The fourth annual Hiring Our Heroes' Transition Summit was a big success for Fort Leonard Wood transitioning Soldiers and family members, with more than 350 people participating, organizers said Monday.

"The transition summit was a great success because it connected and networked employers with our great service members in one event," said Steven Beem, Soldier for Life -- Transition Assistance Program Transition Service manager.

The two-day summit, sponsored in conjunction with the Hiring Our Heroes organization, is one of the largest hiring and career events conducted annually on the installation. The events featured federal and state agencies, military leaders, innovators in the business and employer community and local community leaders. The program included networking events, industry workshops and more, concluding with a hiring fair with more than 90 national and local employers.

"The summit featured panel discussions, workshops, and networking events representing a wide variety of professions including trucking, health care, law enforcement, retail sales, manufacturing, community relations, human resources, information systems, teaching, mining, investment, insurance, state government, electronics, defense, agriculture, logistics and banking," said Alfredia Williams, Transition Service specialist.

The program also connected participants with more than 30 organizations and schools.

Beem said this year's event provided job-seekers with an enhanced tool called "Resume Engine."

"This online resource helps potential employers understand how the skills and experience you've gained as a service member make you a great employee," he said.

He said the program helps translate military records into a "strong" resume employers can understand.

Although the annual summit is a big event in the Fort Leonard Wood community, it's only a small part of the service SFL -- TAP provides for the Fort Leonard Wood community.

"The (program) connects Army, governmental and community efforts to build relationships that facilitate successful reintegration of our active and retired service members, veterans and their families," Beem said.

The program provides service members with the counseling, employment and education workshops, and seminars required to achieve the Veterans Opportunity to Work and Career Readiness Standards mandated compliance.

"The overarching mission of SFL-TAP is to prepare and connect service members to ensure the greatest opportunities for successful personal and career achievement upon transition from active duty and to create lifelong ambassadors of military service," Williams said.

For more information on SFL-TAP, visit www.facebook.com/SFLTAP.FLW or call 573.596.0175.