Press Conference for Veterans Hiring Initiative

RAY JEFFERSON GOOD AFTERNOON. GOOD AFTERNOON AND
WELCOME TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.
MY NAME IS RAY JEFFERSON. I SERVE AS YOUR ASSISTANT SECRETARY
FOR VETERANS TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT.
I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO
THANK AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE
MANY LEADERS AND
ORGANIZATIONS WHO HAVE MADE
TIME TO BE HERE TODAY.
VETERANS, LEADERS FROM OTHER
DEPARTMENTS IN THE ADMINISTRATION,
CONGRESSIONAL STAFF,
VETERAN'S SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS AND MANY OTHERS.
I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK
DEPUTY SECRETARY GOULD, FROM
VETERAN'S AFFAIRS, DIRECTOR
BARRY FROM OPM AND THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND
PETER NEAL FROM DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT EACH
OF YOU DO ON A DAILY BASIS TO
HELP OUR NATION'S VETERANS.
WE ARE THRILLED TO BE HOSTING
THIS PRESS CONFERENCE AND TO
HAVE YOU HERE TODAY FOR A
VERY SPECIAL PURPOSE.
THAT PURPOSE IS TO RECOGNIZE
AND HONOR THE TALENT AND
SKILLS THAT OUR VETERANS AND
TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS
POSSESS BY HIGHLIGHTING THE
NEW FEDERAL GOVERNMENT VETERANS
EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE AND THE
VETERAN'S EMPLOYMENT COUNCIL.
BEFORE WE BEGIN, I WOULD LIKE
TO SAY TO SECRETARY OF LABOR
HILDA SOLIS REGRETS SHE COULD
NOT BE HERE THIS AFTERNOON
HOWEVER, SHE IS VERY EXCITED
ABOUT HER ROLE AS THE
CO-CHAIR OF THE VETERAN'S
EMPLOYMENT COUNCIL.
THAT'S A ROLE SHE'S SHARING
WITH THE SECRETARY OF
VETERAN'S AFFAIRS, THE
HONORABLE ERIC SHINSEKI,
DIRECTOR BERRY WILL SERVE AS
THE VICE CHAIR AND AS YOU CAN
SEE, WE HAVE A GREAT
LEADERSHIP TEAM AT THE HELM
OF THIS VETERAN'S EMPLOYMENT COUNCIL.
OUR VETERANS HAVE SERVED AND
SACRIFICED MUCH SO THAT WE
CAN HAVE THE FREEDOMS AND
LIBERTIES THAT WE ENJOY EACH
AND EVERY DAY.
AS PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS
STATED IN HIS EXECUTIVE
ORDER: WHEN THEY COMPLETE
THEIR SERVICE, WE MUST DO
EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ASSIST
THEM WITH WITH REENTERING CIVILIAN
LIFE AND FINDING EMPLOYMENT
AND PROVIDING THEM WITH THE
BEST SERVICES AND PROGRAMS
THAT OUR NATION IS ABLE TO PROVIDE.
THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO
TRANSFORM THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT INTO THE MODEL
EMPLOYER FOR OUR NATION'S
VETERANS BY ESTABLISHING A
VETERAN'S EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM
OFFICE WITHIN MOST FEDERAL
AGENCIES.
THE BASIC TENANTS OF THE
PROGRAM AS IT RELATES TO THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, ARE, ONE
IT WILL ASSIST VETERANS AND
TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS
IN TRANSLATING THE MILITARY
SKILLS, TRAINING AND
EDUCATION TO FEDERAL
OCCUPATIONS THROUGH PROGRAMS
THAT ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE
HEAVY RECRUITMENT NEEDS.
IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE TRAINING
TO EMPLOYMENT AND
REHABILITATION COUNSELORS ON
THE FEDERAL HIRING PROCESS,
VETERAN'S PREFERENCES,
SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES
AND IDENTIFYING FEDERAL
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERANS.
THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IS
COMMITTED TO MEETING THESE
OBJECTIVES TO THE PROGRAMS
AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND
TRAINING SERVICE AGENCY.
IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR
PARTNERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE, AND THE DEPARTMENT
OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, OUR
TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
OR T. A. P. HELPS TO PREPARE
TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS
WHO ARE ABOUT TO EXIT THE
MILITARY BY PROVIDING THEM
WITH CAREER COUNSELING.
RESUME BUILDING, SKILLS
ASSESSMENT AND MANY OTHER
SERVICES TO ENABLE AN EASIER TRANSITION.
THIS TAP PROGRAM WILL BE
ENHANCED IN THE COMING YEAR
TO INCORPORATE WORLD CLASS
CONTENT THAT WILL MODERNIZE
THE WORKSHOP, INCREASE ITS
EFFECTIVENESS, PROVIDE MORE
ECONOMIC RELEVANCY AND BETTER
OUTCOMES FOR ITS PARTICIPANTS.
WORKING WITH OPM, WE ARE
IMPROVING THE HR PROCESS TO
ENSURE THAT HIRING
PROFESSIONALS UNDERSTAND THE
PRIORITY OF SERVICE FOR
VETERANS AND TO ENABLE HR
DEPARTMENTS TO STREAM LINE THE PROCESS.
THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, HIRING
MANAGERS WILL CONTINUE TO
REALIZE AND RESPECT THE
IMPORTANT SKILLS THAT
VETERANS POSSESS AND HOW THEY
CAN HELP MEET THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT'S HIRING NEEDS.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE SPECIFIC
GROUPS OF VETERANS THAT ARE
MORE DIFFICULT TO REACH AND
WE WILL ENSURE THAT WE DO SO.
THESE WILL REQUIRE SPECIAL
EMPHASIS, HOMELESS VETERANS,
WOMEN VETERANS AND VETERANS
WHO HAVE BEEN WOUNDED, ILL OR
INJURED AND VETERANS IN RURAL AREAS.
SERVICE MEN AND WOMAN
RETURNING FROM IRAQ,
AFGHANISTAN, AS WELL AS OTHER
VETERANS SHOULD NEVER
STRUGGLE TO FIND EMPLOYMENT.
WHEN IT COMES TO EMPLOYING
OUR NATION'S VETERANS, THIS
ADMINISTRATION BELIEVES THAT
WE MUST AND SHOULD BE THE
EXAMPLE FOR OUR NATION.
AT THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR WE
STAND READY FOR THE CHALLENGE.
WE'RE EXCITED TO DO SO,
EXCITED TO WORK WITH OUR VERY
COMMITTED PARTNERS.
