National Hire a Veteran Day a Good Fit With Hire Heroes USA's Goals

4Patriots donates monthly to Hire Heroes USA, the highest-rated veteran employment nonprofit on Charity Navigator. It has a 4-star rating and a 91.16 score out of 100. Last week the Patriot Health Alliance (PHA) made a product donation to a Hire Heroes USA fundraiser.

Transitioning from the military to civilian life can be a huge challenge. The heroes who serve our country need and deserve support to find meaningful and lasting careers.

Each year the military discharges 200,000 service members. Approximately 80% of them do not have jobs lined up. And the unemployment rate for military spouses is four times greater than the national average.

And that’s where Hire Heroes USA comes in. The organization provides personalized career coaching, expert mentoring and job sourcing. It also helps create professional resumés and teaches job search best practices.

By connecting with Hire Heroes USA, military personnel and spouses can get connected with career mentors and mock interviewers. They can learn effective job search networking and interviewing techniques.

And receive career guidance from professionals in their desired field. Plus find career fairs and workshops. 

PHA Donates SaunaWrap Therapeutic Blanket for Auction

Why is this timely? Three reasons.

For one, today is National Hire a Veteran Day. More on that in a moment.

Two, Hire Heroes USA recently announced a new partnership with OnCentive. It’s a consulting firm that helps businesses maximize government incentives. Including the Work Opportunity Tax Credit available to employers who hire veterans. 

And three, OnCentive hosted a local benefit event in Birmingham, Alabama last week. The event included live music, food, drinks and networking with Hire Heroes USA candidates and alumni. PHA donated a SaunaWrap Therapeutic Blanket for the silent auction.

How It All Started

The original idea for Hire Heroes USA was simply a seed planted in 2004 when U.S. Army Sergeant Justin Callahan was severely injured in a landmine explosion while on patrol in Afghanistan.

Back home as a patient at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, he met John Bardis. They formed an immediate bond and Bardis learned Callahan’s biggest concern was finding employment.

Bardis offered Callahan a job on the spot and was inspired to create Hire Heroes USA, a nonprofit organization that provides free job search support to U.S. military members, veterans and military spouses. And helps companies connect with them.

Based in Alpharetta, Georgia, Hire Heroes USA has helped 65,000 vets and spouses get hired, free of charge. Last year alone, they facilitated almost 5,000 mentoring sessions and aided nearly 18,000 transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses. The team of veterans and business professionals transforms military service into civilian success.

Threefold Objectives

Elizabeth Reyes is Director of Corporate Partnerships with Hire Heroes USA. When she and others from Hire Heroes USA reach out to corporations and other businesses, their goal is threefold.

One, they encourage businesses to hire veteran and military talent. Two, they determine if the business wishes to get involved as a financial partner or an event sponsor. And three, they ask if the business wants to offer training.

Businesses can use the Hire Heroes USA job board to either seek out candidates for positions or to post job opportunities.

Volunteer Opportunities

There are numerous industries in which Hire Heroes USA volunteers are needed. They include the federal sector, security and law enforcement, and information technology.

Plus emergency management, operations and logistics, project management, and consulting.

As well as entertainment, nursing, video game design, graphic design, and electrical work.

Volunteers with experience at the following companies are also in need: Amazon, Disney, Google, Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics. 

Real-Life Examples 

Among the many military personnel who have benefitted from Hire Heroes USA are the following:

• Todd, who got connected with Hire Heroes USA through a job fair. He now leads a team of Transition Specialists at Hire Heroes USA, assisting veterans facing the difficulties of transitioning into civilian work.

• Megan, whose brother was killed while serving in Afghanistan. Her husband also was deployed in that country, and since his return she secured a job with the help of Hire Heroes USA, enabling her to help support the family.

• Jason, who served in the Marine Corps for 10 years. He was looking for a career change after working as a police officer. Hire Heroes USA helped him land a job as an emergency management specialist. 

Vets Make for Good Hires

National Hire a Veteran Day has been observed since 2017. That was the same year the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act was passed.

As a result, the HIRE Vets Medallion Program was established. It recognizes employers who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to hiring and retaining veterans.

National Hire a Veteran Day is recognized and promoted by federal agencies including the Department of Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Veterans Benefits Administration not only encourages businesses to hire vets, but does so itself.

Among the 18 million U.S. vets, a vast majority make for excellent employees. They demonstrate dedication, teamwork, communication and pride in their work.