VetJobs Veteran Eagle

The Veteran Eagle is a newsletter for veterans, transitioning military, their family members and friends and supporters of VetJobs. Feel free to forward the newsletter to veterans and friends and encourage them to subscribe.

This month's Veteran Eagle is sponsored by: TECHEXPO Top Secret and TripSafeSecure.com

Contents:

Thank you for reading this VetJobs Veteran Eagle newsletter. If you like the newsletter and what VetJobs, the VFW and endorsing veteran service organizations do to assist veterans and their family members find employment, please go to www.weddles.com/poll.htm and vote VetJobs for the WEDDLE's User's Choice Award!

- - - - - From the VFW - - - - - - - -
VFW Insurance and Member Benefit Programs-

For information about our various insurance and member benefits programs offered through VFW National Headquarters, please call 1-800-821-2606, option 1.

If you are interested in joining the VFW, please visit http://vfw.org/Join/

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NOTE: If you have a resume in the VetJobs database, be sure to update your experience and refresh your resume at a minimum of every two weeks. VetJobs has many new customers using the resume database and as a general rule, they do not look at resumes over 30 days old.

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1. Message from the Top

On July 4, 1776, the thirteen British colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States. Variously known as the Fourth of July and Independence Day, July 4th has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution (1775-83). In June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare their independence from Great Britain. On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 until the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with typical festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings, barbecues and four day weekends.

Enjoy your 4^th of July holiday and remember why we celebrate the day!

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As in the past, I always strongly recommend that before a military student or veteran wastes their educational benefits on a predatory for-profit school, which are generally online schools, research the school to which you are attending before signing up. There are good for online profit schools, but unfortunately there are way too many rip off schools. There are several ways to check out a school.

First, you want to be sure the school is accredited by a legitimate accrediting agency. Many of the predatory for-profit schools have created fake accrediting agencies. While there are several sources a good one to use is http://www.geteducated.com/college-degree-mills/204-fake-agencies-for-college-accreditation which lists 40 plus fake accrediting agencies generally used by predatory for-profit online schools.

To check legitimate accrediting agencies for colleges and universities, good sources would include the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (http://www.chea.org/Directories/regional.asp) or the U. S Department of Education at www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation.

A second way to check out a school is to call the admissions department or registrar for a state university and ask if you had a degree from the “ABCD School” (as a fictitious example or the school to which you are thinking of applying to), would it be accepted at the state university. If you get a no, rethink attending the online or the unaccredited school.

A third way is to research if a school has been under investigation or charged and/or found guilty of consumer fraud. A Google search can generally get you that information.

Veterans Education Success (VES) (www.veteranseducationsuccess.org), a well-known organization that helps military students, veterans, and their family members who were deceived by predatory schools, recently sent out an example of a group listing military friendly schools that bears scrutiny. Victory Media, which owns GI Jobs, came to their attention because DOD and Holly Petreaus' office at Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) raised concerns to VES about Victory Media and its "Military Friendly Schools" list. When they looked into it, they shared DOD and CFPB's concerns that the list prioritizes some of the worst performing schools (many of them under law enforcement action for consumer fraud) as being the best for military and veterans. Of specific concern to DOD, the list includes more than 250 schools not approved for Defense Department Tuition Assistance. Several Army bases have since removed the magazine and schools list from their bases after receiving the spreadsheet from Army staff.

In addition to its "Military Friendly Schools" list, the company also has a school "Search Tool" that produces results prioritizing the worst schools. As news media have exposed, use of this search tool produces results that prioritize questionable schools under law enforcement action. Notice that schools can pay more to receive better "Preferred Search Results," and the highest paying can receive "Featured School on GI Jobs Preferred Search Results."

VES also noted that the website captures and sells service members' and veterans' personal information to schools, and the higher cost "packages" provide schools with "Meet-A-Student Profile," and the web profile for the highest paying schools can get "Lead Referral Module."  What this means is that Victory Media is a "lead generator" company that "generates leads" (potential students) to sell to schools. Also notice that schools can pay more to drive students to their school, including "Digital: Incoming Email listing" and "Digital E-Blast". These are methods of harassing service members and veterans to enroll at schools.

VES also noted that Victory Media asserts that Ernst & Young validates its Military Friendly Schools list. Because the list is so clearly skewed to poor performing schools under law enforcement action, VES asked Ernst & Young what criteria they used to validate such a list. Ernst & Young's Director of Global External Communications has asserted adamantly that Ernst & Young has no records of Victory Media or the Military Friendly Schools list.

As always, if you are going to be applying to a school, either brick and mortar or online, you need to research the school and be sure it is legitimately accredited and will be worth your time and money. If the school is under a law enforcement action for consumer fraud, definitely reconsider your decision to attend. Picking the wrong school can affect your future employment!

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Obviously there are a lot of conflicting currents going on in the economy. A big part is that many of those seeking work do not have the skills sought by employers. America is very short on trades craft candidates which is why there are over 200,000 openings in manufacturing that cannot be filled. There are not enough qualified Americans to do the job. But the good news is that veterans are in demand. The fact that the veteran unemployment rate is only 3.4% demonstrates once again that veterans are getting jobs at a better rate than their civilian counterparts!