IT IS NOW MY DISTINCT
PRIVILEGE AND HONOR TO
INTRODUCE A COLLEAGUE, A
FRIEND, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY
OF THE UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN'S
AFFAIRS, THE HONORABLE SCOTT GOULD.
[ APPLAUSE ]
SCOTT GOULD >> GOOD AFTERNOON, RAY, THANK
YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT KIND
INTRODUCTION FOR ALL YOU DO
TO CREATE GOOD JOBS FOR ALL
AMERICANS AND ALL THAT THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IS DOING
TO ASSIST OUR VETERANS WITH
TRAINING AND EDUCATION.
LOOK, HARDLY A DAY GOES BY
WHEN WE AMERICANS ARE NOT
REMINDED OF THE DEBT THAT WE
OWE OUR VETERANS.
THINK ABOUT IT.
THE FACES OF THE FALLEN IN
THE WASHINGTON POST, THE
IMAGES OF FT. HOOD IN TV, AND
YESTERDAY, OUR PRESIDENT
WALKING DOWN THE LONG ROW OF
HEADSTONES IN ARLINGTON
NATIONAL CEMETERY.
SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE
BEYOND OUR ABILITY TO HELP.
BUT FOR THE LIVING, WE CAN
REACH OUT TO THEM WITH
SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS
PRAGMATIC AS PRACTICAL AS A
JOB, A GOOD JOB IN GOVERNMENT.
NOW THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER
WHICH RAY JUST INTRODUCED TO
YOU IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION FOR OUR VETERANS,
BUT IT IS ALSO A GOOD THING
FOR OUR GOVERNMENT.
THINK ABOUT IT.
THESE ARE MEN AND WOMEN WHO
HAVE FOUGHT, WHO HAVE
SACRIFICED ON OUR BEHALF, BUT
THEY HAVE ALSO WORKED IN
COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTS IN
DIVERSE ENVIRONMENTS THAT
LEARN TO WORK TOGETHER AS A
TEAM, TO SET PRIORITIES TO
ACHIEVE GOALS.
WE AS A COUNT COUNTRY HAVE
INVESTED IN THEM WITH
EDUCATION AND TRAINING AND
EXPERIENCES OF A LIFETIME.
THEY'RE HARD WON EXPERIENCE
IS AN ASSET WE CAN NOW BRING
INTO GOVERNMENT.
WE AT VA WANT TO COMPETE FOR
OUR FAIR SHARE OF THAT
VETERAN TALENT POOL.
AND WE THINK THAT THEY
PROVIDE A VALUABLE INSIGHT
NOT ONLY INTO WHAT IT'S LIKE
TO WALK A MILE IN A VETERAN'S
SHOES WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE ALL
ABOUT, BUT ALSO TO
PARTICIPATE IN OUR
TRANSFORMATION AS AN AGENCY
TO A ROLE WHERE WE ARE STRONG
ADVOCATE FOR OUR VETERAN'S
RETURNING HOME.
SO ACROSS GOVERNMENT WE
INTEND TO DO THREE THINGS.
NUMBER ONE, HELP VETERANS
BECOME AWARE OF THESE GREAT
JOBS IN GOVERNMENT.
NUMBER TWO, HELP THEM
TRANSLATE THEIR MILITARY
SKILLS INTO THE PUBLIC SECTOR ENVIRONMENT.
THAT'S A JOB.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN
AVIATION ORDINANCE DISPOSAL
GOVERNMENT AND WHERE DO YOU
DO THAT IN THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT AND ACTUALLY THERE
ARE PLACES WHERE CAN YOU DO
THAT AND WE WANT TO SHOW THEM HOW.
AND FINALLY, ONCE THEY ARE
PART OF OUR TEAM TO HELP THEM
ADJUST SUCCESSFULLY TO THAT
NEW ENVIRONMENT.
SO ON BEHALF OF SECRETARY
SHINSEKI, I WOULD LIKE TO
THANK ALL OF OUR COLLEAGUES
IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHO
WILL JOIN IN THIS EFFORT BUT
ESPECIALLY OUR DIRECTOR OF
JOHN BERRY, AND SECRETARY
SOLIS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR AS WE STEP FORWARD TO
BRING ON A NEW GENERATION OF
VETERANS INTO PUBLIC SERVICE,
NOW IT'S MY PLEASURE TO
INTRODUCE JOHN BERRY WHO IS
THE DIRECT OFFER OF OPM TO
TELL MORE ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE.
LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT JOHN
BEFORE HE COMES UP HERE, HE
AND I WORK TOGETHER AT
TREASURY AND TAKE IT FROM ME,
THIS COUNTRY COULD NOT HAVE A
MORE POWERFUL, POSITIVE AND
RESPECTFUL ADVOCATE FOR OUR CIVIL SERVICE.
HE IS A GUY WHO STICKS TO HIS
MISSION UNTIL IT IS DONE AND
I WOULD THEREFORE PREDICT
THAT AT THE END OF THIS
PROCESS, WE'LL HAVE A LOT
MORE VETERANS WORKING IN GOVERNMENT.
JOHN?
[ APPLAUSE ]
JOHN BERRY >> SCOTT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH
FOR THOSE WARM REMARKS.
I'M VERY MUCH IN YOUR DEBT.
I AM VERY HONORED TO BE HERE
TODAY WHEN THE PRESIDENT
ASKED ME TO TAKE ON THIS
RESPONSIBILITY, HE ASKED ME
TO DO A COUPLE OF THINGS, BUT
THE FIRST THING HE ASKED ME
TO DO WAS, JOHN, DO RIGHT BY
OUR VETERANS.
AND I WENT RIGHT TO WORK AT THAT.
I COME TO THIS WITH A DEGREE
OF PASSION.
MY FATHER SERVED AT
GUADALCANAL AND SURVIVED WITH
THE FIRST MARINE DIVISION THERE.
MY UNCLE FOR WHOM I AM NAMED
WAS SHOT DOWN IN BATTLE IN
THE PACIFIC AS A MARINE
FIGHTER PILOT.
I UNDERSTAND AND WAS RAISED
TO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE
AND KNOW PERSONALLY THE
IMPORTANCE OF OUR VETERANS TO
PRESERVING OUR WAY OF LIFE,
OUR LIBERTIES AND OUR FREEDOMS.
AMERICA'S VETS ARE VALUED,
THEY ARE EXPERIENCED AND THEY
ARE TRAINED.
