onset, committed to collectively hiring 100,000 veterans by 2020. Currently the companies have exceeded their goal and have hired more than 240,000 veterans.
Odierno, a retired Army captain and West Point graduate, explained that working with P3 and similar organizations provides access to a talent pool unlike any other.
"Army Reserve Soldiers already possess the technical skills our company values," said Odierno. "They already live the Army core values and have tested leadership and decision-making abilities."
Individual Readiness Panel
During the "individual readiness" segment of the day non-profit and private sector representatives focused on sharing opportunities and resources to advance veterans' physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and financial readiness.
Resources such as Team Red White and Blue and Give an Hour, recent additions to P3's arsenal of partnerships, have similar missions of maintaining Soldiers' fitness. However, while Team RWB aims to connect veterans to their community through physical and social activity, Give an Hour focuses on mental health and provides free counseling services to Army Reserve Soldiers, Families, and veterans.
What makes GAH different, noted panel member and chief operating officer Nancy St. Claire, is that clinicians at GAH understand the route to a balanced life is not the same for everyone, hence the option of alternative therapy.
"One size doesn't fit all in terms of how people feel," said St. Claire, a licensed professional counselor. "Our providers provide free mental health counseling but we also have individuals that are able to assist by teaching yoga classes and equine therapy. We have a vast network of people nationwide who really care about our service members and their Families and who are willing to donate their time for free to do that."
Additionally, Give an Hour and the Army Reserve will continue to address the stigma associated with using mental health services by leading education, training, and outreach efforts in military communities, St. Claire added.
Unit Readiness
Considering P3 has evolved into more than a career-services program, it's no wonder that some of its huge success is owed to the private and public partnerships that provide opportunities for Soldiers to make an impact on local communities while simultaneously fulfilling Army Reserve training requirements.
The 9th Mission Support Command was one of the first unit in Hawaii to leverage a partnership to employ, train, and enhance the skills of its Army Reserve Soldiers. Brig. Gen. John Cardwell, commander, 9th MSC, signed an agreement with Honolulu Habitat for Humanity, allowing its Soldiers to participate in projects that add value to the community of Oahu.
Maj. Shane Vinales, an Army Reserve officer assigned to U.S. Army Pacific, said he hopes to replicate that success and is working with various agencies including a host of non-profit organizations to deliver medical equipment to Western Samoa.
A civil affairs officer, Vinales said the experience, education, and training from these professional endeavors not only benefit the Army Reserve Soldier, they help private sector organizations and local community.
"Our Soldiers are getting the training value, and the non-profits get help in delivering the supplies and providing assistance, and the recipients are thankful," he said.
Thede, reflecting on this mutually advantageous type of collaboration, said understanding and communicating the dual nature of the Army Reserve is a key part of the story.
"The greatest strength of the Army Reserve is the civilian-acquired skills of its Soldiers. It is this, coupled with their military capabilities and military leadership, which add value to the Army, the Soldiers' communities, and to the nation," said Thede.
Related Links:
Lt. Gen. Talley outlines US Army Reserve private-public partnership
Private Public Partnership Initiative unveiled
Army Reserve promotes Private Public Partnership at New Jersey job fair
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