More Success, Fewer Distress Stories

I served in the U.S. Navy from 1991-1995 as an OS3/SAR Swimmer with a Persian Gulf Deployment. When I got out of the Navy in '95 I was fortunate enough to get a job doing what I loved to do -- making surfboards.

Later, I would go into a different career field for nearly 10 years as a pastor. But once again I returned to my passion of building surfboards. I still do ministry but not as a full-time employed pastor.

Instead, I work for a company that provides online video training for professional and personal development. It's a great company and I especially like that it helps people prepare for the career field or helps to enhance them in their current work.

As a veteran, now more than ever I see the overwhelming challenge that servicembmers face in returning from the battle field and entering into the career field.

I'd like to see more success stories and fewer distress stories. I believe that the military veteran has so much to offer to the civilian workplace and with more veterans employed than not America would be better off than she currently is.

I think we who are employed should seek ways to assist transitioning military personnel in any way we can. Offer them a job, train them, mentor them through the transition as well as after. Buy them some clothes or shoes if they need them for an interview. Do whatever it takes to get these amazing people on and into society as employees, employers, entrepreneurs, etc.

I want to offer my company's service to any member or prior servicemember at a discounted rate to help them get practical professional skills that translate into the career field.

Thank you all for your service to and sacrifice for America!
(Submitted by Timothy Crozier)