AND IT WOULD BE FOOLISH OF US
NOT TO GIVE THEM EVERY
OPPORTUNITY TO EXERCISE THEIR
SKILLS, AND THEIR DESIRES IN
CONTINUING TO SERVE THEIR
COUNTRY THROUGH THE
GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE CIVIL
SERVICE WHEN THEY RETURN AND
DECIDE TO STEP DOWN FROM THE
MILITARY SERVICE.
AND SO, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE
THAT THEY KNOW THEY ARE
WELCOME AND WE WILL HAVE A
JOB FOR THEM.
WE WILL FIND ONE THAT MATCHES
THEIR SKILLS, THEIR PASSIONS,
AND THEIR INTERESTS AND THEIR ABILITIES.
AND WE AREN'T JUST GOING TO
GIVE THEM FIVE POINTS AND 10
POINTS LIKE WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST.
WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE WE
ACTUALLY MARRY THE INTEREST
AND ABILITY WITH THE POSITION
AND THEN AS SCOTT MENTIONED,
MENTOR THEM AS THEY MAKE THAT
TRANSITION FROM MILITARY
CULTURE TO CIVILIAN CULTURE
BECAUSE QUITE FRANKLY IT'S A
DIFFERENT CULTURE.
I WAS LAUGHING WITH GAIL
BEFORE HAND IN HOW ORGANIZED
MEETINGS ARE WHEN I GO TO THE
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT.
BOY, THEY START ON TIME.
AT OPM, I'M RUNNING DOWN THE
HALL SAYING, COME ON, MEETING STARTING?
MEETING STARTING [LAUGHTER]
SO IT IS A DIFFERENT CULTURE.
PEOPLE HAVE TO ADAPT AND WE
NEED TO HELP THEM SO WE NEED
TO PROVIDE MENTORSHIP NOT
ONLY IN THE AGENCY BUT
OUTSIDE THE AGENCY SO THAT
THERE WILL BE MANY POINTS TO
SURROUND THEM ONCE THEY GET
THAT JOB TO MAKE SURE THEY
SUCCEED IN THAT JOB.
NOW, NO EFFORT LIKE THIS
HAPPENS ALONE.
AND ONE OF THE HALLMARKS OF
THIS ADMINISTRATION AND OF
THIS PRESIDENT AND QUITE
FRANKLY IT STARTS AT THE TOP,
IS THE SPIRIT OF
COLLABORATION.
THIS PROGRAM IS A PERFECT
EXAMPLE OF THAT.
FOUR MONTHS AGO IN SHEPHERD'S
TOWN, THE AGENCIES THAT YOU
ARE HEARING FROM TODAY IN
ADDITION, I WOULD ADD
COMMERCE, THE TREASURY
DEPARTMENT, HOMELAND SECURITY
AND TRANSPORTATION, ALONG
WITH MATT FLAVIN FROM THE
WHITE HOUSE, ALL CAME
TOGETHER IN SHEPHERD'S TOWN
TO ASK HOW DO WE DO THIS?
WHAT'S MISSING?
AND HOW DO WE SHAPE THIS SO
THAT IT WILL WORK AND MAKE A
DIFFERENCE FOR AMERICA'S VETS.
I WANT TO ESPECIALLY THANK
SECRETARY SHINSEKI, AND
SECRETARY SOLIS FOR AGREEING
TO CHAIR THIS COUNCIL WITH
THEIR MUSCLE, LEADERSHIP AND
VISION, THIS PROGRAM WILL BE A SUCCESS.
IT HAS A VERY SIMPLE METRIC,RIC,
THIS WEEK OPM WILL RELEASE
AGENCY BY AGENCY HOW MANY
VETS ARE HIRED IN CIVILIAN
JOB NEGLIGENCE THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA.
THAT'S--JOBS IN THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA.
AND OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE EVERY
ONE OF THOSE NUMBERS INCREASE
SO THAT THOSE PERCENTAGES GO
UP AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE
GOING TO BE ABOUT.
SO THE DASH BOARD FOR SUCCESS
ON THIS PROGRAM IS PRETTY
STRAIGHT FORWARD.
AND A YEAR FROM NOW WE'LL
KNOW EXACTLY WHERE WE STAND
AND WITH LEADERS ON THE
COUNCIL LIKE SECRETARY SHINSEKI
AND SECRETARY SOLIS AND EVERY
OTHER MAJOR LEVEL CABINET
MEMBER, THOSE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP.
NOW, FINALLY, I WOULD LIKE TO
THANK AND ACTUALLY CALL OUT
SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE
BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR OVER
FOUR AND HALF MONTHS TO
CREATE THIS OPPORTUNITY WHICH
WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE TODAY.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF
DEFENSE, NOAH KOCH, DEPUTY
SECRETARY AND RON HORN DEPUTY
DIRECTOR WERE TWO OF THE
GREAT LEADERS AT THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IT
COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED
WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF
JOHN MC WILLIAM AND DEPUTY
PARKER, DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND
DEPUTY SECRETARY.
FROM THE WHITE HOUSE MATT
FLAVIN, HE WAS THERE EVERY
STEP OF THE WAY AND AT THE BEGINNING.
HERE AT VETERAN'S AFFAIRS
SECRETARY JOHN SEPULVEDA,
STAYED FOR THE FIRST MEETING,
ROLLED HIS SLEEVES UP AND
INVOLVED AS A GIANT EVER SINCE.
JOHN, GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU.
VICKI--[ APPLAUSE ]
--VICKI BROOKS, MARGARET AND
DENNIS MAY ALL WITH VETERANS AFFAIRS.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I'VE
HAD THREE PEOPLE AT OPM WHO
HAVE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND ON THIS.
MY DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF,
JENNIFER MASON.
JENNIFER, WHERE ARE YOU?
RAISE YOUR HAND.
JENNIFER?
[ APPLAUSE ]
JENNIFER'S BEEN THE GLUE AND
THE SPIRIT THAT BROUGHT THIS
TEAM TOGETHER AND PRODUCED
THE FRUIT THAT WE'RE
CELEBRATING TODAY AND ALONG
WITH HER ARE TWO CAREER CIVIL
SERVANTS ONE AN HONORED
DECORATED VET, 30% DISABLED,
HAKIM AND JOE, OUR SENIOR
EXECUTIVE SERVICE AND I'M
PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE TODAY,
JOE BECAUSE HE'S DONE SUCH A
GREAT JOB OF SHAPING IN THE
EXECUTIVE ORDER DIRECTS ME TO
DESIGNATE BOTH AN EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR TO THE COUNCIL, AND
A LEADER FOR THE OFFICE
WITHIN THE OFFICE OF
PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, JOE
KENNEDY IS A SENIOR EXECUTIVE.
