The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) employment program connects transitioning active duty service members, Veterans, and members of the Guard and Reserve to employment prospects. One way DAV does this is through its partnership with RecruitMilitary, which aims to empower the military community through career opportunities. DAV and RecruitMilitary have teamed up to offer 107 career fairs in 2023, both in-person and virtually.
“People know DAV as experts when it comes to all things claims and benefits related,” said Ryan Burgos, DAV national employment director. “There’s more to separating off active duty than filing a claim for benefits in order to have a successful transition. They need to have meaningful employment opportunities.”
Since the inception of DAV’s employment program, “We’ve had over 294,000 people attend our job fairs,” shared Burgos. “Service members have the ability to walk from booth to booth, but what separates our events is the fact that they’re doing on-the-spot Interviews.”
Since the employment program was established in 2014, over 175,000 job offers have resulted from DAV-sponsored career fairs. Several events are scheduled nationwide in the coming weeks, including Foxborough, MA, (September 14), Fort Cavazos, TX, (September 20), and Nashville, TN, (September 21). Visit DAV’s job fairs page for a complete listing in your area.
DAV’s employment program also strives to assist military spouses with professional development and employment opportunities.
“When we talk to employers, the number one thing that they’re looking for” in a candidate they want to hire is someone “to show up on time. These service members and military spouses know the importance of time management,” Burgos added.
DAV’s employment program is here to help. The program not only connects transitioning job seekers to employers, it also offers prospective entrepreneurs mentorship and training opportunities through the DAV Patriot Boot Camp. Additionally, the DAV Patriot Employer Program recognizes employers that are committed to hiring Veterans.
Whether it’s filing a claim or finding employment, “You know we’re there to assist you every step of the way,” said Burgos.
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I know some Vets that have had great careers after the military, but I know more that have not. I have contacted the Chicago DAV on a few occasions to inquire about the process for filing a claim and have not received much help. The last time I contacted them about a year ago the person was somewhat rude. It’s like they do not offer information, you have to know what questions to ask or have talked to someone who has told you what to ask or tell them. I am sure not all of the benefits personnel are the same, but there used to be a time when people would say something like…”We’d be glad to help you or to show you if you are not sure”. I wouldn’t be calling if I did not need help. Many Vets are helped but many also fall by the wayside. I appreciate the work DAV and other Service Organizations do to help others and encourage to reach those you are able.
Thank you for the the VA News. Please keep me posted on any local events and others that I can participate in even though they may be far away.
I need help finding a job
Hello,
Where was this program when I came back to Maine in 1973 after 4 years at Loring AFB and with a associate degree in Electronics Engineering with the use of the GI Bill.
If this program was in existence it was sure kept quite or only reserved to a select few veterans. Maine resident veterans only?!
I sure could have used their help, but I had to do it all on my own to find a job with meager wages. Embarrassing!
There were a few companies in Southern Maine that needed electronic technicians but because of Maines low wages it was embarrassing to accept their offers.
I finally accepted an offer at Fairchild Semiconductor in South Portland for a starting salary of $4.75 an hour. I will never forget this number!
After working for them for a year I left Fairchild and went to work for Maramont Corporation in Saco, Maine for $1.00 more an hour. Far removed from my degree in electronics.
The rest of the story is too lengthy to expound on because it goes beyond the scope of this email of my original question. “Where Was This Program”?
Matt Matherne – Retired USAF-ANG(67-99)
Thing about being in the military is that you don’t even need the combat experience to have the struggles that come after. I was an Army MP from 1987-1995. Remember in the movie Shawshank Redemption when they are in the yard talking about Brooks being institutionalized? That is exactly what the military does to you. At first you can’t stand it, then you get to the point where you depend on it for every aspect of your life. When I got out in 95 I was on the balls of my -ss for a solid 5 years. Nobody gave two sh-ts. There were no programs in the military to help you transition like there is today. The military needed me…’till they didn’t. They handed me my DD 214 and gave me the boot. My last day was like any other day of the week. Back then, you had to WORK to find a job. You had to go down to the unemployment office with every other out of work, long haired derelict and suffer thru that degrading hellhole. Type applications on a typewriter, read newspapers. Cold call businesses. Wasn’t no sitting home on a computer filling out applications on line in your underwear and a bag of Cheetos. Oh no! You had to get out there and beat the bushes. Then if you we’re lucky enough to find a job you couldn’t turn that military mentality off. Nobody understood it. Got fired or quit from most jobs I had. It was a pure living hell I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. I still haven’t completely recovered. I prefer solitude and can count the amount of people I want around me at any given time on one hand. At 57 It’s all I can do to function in society anymore. The feeling of betrayal is suffocating not only from the military but from people that vowed to be there for me to help get me get a foot in the door of good jobs that all the sudden had no time for me now that I was no longer part of the club. Oh yea. Now I can only imagine having to deal with what I had to deal with PLUS the combat experience and the PTSD that comes with it. It’s heartbreaking.
Hate to tell you Matt, but an associate degree gets you nothing; today and even back in ’73. A bachelor’s in any engineering specialty is entry level. I returned from Vietnam in ’73, used the GI bill to get a dual major (biology & chemistry) premed degree, worked my way through med school doing minor auto repairs & loading trucks for UPS (no more VA help with professional school) and credit the VA for a starting me on a great life. You needed to spend two more years in school (that the VA would have paid for) to really have something.
I can feel your pain. There is a huge disconnect with the training, experience, and knowledge gained through the military and their schools. I tried to address it years ago when it happened to me with my congressman and other public officials. I ended up going to school for a complete career change outside of what I was searching for. The schools have a huge disconnect as well. I believe it all has to do with money to create documents to prove qualifications and private industry not working today with public industry. I see it as evil taking away precious time to have skilled workers doing a job that requires certifications they were taught but never given. A good example is being an EMT. It’s on the person to get the credits needed that require payment for to then to be qualified to take a test that is paid for before they can be called an EMT to do the work. Then, depending on where you live. You might only get a job as a volunteer without pay. Evil difinately wants to see the world suffer
Can I be placed on your email list to receive updates regarding employment? I work for the VA in Huntington, WV. My job is Community Employment Coordinator. Thank you.