Success Stories Daniel Martin

In the spring of 2008 Daniel Martin was introduced to the Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation program, after an extended period of recovery following discharge from the U.S. Army. Over a period of several months Mr. Martin met with his Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and developed a plan of action, which would satisfy the veteran's personal and professional desires to re-enter the work force after spending years in the regular Army. Mr. Martin had been involved in Civil Affairs and requested to continue with that line of work.

Mr. Martin had used some of his GI Bill to attend college previously, and so it was decided that he would continue college in his chosen objective of Mass Communications with emphasis in Public Relations. After only a short time it was evident that college was not what the veteran really wanted. Mr. Martin's disabilities were beginning to have an effect on his ability to participate in a classroom environment. Mr. Martin's Counselor recommended a Non Paid Work experience program, and a program was developed for him in the Federal building. Mr. Martin began an initial NPWE program working in an office environment, however quickly realized that you can take the soldier out of the field, but you cannot take the field out of the soldier. Mr. Martin and his Chapter 31 Counselor together determined to develop a NPWE training program, which would provide an opportunity for working in an outdoor setting. A Non Paid Work Experience was developed with a local Federal Agency working in an outdoor setting, which allowed the veteran to work both independently, and as part of a team. The veteran excelled working in an outdoor environment, which allowed him to utilize his past Civil Affairs training, as well as many of the skills he had obtained in real life Army survival skills training.

Mr. Martin completed a year of Non Paid Work Experience on 02/01/2010, and secured full-time employment on that date with a local Federal agency. Mr. Martin works outside on a daily basis and loves his work. Mr. Martin's employer received a motivated and quality employee. The Non Paid Work Experience program helped Mr. Martin to overcome his impairment to employment, and the employer provided reasonable accommodations for the veteran's service connected disabilities. The veteran was provided the real life work experience, and resources to help him meet criteria for an employment opportunity, which he would have otherwise not been able to meet qualifications to compete for the position. The NPWE program allowed the veteran, as well as the employer opportunity to determine satisfactory criteria for suitability of entry-level employment in the position outlined by the IWRP. Mr. Martin is proud to say that he is able to continue as a productive member of society in civilian employment, after serving honorably for so many years in the United States Army. Another veteran success story!