Archive | Career/Education | Warrior Transition Command

Wounded Veteran Scott Vycital Joins First Lady at State of the Union

Filed under Career/Education, Soldier Stories, WTC Commander by alanmorales on January 29, 2010 at 2:08 pm {no comments}

Scott and Jarah Vycital join WTC Commanding General BG Gary H. Cheek and WTC Sergeant Major SGM Ly M. Lac at WTC Headquarters.

By BG Gary Cheek

Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting AW2 Veteran Scott Vycital and his wife Jarah. At Wednesday’s State of the Union Address, Scott joined Mrs. Michelle Obama in the First Lady’s box.

Scott told me that sitting in the historic chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives for President Obama’s address was an amazing experience.

“It was an honor to represent wounded warriors at this important event,” Scott said. “I’ve been lifted up by AW2, the VA, and organizations like the National Organization on Disability, and I encourage other wounded warriors to embrace the resources available.”

Scott’s story is a great example of a wounded warrior who has made the most of the opportunities available to him. Scott deployed to Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division, and in 2004, he sustained a gunshot wound to his face, neck, and shoulder. As a result, his face is partially paralyzed, and he lost hearing in his right ear. Scott medically retired later that year and used his benefits through the Army and Department of Veterans Affairs to attend Colorado State University, where he studied accounting. Shortly after graduating in 2008, Scott worked with his AW2 Advocate and the National Organization on Disability and found a job with the Federal Highway Administration.

This journey wasn’t easy for Scott and Jarah, but they overcame difficult challenges. It is great to see him continue to support our country beyond his military service. Scott’s story is exactly what the Army wants for every wounded warrior. Scott embraces his abilities over his disabilities and focuses on meeting his goals.

Q&A With AW2 Veteran Tim Gillem on Becoming an Entrepreneur

Filed under Career/Education, Soldier Story by jvargas on January 28, 2010 at 3:31 pm {no comments}

The following is an interview with AW2 Veteran Tim Gillem who has started his own security firm in Greenville, S.C. after recovering from wounds suffered as a result of combat in Iraq. Tim graciously agreed to this interview in the hopes that it would inspire AW2 Soldiers and Veterans to start their own businesses.

AW2 Veteran Tim Gillem pictured while on active duty in Samarra, Iraq at FOB Brassfield-Mora.

What does it mean to you to be an AW2 Veteran?

It means that I have constant support. I’ve been out of the Army since November 29th and my AW2 Advocate at Ft. Jackson calls me at least once every two weeks to see how I’m doing and what’s going on. She knows me and she alerts me to new programs that come up and asks for my input. That’s the most important part: knowing that I have a support system if I need it.

When did you decide that you wanted to start your own business?

Actually, my co-founder Tony and I discussed it during our 2006-2007 deployment to Iraq. We talked about it the entire time we were deployed and before we got wounded. We really wanted to do something together when we retired. As fate had it, the night I got wounded Tony also got wounded when he came out to rescue me. I got hit by an IED and while Tony was coming out to get me he got hit by an IED. It was a very well coordinated attack; it took out our platoon, and it took out the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) along with Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).

Throughout our deployment we had been discussing different business plans and coming up with ideas for what we wanted to do. Since both of us served in the infantry we really wanted to continue in similar line of work, but we also wanted to do it for civilians and executives. That end up being what our company is all about — executive protection.

When I say that we protect executives I mean that we protect judges, celebrities, politicians, or anyone that feels that there is some threat level, whether it’s a low threat level or a high threat level. Our aim is to protect those kinds of individuals so they can go about their business and everyday lives.

Did your AW2 Advocate provide you with any support or guidance to start your own business?

Definitely. Wanda, my AW2 Advocate, has been a great resource to me. She was actually the one that pointed me to the Web sites for the Small Business Administration in South Carolina. She also made sure I was aware of small business briefings and she got me into an ACAP class that helped me learn a lot about running my own business. The class also featured a number of speakers from Veterans and others that had started their own businesses. It was very informative and helped me understand what I was getting myself into. The class also had a group come from Benedict College in Columbia and that helped me set up a business plan and assisted with financing. Wanda was very instrumental in helping us, and Tony and I are very thankful for her help and support.

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WTC and Navy Sign Career Agreement for Wounded Warriors

Filed under Career/Education, WTC Commander by alanmorales on January 19, 2010 at 12:02 pm {one comment}

Brig. Gen. Gary Cheek (left) with Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Juan Garcia (center) and Vice Adm. Kevin McCoy (right) after signing a memorandum of agreement to increase employment opportunities for wounded warriors.

