GI Bill Expansion Heads to Senate

The Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 quickly passed through the House Monday night, after being introduced by a bipartisan group of senators and congressmen. The “forever” GI Bill includes these provisions:

• Veterans who become GI Bill-eligible after Jan. 1, 2018, would no longer have a 15-year “use it or lose it” time limit on their educational benefits;

• Permanent name change to “GI Bill”;

• Full benefits for all Purple Heart recipients;

• Restores educational benefits for veterans whose for-profit schools shut down; and

• Extends Yellow Ribbon eligibility to spouses and dependents of a GI Bill veteran who dies.

The Bill passed 405-0 and is expected to be passed by the Senate this week. It would then head to the White House. 

Read more about the Act here.

Inside Look at an Orion Talent Hiring Conference

Are you thinking about attending an Orion Talent Hiring Conference?

Check out our inside look at last week’s Orion Talent Hiring Conference in Virginia Beach to learn more about what you can expect.

Orion Hiring Conference, Day 1

Friendly faces from the Orion team will answer questions and offer assistance

Be prepared for a day full of interview preparation

Practice and prepare for your interviews in small groups

You will attend briefings presented by the companies with which you will interview on Day 2. This will allow you to learn more about the companies and their culture, and the specific positions for which you will be interviewing.

Orion Hiring Conference, Day 2

You will interview with hiring managers for positions that you are qualified for and match your preferences.

The Orion team works hard in the background to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

After the Conference

Following the hiring conference, your Orion recruiter will provide feedback from the companies you interviewed with, and to determine next steps in the hiring process for those opportunities you decide to pursue.

Check out our full conference schedule to learn more and make plans to attend an upcoming event. 

Hot Industries for Veterans in 2017

GI Jobs recently shared new stats from the Department of Labor listing seven industries that have shown notable growth over the first six months of the year. Included in these seven are Manufacturing and Construction, both of which Orion Talent has seen veterans have great success.

Examples of careers in commercial and industrial construction in which veterans excel include roles as Project Engineers, Project Managers, Estimators, Superintendents / Assistant Superintendents, and Leadership Development Programs.

Veterans possess technical degrees, project management skills, and leadership experiences that are an excellent fit for construction. And while they may not have worked in construction and/or haven’t considered a career in the industry, their analytical abilities, thoroughness, excellent communication skills, and an understanding of how to drive timelines, resources, and manpower prepared them more than many civilians.

Manufacturing is another great option for veterans due to their understanding of the relationship between quality, quantity, maintenance, safety, and the people they supervise. Veterans shouldn’t discount their depth of leadership, ethics, and a proven record of success that is crucial on the manufacturing floor.

The tremendous training and real world experience on troubleshooting electrical, mechanical or electronic systems, coupled with a history of maintaining and upgrading technology and machinery, also make veterans great. Veterans are leaving an indelible mark in this industry through their technological talent, experience, and ability to affect change. Not to mention their logistical experience moving assets through air, land, and sea daily.

The other five industries on that GI Jobs lists also offer a breadth of opportunities for veterans. Any veteran considering transitioning out of the military should not feel pigeon-holed into an industry that directly correlates to their military occupation. It is wise to consider all your options, and these seven industries, as GI Jobs points out, are a great place to start.

Click here to begin your career search today!

Leadership Lessons Webinar - Join us on July 12th

The Jack Welch Management Institute invites you to attend a free Leadership Lessons Webinar with James Schenck, Chief Executive Officer of Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed), on Wednesday July 12th at 1:30 pm EST.

Mr. Schenck will share the leadership and business lessons gained through his transition from the military, and rise through ranks of the banking and financial services industry. He will discuss his leadership philosophy and answer questions from the audience. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to learn from one of today’s leading executives.

Since becoming CEO in April of 2014, Mr. Schenck has led PenFed’s asset growth from $17.6B to over $23B, establishing it one of the largest credit unions in the United States.  He serves alongside an outstanding executive team and nearly 2,000 employees who help PenFed's members "Do Better" each day.

Register Now

James Schenck Biography

Mr. James Raymond Schenck has been the Chief Executive Officer and President of Pentagon Federal Credit Union since April 1, 2014, and has served as part of its executive leadership team since 2001. Before joining PenFed, he was an Army Officer. He served on the Army Staff in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, overseeing the Army's OPTEMPO Budget. His final tour was as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. Mr. Schenck graduated from the United States Military Academy and became an Aviation Officer, flying UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. He earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and taught Economics and Finance at West Point.

