Army Team C4ISR Provides Employment Opportunities for Wounded Warriors

By Ms. Andricka Thomas (CECOM)April 17, 2009

Wounded Warriors in briefing about employment
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Wounded warriors from the Fort Meade Warrior Transition Unit fill out an information sheet during an Army Team Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance-sponsored presentation about the Wounded Warrior... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wounded Warrior employment briefing at APG
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Alexander Babington, Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors, explains the mission of his organization during an Army Team Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. Aca,!" The Army Team Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (Forward) is reaching out to the nationAca,!a,,cs wounded warriors through the Army Wounded Warrior Program.

Representatives from Army Team C4ISR (Forward) met with a group of wounded warriors April 7 at the Edgewood Conference Center here to introduce the C4ISR mission and its potential Soldier training and employment opportunities.

Aca,!A"We want to help bring them back into the workforce. They are subject-matter-experts and can bring a lot to the table from their active-duty experiences,Aca,!A? said Master Sgt. Walter M. Farrell, CECOM Life Cycle Management Command (Forward) senior enlisted advisor. C4ISR will serve as a work assignment location during the SoldierAca,!a,,cs last phase of the Wounded Warrior Program.

The Army Wounded Warrior Program is the only Army program that assists and advocates for wounded Soldiers from the time of injury through reintegration. The program is committed to ensuring that wounded Soldiers and their Families are given the best possible care and can successfully return to active-duty or smoothly transition to civilian life. In the last phase of the program, Soldiers who are in their last stages of medical care are permitted to work jobs in the federal civil service system. This opportunity opens doors to new career fields for Soldiers who may have not normally qualified for the positions based upon training or education requirements. In these positions, Soldiers can gain new work experience and networking opportunities before they transition from active-duty status.

Aca,!A"WeAca,!a,,cre utilizing Soldiers more and more in the civilian positions to leverage their capabilities and their knowledge in Army equipment and services,Aca,!A? said Tandra Griffin, CECOM LCMC Logistics and Readiness Center presenter.

Army Team C4ISR organizations presented their missions during a morning-long information session to wounded warriors who participate in the ArmyAca,!a,,cs Wounded Warrior Program at Fort Meade in Maryland. Soldiers then engaged in a question and answer session to learn more about the jobs associated with C4ISR.

At the completion of medical recovery, eligible Soldiers may return to their active-duty units. Soldiers who are not eligible to return to active-duty may then be able to transition into the federal service positions to which assigned during their medical recovery, according to the CECOM LCMC G1 (Human Resources Office). Soldiers can be appointed under the special Excepted Service noncompetitive appointing authorities for veterans and applicants with disabilities. After two years of successful performance in the Excepted Service, the employee may be noncompetitively converted to the Competitive Service where a long and challenging career may unfold.

Aca,!A"At the end of the day, it's all about the Soldier," said Command Sgt. Maj. Tyrone Johnson, CECOM LCMC. Aca,!A"Our commitment to providing potential employment opportunities for these warriors in transition, shows the commitment CECOM LCMC and Army Team C4ISR have in taking care of these Soldiers.Aca,!A?

This was the first attempt for Army Team C4ISR (Forward) to reach out to the wounded on a large scale, according to Farrell. He said he looks forward to increased participation in the program as it grows within C4ISR. The CECOM LCMC command sergeant major is ready to lend full support to the program.

Aca,!A"General [Maj. Gen.] Via [Commanding General of CECOM LCMC] and I are truly committed to the Wounded Warrior program, and take pride in providing the support necessary to make this program a success,Aca,!A? said Johnson.

Soldiers from the Wounded Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Meade found the meeting helpful as they contemplate their next step past their injuries.

Aca,!A"This is a good way for Soldiers to get acclimated to the civilian workforce,Aca,!A? said Master Sgt. Robert Braddock, Wounded Warrior Transition Unit, Fort Meade. Aca,!A"IAca,!a,,cve been an end-user and through learning more about these opportunities, I may find I have an interest in these disciplines.Aca,!A?

Some of the speakers were active-duty Soldiers and others were Soldiers who have made the transition from military to civilian life themselves.

Aca,!A"I transitioned from active-duty using the skills I acquired in the military,Aca,!A? said Jason Juliano, CECOM LCMC Software Engineering Center (Forward). Aca,!A"I leverage those skills everyday I come to work.Aca,!A? Juliano said he wants wounded Soldiers to know that the work they did everyday in the field can be applied to the Army Team C4ISR world.

Aca,!A"We start the day with the warfighter; we end the day with the warfighter; and in the middle we need you [wounded warriors],Aca,!A? said Griffin as she closed her portion of the presentation.

To learn more about veteran employment opportunities, visit the Wounded Warrior Program at http://aw2portal.com or the Army Materiel CommandAca,!a,,cs Always A Soldier Program at www.amc.army.mil/alwaysasoldier.