Transition Battalion-Europe, explains why he's the ideal candidate for the
job during his mock interview Sept 18, at Baumholder's Rolling Hills Golf
Club. Interview panel members were (left to ... VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers assigned to Warrior Transition Battalion-Europe got a chance to practice their job hunting skills during WTB-E's Fall 2015 Commander's Cup Sept. 18.
The quarterly commander's cup offers activities designed to help Soldiers transition back to the force or civilian life, and this quarter focused on career and physical rehabilitation.
Soldiers in the program received coaching on resume writing and interviewing techniques, which culminated in a competition that pitted Soldiers from Alpha Company against Bravo Company in mock interviews conducted and scored by local civilian personnel leaders.
"Most Soldiers joined the Army right out of high school or commissioned right out of college," said Command Sgt. Major Leigh Perry, WTB-E command sergeant major. "The interview process for joining the Army pretty much consists of picking a job, signing a contract and passing a physical. These mock interviews give Soldiers an opportunity to experience what an interview is like and get some constructive feedback in a controlled environment."
Sibel McKenzie, the WTB-E's transition coordinator, worked with three senior civilian personnel leaders to tailor each interview to a specific job they had previously selected, and each interview was conducted as if the soldier were being interviewed for that job.
While many of the WTB-E Soldiers had been through the Army Soldier for Life -- Transition Assistance Program, which also teaches resume writing and interviewing skills, most agreed that the additional training helps prepare them for real-world interviews.
"These practice runs help build these Soldiers' confidence in their abilities and helps to provide some expectation management in applying for their future employment," said Perry.
Soldiers were instructed to dress the part and conduct themselves as if they were actually being interviewed for the position. As each sat down for the interview, body language and shaky voices betrayed their nervousness, but their confidence grew as they became more comfortable with the questioning.
"It was good to have face-to-face practice in a less-stressful environment," said Sgt. Reece Nortum, a soldier assigned to Bravo Company. "Every time you do it, it gets easier."
When the dust settled and the judges tallied their scores, Alpha Company had won the battle of the interviews, with Alpha Company's Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Quaites, and Bravo Company's Spec. Michael Wehland, earning top scores for their squads.
The WTB-E's Career and Education Readiness Program also offers Soldiers internships with other local U.S. government agencies to help them gain additional marketable job skills, according to McKenzie.
For other WTB-E soldiers, the Commander's Cup offered a chance to play a round of golf at Baumholder's Rolling Hills Golf Course.
"We chose golf as a physical challenge for this Commander's Cup because golf is a sport closely associated with the business world," said Lt. Col. Larry Burns, WTB-E commander. "We highlighted how meetings, interviews and business deals are often conducted on the golf course."
A friendly competition between companies resulted in a win for Bravo Company, and Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Lindstrom won the longest drive competition.
A WTB-E soldier remarked that he started out the day not wanting to interact and preferring to keep to himself. He said the experience took him out of his comfort zone, but the interaction and friendly banter amongst the Soldiers allowed him to relax and have fun and he left in a completely different frame of mind.
The WTB-E provides assistance to the Army's wounded, ill and injured Soldiers who are expected to require six months or more of rehabilitative care and complex medical management.
"We provide care for both Soldiers and their families as they transition back to the force or civilian life, said Burns. "Our mission is to empower our Soldiers to heal. We use a variety of tools to help our Soldiers prepare for their future success. This training gives them a taste of what interviews will be like in the real world. Having a good resume might get you an interview, but it's the interview that gets you the job."
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