By Tim Cherry
Staff writer
Thursday, September 20, 2012

The Warrior Transition Battalion hosted a mobile job hunting service at the unit’s complex Sept. 13.

Representatives from Hero2Hired, a yellow ribbon-funded project, brought the organization’s Mobile Job Store to help Soldiers transitioning out of service with resume building, locating career fairs, and finding jobs that match their skills, among other forms of assistance. Servicemembers spoke to H2H staff, registered for the program and began their search for a career out of the Army.

“A lot of them are unsure of the future because of the economic conditions and are scared because they have Families and kids to provide for,” said Frank West, H2H Mobile Job Store operator. “I can’t think of a better word than special to describe this service.”

Toni Geddis, H2H mobile job store coordinator, said H2H is available to servicemembers, retirees and veterans.

H2H provides servicemembers various resources to find jobs, such as employment listings, career exploration tools, education and training resources, schedules for live and virtual hiring fairs across the country, a mobile app, and networking opportunities.

The website also allows servicemembers to find occupations best suited for their military occupational specialty by conducting job searches using their MOS.

Geddis believes the service helps unemployed and low income waged servicemembers find jobs.

“It’s geared towards servicemembers,” Geddis said of H2H. “They made a sacrifice for use, so this is our way of supporting them.”

H2H’s mobile stores, an extension of the H2H program, travel across the country helping servicemembers locate jobs. The store has 4 computer stations, a multimedia system and a lounge area where staff can answer questions and assist servicemembers in signing up on the H2H website.

The store also has a printer/copier for attendees to print using a CD, USB drive on an iMac or make copies for resumes, references and other job hunt related items.

West has driven a mobile store across 48 states during the last four and a half years. He said the H2H program is a great opportunity for servicemembers to connect with prospective employers.

“It’s free for both employer and military,” West said of the program. “It’s an awesome deal.”

Staff Sgt. Nestor Villamar, WTB, found the H2H service very useful as he faces his final six months of service.

Villamar signed up to H2H and posted his resume to the program’s website. He hopes the resources help him land a job while he attends school to become physical therapist assistant.

“If the right job gives me an opportunity I’ll take it,” Villamar said.

The WTB hosted H2H to introduce warriors transitioning out of service to a career planning resource, according to Lisa Fleek, WTB rehabilitation department internship coordinator and support member. Fleek said the earlier servicemembers transitioning out of service began career planning, the easier finding a post-military job becomes.

“It’s important to prepare now because you don’t have the same level of support,” Fleek said.