Warrior Warrior Employment Conference

CPL Matther Welch and his wife, Diana, work during the resume writing workshop at the Hiring Heroes Job Fair for wounded and injured Soldiers held at Fort Dix, N.J.

The Wounded Warrior Employment Conference (WWEC) will be held on February 28 - 29 at FT Belvoir, VA.

Employing our country's wounded warriors is a priority of The President of the United States and Army senior leaders. Unfortunately, the unemployment rate for the men and women who suffer from military service connected disabilities exceeds nine percent.

Many highly motivated and experienced wounded, ill, and injured Soldiers, Veterans, and Families have dedicated themselves to serve their country. As they transition from Soldier to Veteran status, they seek to continue applying their skills, training, and experience in new career and educational fields. Having your commitment to develop a process to increase or expedite hiring of Wounded Warriors and their Families is a commitment that reflects an appreciation for their sacrifices.

The Wounded Warrior Employment Conference is an opportunity to take action: if you or your organization desires to participate in the 2012 WWEC fill out the WWEC Registration Form or email AW2careerprogram@conus.army.mil no later than Friday, February 10 or call (703) 325-8671.

Career Transition Bootcamp for Wounded Warriors

The Career Transition Bootcamp is designed to empower Wounded Warriors, Family Members and Caregivers through information, motivation and skill development to make sound career choices. After one and half days of job search training you will get to network with employers who are specifically looking to hire Wounded Warriors, Family Members and Caregivers.

Conference Schedule

Bootcamp Schedule

Conference Schedule - February 28
Time	Title	Speaker
7:00	Doors Open - Registration Begins
8:00	Administrative Notes	Major Brian Bilski,Transition Support Officer, USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment
8:10	Welcome	Brigadier General Darryl Williams,Commanding General, US Army Warrior Transition Command
8:25	Opening Speaker	Colonel John Mayer, Commanding Officer, USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment
8:50	2011 Wounded Warrior Federal Hiring Conference Hiring Rate Improvement Team Update	Commander Stephen Tomlin, US Navy Naval Sea Systems Command
9:30	Break
9:45	Network of Champions - Lessons Learned	Ms Kia Silver Hodge, Corporate Manager, Diversity Recruitment Programs Northrop Grumman
10:15	15 Value of Working with a Disabled Veteran Business	Mr Albert Renteria, Mr Dave May ARRenteria Corporation
10:45	Guest Speaker – Army Wounded Warrior	Captain Alvin Shell, US Army, Retired
11:15	Understanding Barriers To Employment and Education	Dr Rory Cooper, PhD, Director, Human Engineering Research Laboratory
11:45	Lunch – Guest Speakers - USMC Wounded Warriors	Andrew Goodrich, Sergeant, USMC Michael Martinez, Corporal, USMC Retired
12:45	National Organization on Disability	Mr Bill Lockwood, Deputy Director, Wounded Warriors Careers Demonstration Program
1:15	US Equal Opportunity Commission	Ms Joyce Walker-Jones, Senior Attorney Advisor, ADA/GINA Policy Division, Office of Legal Counsel
1:45	PTSD/TBI—Recognition and Response	Colonel Irwin Lenefsky, US Army, Warrior Transition Command Ms Lisa Stern, National Resource Directory
2:15	Break
2:30	Panel: Employers Overcoming Wounded Warrior Barriers	Mr Michael Bruni, Staffing Manager, IS&RG, SAIC Mr Mark Webber, Director of Human Resources, ELBIT Systems of America Mr Doug McClure, Civil Rights Specialist, Federal Highway Administration, California Division Office Mr Sonny Fann, US Navy Naval Air Systems Command Wounded Warrior Program
3:00	Community Action Teams	Colonel David Sutherland, US Army Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Warrior and Family Support
3:30	Closing Remarks	Colonel John Mayer, Commanding Officer, USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment
3:45	Closing	Major Brian Bilski
4:00	No Host Social	All Conference Attendees Belvoir Room (Upstairs Ballroom)

Conference Schedule February 29
Time	Title	Speaker
7:00	Doors Open - Registration Begins
8:00	Administrative Notes	Major Brian Bilski, Transition Support Officer, USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment
8:15	Opening Remarks	Colonel John Mayer, Commanding Officer, USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment
8:30	HERO-HEALTH-HIRE (H3)	Ms Michelle Deverich, Executive Director, HeroHealthHire National Vice President, Magellan Health Services
9:30	Guest Speaker	The Honorable Juan M. Garcia, III, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs
10:00	Break
10:20	Panel – Importance of Hiring WW Spouses, Family Members	Mr Albert Renteria, Mr Dave May, ARRenteria Corporation
11:00	Joining Forces Campaign	Lieutenant Colonel Rodney Lewis, White House Fellow, Joining Forces Campaign Office the First Lady
11:30	Preparation for Networking Session	Ms. Vicki Mullen, Conference Committee
12:00	Wounded Warrior Employment Covenant and Support Agreement Signing Ceremony	Brigadier General Darryl Williams, Commanding General, US Army Warrior Transition Command
12:15	Closing Remarks	Brigadier General Darryl Williams, Commanding General, US Army Warrior Transition Command
12:30	Lunch ( Covenant and Support Agreement Signing, Continued)	Ms Joyce Walker-Jones, Senior Attorney Advisor, ADA/GINA Policy Division, Office of Legal Counsel
1:30	Networking with Wounded Warriors	All conference attendees Belvoir Room (Upstairs Ballroom)
5:00	Event concludes

Career Transition Bootcamp February 28
Time	Workshop 1	Instructor	Workshop 2	Instructor
7:00	Registration	Staff	Registration	Staff
8:00	Managing Culture Shock	Secret Service	Skill Identification	Laureen DuPree
10:00	Skill Identification	Laureen DuPree	Managing Culture Shock	Secret Service
12:00	Lunch		Lunch
1:00	Advocating for Yourself During a Job Search	EEOC	Learning the R.O.P.E.S. - Rites of Passage Exit Strategy	Alberta Renteria
2:30	Learning the R.O.P.E.S. - Rites of Passage Exit Strategy	Alberta Renteria	Advocating for Yourself During a Job Search	EEOC

Career Transition Bootcamp February 29
Time	Workshop 1	Instructor	Workshop 2	Instructor
8:00	Interviewing	Kearney	Social Networking	Sue Hoppin
10:00	Social Networking	Sue Hopping	Interviewing	Kearney
12:00	Lunch/Employer Review	Laureen DuPree	Lunch/Employer Review	Laureen DuPree
1:30	Networking Session	Employers	Networking Session	Employers