USASMDC/ARSTRAT active in reaching out to Wounded Warriors

The U.S. Department of Labor's theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month is "Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation," and the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command is creating those opportunities for veterans and soon-to-be veterans.

"The Equal Employment Opportunity office has ongoing collaborations with managers to develop strategic recruiting plans that focus on broadening the diversity within the command, to include disabled veterans," said Johnetta R. Graves, USASMDC/ARSTRAT EEO disability program manager.

About 37 percent of USASMDC/ARSTRAT's civilian personnel are veterans, according to Graves, with nearly 20 percent of the total workforce classified as disabled veterans.

"I am very proud of the work done by our Soldiers, civilians and contractors," said Lt. Gen. Kevin T. Campbell, commanding general, USASMDC/ARSTRAT. "I continue to be in awe of those - our disabled veterans, our disabled civilians and our Wounded Warriors - who work through physical challenges and continue to provide our Army and our nation superior service."

Currently, USASMDC/ARSTRAT is assigned three Wounded Warriors (W2) from the Huntsville Community Based Warrior Transition Unit (CBWTU-AL Huntsville), the local W2 office - Sgt. Sophia Malone, who works in personnel, Sgt. Ashley Hubbard, who works in logistics, and 1st Lt. Kenneth Washington, who works in operations.

Malone, a military police officer in the National Guard, is undergoing medical treatment at Redstone Arsenal for injuries resulting from two separate IEDs that detonated near her in different locations during her deployment in Iraq - the first in November 2006 and the second in August 2007.

"I absolutely believe this command does a good job of helping and reaching out to Wounded Warriors," Malone said. "I am learning a different job with the best coworkers possible."

Hubbard was wounded in a training accident in Iraq. She is in the process of medically retiring from the Army and is expected to be the first former Soldier hired to the command in this way.

"This is the best command and section (logistics) I could have ever wished to be assigned to as a Wounded Warrior transitioning into civilian life," Hubbard said. "I have been given the opportunity to work here at SMDC as a civilian, and the means to complete my college degree and become a competitive part of the workforce while still serving the Soldiers on the ground. I have been placed on this road for a reason, and it is my job to make the best of it."

Malone, Hubbard and Washington were found through direct contact with the CBWTU-AL Huntsville commander Maj. James Clark. In the near future however, USASMDC/ARSTRAT is planning to hire a human capital specialist, who will be responsible for planning recruiting events for the command and engaging local Wounded Warriors, according to Lt. Col. Gwendolyn Lee, USASMDC/ARSTRAT G-1 deputy chief of staff.

"These Soldiers represent the product of our W2 Hiring Program efforts," Lee said. "Our goal is to match the right skill-sets with a vacant civilian position. This takes time, but it is worth it as these Soldiers will gain the experience that will make them competitive for the positions when they medically retire from the Army."

Campbell said that the command must take an active role in helping Wounded Warriors.

"Assisting our Wounded Warriors' transition back to duty or veteran status is an excellent way for us to honor their selfless service and sacrifice," Campbell said.

For more information on veteran's preference, visit http://www.opm.gov/veterans.

Carrie.E.David@us.army.mil