Larry Said:

How can I promote a free veteran connection resource?

We Answered:

The military service that you "were" with should have had
a program for you before you were discharged.

Arlene Said:

What is the easiest way to apply for a job with the United States Postal Service?

We Answered:

usps.gov and apply where it says jobs select your state and you will be sent info on taking the test for what you apply for. don't trust any other sites only www.usps.gov. good luck it takes about a yr for testing and for them to call you.

Terry Said:

I am a Military Veteran and I am search for a Job. I am a hardworker. I will relocate if needed.?

We Answered:

The BEST place you can go to right now is... your County Veterans Service Advisor. You're going to have to get off you A$$ and start using all the resourses that have been made available to you. This is not the place to be looking.

Randy Said:

Job Search while on Active duty?

We Answered:

I would suggest you concentrate on what you got going over there.

A year out from relad you would normally concentrate on doing some networking, getting all your training listed and what college credits you have earned, and getting things like copies of professional writing samples (letters, manuals, directives you may have written and undated letters of reference from command level officers.

If you have a good idea of what you want to do as a civilian maybe someone back home can help you get started on networking. Get lists of employers in that industry and names of managers, owners, executives. Have them find out when the Chamber of Commerce meets in you town.

Most importantly find out who is there to help you. Mr. Bush has pretty well gutted the Veterans Employment Services program (I was laid off 3 years ago) so you probably don't have a full time Vet Rep at your local job center, but find out what is there.

Also have your people find out what services are offered by vet organizations like VFW, American Legion, AmVets, etc. They usually have very good employment specialists.

I wouldn't start actively looking until 90 days out. By then you should have a couple of good specific and general resumes ready. Go to a Chamber of Commerce meeting and when introduced stand up and say "I am Joe Jones and I just got out of the Army after X years. I just got back from Iraq and I am looking to use my leadership skills and work ethic to make a major contribution to a company in the XX industry. Thank you for allowing me here today."

I guarantee you a standing ovation and I can about guarantee 5 people will come up to you and give you leads on a job. You would be amazed at how guys like you will ride in tanks or humvees getting RPGs and IEDs hurled at you during the day and mortars at night and yet they are afraid to stand up at a Chamber meeting.

Go to a trade show or a job fair and give the same speach to them. The hardest part is getting completely out of the military. I mean lose yes sir-no sir every other phrase, military jargon and acronyms. Grow some hair, hide tattoos and absolutely no coraframs.

One final note. Do not let the Army steamroll you out with some promise of quick processing. At you Army physical mention every ear ache, tooth ache, ankle sprain, knee twist and back twinge you ever experienced.

Blurry vision, ringing in the ears, sore feet, trouble sleeping, trouble peeing. Every thing. I am serious about every ailment above. Get a copy of your signed physical and then make 5 copies of your own.

DO NOT let the Army process your VA claim. Take your physical and a copy of your health record and go see that Vet Services Rep at the VFW or American Legion.

I used to run the Transition Program at Fort Richardson, Alaska and the difference in VA benefits between "Fast Trackers" or people who were too "manly" to complain about their little owies and guys who did it my way is unbelievable.

Not only does it matter now but 10-20 years from now when you develop arthritis or nerve deafness and you ask the VA to help you. "We don't see it on your record, prove it happened in-service."

I worked with dozens of Viet Nam vets who had contact with agent orange. They now have a 100% incident of colon cancer. Most are now asked to prove they contacted agent orange, 35 years later.

You keep you wits about you and your head in that game over there. Keep yourself and your buddies alive and come home in one piece. Then worry about a civilian job. The folks back home can help you. There are organizations that can help you. I'd be proud to help you.

God bless you and your family. Thank you so much for showing the world what Americans are made of and what we stand for. And thank your family for me for their irreplaceable role in helping you do your job. Only another vet and his family understand what you and your family experience.

Thank you.

Charlotte Said:

Should I tone down the military veteran status in my resume and job applications?

We Answered:

Whatever you feel may be hurting your resume take it off. Take it off and put it back on depending on the position your applying for ...

Herman Said:

job search for new mexico state veterans home?

We Answered:

Good luck..

Patsy Said:

Getting a job after training and deployment?

We Answered:

Go to the local city employment office. Or you can do various searches online. You can also try to get a job with a job placement agency.