More than 350 job seekers attended the Hire a Hero job fair, held at the Spates Community Center on Joint Base Fort Myer, Nov. 16, 2016 hosted by the Department of Defense Hiring Heroes Program. The program places a special emphasis on supporting transitioning service members, wounded warriors, veterans and their family members in their search for employment.
After serving 14 years in the Army, Staff Sgt. Mark Skinner is nearing retirement and preparing for the future.
"This is very important to us and our family members. It is an incredible life line for many of us. We come home or enter retirement but we still have families and bills to take care of. These things don't go away so it offers a start up towards the next phase of our lives." he said.
Representatives from 75 companies including the private sector and DoD participated to entertain job seekers, offer advice and review resumes.
Karen Hannah, Director of the Department of Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service's Recruiting Assistance Division and overseer of DoD Hiring Heroes Program, stated that the military community offers a unique and special set of skills employers are often seeking.
"Employers are looking for great talent, they've been trained extensively and they know these individuals are disciplined. It helps the veteran and their families as a whole and it keeps the unemployment rate down. It's a great situation for everyone," she explained. "I remember meeting a Serviceman who became overcome with emotion because he didn't think anyone would hire him as a blind man and he received countless offers that day. You will never be able to see how a person feels on the inside. That is why we do what we do."
Ms. Hannah developed and implemented the DoD Hiring Heroes Program in 2005. This was the fourth job fair held at the Spates community Center at Joint Base Meyer -- Henderson Hall.
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