HE'S AN OUTSTANDING LEADER
WHO'S PROVEN HIS ABILITIES ON
THIS PROJECT AND EYE AM
DESIGNATING JOE TODAY IN BOTH
OF THOSE CAPACITIES SO JOE,
HATS OFF TO YOU.
[ APPLAUSE ]
WITH THAT IS IT IS MY HONOR
TO INTRODUCE THE PERSON WHO
IS PERFORMING THE DUTIES OF
THE UNDERSECRETARY OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE GAIL MCGINN.
GAIL, COME ON UP.
THANK YOU.
[ APPLAUSE ]
GAIL MCGINN >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I SEE SOME FRIENDS IN THE AUDIENCE.
I WANT TO THANK THE
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, AND
SECRETARY SOLIS FOR HOSTING
THIS EVENT THIS AFTERNOON.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR
HAVING US OVER ON THERE
IMPORTANT OCCASION.
THE EXECUTIVE ORDER WHICH
ESTABLISHES AN INNER AGENCYY
COUNCIL AND I WILL OUTLINES
SPECIFIC STEPS TO PROMOTE
OUTLINE OF VETERANS IN THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL HELP
US ALL THE MAKE GREAT STRIDES
IN THAT IMPORTANT ENDEAVOR.
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
ARGUABLY HAS THE BEST
TRAINED, BEST EQUIPPED AND
BEST-LED MILITARY FORCE THE
WORLD HAS EVER SEEN.
THIS VETERAN'S EMPLOYMENT
INITIATIVE WILL SHOWCASE THE
LEADERSHIP AND TECHNICAL
SKILLS OUR MILITARY MEMBERS
HAVE TO OFFER AND BRING BACK
THAT WONDERFUL TALENT INTO
OUR CIVILIAN WORKFORCE.
D.O.D. VALUES THE EXPERTISE
OF OUR SERVICE MEMBERS AND IS
COMMITTED TO PROVIDING
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO
THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED
HONORABLY ON BEHALF OF OUR
GREAT NATION.
I'M PRUDE TO SAY--PROUD TO
SAY AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT THAT
THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IS
THE LARGEST EMPLOYER OF
VETERANS.
DOD CURRENTLY HAS 342,000
VETERANS OR 45% OF OUR
CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES WORKING
FOR THE DEPARTMENT.
I WORK SIDE BY SIDE WITH
VETERANS EVERY DAY AND THE
SKILLS, THE THINGS THEY HAVE
LEARNED IN THEIR MILITARY
SERVICE SERVE THEM VERY,
VERY, WELL WORKING WITHIN THE
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND
THEY'RE EXCELLENT PARTNERS IN
ALL OF OUR ENDEAVORS.
WE SUPPORT OUR COMMITMENT TO
HIRING VETS THROUGH TWO WEB
SITES THAT PROVIDE A WEALTHTH
OF INFORMATION FOR VETERAN
WHO IS WANT TO WORK FOR THE
DEPARTMENT.
WE ALSO HAVE A TOLL FREE
NUMBER WHERE THEY CAN TALK TO
CAREER ADVISERS AS WELL AS
ONLINE LIVE CHAT SESSIONS ON
TUESDAYS AND--SESSIONS ON
TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS SO
THEY CAN GET INFORMATION AND
TALK TO OTHERS.
OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR
VETERANS STARTS WELL BEFORE
THEY LEAVE OUR MILITARY
SERVICE.
OUR TRANSITION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP
SEPARATING AND RETIRING
SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR
FAMILIES MAKE A SMOOTH
TRANSITION FROM THE MILITARY
CAREER TO THE CIVILIAN
SECTOR.
WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF OUR
PARTNERS AT THE DEPARTMENTS
OF LABOR AND VETERANS
AFFAIRS, WE OFFER A VARIETY
OF TRANSITION SERVICES.
SOME OF YOU, YOU HEARD ABOUT
ALREADY.
WE CONDUCT PREPARATION
COUNSELING FOR SERVICE
MEMBERS 12 TO 24 MONTHS
BEFORE SEPARATION.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOPS PROVIDE
INFORMATION ON RESUME
WRITINGS, SKILL ASSESSMENT
AND HELP WITH THE INTERVIEW,
THE PROCESS, AND JOB SEARCH
TECHNIQUES.
AND AGAIN, THAT SKILLS
ASSESSMENT IS VERY IMPORTANT.
HOW DO YOU TRANSLATE YOUR
MILITARY CAPABILITY INTO
WORDS THAT WILL HELP YOU GET
A JOB IN THE CIVILIAN SECTOR?
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
AFFAIRS BRIEFINGS, THAT
SEPARATING AND RETIRING
SERVICE MEMBERS ABOUT
VA BENEFITS, THE GI BILL AND
WHERE TO GO ONCE THEY RETURN
HOME FOR ASSISTANCE. AND
THERE'S A DISABLED TRANSITION
ACCEPTANCE PROGRAM THAT GIVES
INFORMATION ON VOCATIONAL
REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT
SERVICES TO VETERANS WITH
SERVICE CONNECTED
DISABILITIES.
WE ALSO PROVIDE SPECIAL HELP
TO OUR WOUNDED, ILL AND
INJURED SERVICE MEMBERS WHOSE
CAREERS HAVE BEEN CUT SHORT
DUE TO THE INJURIES RECEIVED
IN IRAQ OR AFGHANISTAN,
THROUGH HIRING HEROES CAREER
FAIRS.
SINCE 2005, WE'VE RUN 31 OF
THESE EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE
UNITED STATES.
THE HIRING HEROES CAREER
FAIRS BRING D.O.D. AGENCIES
OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE
AGENCIES AND EVEN PRIVATE
SECTOR CORPORATIONS TOGETHER
TO MARKET AND OFFER CAREER
OPPORTUNITIES TO THE WOUNDED
WARRIORS AND THEIR SPOUSES
AND FAMILY MEMBERS.
MAIN CAREGIVERS AND OTHER
VETERANS.
APPROXIMATELY 75 DIFFERENT
AGENCIES AND COMPANIES AND
OVER 4000 JOB SEEKERS ATTEND
EACH EVENT.
