In Yesterday’s Advisor, we explored some of the best ways to approach hiring veterans. Today we’ll explore the advantages of wounded warrior projects.
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Official wounded warrior programs are sponsored by each of the five military service branches. In general, each provides individualized support, assistance, and advocacy for severely wounded, ill, and injured soldiers, veterans, and their families, regardless of their military status or location, typically for as long as it takes.
Each program can connect companies with wounded servicemembers, veterans, or spouses looking for employment. As an employer working through one of the official wounded warrior programs, you designate yourself as truly committed to showing a special interest and concern for our nation’s disabled veterans.
To learn more about hiring a wounded warrior from a specific service branch, please use any, or all, of the contacts presented below. There are many of these programs across the country, and by contacting one of the official sites below, you will be directed to local contacts. Simply let a representative know that you are an employer that is looking to hire.
- Air Force: afwounded.warrior@randolph.af.mil (e-mail), 800-581-9437 (phone)
- Army: AW2careerprogram@conus.army.mil (e-mail), 800-237-1336 (phone)
- Navy: safeharbor@navy.mil (e-mail), 877-746-8563 (phone)
- Marines: wwtransition@usmc.mil (e-mail), (877) 4USMCWW (877-487-6299) (phone)
Some other official wounded warrior and veterans’ resources include:
- Soldier for Life was created by the Army to help soldiers succeed in their transition from federal service, and it includes resources for employers interested in hiring veterans.
- Hero 2 Hired (H2H) supports the White House Joint Forces Initiative to combine federal efforts to hire veterans under one Web portal. H2H employment coordinators provide quality career readiness assistance to Reserve component servicemembers preparing for their next career.
- National Resource Directory is a collaborative partnership among the Departments of Defense, Labor, and Veterans Affairs and offers vetted resources related to employment for both employers and injured servicemembers.
- Service Locator is an online resource that allows you to find workforce-related resources according to your location. Simply enter your ZIP code and click “go,” and you will receive a list of One-Stop Career Centers in your area. All One-Stop Career Centers have veterans’ representatives who work on the supply and demand side of recruitment. Ask to speak with the Local Veterans Employment Representative (LVER) or the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialist at the center nearest you.
Warrior Transition Command—Employment, Education, and Internships
Federal and civilian employers can access information about hiring wounded warriors from the Warrior Transition Command’s Employment, Education, and Internships website. Learn how warriors in transition can intern at federal agencies or how private-sector employers can gain access to severely wounded veterans who have separated from the Army and are ready to transition to the civilian workforce.