(Cross-posted from NAVSEA’s Web site)

Due to advances in modern military medicine, unprecedented numbers of wounded service members are returning to the fight or transitioning their service to civilian employment.

Vice Adm. Kevin McCoy, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and Army Brig. Gen. Gary Cheek, commanding general, U.S. Army’s Warrior Transition Command (WTC) signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) Jan. 13 in Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Wagner Gym auditorium to increase opportunities for meaningful internships and/or employment with the Navy’s largest system command.

“What we have done so far is put the fundamentals in place. But our real goal is to provide that opportunity, that light, that inspiration for a full and productive future to the warfighters in this program,” Cheek told those assembled. “No matter what disease, illness or injury you are fighting, you have skills and abilities that make a difference in this world.”

The general continued by focusing on the scope of opportunities the program’s partnership with NAVSEA offers wounded warriors. “Of all the organizations we are starting to embrace and work with, I believe NAVSEA is perhaps one of the finest in what they are offering to provide for the future for many of you. There are opportunities within this command across the United States, possibly even in your hometown, doing things you would like to do and making a contribution to the nation,” he said.

Following the general’s remarks, McCoy thanked the injured service members for their service, and committed his organization to increasing opportunities for them.

“We are a workforce of about 60,000, 95 percent of which are civilian employees – about one-third of all Navy civilians work for NAVSEA,” said McCoy. “We provide ship, submarines, aircraft carriers, weapons systems to our warfighters. We’re responsible for all the maintenance on our surface ships, subs and aircraft carriers. ”

McCoy continued to promote the significance of the command’s numerous and diverse career opportunities, including his own personal passion for work done at the Navy’s shipyards.

“Half of NAVSEA carries a lunch bucket, wears a hard hat and steel-toe shoes to work each day. In my opinion, we have the best blue collar jobs in America – jobs you can raise a family on,” said McCoy. “The entry requirement to be an electrician, pipe-fitter, welder, technician, is a high-school degree and lots of enthusiam. We will give you everything else. We have stable careers working on some of our nation’s most important military war platforms.”

The MoA signed between NAVSEA and WTC establishes roles and responsibilities for the coordination of Operation Warfighter internships available to service members receiving medical treatment for combat-related injuries, as well as permanent employment opportunities for warriors in transition, Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) veterans, and their spouses/caregivers, as eligible for various federal direct-hiring authorities.

Juan Garcia, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs also lauded NAVSEA’s contributions towards warrior transition efforts, and reminded assembled troops that employers are eager to put their skills, knowledge and determination to use.

“This is not charity. This is not a ‘set-aside’ program,” said Garcia. “Wounded warriors are, by definition, tenacious and resilient. They are leaders and doers. At a very young age, they have proven themselves capable of accomplishing what has been set before them.”

“In the Department of the Navy, NAVSEA has set the pace and created the model for wounded warrior integrations. They have made a commitment. They have put their money where their mouth is, and they have brought accountability to the process,” Garcia continued.

The signing of this MoA reflects the commitment between NAVSEA and WTC to provide the best possible care and future opportunities to our nation’s combat-wounded service members, veterans and their families.

For Wounded Warriors interested in employment opportunities at NAVSEA and Navy commands interested in supporting Wounded Warriors, contact Cmdr. David McAfee at david.r.mcafee@navy.mil or (202)781-1364.

Scholarships Available for Spouses of Wounded or Fallen Service Members

Filed under Career/Education, Community Support Network by jvargas on January 12, 2010 at 3:59 pm {no comments}

The National Military Family Association has announced that it is now accepting scholarships for its Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program for spouses of wounded or fallen servicemembers. Scholarships are awarded to military spouses to obtain professional certification or to attend post secondary or graduate school.

Applications will only be accepted online at www.militaryfamily.org/scholarships and must be submitted by midnight on January 31, 2010. Scholarships will only be awarded only to military ID-carrying Uniformed Services’ spouses (active duty, retiree, Reserve, National Guard, and/or survivor). Scholarship award letters will be e-mailed to recipients no later than March 15, 2010 and winners will be announced on the National Military Family Association Web site in June.

The scholarship funds may be used for tuition, fees, and school room and board. They may not be used for books, rent, or previous education loans.