THE LARGEST EVENT CONDUCTED
AT WALTER REID IN June 2009 2009
HAD MORE THAN 570 JOB SEEKERS
IN ATTENDANCE.
THESE CAREER FAIRS GIVE OUR
SERVICE MEMBERS MANY OF WHOM
ARE IN THE RECOVERY PERIOD,
THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT WITH
POTENTIAL EMPLOYERS, GET ON
THE SPOT INTERVIEWS AND OFTEN
JOB OFFERS.
SERVICE MEMBERS REPORT THAT
THE CAREER FAIRS ARE BOTH
THERAPEUTIC FOR THOSE IN THE
PROCESS OF RECOVERING AND
HELPFUL IN THE PROCESS OF
TRANSITIONING.
THEY PROVIDE THE SERVICE
MEMBERS WITH HOPE FOR THE
FUTURE AFTER THEY FINISH
THEIR MILITARY SERVICE.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, THEY REPORT
THE EVENTS, PROVIDE THEM
ACCESS TO INTERNAL NETWORKS
WITHIN COMPONENTS AND
COMPANIES, INSTEAD OF JUST A
WEB SITE TO VISIT.
AT D.O.D., WE ARE EXTREMELY
PROUD OF OUR SERVICE MEMBERS,
AND FULLY AWARE OF THE VALUES
THAT THEY BRING TO THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
BUT THAT'S D.O.D.
THIS INNER AGENCY PROCESS
THAT HAS BEEN LAUNCHED BY THE
EXECUTIVE ORDER, WILL CLEAR A
PATHWAY FOR MORE FEDERAL JOBS
FOR OUR SERVICE MEMBERS AND
WILL ALLOW THEM TO LOOK
THROUGHOUT THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT TO FIND THE RIGHT
FIT AND THE BEST FEDERAL JOB
FOR THEM.
AND I'M VERY, VERY, HOPE
EMPLOY -- -- HOPEFUL THAT THE
NUMBERS WE HAVE IN D.O.D., WE
WILL SOON SEE IN OUR OTHER
FEDERAL AGENCIES AS WELL.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO ACTIVELY
RECRUIT AND HIRE OUR NATION'S
VETERANS, AND WE'RE PROUD TO
BE A PART OF THIS GREAT
VETERAN'S EMPLOYMENT
INITIATIVE.
WITH THAT, IT'S MY PLEASURE
TO INTRODUCE MR. JEFF NEAL,
THE CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL
OFFICER AT THE DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY.
[ APPLAUSE ]
JEFF NEAL >> THANK YOU, GAIL.
I'M HERE THIS AFTERNOON ON
BEHALF OF SECRETARY
NAPOLITANO AND THE HIGHEST
RANKING VETERAN IN THE
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY AND DEPUTY SECRETARY
JANE LUKE BOTH WHO SEND
REGRETS THEY COULD NOT BE
HERE THIS AFTERNOON.
THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY HAS A CRITICAL
MISSION, SECURING THE HOME
LAND AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT
WHAT IT TAKES TO SECURE THE
HOME LAND IT TAKES PEOPLE WHOO
ARE DEDICATED.
IT TAKES PEOPLE WHO ARE
WILLING TO WORK LONG HOURS,
WORK IN UNCOMFORTABLE,
UNSAFE, DANGEROUS CONDITIONS,
WILLING TO DO WHATEVER IT
REALLY TAKES TO GET THE JOB
DONE AND TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT
WE ACCOMPLISH THE MISSION.
SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL THOSE
THINGS THAT WE NEED TO SECURE
THE HOME LAND, WHAT ARE SOME
OF THE WAYS YOU COULD DEFINE
THE KINDS OF QUALIFICATIONS
AND CHARACTERISTICS WE'RE
LOOKING AT.
THERE'S REALLY EASY WAYS TO
DEFINE THEM.
SOLDIERS, SAILOR, AIRMEN,
MARINE, COASTS GUARDS MEN.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE FOLKS,
ACTIVE DUTY GARDEN RESERVE,
THEY HAVE ALL THE TYPES OF
QUALIFICATIONS THAT WE'RE
LOOKING FOR IN DHS, AND THEY
HAVE PROVEN TIME AND TIME
AGAIN WHEN THEIR COUNTRY'S
CALLED ON THEM THAT THEY'RE
READY TO RESPOND.
SO AS A RESULT OF THAT WE SEE
VETERANS AS AN ENORMOUSLY
HELPFUL HIRING SOURCE FOR
DHS.
THESE ARE FOLKS THAT WE WANT
TO HIRE, WE'VE ALREADY HIRED
A LOT OF VETERANS IN DHS, 25%T OF VETERANS IN DHS, 25%
OF OUR WORK FORCE ARE
VETERANS TODAY AND SECRETARY
NAPOLITANO HAS SET A GOAL OF
HAVING 50,000 VETERANS
EMPLOYED IN DHS BY 2012.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO SET A
NUMBER BECAUSE WE WANT TO
SHOW RESULTS, WE DON'T WANT
TO TALK ABOUT ACTIVITIES.
WE WANT TO SHOW RESULTS.
WE WANT TO SHOW THE VETERANS
OF AMERICA THAT DHS IS ONE OF
THE PLACES WHERE YOU ARE.
WELCOME WHERE YOUR VALUED,
WHERE YOU CAN BUILD SECOND
CAREER AND CONTINUE YOUR
SERVICE TO AMERICA SO WE'RE
COMMITTED TO THAT NUMBER AND
WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN
OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS
TO ACHIEVE THEM.
THANK YOU.
[ APPLAUSE ]
RAY JEFFERSON >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
THANK YOU FOR COMING TO THIS
PRESS CONFERENCE, THIS IS AN
OUTSTANDING INITIATIVE, IT'S
GOING TO TOUCH MANY VETERAN'S
LIVES.
IT'S GOING TO HELP MANY
TRANSITIONING SERVICE
MEMBERS.
IT WILL HELP THEM GAIN
MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT AND
CAREERS AND FOR US IN THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, TO HAVE
THE BENEFIT OF THEIR TALENT
AND THEIR SKILLS.
WE'RE THRILLED ABOUT THE
PARTNERSHIP, AND THERE IS
MUCH MORE TO COME.
AT THIS TIME, WE WELCOME YOUR
QUESTIONS.
JOHN BERRY >> ALL RIGHT, GREAT.
LET'S SHOOT FIRST HERE.
AUDIENCE MEMBER >> [INDISCERNIBLE]--WHAT'S
THE PERCENTAGE AND NUMBER OF
VETERANS CURRENTLY WORKING
THROUGHOUT THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT?
