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NEWS | April 16, 2009

Indiana Guard sustains its work force

By Spc. William E. Henry Indiana National Guard

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - With more than 13,000 Soldiers and Airmen from Indiana who've deployed since Sept. 11, the Indiana National Guard partners with many organizations who stand ready to assist servicemembers in finding and maintaining quality jobs in today job market.

With rising numbers of those returning, military leaders should be aware of and refer returning troops to these programs to enhance their abilities in the marketplace.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve officials said they are a resource available to serve the returning servicemembers if they have had trouble with reemployment with their past company.

"The ESGR serves as a medium to servicemembers to speak with their company and inform them of USERRA (Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act)," said Roger Peterman, Indiana ESGR chairman and transition advisor. "In many cases, these companies are small to medium-sized companies that don't have a large workforce. Most of the time employers just didn't know it was a federal law."

The act was established in 1994 to protect the positions of deploying servicemembers from being terminated before they returned to civilian live.

Peterman encourages returning servicemembers to immediately contact their employer when they return home to notify them of their return in two- to four- weeks, rather than wait the allowable 90 days before contacting.

This, Peterman says, allows the company ample time to determine what to do with your replacement or make room for another position that is equal or supplementary to your past position.

There are many choices a Guardsman can make to employ tactics related to job searching after a deployment, even if previously unemployed.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development's veteran services provides placement to returning Hoosiers in secure jobs specific to their skill sets. Veterans can visit their local WorkOne center or go tohttp://www.in.gov/dwd/2413.htmonline for more info about veteran services.

Currently, the Indiana National Guard has 20 Title 10 (active duty) and 20 Federal Technician jobs listed on the website at http://www.in.ng.mil/hr/. The website also lists transferable Title 32 (traditional), and state jobs related to the Indiana National Guard. 

An Indiana National Guardsman can volunteer to deploy again with a unit who has been alerted or activated to deploy through the Indiana National Guard website at https://www.in.ng.mil/Default.aspx?alias=www.in.ng.mil/mobvolunteer.

The GI Bill pays servicemembers to attend a higher learning institution. Eligible candidates can apply for tuition assistance and possibly receive a "kicker," extra money for those who score high enough on their initial entry test if specified in their military contract.

Servicemembers can also apply for federal grants through Free Application for Federal Student Aid at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ online.

Veterans Affairs helps eligible veterans gain schooling through its Yellow Ribbon program. Under this program the VA will pay up to $250 per credit hour and up to $1,000 in fees for 50 different institutions of higher learning in Indiana.

For more information on educational opportunities, Indiana National Guardsmen can visit http://www.in.ng.mil/Education/index.htm online.

Indiana National Guardsmen or family members financially affected directly by a deployment can apply for grants to pay for bills from the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund visit http://www.in.ng.mil/Family2008/INGR.htm for more information.

Operation Hire a Hoosier Vet is a job fair scheduled at Stout Field, Building 9, 2002 S. Holt Rd., Indianapolis on Wednesday April 22.

There will be a wide-range of city, state and federal agencies as well as many companies ready to engage veterans at the event. Servicemembers are encouraged to bring a valid photo ID and a resume.

The event is complimentary to any employer who wants to attend and is interested in hiring Hoosier veterans.

"I would encourage any employer to consider a veteran for an open position, especially the young men and women who are returning from deployment overseas," said Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger, Indiana's adjutant general.

"As their leader, I know what a phenomenal job they do, but also I've been told by business leaders across the state of Indiana how much they value employees with military experience. Employees with this kind of experience are what we call a force multiplier. I think any shrewd business leader understands that concept."

 

 

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