DHS set to employ 50,000 returning military veterans by 2012
The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) new mission, according to Secretary Janet Napolitano, is to have 50,000 veterans employed at the agency by the end of 2012.
Secretary Napolitano announced that “DHS spent more than $1.4 billion with veteran owned small businesses, and surpassed the Small Business Administration’s target of spending 3 percent of all contracting dollars with service disabled veteran owned businesses.”
The agency says they recognize the numerous sacrifices veterans make for America, and have developed three strategic objectives to connect with veterans in fulfilling DHS missions: Increasing veteran employment opportunities; expanding contracting opportunities for veteran-owned businesses, and enhancing veteran engagement within the Department of Homeland Security.
Veterans currently comprise 25 percent of all DHS civilian employees, as well as 49,000 active duty and reserve members of the U.S. Coast Guard.
These veterans reportedly serve in support of a full range of mission areas, like Transportation Security Officers, Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, Federal Protective Service officers, and inside headquarters.
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The agency also participates in several veteran programs, including Operation Warfighter and the Wounded Warrior Program. These veteran-specific programs are structured to recruit and hire veterans, as well as assist disabled veterans expand skills and transition to the civilian workforce.
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/homeland-security-in-national/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
Virginia Congressman tells concerned veteran to sit down and be quiet
The budget crisis has indeed come down to the eleventh hour and a government shut-down seems imminent, however it’s not the closure of the federal offices that should concern Americans it’s the disregard for the U.S. military.
With three wars raging in the Middle East and humanitarian assistance the over-stretched forces are providing Japan, one would think lawmakers would insist military personnel and their families are taken care of during this very stressful time in their lives.
In fact the Republicans put forth a new budget bill that would fund the military the rest of the year and removing them from the political gamesmanship.
However, the Senate and President Obama said no deal.
This is the point one retired veteran made at a town hall meeting last night in Virginia. Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) was clearly upset that a 27-year veteran wanted his representative to be working harder to avert a government shutdown, one that would unfairly affect the armed forces.
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Once the back and forth unfolded the Congressman told the disable veteran his arguments were “caustic.” The entire conversation was caught on video and can be seen here.
The disrespect lawmakers continue hurl onto military personnel is shameful, one that voters of Virginia should remember in 2012.
To view video comments begin to heat up at the four minute mark, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfhY3ZEbv5I&feature=player_embedded
For more stories; http://www.examiner.com/county-political-buzz-in-san-diego/kimberly-dvorak
© Copyright 2011 Kimberly Dvorak All Rights Reserved.
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