If selected for a scholarship, AW2 Spouses must provide the following information:

Copy of current military ID Card/DEERS card (front)
The name and address of the accredited university, college, or trade school at which you are registered
Home mailing address where a check can be mailed on June 1, 2010.
Additional verification information is required from those applying for the scholarship for the wounded or fallen. Please see the application for complete list

To learn more about the Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program, please visit www.militaryfamily.org/scholarships.

The National Military Family Association is a member of the AW2 Community Support Network that is committed to strengthening and protecting the Families of the men and women currently serving, retired, wounded or fallen.

The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the United States Department of Defense of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Department of Defense does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations.

Employing Veterans with Invisible Wounds

Filed under Advocate Story, Behavioral Health, Career/Education, Soldier Story by jvargas on November 19, 2009 at 4:38 pm {one comment}

The Associated Press recently ran a great story highlighting the Army’s efforts to educate employers about hiring wounded warriors who have “invisible wounds” or behavioral health illnesses such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs). The article calls attention to the need for employers to make accommodations for Veterans with both visible and invisible wounds:

The Army’s Wounded Warrior Program, which helps veterans adjust to civilian life, has been reaching out to employers to educate them and encourage them to hire former soldiers with invisible wounds…

“Employers find it easier to accommodate those physical disabilities. They can get special equipment,” said Sue Maloney, who works with veterans in the Wounded Warrior Program in the Seattle area. But “you can’t always see the wounds or the injuries.”

The article shows some of the ways that employers can accommodate Veterans who have PTSD and TBIs through the example of Richard Martin, a 48-year-old engineer and former Army National Guard Major, who now works for Northrop Grumman. When Martin was hired, Northrop Grumman consulted occupational nurses on how to help him do his job. Martin also helped himself by using noise canceling headphones to keep him from getting distracted, sticky notes to remind him of things, and by placing a rearview mirror on his desk so he isn’t startled when co-workers come up behind him.

In addition to these accommodations, there are many others that employers can make to assist Veterans with “invisible wounds” to successfully transition to the civilian workforce. To learn more about the types of accommodations that employers can make, I talked with AW2 Career Coordinator Scott Cox in our headquarters about the topic.

“There are a number of accommodations that employers can easily make, at little to no cost, to assist Veterans with PTSD and TBIs,” said Scott Cox. “Most employers make these types of accommodations everyday for their existing workforce. Wounded Veterans bring a tremendous amount of experiences and skills that employers seek. Employers just need more information on how to support Veterans with invisible injuries.”

Scott Cox then shared a list of accommodations that employers can provide to assist Veterans with PTSD, TBIs, and other behavioral health issues from the Job Accommodation Network. Below are some of the highlights:

Provide space enclosures or a private space
Allow the employee to play soothing music using a headset
Divide large assignments into smaller goal oriented tasks or steps
Allow longer or more frequent work breaks as needed
Provide additional time to learn new responsibilities
Allow for time off for counseling
Give assignments, instructions, or training in writing or via e-mail
Provide detailed day-to-day guidance and feedback
Develop strategies to deal with problems before a crisis occurs
Allow employee to work from home part-time
Provide disability awareness training to coworkers and supervisors
Use stress management techniques to deal with frustration
Allow telephone calls during work hours to doctors and others for needed support
Provide a place for the employee to sleep during break
Provide straight shift or permanent schedule
Count one occurrence for all PTSD-related absences
Allow the employee to make up the time missed
Identify and remove environmental triggers such as particular smells or noises

For the complete list, click here to visit the Job Accommodation Network Web site.

As you can see, many of these accommodations aren’t all that different from those that employers already make for many employees in their workforce. However, it is important to remember that each case is different, as Scott Cox pointed out in our conversation, “Every wounded Veteran is different and the accommodations made should be tailored to that particular Veteran’s needs. AW2 works with employers to help ensure that the experience is rewarding for both the hiring organization and the Veteran.”

If you are an employer interested in hiring a Veteran with invisible wounds, please contact an AW2 Career Coordinator via email at AW2careerprogram@conus.army.mil or call (703) 325-0579.

BG Cheek attends CODE Launch Event

Filed under Career/Education, Resources, WTC Commander by ryanalexander on November 18, 2009 at 11:28 am {no comments}

BG Cheek, the Commander of the Warrior Transition Command, attended the launch event for Call of Duty Endowment (CODE) last week. CODE is a new endowment fund created by Activision Blizzard, which aims to combat unemployment among Veterans. Activision Blizzard created the endowment organization with a commitment to raise millions of dollars to help raise awareness of Veterans unemployment and directly fund organizations that support Veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce.

