Fort Bragg job fair: Local wounded warriors get early access to potential ... - Fayetteville Observer
After a dozen years in the Army, Eric Myers is looking for something new.
The former 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper was one of the first to browse more than 75 potential employers at a Fort Bragg job fair Wednesday.
Myers, a former staff sergeant who lost his legs while on a patrol with the 4th Brigade Combat Team in Afghanistan in 2012, said that after years of rehabilitation, he wants to get back out in the world.
He left the Army in February and recently began a search for a job in the Fayetteville area.
"To be honest with you, I need something," Myers said. "I want to get back out and be a member of society."
In his wheelchair, Myers moved quickly between rows of potential employers, stopping to speak to several of the more than 75 employers participating in the fair.
"A lot for these things aren't really for me," Myers said of his job search. "It's going to take some research, but I don't see why it shouldn't pan out."
The job fair, organized by CivilianJobs.com, gave local wounded warriors early access to potential employers.
Ann Harlan, national job fair coordinator for the organization, said that was standard practice for fairs on military installations with large numbers of wounded troops.
Harlan said CivilianJobs.com brings job fairs to Fort Bragg at least twice a year.
The latest fair, she said, might be one of the largest.
Participating employers are up, Harlan said, growing from about 55 to more than 75. The job fair also had a high number of preregistered job seekers, with more than 420 submitting their resumes early.
The job fair was open to soldiers, retirees, spouses and other military dependents.
Available jobs ranged from law enforcement to trucking to various supervisory roles, with employers coming from local and national companies.
Officer Felicia Williams with the Jacksonville, Florida, Sheriff's Office, said her department has had success recruiting veterans.
She should know. She's a veteran herself, currently serving in the U.S. Navy Reserve.
"The military always seems to be good candidates for law enforcement," Williams said.
Officer Lisa Perez agreed.
Even if soldiers aren't immediately available, they hopefully will think of Jacksonville in the future, she said.
The department is looking to fill dozens of jobs, Perez said.
Elton Richards also knows firsthand what veterans can offer.
Richards, a first sergeant who last served with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg before retiring in 2001, persuaded his bosses at Commonwealth Edison - part of the nation's largest utility, Exelon Co. - to recruit former Army leaders to serve as supervisors for the utility.
Richards came from offices in Chicago, looking for senior noncommissioned officers with the skills to lead and motivate men.
Those candidates don't need to know anything about utility work, Richards said.
The company wants them for the leadership skills the Army has drilled into them, he said. The needed technical skills can be taught.
"The Army has invested the time for them to be leaders," Richards said. "No other company invests that amount of time."
Richards said he's also a bit biased. He hopes the Fort Bragg job fair can help him find local soldiers for jobs that start at $85,000 a year.
"It's a good company," he said. "But for me, it's also about giving back to the military I love."
Military editor Drew Brooks can be reached at brooksd@fayobserver.com or 486-3567.
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