JOHN BERRY >> AS OF 2008, THERE WERE
480,000 VETS WORKING IN THE
CIVIL SERVICE OF THE UNITED
STATES, THAT'S OUT OF 1.9
MILLION MEMBERS.
SO, I'M GOING TO LET SOMEBODY
ELSE DO THE PERCENTAGE
CALCULATION FOR YOU THERE.
BUT THAT'S THE EXACT NUMBER.
AUDIENCE MEMBER >> [INDISCERNIBLE]
JOHN BERRY >> 2008.
JOHN BERRY >> YES, SIR.
AUDIENCE MEMBER >> YES, PAUL WITH CNN,
QUESTION FOR YOU SINCE YOU
BROUGHT IT UP, WHAT
DISTINGUISHES VETERANS IN THE
OLD SYSTEM BEYOND THE FIVE OR
10 POINTS IN HIRING
PREFERENCE AS YOU MENTIONED
AND WHY IS THAT A PROBLEM?
DO YOU NEED TO DISTINGUISH
THEM MORE FIRMLY IN THE
ENVIRONMENT OR WHAT DO YOU
NEED WITH THE EXTRA KICK?
JOHN BERRY >> CLEARLY THERE IS NO
PROBLEM WITH THE FIVE AND 10
POINT SYSTEM THIS, IS AN
ATTEMPT TO BE MORE PROACTIVE.
WHAT THE PAST SYSTEM WAS
HERE'S YOUR FIVE POINTS OR 10
POINTS, GOOD LUCK, THAT WAS
QUITE FRANKLY IN MY OPINION,
NOT ENOUGH.
THAT WAS THE DE MINIMUS ANDMINIMUS AND
WHAT WE SAID ABOUT AND I
CHALLENGED THIS GROUP AND
THIS TEAM THAT CAME TOGETHER
ON THIS TO DRAFT THIS PROGRAM
WAS HOW CAN WE DO MORE?
HOW CAN WE ACTUALLY HELP,
LISTEN TO THE VET AND
IDENTIFY WHAT IS YOUR
INTEREST?
WHAT IS THE SKILL THAT YOU
FEEL THAT HAVE YOU THAT MAKES
YOU UNIQUE?
AND WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF
FIVE, 10 YEARS FROM NOW?
SO TO ACTUALLY TAKE ALMOST A
HEAD HUNTING ROLE IN THIS
CAPACITY, AND NOT LEAVE THE
VET ON THEIR OWN WITH THE
FIVE AND 10 POINTS, CLEARLY
THEY HAVE THE FIVE AND 10
POINTS IN THIS PROCESS, AND
THERE'S NOTHING IN THIS
EFFORT TO UNDERMINE THAT AT
ALL.
IT'S AN ATTEMPT TO BUILD ON
THAT AND ACTUALLY, IF YOU
WILL, DIRECT THEM THROUGH THE
AGENCIES, ONCE WE KNOW WHERE
THEIR SKILLS ARE TO ENGAGE
THEM AS D.O.D. DOES NOW,
BEFORE THEY'VE MADE THE
DECISION TO LEAVE THIS
SERVICE.
SO WE CAN SHORTEN THE TIME
PERIOD OF A GAP BETWEEN THE
SERVICE AND WHEN THEY MIGHT
ACTUALLY GET INTO A JOB, BUT
THEN TO DO THE MARRIAGE OF
THE ABILITY AND THEN BUILD
THAT MENTORSHIP ROLE THAT
SCOTT WAS DESCRIBING AROUND
THEM.
SO ALL OF THE EXISTS PROGRAMS
THAT ARE IN PLACE, WILL
REMAIN IN PLACE, WHAT WE'RE
GOING TO TRY TO DO IS UNITE
THEM MORE EFFECTIVELY.
IN EACH CIVILIAN AGENCY, THEY
WILL FOR THE FIRST TIME BE A
FULL-TIME VETERAN'S HIRING
OFFICIAL.
NOT A COLLATERAL DUTY
POSITION AND THERE WILL BE A
SEBTERAL OPERATION AND AN
OFFICE OF VETERAN'S AFFAIRS
IN THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT.
TOGETHER THEY'RE GOING TO
CREATE THAT NETWORK, IF YOU
WILL.
SORT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
FOR THIS OPERATION.
THEY'RE GOING TO KNOW ONE
ANOTHER AND WHEN THEY FIND A
VET IN THIS OPERATION WHO
SAYS, I'M INTERESTED IN THIS
JOB, THROUGH THAT NETWORK,
THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO
IDENTIFY A SERIOUS OF JOBS
THAT ARE INSTANTLY AVAILABLE
THAT HOPEFULLY WE CAN MARRY
THAT PERSON RIGHT INTO.
AUDIENCE MEMBER >> CAN YOU KIND OF ADDRESS
THE CURRENT ECONOMIC STATE OF
AFFAIRS WITH UNEMPLOY AM
BEING SO HIGH, IT'S A TOUGHER
POOL TO COMPETE IT, HAS YOUR
PROGRAM COME INTO PLAY?
JOHN BERRY >> ABSOLUTELY, THE PAPER
DESCRIBES THE NUMBERS AMONG
THOSE RETURN PROGRESS IRAQ.
THEY HAVE THE HIGHEST
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE EVER OF ANY
VETERAN'S GROUP AND COMMUNITY
THAT WE'RE FACING RIGHT NOW.
IT IS NO SURPRISE WITH THE
ECONOMIC SITUATION BEING WHAT
IT IS.
WE NEED TO GO ABOVE AND
BEYOND, NOT ONLY FOR THEM,
BUT FOR ALL VETS, BUT
CLEARLY, THIS PROGRAM IS
GOING TO BEGIN AND START WITH
THE HEAVY EMPHASIS AND FOCUS
ON THOSE FOLKS RETURNING
RIGHT NOW INTO THIS
ENVIRONMENT, BUT IN NO
ATTEMPT IS AN ATTEMPT TO
EXCLUDE ANYONE, IT'S GOING TO
BEGIN WITH THAT FOCUS.
YES?
AUDIENCE MEMBER >> DR. BERRY, MELISSA WITH
ORP PUBLICATIONS.
I'M WONDER WHAT'S GOING TO BE
THE ENFORCEMENT BEHIND IT?
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES IF
THE NUMBERS DON'T GO UP?