In a press release, Activision Blizzard stated that it created the endowment after recognizing that its Call of Duty Modern Warfare video game series is extremely popular among troops, and that it wanted to give back to servicemembers by using proceeds from the sale of an upcoming game to help Veterans find employment. The organization has an advisory board composed of Veterans representing various branches of the military and the board will help identify organizations that will receive grants to raise awareness of the issue.

BG Cheek attended the launch event for the organization and stressed the need to help Veterans transitioning from the service with employment opportunities according to the press release:

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Interview with AW2 Advocate Eric Mitchell

Filed under Advocate Story, Career/Education, Community Support Network, Resources by jvargas on November 17, 2009 at 5:56 pm {no comments}

AW2 Soldiers and Veterans participate in a Veterans Day parade that AW2 Advocate Eric Mitchell helped organize

The following is an interview that AW2 conducted with Colorado Springs-based AW2 Advocate Eric Mitchell. Eric spent 23 years in the Army, including 17 as an Army Career Counselor. Following his service, Eric worked at Fort Carson as a contractor working for the In-Service Transition program. He currently serves on a number of community-based boards and recently served on the selections board for the Colorado Technical University Wounded Warriors Scholarship Fund, which has awarded 87 scholarships to wounded warriors and their Families.

Tell us about Colorado Technical University’s programs for wounded warriors and their Families. What services and support does CTU offer?

The CTU Wounded Warrior Scholarships and Wounded Warrior Spouse Scholarships are full-ride scholarships that allow students to complete their next higher degree. All tuition and course materials are included in the scholarship. Each wounded warrior is given a new laptop computer, which they get to keep at the completion of their course work. Each student works closely with a student advisor to address any issues that may arise related to their recovery and their education. CTU shares the AW2 philosophy that recovering is the Soldier’s primary mission, and CTU works with the Soldier to help make going to school and getting their degree correspond with their primary mission. As an example, the Colorado Springs CTU campus has already implemented plans to provide individualized assistance to local students to ensure they are successful in their educational pursuits.

How did you get involved with CTU?

I have been a member of the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Council (MAC) for about five years. Two years ago, while at a MAC event, Greg Mitchell (President, CTU — Colorado Springs) provided an informational briefing about the CTU Wounded Warriors Scholarships. When I came to AW2, I made sure I became involved to make sure our AW2 Soldiers, Veterans and their Families had the best possible opportunity to apply for and win a scholarship. Over the last year, CTU has not only been working with AW2 to help Soldiers and Veterans with educational opportunities, but CTU had also been extremely generous in providing financial assistance to wounded warriors in need. CTU has included Advocates in their internal educational training workshops on working with wounded warriors who have PTSD, TBI, and other disabilities. CTU has also opened numerous doors with other organizations within the community to help our wounded warriors adjust to their new norms and be all that they can be. Greg and CTU have even provided funding for a specially designed “rugby wheelchair” for an AW2 Veteran of mine who is a quadriplegic and who is attempting to become a Paralympian.

What was meeting AW2 Soldier MAJ Tammy Duckworth like? What perspective did she bring to the process?

It was a great honor to meet Secretary Duckworth and her husband, MAJ Bryan W. Bowlsbey. During dinner, I was amazed at her spirit and her great sense of humor. Secretary Duckworth showed all of us that there is a full life after a very serious injury. Secretary Duckworth noticed my AW2 lapel pin, and we instantly connected. I was also fortunate to participate on the Wounded Warrior Scholarship Selection Board with Secretary Duckworth. Secretary Duckworth brought a no-nonsense professionalism to the committee, and she instilled a sense in each of us that we were about to change the lives of Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families forever. She stressed that we needed to ensure the scholarships went to not only those who were the most deserving, but to those who would be most impacted. Secretary Duckworth exemplifies the model that it is about ability, not disability. It was also an honor to meet Mrs. Marie Tillman, spouse of Army Ranger and former Arizona Cardinal, SGT Pat Tillman. Mrs. Tillman was the Chair of the Wounded Warrior Spouse Scholarship Committee, and she was a great asset to the CTU scholarship process.

How many AW2 Soldiers and Veterans have received scholarships from CTU?

