Web Site Links Veterans With Jobs

Hire A Hero Connects Returned Vets With Corporate America

(CBS)  In the military, focus, discipline and leadership under fire and under pressure are lifesaving currency. But back home, many servicemen and women who want to cash in on that experience and the promise of a brighter future are coming up short-changed.

"They're not getting their equal portion of the American dream," says Dan Caufield, a Gulf War veteran and successful Internet entrepreneur.

So Caulfield invested $500,000 of his own money to start a non-profit organization called Hire A Hero. It's an online network of people that helps service members find quality jobs. More than 600 businesses are plugged in.

"I am extremely passionate about this," he tells CBS News correspondent Byron Pitts. "They're not being invited to the table, for what? Because they did the right thing? Because they've sacrificed their time and years of their life to make sure the rest of us could go to college and do the things we do? Nonsense."

Historically, the unemployment rate among young vets has been consistently higher than non-veterans: In 2005, among veterans ages 20-24 years, that rate was nearly twice as high — 15.6 percent of veterans vs. 8.7 percent of non-veterans.

Despite a drop-off in 2006 — 10.4 percent of veterans vs. 8.1 percent of non-veterans — the unemployment rate among vets was still higher than civilians in the same age group … and much higher than the general population at 4.6 percent.

"They learn unique skills — communications, technology, managerial, logistics. Employers need to understand how to translate those military skills to the civilian sector," says Maj. Gen. William H. Wade II, Adjutant General of the California National Guard.

After 13 years in the Marines Corps and a tour in Iraq, Staff Sgt Michael Teachey was ready to conquer the civilian world.

"I applied for everything," Teachey says of his job search. "After a while, I wasn't even choosy."

He looked for a job for nine months, but after he came across Hire A Hero, he found one in 48 hours as a part-driver, part-salesman for an energy drink company.

"I was like 'where has that Web site been all my life?'" Teachey said.

As for Caulfield, his organization has helped more than 1,000 veterans find jobs since its launch in January. It just partnered with the California National Guard, and now wants corporate America to be all that it can be.

"There is a lot of lip service to hiring military people," he says. "There's just not a lot of action, when it comes down to it."

But for new vets like Teachey, it remains a dream deferred. He'd been unemployed for so long and behind on his bills, he was evicted.

"This notion that you spent the last 13 years of your life defending the American dream?" asks Pitts.

"I can't even live it," Teachey says. "And that's why I'm going home with my mom."

Caulfield calls vets like Teachey casualties of war. He's taking his fight to Washington to get more funding, because in or out of the military, the motto remains the same: Leave no man behind.

[nsiesser]

David Caufield should be awarded an award for his compassion, service to the USA and it's citizens. NO politican has been this wonderful to the citizens that protect the USA. My family has served in the Army, Navy Air Force,& Marines for generations and this gentelman has honored them with his efforts today. Thank you David Caufield you are truely an American. While the policitians give America away send our men and women off to war and forget about them you are doing something to help each of them that ask for help. Thank you so much. I am the wife of an Air Force man, mother of 2 army children & 1 son-in-law, neice of 4 uncles, cousin to 4 who all served this USA and I say thank you. Thank you with all my heart. Sincerely Nancy Siesser

[daveinsd-2009]

Kudos to Dan Caulfield and his team at Hire A Hero. This organization (hireahero.org) deserves our support! Also, thanks CBS for making time to put this segment of the national news.

Anyone wanting to help can email Congress and tell them to support the recently introduced Hire A Hero Act legislation, which would provide $25 million to assist transitioning soldiers. Our military heroes deserve more than a handshake and a "thanks" when they return to civilian life. http://bond.senate.gov/press_section/record.cfm?id=280499

[hrdotcom.com]

Being an older vet myself, and having been in the employment game for 30-years, I've learned that it is critical for vets to create a robust resume for distribution and publication to the web.

Vets need to fully trumpet their education and experience before their military service.

Vets also need to elaborate on what they think they would want or like to do.

Most older vets have lived, experienced and witnessed the tremendous value that veterans bring to the workforce and society (focus, dedication, loyalty, persistence, fortitude, ability to keep a cool head in a storm, confidence, realism, ability to prioritize, etc.). These attributes do not typically or easily make it to the black & white of a job description or experience statement on resumes, but they are known and desired attributes of veterans.

All of that being said, I ask veterans to make yourselves easier to find. Publish your resumes at HireAHero, Monster, Careerbuilder, Craigslist, Dice, etc. Get them out there. You are being sought. Help us find you!

