Ft. Belvoir, VA -- Retired Capt. Alvin Shell shared his moving story of overcoming injury with the audience at the Wounded Warrior Employment Conference. After sustaining severe burns, broken bones and behavioral health injuries in Iraq in 2005, this officer went on to become a successful manager at the Department of Homeland Security.
"I can't be more proud of what all these folks at the Wounded Warrior Employment Conference are doing in the federal and civilian sector to hire wounded Soldiers and Veterans," Shell told the 200 federal and private sector employers attending the event. "I'm equally proud of what this conference can do for our service members and veterans as they learn methods to make themselves more marketable and ultimately employable."
The Wounded Warrior Employment Conference is a joint effort by the four military service wounded warrior programs and federal agencies involved with the employment of wounded warriors. In its second year, the theme for the conference is "Educate -- Empower -- Employ." Federal and private sector employment officials learned about best practices in hiring wounded, ill, and injured veterans and their spouses and how to make each hire a success.
"Employment is a major focus during recovery and transition, not just for Army, but for all of the services, said Brig. Gen. Darryl A. Williams, Assistant Surgeon General for Warrior Care and Commander of the Warrior Transition Command. "For those that are transitioning out of the military, we work with them on preparing for the next stage of their careers. They complete internships and education programs to set them up for success in the civilian workforce."
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