CTU has awarded 87 scholarships to wounded servicemembers over the past two years. Soldiers, Marines, and Airmen have all been recipients of the scholarships. Over the last two years, 37 of the Wounded Warriors scholarships went to wounded Army servicemembers. In the past, locations like Walter Reed, BAMC, and Bethesda were the only sites that were able to apply for the scholarships. This year CTU made two major changes to their program. First, they expanded it to several locations with large wounded warrior populations. Second, they instituted a Wounded Warrior Spouse Scholarships program for the spouses of our wounded warriors. These scholarships will allow these spouses to get the education they need to support their Families. This year, AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Spouses received all 25 wounded warrior scholarships and all 25 wounded warrior spouse scholarships.

Can you share a personal story of how the CTU program has made an impact on an AW2 Soldier or Veteran’s life?

There would be 87 outstanding examples of how these Wounded Warrior Scholarships have affected Soldiers and Families. One of the best examples is of an AW2 Soldier, SSG Damien Wilson, from Fort Stewart, GA. SSG Wilson was injured in Baghdad, Iraq. While recovering at Walter Reed, he saw the CTU Scholarship Application and applied. SSG Wilson was subsequently awarded a scholarship for an associates degree in general studies. In March, I received notice that CTU was graduating their first graduate from the program, and I was asked to attend the graduation. I was informed CTU would be bringing the Soldier and his Family to Colorado Springs to attend the graduation. I worked with SSG Wilson’s AW2 Advocate, Nicholas Alexuk, to coordinate the event and I was honored to attend SSG Wilson’s graduation, as a representative of AW2 Advocate Alexuk and AW2. SSG Wilson’s underlying theme throughout the graduation activities was that he wanted to set an example for his children that even with his severe injuries, he was able to go to school and get a college education. SSG Wilson was recognized by the keynote speaker and the President of CTU while receiving three standing ovations during the ceremony. SSG Wilson is the first in his Family to get a college degree, and he is continuing his education to pursue a bachelor degree.

Are there any other opportunities in Colorado coming up that you would like to share with the AW2 community?

Colorado Springs and the State of Colorado are absolutely one of the greatest areas in the country in supporting our military, both active duty Soldiers and Veterans. Working from within the County Veterans Services Office in El Paso County, Colorado, I am able to not only support my Veteran population, but also reach out to local organizations who want to support our Soldiers and Families. There is seldom a day that goes by where there isn’t at least one organization that wants to provide support or assistance to our Soldiers or Veterans. I recently met with the United States Olympic Committee, U.S. Paralympics Division to expand the outreach within the wounded warrior population, the City of Colorado Springs, and the USOC.

For more information about CTU, visit http://www.coloradotech.edu/.

Executive Order on Veterans Employment

Filed under Career/Education by jvargas on November 12, 2009 at 12:27 pm {no comments}

Photo of President Obama signing the executive order on the Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza).

On Monday, President Obama signed an executive order to establish a Veterans Employment Initiative across the government to underscore the importance of recruiting and training Veterans, to increase the employment of Veterans, and to help recently hired Veterans adjust to the civilian workforce.

The executive order also creates an interagency Council on Veterans Employment that will be chaired by Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, and with Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry serving as the Vice Chair and Chief Operating Officer of the Council. The Council will assist and advise President Obama in a government-wide effort to increase the number of Veterans employed by the federal government.

While the Executive Order aims to increase the employment of Veterans broadly, it does contain specific language to require the Council to coordinate with the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs to promote further development and application of technology to assist transitioning servicemembers and Veterans with disabilities.

In a press release from the White House, President Obama stated that this initiative is about more than just repaying our nation’s debt to our Veterans for their courageous service to our country, “It’s also about continuing to fill the ranks of federal employees with men and women who possess the skills, dedication, and sense of duty that Americans deserve from their public servants. And few embody those qualities like our nation’s Veterans.”

The order from President Obama also establishes a Veterans Employment Program office within most federal agencies that will receive oversight from the Council on Veterans Employment. Each agency’s Veterans Employment Program will be responsible for identifying employment opportunities for Veterans, providing feedback to Veterans about their employment application, and helping recently hired Veterans adjust to a civilian life and workplace culture.

For more information about President Obama’s executive order, please visit www.fedshirevets.gov.