Our Latest Podcasts are Now Available

Have you tuned in to From the Battlefield to the Boardroom, our series of podcasts dedicated to supporting military job seekers? We have a variety of episodes covering everything from the civilian transition process to valuable insights and guidance from other Veterans and business leaders.

We've recently added new podcasts, including:

16: Transitioning Air Force Officer Jim Bergren

15: Transitioning Army Officer Andrew Manglicmot

14: What It Means To Be a Military Spouse

13: Ask a Recruiter - Kerry Miller

12: Frequently Asked Questions - The Offer Stage

Visit us online to listen to these and many more episodes! And, if you have any questions about a specific show or recommendations for future topics, please send us an email at podcast@oriontalent.com. Happy listening!

Recruiter Spotlight - Dustin Stout

For this spotlight we spoke with Dustin Stout, an Orion Talent Technical Recruiter. Dustin provides insight on how to leverage your specific experiences and the importance of making the right decision when it comes to your career. He also gives great advice on what’s really important to former and transitioning military personnel during the civilian job search, while giving you insight on his background.

Education and Military Background: Two weeks after high school graduation I was off to boot camp and served as a Nuclear Mechanic on two submarines, the Minneapolis St. Paul and the Miami. I was in the Navy for 11 years before transitioning out in 2014. During my last tour I was a recruiter at NRD Pittsburgh which gave me great experience going  into my recruiting career at Orion Talent.

History with Orion: When I decided to exit the military, I knew there were three major companies that could assist in my transition. I had heard the best results came from Orion, so I started working with them as a candidate but Orion saw my drive, determination and previous recruiting experience and provided me an opportunity to start my career as an Orion Recruiter.

I started with Orion at the end of March 2014, and have been happily placing candidates into rewarding careers ever since.  

What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile? The most rewarding part of my job is being able to help candidates when they first get out of the military to find their career path. It’s rewarding to help relieve the stress of how they are going to feed themselves and their families.

What advice do you have for prospective Orion candidates? LinkedIn is the best resource to get in touch with various recruiters. I advise all transitioning military personnel to start the process as early as possible. Put the word “transitioning” into your profile and give a roundabout date of when you are planning on starting your civilian career.   

What is on your wish list for the next 10 years with Orion? I would like to see an increase in Orion’s virtual presence and give candidates the ability to interview without the need to travel.

 

What has been your proudest moment at Orion? My overall daily interaction with veterans is a constant reminder of my proudest moments with Orion. I personally visit with candidates at the bases and talk with them, helping them through the whole process. That’s more rewarding than other parts of the everyday grind.

Where is the best place you’ve traveled and why? My favorite port I visited while in the Navy was  Glasgow, Scotland. The culture was very similar to the American culture with a European feel. It was a very inviting place and I enjoyed my beer while there!

What does true leadership mean to you? Taking care of your subordinates. All the other stuff happens if you take care of your people.

Tell us something that might surprise us about you? I handle all of my own house work. I enjoy using tools, saws, and just finished installing a new floor in my kitchen. I am a handyman - if I don't know how to do it, I’ll figure it out.

What was your first job? The Dollar Tree. When I was 16 years old I started as a customer service cashier. Even when you work at a dollar store people still try to get things cheaper. There were always price negotiations to get things cheaper than a dollar. It was an experience, that's for sure.

Connect with Dustin:

Phone: (800) 872-5002 ext 121

Email - dstout@oriontalent.com

LinkedIn

Celebrating 240 Years of the Stars and Stripes

According to popular legend, the first American flag as we know it was sewn around 1777 by Betsy Ross. It displayed thirteen white stars on a sea of blue, with the familiar red and white stripes. 

Adopted at the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777, the stars represent Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island. 

Thirty-seven stars later, we are celebrating the 240^th birthday of our Star-Spangled Banner. While Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress in August 1949.

The day is commemorated by parades across America. In fact, there are three cities that are known for their long-running Flag Day parades - Fairfield, Washington; Appleton, Wisconsin; and Quincy, Massachusetts. Americans are urged to fly the American flag for the duration of National Flag Week, June 10th-June 16th. 

Happy 240^th Birthday to Old Glory!