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As July is a travel month, if you go through an airport with a USO please stop in and sign the visitor sheet. The number of visitors has a direct impact on the funding for the USO. Additionally, monetary contributions, or contributions of paper goods and sealed cookies are always welcomed!

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Mission Essential, Fort Devens, MA & Herndon, VA

VetJobs congratulates these four companies on their support of veterans. If you know of a company you want to nominate or to learn more about the award please visit http://vetjobs.com/employer-award/.

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As always, if there is anything we at VetJobs can do for you, please do not hesitate to call or email.

Remember, Freedom Is Never Free - Support Our Armed Forces and Veterans

Best regards,

Ted Daywalt

2. Hot Jobs

The following are jobs that employers are seeking veterans to fill immediately. To apply, go to www.vetjobs.com, then to Search Jobs and search on the company name.

Benaroya, Assistant Building Engineer, South Hill – Puyallup, WA

/---July Veteran Eagle sponsor is TECHEXPO Top Secret--\

TECHEXPO Top Secret's next career fairs are:

7/27, TECHEXPO IBM Hiring Event, The Ritz Carlton, Pentagon City, 1250 South Hayes St., Arlington, VA, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Register at www.techexpousa.com/users/login.

For a 2016 event schedule, visit http://www.TechExpoUSA.com

\--Please visit your Veteran Eagle sponsor TECHEXPO Top Secret at www.techexpousa.com --/

3. Army Reserve Officer Wins Miss USA Title

Deshauna Barber, an Army Reserve officer from Washington, D.C., has been crowned Miss USA -- the first time a service member has ever won the competition. "As a woman in the United States Army, I think ... we are just as tough as men. As a commander of my unit, I'm powerful, I am dedicated. Gender does not limit us in the United States," she said during the pageant. Barber plans to take a break from the Reserves while she holds the title. The Associated Press (6/6)

/---July Veteran Eagle sponsor is TripSafeSecure.com--\

US MILITARY VETERANS LAUNCH TRIPSAFE, WORLD’S FIRST TRULY PORTABLE SMART-SECURITY SYSTEM

Turning any space into a ‘smart home,’ Tripsafe kicks-off its Indiegogo campaign today through August

TripSafe, the startup formed by a team of US military veterans, launches the world’s first truly portable security system on the crowdfunding platform, Indiegogo. Their aim is to protect travelers with an affordable, on-the-go security solution that safely secures your possessions while away from home.

“I noticed the door latch had been ripped off the wall of my hotel room and immediately messaged my brother.” said TripSafe CEO, Derek Blumke. “Considering the state of the world today, security is more important than ever and hopefully our product will be seen as a solution that will help people sleep better at night.”

Former U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said of TripSafe that “security is as dominant and dynamic an issue as it has ever been. I’m proud that our military veterans are helping to develop innovative solutions to these continually emerging security challenges.”

TRIPSAFE features:

The safe ‘smart travel’ solution, available for pre-sale through August, turns anyone into a connected-traveler, offering safety and monitoring that protects personal belongings when on-the-go.

After experiencing a range of unsafe travel conditions, TripSafe was designed and engineered by Air Force veteran, Derek Blumke (TripSafe CEO), US Army Infantry, James McGuirk (TripSafe CHO), Navy Diver and Bomb Technician, Kathy Borkoski (TripSafe COO), US Marine, Adam Healy (TripSafe CTO).

TripSafe aims to protect your possessions and solve safety concerns for all travelers. Through a range of ‘smart’ features, TripSafe helps to prevent break-ins by keeping unwanted guests away, turning any space into a safe, ‘smart home’. For more information about TripSafe, please visit www.tripsafesecure.com.

\--Please visit your Veteran Eagle sponsor TripSafe at www.tripsafesecure.com --/

4. VetJobs Outstanding Veteran Employer Award

There are thousands of companies that are military friendly. While most of the large companies get recognition for being military friendly, it is harder for mid and small size companies to be recognized. In an effort to recognize those companies who are truly dedicated to hiring and retaining veterans and their family members, VetJobs has established the VetJobs Outstanding Veteran Employer Award!

This award is for those companies of any size who are walking the walk, not just talking the talk. The award will be based on validated responses to a questionnaire. It will not be based on politics or how much money an employer is spending in advertising with VetJobs. This is an earned award! To learn more about the award and see past recipients, visit http://vetjobs.com/employer-award/.

We are pleased to announce that in June the following four companies received the VetJobs Outstanding Veteran Employer Award:

Mission Essential, Fort Devens, MA & Herndon, VA

VetJobs congratulates these four companies on their support of veterans. If you know of a company you want to nominate or to learn more about the award please visit http://vetjobs.com/employer-award/.