AND IS THERE A SPECIFIC
NUMBER THAT YOU WANT
GOVERNMENT WIDE TO SEE?
JOHN BERRY >> ONE OF THE THINGS FIRST,
FIRST WE'VE SET NO QUOTA.
ONE OF THE STRONGEST
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORK
GROUP THAT MET IN SHEPHERD
HERD'S TOWN IS WE NEED TO
ELEVATE THE ACCOUNTABILITY TO
THIS PROCESS.
HAVING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER
ISSUED IS WHAT THEY
RECOMMENDED AND TO ACCOMPLISH
THAT ELEVATION.
SECOND, IS TO MAKE A CLEAR
ACCOUNTABILITY IS THE COUNCIL
THAT SECRETARY SHINSEKI ANDINSEKI AND
SECRETARY SOLIS ARE GOING TO
CHAIR HAS TO REPORT TO THE
PRESIDENT EACH YEAR ON EACH
OF THE NUMBERS THAT HAVE THE
PERCENTAGE HIRING OF VETS IN
EACH AGENCY.
NOW, I DON'T--I DON'T WANT TO
SPEAK FOR EVERYBODY ELSE BUT
WHEN MY NUMBERS ARE GOING TO
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES, TRUST ME THEY'RE
GETTING ATTENTION AND I'M
DISCUSSING THEM ON A WEEKLY
BASES AT OUR STAFF MEETS AND
WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN
TO MAKE SURE THOSE ARE IN A
POSITIVE DIRECTION.
SO IT IS OUR BELIEF THAT
HAVING THIS BE AN EXECUTIVE
ORDER AND THE STRONG
ACCOUNTABILITY OF ANNUAL
REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT WITH
A VERY SIMPLE METRIC, WE KNOW
WHERE WE STARTED, ARE MORE
VETS GETTING HIRED?
THIS PROGRAM IS ABOUT HIRING
VETS.
PLAIN AND SIMPLE AND WE WANT
MORE OF THEM HIRED IN OUR
CIVIL SERVICE.
NOT ONLY OUR DEFENSE
DEPARTMENT AND VETERANS
ADMINISTRATION WHICH HAS
ALREADY DONE A GREAT JOB BUT
IN ALL OF OUR DOMESTIC
AGENCIES AND WE'RE SO HONOR
THAD JANET NAPOLITANO AND THEHE
FOLKS AT DHS HAVE DONE,
THEY'VE PUT IT OUT THERE,
THEY'VE PUT A STRETCH GOAL
OUT THERE.
THAT WILL GO ON IN EACH AND
EVERY AGENCY.
SO I THINK IT'S THE MARRIAGE
OF THE PRESIDENT, AND THE
ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE ANNUAL
REPORT THAT ARE GOING TO
DELIVER SOLID RESULTS ON
THIS.
SCOTT GOULD >> I WOULD ADD ONE MORE THING
TO, TO COMPLEMENT JOHN'S
REMARK THERE, FOCUS IS THE
CURRENCY OF LEADERSHIP WHEN
HAVE YOU THE PRESIDENT AND
THESE LEADERS FOCUSED ON
GETTING RESULT ITS WILL
HAPPEN BUT I STARTED MY
REMARKS BY SAYING THERE'S A
CALL TO CONSCIENCE HERE.
THIS IS ABOUT HONORING THOSE
WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY
SO THERE'S AN EXTRA MEASURE
IN MY VIEW FORITOUS RESPOND
AS A GOVERNMENT IN A
COORDINATED FASHION AND
DELIVER.
JOHN BERRY >> MACK?
AUDIENCE MEMBER >> MR. BERRY, I'M WITH
FEDERAL NEWS RADIO.
WOULD IT BE FAIR TO SAY THAT
THE TIME LINE FOR THE REPORTS
THAT'S GOING TO GO TO THE
PRESIDENT WOULD BE
APPROXIMATELY A YEAR FROM
NOW?
WHAT IS THE COUNCIL SET AS
ITS GOAL FOR THAT REPORT?
AND ALSO I WAS WONDERING IF
YOU COULD ADDRESS THIS
COUNCIL AND THIS EFFORT IN
THE BROADER PICTURE OF THE
REPOM OF THE HIRING PROCESS
THAT YOU SET AS A GOAL THAT
THE HILL HAS SET AS A GOAL IN
TRYING TO REVAMP HOW--YOU
KNOW HOW PEOPLE GET JOBS IN
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?
JOHN BERRY >> THE ANSWER TO THE FIRST
QUESTION IS, MAX, ANNUALLY OPM
DURING THIS WEEK PRODUCES
THIS BASELINE REPORT THAT
TELLS YOU EXACTLY HOW MANY
VETS IN EACH AGENCY AND
WHAT'S THE PERCENTAGE OF
HIRING AND THAT WILL BE
ISSUED THIS WEEK JUST AS WE
HAVE EVER YEAR BEFORE.
WE WILL USE THAT AS THE
BASELINE, SO, YOU KNOW I
THINK IT'S A GREAT FOCAL
POINT WHILE THE NATION IS
FOCUSED ON VETERAN'S DAY TO
CONTINUE FORWARD AND IT WOULD
BE MY ADVICE CLEARLY, THE
OBVIOUSLY THE COUNCIL HAS TO
DEFINE THAT YOU ABOUT IT
WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION
THAT WE CONTINUE FORWARD, USE
THIS WEEK, VETERAN'S DAY AS
OUR BASELINE AND WE'LL BE
STANDING HERE NEXT YEAR AND
YOU ALL WILL BE ABLE TO
HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO OPEN
CHAMPAGNE BOTTLES WITH US,
THAT'S THE GOAL.
AND IF NOT, WE'LL BE HERE TO
TAKE OUR KNOCKS BUT WE'LL BE
HERE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
THE SECOND ONE MAX IS YES
WE'RE AT HARD AT WORK AT THE
HIRING REFORM AT HIRING AND
RECRUITMENT AND THAT PROCESS
IS COMING ON SMARTLY.
IT IS AGAIN IS A MULTIAGENCY
EFFORT.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF VERY
BRIGHT PEOPLE HELPING US
WORK ON THIS FROM ACROSS THE
GOVERNMENT AND WE'RE IN
DISCUSSIONS ALREADY WITH THE
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND
BUDGET AND THE CHIEF HUMAN
CAPITOL OFFICER'S COUNCIL
WE'LL BE BEGINNING DISKOWNSSWNSS
WITH LABOR ORGANIZATIONS
ABOUT THAT IN THE NEAR
FUTURE.
