Annual fair opens job opportunities for transitioning military

  • Published
  • By Jet Fabara
  • 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  To aid those servicemembers transitioning from the military work environment to the civilian sector, the Transition Assistance Program at Edwards does its best to ensure its personnel, along with their families, are equipped for that new change and the annual Military Transition and Spouse Employment Job Fair is just one of those events held specifically for them.

During the base's annual job fair, more than 25 companies and organizations were invited March 3 by the Airman and Family Readiness Center to set up employment booths at Club Muroc's Alliance Ballroom. The employment job fair was open to all transitioning military and their spouses, to include other base personnel.

"We help all separating and retiring veterans and their spouses in order to help them transition into civilian life and into a successful career, whatever they may choose and based off of what their strengths are," said Dean Murphree, 412th Force Support Squadron, AFRC Transition Assistance Program manager. "This job fair is just a great compliment to the already- in-place DOD Transition Assistance Program. This day in age, due to force shaping and military drawdown, it's essential that we prepare these transitioning servicemembers and their families."

At the event, attendees were invited to speak with potential employment representatives and recruiters about any and all employment opportunities available to potential and qualifying applicants.

"The Department of Corrections is looking to hire 7,000 employees over the next three years and we came here today to answer any questions that potential candidates may have," said Lt. Matt Palmer, State of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Public Information officer. "We hit a lot of military installations and we try to provide a lot of job opportunities because they meet our job requirements. It's a good fit for us as it is for them."

"We like to pull from the best applicants and that's why we attend events like these," added Katherine Keelin, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department custody assistant.

In the occasion where base personnel were unable to attend, Murphree noted that Airman and Family Readiness staff are always available to assist military and civilian Airmen.

"In addition to this job fair, the DOD TAP started a new program called the Military Life Cycle Model, which even first-term servicemembers are encouraged to start career planning, because even if they may serve four years, ten years or even retire, one day they will transition out and they will need to look for successful career employment, so this just gears them up and gets them thinking about what's going on currently and what the requirements are to become successfully employed," said Murphree. "All of this, however, is covered during the TAP workshops."

For more information about the Transition Assistance Program and other services, call the Airman and Family Readiness Center at 661-277-0723.