Dave Steinbach, CPC (USMC 1969-1975)
HRDotCom.com
[e-mail]
978 857 8661

[newseast]

As a veteran who is an entrepreneur like many other service members I could not find a JOB, so I created one for all of our communities and us as well. It seems that the largest part of getting you name, service and product out there to help others is advertisement%u2026.mmmm (this is really tough) we don%u2019t have that kind of cash and a loan is not the answer history will tell you that. Hire A Hero give us opportunity for ourselves, families and communities nationally that would not otherwise be available, Thank you for opening the door wide for us and our futures %u201CTeam Hire A Hero%u201D from www.whosdoingit.com commitment like this makes me want to keep on giving. That being said Please check us out and help us grow along with you, I think we could make a great %u201CTeam%u201D nationally %u2026..North, East, West, & South (NEWS)!!

Keep in mind it%u2019s not about you, its about%

[newseast]

As a veteran who is an entrepreneur like many other service members I could not find a JOB, so I created one for all of our communities and us as well. It seems that the largest part of getting you name, service and product out there to help others is advertisement%u2026.mmmm (this is really tough) we don%u2019t have that kind of cash and a loan is not the answer history will tell you that. Hire A Hero give us opportunity for ourselves, families and communities nationally that would not otherwise be available, Thank you for opening the door wide for us and our futures %u201CTeam Hire A Hero%u201D from www.whosdoingit.com commitment like this makes me want to keep on giving. That being said Please check us out and help us grow along with you, I think we could make a great %u201CTeam%u201D nationally %u2026..North, East, West, & South (NEWS)!!

Keep in mind it%u2019s not about you, its about your childrens children.

It sure feels good to support your community! Contractors come and join! Home Owners send out unlimited referrals... FREE!

Once a problem is properly defined, it is usually 90% solved. Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.

Winston
USN Ret.
Norfolk, Virginia

www.whosdoingit.com
[e-mail]
757-289-1250

[newseast]

Support your local community and its veterans!
www.whosdoingit.com

Are you a quality service professional?

Welcome To Team Who's Doing It! Our goal is to unite your community by putting you and your local contractors and service providers in touch with each other. This will allow local businesses and families to work together and help not only your communities thrive and grow, but to help you meet your personal goals as well. "Who's Doing It" believes you will play a huge part in leading our nation in the largest supportive community movement ever! By using whosdoingit.com you're making the statement "I Want To Support My Community!" What better way to do that than to work with your local businesses in developing your area? We at "Who's Doing It" are inviting you to browse our list of Services, Contractors and Products for FREE by simply entering your Zip Code. We are here to support your community's growth. If there is a Service, Contractor or Product not listed on our site, please CONTACT US direct.


Winston
USN Ret.
Norfolk,VA.

757.289-1250
[e-mail]
www.whosdoingit.com

It sure feels good to support your community!
Contractors come and join! Home Owners send out unlimited referrals... FREE!

http://hireahero.com

Find me on MySpace and be my friend!

Google us.

Referrals Are Welcomed and Appreciated!

ww

[newseast]

Can someone Please help this veteran and his website: www.whosdoingit.com be successful?
The website was created as a glimmer of hope for him and his family.

Like Teachey, Winston Williams Ret. Navy 22 yrs honorable service as an Aviation Storekeeper, put simply he has had no luck finding employment, including %u201Ccivil service%u201D employment opportunity not even at local Norfolk naval base as a warehouseman.

Sponsorship from Hire A Hero or their colleagues would be great! Or a blurb from CBS would be great! Keep the light burning in your circles with www.whosdoingit.com and help this veteran out.

[e-mail]
www.whosdoingit.com

Respectfully

[skrypez]

If you agree with Dan Caulfield and the mission of Hire a Hero, log on and create a volunteer profile. You can connect with young veterans in your area and offer assistance, support and say thank you for your service.

Vikki Skrypez
www.hireahero.org

[unclehowey]

great job it's hard finding a job being a gulf vet, i've been out of work for a year now, why do they want your military background if they won't hire you.???

[bb19631]

i would hire a military veteran over anyone. they have the work ethic,the drive and motivation to get the job done, the task at hand.i am a military spouse. grant you some military job skills cant be useful in the civilian world. but give these veterans a chance to be hired. you wont be sorry...

[newseast]

Hey Dan & CBS

Great job now lets push the envelope no lip service. Anything is possible to run a few commercials and get some radio advertisement going, maybe a poster next to recruiting stations. Wow lets run with those ideas. Seriously though this website rocks and our vets older and young alike deserve a stand up applaud, a commercial next to the debate for presidential candidates, who will step to the plate besides news stations %u2013 I%u2019m talking commercials like the ones advertising kids to go to college. How about during a major sporting event!

Remember this: Once a problem is properly defined, it is usually 90% solved.
Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.
Check yourself: Make sure your own Conversation, Character, and Conduct match.

ww