Training center celebrates wildly successful first year

FORT SILL, Okla., July 14, 2016 -- The Fort Sill Soldier for Life Transition Campus celebrated its first anniversary July 7, by honoring its industry partners, organizations and individuals who played a role in the success of the program.

Speakers included the Fort Sill Garrison commander, and business leaders associated with the program. Hundreds of people attended the event at the campus in Building 2502, Sheridan Road.

Even in its start-up year, the program had significant effects on transitioning Soldiers' employment, said Thomas Miller, SFL-Transition Assistance Program Transition Services specialist.

"We started with two CDL (commercial driver's license) programs, which produced over 70 graduates to date with 100 percent placement," said Miller. "Shortly after, we started our sprinkler fitter program, and have had three iterations of the course with 100-percent placement. We've also graduated 20 Soldiers in our robotics program, and we've just brought on Ryder with a diesel technician program."

Col. Glenn Waters, garrison commander and keynote speaker, said the military has an obligation to provides its service members the best opportunities for employment as they leave the military.

When Fort Sill was tasked to create an SFL by then-Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno, minimal resources were provided with that tasking, Waters said.

Three of the people spearheading the effort here were Jim Miller, Directorate of Human Resources director; Jane Cunningham, SFL-TAP Transition Services manager; and Miller. "All three are retired command sergeants major, so it's obvious why this program is working so well at Fort Sill," Waters said.

The colonel went on to thank industry partners.

"To all the men and women who continue to support our Soldiers as they transition out of the Army -- thank you for putting your gratitude into action," Waters said. "I am personally humbled by your patriotism and service to our nation."

Retired Maj. Gen. Andy Aadland, spoke on behalf of the United Association of Veterans in Piping. He said Soldiers going from front lines to unemployment lines was just not right.

"What a great facility, great purpose, great message -- the Soldier for Life program is," said Aadland, who was the Army's first IMCOM director. "Those who sign up for our armed forces now know that there is something that comes after."

Speaker Dr. Geoffrey Hoffa, spoke on behalf of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. He said the military and the Teamsters union have a lot in common.

"You're fighting for your country here, and you'll still be fighting for your country when you join the Teamsters," Hoffa said. And like the military, the Teamsters have some of the best pay, health care and pension benefits on the planet.

During the ceremony, Hoffa presented Waters with a Teamsters' flag signed by members of its executive board.

Speaker John Tucker, Choice Career College CEO, said veterans possess attributes that civilian employers want.

The Soldier has the work ethic, leadership and discipline that companies look for, he said.

Karen Perkins, Installation Management Command Central Region Human Resources G-1 director, was one of the Army dignitaries from Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, who attended the event. She said the SFL provides a tremendous service to Soldiers.

"We have Soldier for Life Transition Assistance Centers that teach the transition process, such as employment opportunities, so they are ready for it," she said. "Then there is the career skills part that takes a Soldier's capabilities, aspirations and fills their skill gap with training to land a job."

Program narrator, Mike Simmons, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security chief of ceremonies, provided a history of the establishment of the Industrial Training Complex:

In 2011, the Veterans Opportunity to Work Act was signed by President Obama as part of the National Defense Authorization Act; mandating participation in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for all separating personnel.

Fort Sill was selected as the Army's pilot location for establishing the Army's new TAP standards. In October 2014, Maj. Gen. John Rossi, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general, approved the Industrial Training Center program. Fort Sill partnered with ABF Freight, who began conducting classes in January 2015.

On Jan. 21, 2015, the Army G-1, Lt. Gen. James McConville, along with James Hoffa, general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and Tim Thorne, ABF Freight president, recognized Fort Sill's Industrial Training Complex program. So began the Teamsters Military Assistance Program partnership between the Teamsters, ABF Freight and Fort Sill.

In February 2015, Fort Sill signed on partner, United Association of Veterans in Piping, to pilot the first sprinkler fitter fire suppression program. In March 2015, Fort Sill conducted its grand opening of the Soldier for Life Industrial Training Complex.

Over the last year, free training opportunities have expanded and now include Choice Career College FANUC robotics certification program, Ryder's diesel technician 12-week certification program, and Warriors for Wireless three-week tower technician, or broadband certification, Miller said. The programs offer training through regional partners at Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Riley, Kan., allowing Soldiers from other installations to attend training at Fort Sill and vice versa.

Jane Cunningham, SFL-TAP Transition Services manager, urges Soldiers who are leaving the military and who aren't sure what they are going to do to check out the SFL Campus offerings.

"It's a great program," she said. "We are not offering you a job, we are offering you a chance for a different career."