IT IS GOING TO MAKE
EVERYBODY'S LIFE EASIER.
IN TERMS OF APPROACHING AND
APPLYING FOR FEDERAL WORK.
BUT, YOU KNOW, THIS EFFORT,
WE THOUGHT WE WANTED, THIS IS
A STAND ALONE EFFORT AND IT
IS REALLY GOING TO OVERARCH
ANY OTHER EFFORT THAT WE
FOLLOW IN ITS HEELS THAT THE
GOAL IS AGAIN MAKING SURE
WE'RE DOING RIGHT AS THE
PRESIDENT COMMANDED BY OUR
VETS.
JOHN BERRY >> YES, SIR.
AUDIENCE MEMBER >> I'M WITH STUDENT VETS OF
AMERICA VETERANS COMEOUTH OF
THE SERVICE AND USING THE
[INDISCERNIBLE] WHAT EFFORTS
ARE MADE TO RECRUIT THOSE
VETERANS FROM THE
UNIVERSITIES AFTER THAT FOUR
OR FIVE YEAR GAP?
SO AFTER THEY
[INDISCERNIBLE].
JOHN BERRY >> ABSOLUTELY.
I CAN'T GO INTO TOO MANY OF
THE DETAILS BECAUSE THEY'RE
STILL BEING WORKED BUT PART
OF THAT HIRING AND
RECRUITMENT EFFORTS IS
SPECIFICALLY REFORMING OUR
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS.
AND SO THAT WE WILL BE VERY
SENSITIVE MAKING SURE THAT
KNOWING THAT THE GI BILL'S
GOING TO BE--THAT WILL BE AN
ADDITIONAL ENTRY POINT FOR
VETERANS, IT'S ALMOST ANOTHER
TOOL IN THE TOOL KIT TO ALLOW
VETERANS TO GET INTO CIVIL
SERVICE JOBS, BUT WE'RE NOT
GOING TO RELY ON THAT ALONE
AND THAT'S WHAT THIS
PROGRAM'S ABOUT IS TO GET IN
PLACE RIGHT NOW BEFORE WE CAN
EVEN WAIT AHEAD FOR THE
STUDENT PROGRAMS THAT WILL BE
IN ADDITION TO AND BEYOND.
>> YEAH, SCOTT?
SCOTT GOULD >> NATHANIAL THANK YOU FOR
THAT QUESTION AND LOOK WE
TRIED TO MAKE THE CASE THAT
IS ABOUT DOING THE RIGHT
THING AND ALSO GOOD FOR
GOVERNMENT.
AND THERE'S A GREAT EXAMPLE,
THE COUNTRY IS ABOUT TO
INVEST IN A FOUR YEAR
EDUCATION FOR THESE YOUNG
VETERANS WHO ARE GOING BACK
TO COLLEGE.
AND NOW'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR
GOVERNMENT TO HARVEST THE
VALUE OF THAT INVESTMENT, A
FOUR YEAR EDUCATION, BRING
THEM BACK INTO THE GOVERNMENT
RANKS AND MAKE ANOTHER
CONTRIBUTION.
SIR?
RAY JEFFERSON >> AND NATHANIAL TO ADD WHAT
WE'VE BEEN DOING IS TO REACH
OUT TO THOSE VETERAN SERVICE
ORGANIZATION WHICH IS ARE
WORKING TO SERVE EXCLUSIVELY,
THOSE YOUNGER VETERANS COMING
OUT AND ON TO COLLEGE CAMPUSES
AND STUDENT VETERANS OF
AMERICA SO WE'RE GOING TO
WORK WITH THAT ORGANIZATION
AND OTHER VSOs TO MAKE SURE
WE DEVELOP THE MOST EFFECTIVE
WAYS TO GET THIS INFORMATION
TO THOSE YOUNGER VETERAN OS
COLLEGE CAMPUSES, UNIVERSITY
CAMPUSES AND GET THEM BACK
INTO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
AS CIVILIAN LEADERS.
uNKNOWN >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
PLEASE LAST WORD?
JOHN BERRY >> I DO--I FORGOT TO MENTION
ONE PERSON AT OPM AND I DON'T
WANT TO HAVE TO GO BACK TO
THE OFFICE AND GET IN A WORLD
OF TROUBLE.
WE HAVE A WHITE HOUSE FELLOW
WHO IS HAS COME TO US FROM
THE ARMY, MAJOR KEN ROBINS
AND HE'S BEEN WORKING ON THIS
PROGRAM WITH US AS WELL AND
THOUGH WE COULDN'T BE WITH US
TODAY BECAUSE THEY'RE OFFING
A WHITE HOUSE FELLOW RETREAT
HE'S BEEN INSTRUMENTAL SO I
WANT TO CALL OUT KEN AND HIS
EFFORTS TO HELP US.
COULD WE DO ONE MORE
QUESTION?
HOW ABOUT OVER HERE?
AUDIENCE MEMBER >> I WAS READING THE OTHER
DAY, IT SAID MOST FEDERAL
AGENCIES WILL BE
PARTICIPATING CAN YOU SAY
WHICH ONES WILL NOT BE?
JOHN BERRY >> YOU KNOW THERE ARE OVER
120 AGENCIES, ED, WHAT WE'RE
STARTING WITH IS THE CABINET
LEVEL AGENCIES AND THE MAIN
AGENCIES.
THE GOAL IS OBVIOUSLY TO
INCORPORATE EVERYONE
THROUGHOUT THIS AS WE MOVE
FORWARD, BUT WE WANT TO
OBVIOUSLY GET GOING WITH THE
CORE CENTER AND THEN WE'LL BE
ADDING THE SMALLER AGENCIES
IN AS WE GO, THE ULTIMATE
OBJECTIVE IS TO HAVE EVERY
AGENCY PARTICIPATING AND AS
WE DO IN THE CHINK O COUNCIL
FOR EXAMPLE, ALL OF THE SMALL
AGENCIES HAVE ONE
REPRESENTATIVE.
WE'LL BE USING THAT PROCESS
PROBABLILY TO CAPTURE ALL OFF
THE AGENCIES THROUGH
GOVERNMENT AS WE MOVE
FORWARD, ED, BUT IT'S NOT AN
ATTEMPT TO EXCLUDE ANYBODY,
IT'S JUST AN ATTEMPT TO GET
STARTED.
OKAY.
THANKS EVERYBODY.
>> THANK YOU.
RAY JEFFERSON >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> [ APPLAUSE ]