5 Tips About Private Sector Jobs

Filed under Career/Education by jvargas on October 23, 2009 at 9:55 am {no comments}

By Rose Tinker, AW2 Career and Education Coordinator

In an earlier blog we shared some of the benefits of working for the Federal Government. Today, we will share a few ideas on answering the very difficult question, “Should I consider a career in Private Sector?” It’s no secret. Private sector jobs have been affected by the economy. The good news is that the United States is losing fewer private sector jobs and U.S. companies plan fewer layoffs, suggesting modest improvements in the labor market. Before you rush to accept your first offer, you should take the time to do the following:

Carefully review the job description. What are the key tasks and responsibilities? Will you be required stay until a project is complete or will you be able to go home after working 8 hours? Will you have to modify or change your lifestyle and will this impact you Family? Hint: Any anticipated lifestyle changes should be discussed with your Family.
Research the company again. Ideally you did this prior to even applying for the position but if you didn’t, now is the time to do so. Talk to current employees. Ask them what they like and don’t like about working for the company. If corporate culture requires everyone to stay until the boss departs, ask yourself if you are willing to do so. Remember, in the private sector being a team player is a must.
Research the industry. How does the company compare to similar companies in the same industry? How do the benefits and pay stack up with industry averages (Glassdoor.com and Vault.com provide great data on this) Research recent news articles on the industry to see what the latest product/service announcements in the industry are and if the industry is growing or going through contractions, mergers, acquisitions, or frequent restructurings.
Check out the Benefits Package. How much sick, vacation, and holiday leave will you receive? How long must you work before you begin to receive your benefits? Is the retirement plan or 401K generous and does the company offer life insurance and long term care insurance at a group rate?
Ask the company about advancement, education, professional development and training opportunities. Do they offer tuition assistance? Does the company have their own career advancement program? If so, does this meet your professional goals? As a member of the military, you’ve likely accomplished and experienced more than most people do in a lifetime As such, you may want or expect advancement.

In the end, most people spend more time at work with their colleagues than they do with their own Families and friends. It is extremely important to make the choice that is right for you. There are many good private sector jobs and you should not be afraid to take one provided you do your homework.

Additional information on selecting between government and private sector jobs may be obtained by going to CvTips.

What made you decide to work for the private sector over working for the government? Feel free to share your experiences and tips with your fellow AW2 Soldiers, Veterans, and Family members by adding a comment to this post.

5 Benefits of a U.S. Government Job

Filed under Career/Education, General by jvargas on October 22, 2009 at 10:00 am {2 comments}

By Rose Tinker, AW2 Career and Education Coordinator

One of the positives of working for the U.S. Government is that employees enjoy a wide range of benefits that may not be available to employees in the private sector. In this blog post, I will outline five different benefits that typically come with a U.S. Government job.

Vacation time, sick leave, and federal holidays. Vacation time is typically earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period (26 pay periods per year) for a total of 13 days for the first three years. After 3 years of service employees earn 6 hours per pay period and adjusted to total 20 days per year. After 15 years service you earn 8 hours per pay period or 26 days a year.Sick leave is accrued at 4 hours per pay period (13 days per year) and does not change with length of service. The Family and Medical Leave Act make it easier for you to use sick leave to care for family members up to a 13-day maximum per year.Federal holidays are generous. The U.S. Government observes 10 holidays per year:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday
- Presidents Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a retirement plan that provides an annuity payment each month for the rest of your life once you are vested and retire. The plan provides benefits from three different sources: a basic benefit plan, social security, and the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). TSP is a retirement savings plan that allows for multiple investments options similar to a 401(k) plan.
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Federal employees enjoy health benefits that have no waiting periods, no age or physical condition restrictions, and do not require a medical exam. Federal employees may choose from plans that offer catastrophic risk protection with higher deductibles, health savings/reimbursable accounts and lower premiums, or Fee-for-Service (FFS) plans, and their Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO), or Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) if you live (or sometimes if you work) within the area serviced by the plan.
Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI). FEGLI is group term life insurance. The cost of basic insurance is shared between the Employee and the government. The employee pays 2/3 of the total cost and the government pays 1/3. The age of the employee does not affect the cost of basic insurance. Optional insurance may be purchased with cost being dependent of the age of the employee. Employees are automatically covered by basic life insurance with premiums deducted from paychecks are deducted unless coverage is waived.

If you are an AW2 Soldier, Veteran, or Family member that has experience working with the government please share what you think members of the AW2 population should consider when applying for or accepting a government job.

Tomorrow we will post on the different benefits available to employees that work for the private sector, so be sure to stay tuned to the AW2 Blog for more Career and Education news and tips.

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