Jobs for Ex Military through Employer Partnership Office

The Army Reserve and several well-known employers are doing their part to create jobs for ex military and those currently serving.

Last year, the U.S. Army Reserve created the Employer Partnership Office, a public-private venture that urges companies to hire current and former Reserve soldiers and facilitates the process for doing so.

The U.S. Army Reserve is a completely volunteer force, with 206,000 soldiers currently serving, and 15,000 of those soldiers deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. According to a CNBC article, written by Major General James R. Sholar, there are more than 1 million current and former Reserve soldiers throughout the nation.

More than 800 organizations in all 50 states are taking part in the Employer Partnership Office, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, retailers, local police departments and hospitals.

Some of the most prominent companies working with the Employer Partnership Office include: IBM, Microsoft, GE, Johns Hopkins Medical Center, Textron, Paychex and FMC Technologies. Current or former Reserve soldiers work in positions as accountants, attorneys, engineers, city planners, medical professionals, human resource managers and law enforcement officers.

"The Army Reserves' Employer Partnership Office is based on a highly practical rationale – that companies with soldiers on-board can operate more successfully," Sholar writes. "Most of its soldiers have already received special training – in leadership development, for example, and team-building experiences – to prepare for jobs, particularly in fields such as healthcare, construction, transportation and law enforcement. That’s why individuals with military experience often make some of the best employees."

For instance, a Reserve soldier trained as an X-ray technician or nurse can use their knowledge while working in a hospital or healthcare facility, just as a Reserve soldier in the military police would be well-equipped for a position in law enforcement.

"As our economy grows strong again – and signs of a rebound in hiring are emerging more sharply month by month – more employers should join our efforts to find jobs and build careers for Soldiers and veterans," Sholar adds. "Beyond being good business, it serves a higher purpose. It lends stability to our families and strengthens our communities. It’s a smart, patriotic investment in our country for 2010. Above all, it gives us a chance to express the gratitude we all feel."