5. Veteran-owned Businesses Win at Supreme Court

The Supreme Court handed a victory to veteran-owned small businesses, ruling unanimously that the federal government must abide by a 2006 law establishing set-aside rules for contracts even when its annual goals are met. The justices said the law's "Rule of Two" provision requires that when two or more veteran-owned small businesses are likely to submit reasonable bids for a major contract, the bidding must be limited to them. The Obama administration had argued against veterans saying that the law was intended only to assure that the Department of Veterans Affairs met annual goals for awarding contracts to veteran-owned businesses. During oral argument in February, assistant solicitor general Zachary Tripp said the government was "crushing" those goals. But Justice Clarence Thomas, who wrote the court's opinion, said the government must use the set-aside rule "even when the department will otherwise meet its annual minimum contracting goals." The case was brought by Kingdomware Technologies, owned by a veteran who became disabled during military service. The Maryland company provides web, software and technology services. (USA TODAY, June 16, 2016)

6. Wounded Warrior Project Gets New Leader After Troubles

Maj. Gen. Michael S. Linnington, former Commander of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, has retired from the military and plans to leave his post as director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency to become the CEO of the Wounded Warrior Project. (ABC News, June 16. 2016)

7. Pentagon’s Civilian Hiring Freeze Ends

A civilian hiring freeze ordered by the Pentagon as part of the Defense Department’s initiative to downsize its headquarter's staff has been lifted after three months. Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work ordered the hiring halt to begin March 20 to ensure all personnel were accounted for in a new Pentagon accounting system, the Fourth Estate Manpower Tracking System. The freeze impacted all open full- and part-time, temporary and permanent civilian positions in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Defense Agencies and DOD Field Activities. “All organizations have met the June 30 deadline to finalize their manpower adjustments in the Fourth Estate Manpower Tracking System,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Eric Badger, a DOD spokesman. “Each organization accounted for all of their positions in FMTS, and the hiring suspension for these activities is lifted.” The Pentagon has said it expects to cut most of the civilian jobs through attrition. It will also offer voluntary early retirement or separation incentive payments, Badger said. (Corey Dickstein, Stars and Stripes, June 21, 2016)

8. Vietnam War Army Pilot Receives the Medal Of Honor

Army Lt. Col. Charles Kettles will receive the Medal of Honor for saving 44 American soldiers during a May 15, 1967 enemy ambush during the Vietnam War. On Monday, July 18, 2016, Kettles is scheduled to receive the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry for his actions while serving as a flight commander assigned to 176th Aviation Company (Airmobile) (Light), 14th Combat Aviation Battalion, Americal Division. “Then-Major Kettles distinguished himself in combat operations near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam, on May 15, 1967,” according to a June 21 White House press release. “He led a platoon of UH-1Ds to provide support to the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, during an ambush by a battalion-sized enemy force.” After leading several trips to the hot landing zone and evacuating the wounded, he returned, without additional aerial support, to rescue a squad-sized element of stranded soldiers pinned down by enemy fire. Kettles is credited with saving the lives of 40 soldiers and four of his own crew members.

Kettles was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan on Jan. 9, 1930. He was drafted into the Army at age 21 while enrolled in Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University) where he studied engineering. Upon completion of basic training at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky, Kettles attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Knox, KY, and earned his commission as an armor officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, Feb. 28, 1953. Kettles graduated from the Army Aviation School in 1954, before serving active duty tours in Korea, Japan and Thailand. Kettles volunteered for active duty in 1963. He attended Helicopter Transition Training at Fort Wolters, Texas in 1964. During a tour in France the following year, Kettles was cross-trained to fly the famed UH-1D “Huey.” In 1966, Kettles was assigned as a flight commander with the 176th Assault Helicopter Company, 14th Combat Aviation Battalion, and deployed to Vietnam from February through November 1967. His second tour of duty in Vietnam lasted from October 1969, through October 1970. In 1970, Kettles went to Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, where he served as an aviation team chief and readiness coordinator supporting the Army Reserve. He remained in San Antonio until his retirement from the Army in 1978. Kettles has numerous awards and decorations including the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with Numeral “27,” and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with bronze star. After leaving active duty, Kettles established a Ford dealership in Dewitt, Michigan, and continued his service with the Army Reserve as a member of the 4th Battalion, 20th Field Artillery.

Kettles completed his bachelor’s degree at Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas, and earned his master’s degree at Eastern Michigan University, College of Technology, in commercial construction. He went on to develop the Aviation Management Program at the College of Technology and taught both disciplines. He later worked for Chrysler Pentastar Aviation until his retirement in 1993. Kettles currently lives in Ypsilanti, Michigan, with his wife Ann. (Military.com, June 22)

9. 26^th Anniversary of the ADA

July marks the 26^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) being signed into law, making sure we end the discrimination placed on our fellow citizens with disabilities. As we celebrate this anniversary, we encourage each of you to reflect on how this important civil rights law opens doors for veterans with service-connected disabilities and others, as they pursue higher education, employment, and other life-fulfilling dreams.  Let the promise of the ADA come true in your own life and those of your peers. (Student Veterans of America)

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VetJobs
P. O. Box 71445

Veterans make the best employees!

Freedom Is Never Free - Support Our Armed Forces and Veterans!

Recipient of the WEDDLE's User's Choice Award