HOUSTON – There is a very successful program in place in Houston to hire our heroes.
Marine for Life has been matching returning warriors with Houston employers for several years.
The program was started by the United States Marine Corps when it became apparent that Marines were having trouble transitioning from active duty to civilian life.
The biggest problem Marines were having was finding work in a tough economy. But, the transitioning Marines, found that Houston companies were eager to get what these heroes had to offer.
Cutbacks in defense spending will mean a massive reduction in force, leaving many veterans looking for work in a tough economy, but things are getting better for Houston veterans.
Only months out of North Shore High School on Houston's east end, Sean Johnson was a gunner on a humvee armed with missiles fighting in Iraq.
Johnson is now a technical recruiter at T H Hill, an international engineering firm based in Houston.
"They've got the discipline, they know how to lead," said Dave Roseland of Signa Engineering Corp.
Eight months after hiring Johnson, T H Hill made another great hire.
Daniel Hoffman joined the Marines right out of Pearland High School. He did a tour in Iraq and after his discharge, went straight to the Marine For Life luncheon looking for a job.
Soon later, T H Hill nearly doubled it's workforce of 70 with Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen fresh from active duty.
"We're looking for all kinds of people, primarily engineers and designers," Eric Ford with Mustang Engineering said.
The Marine for Life program has broadened it's scope and is rebranding itself "Warrior for Life." It now includes men and women from every branch of the service looking for work.
Word is spreading that veterans make great employees. The program will become even more important in the months and years to come as our heroes from Iraq and Afghanistan come marching home looking for a new start.
A large Hiring Our Heroes event will take place Wednesday. A job fair at Fort Hood is scheduled from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m at Club Hood.
On April 5, a hiring event will be held at Minute Maid Park in Houston from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.