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Searching for a job is never easy! But when it's coupled with the recovery of a combat-related injury and medically retiring from the Army, the pursuit of a new career is down right intimidating. Many Service members worry about not having a degree and don't realize the full translation potential of their Military experiences.
Sergeant First-Class (SFC) Vallerie Porter knows all about that! Severely injured in Iraq and recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, SFC Porter attended a December job fair on the Walter Reed Campus in hopes of finding a new direction in life.
"I had a partial resume and was terrified of meeting people" SFC Porter recalled.
It was at the Job Fair that SFC Porter first met Tami Gesiskie, the HR Director for DRS Technologies. "Tami was warm and gave me encouragement," SFC Porter remembered fondly. "She made the experience so much easier."
"Vallerie was a perfect fit for DRS." Tami explained. "She is a warm, inviting person, has substantial leadership experience from her time in the Military and is so passionate."
DRS Technologies, a leading supplier of defense electronics systems and high-technology products, waited months for SFC Porter to receive her official discharge papers from the Army before sending her an employment offer letter. In June of 2005, SFC Porter started working for DRS Technologies as a Senior HR Generalist and she has loved every second of it.
"DRS Technologies has a sincere desire to help soldiers and that gives me drive to wake up, come in and give my best," SFC Porter stated. "If recruiters have patience, endurance and most of all the desire to help soldiers, they will not only be gaining a dedicated employee but a friend for life!"
Indeed, DRS Technologies is a leading employer for military personnel retiring both medically and naturally from their branch of service. "Service members use our products regularly. Who better to help improve the product than those who have more knowledge and training than anyone else in the marketplace?" stated Tami Gesiskie.
DRS Technologies is one of several companies that attend job fairs held regularly at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. These quarterly events attract corporate and federal government agencies that have jobs available and want to take advantage of the talent pool provided by the military.
DRS Technologies designates a large number of job positions for the Severely Injured that span a wide variety of specialties and experience levels. Realizing that most of the service members they speak to at the job fairs will not be released right away, the HR representatives "see if they can make a fit." At that point DRS makes a commitment to hire that individual and patiently awaits their medical retirement.
DRS recognizes that Military service members are more disciplined, have extensive training and have incredible work ethic, making them better employees. When asked, Tami Gesiskie confirmed "Military Service members are familiar with our product, committed and loyal. What better investment?"
DRS Technologies hired SFC Porter to personally recruit her fellow comrades to the company. Service members can email SFC Porter their resumes at greatjobs@drs-c4i.com and she will make sure each person is given the attention and care they deserve. "That email address goes directly to me and I will take care of any service member interested in a job at DRS", SFC Porter guaranteed. SFC Porter represented the company as a recruiter at the most recent Corporate Career Fair at WRAMC in May 2005. She declared, "I hope to help other service members who are in the same position I was in!"
Job Fairs are being planned across the country (in fourteen other locations) around military medical installations in the coming months.
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