Page 6 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt – February 2024

6
Luke hosts
Hiring our Heroes Event
February 2024 News www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
By Airman 1st Class eLIAS CARReRo
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The 56th Fighter Wing Military and Family Readiness Center partnered with Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) to connect 65 employers with over 250 attendees at a career expo Jan 18, 2024, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
HOH is a U.S. Chamber of Commerce foundation dedicated to assisting service members, retirees, and their families in finding employment in the civilian sector.
“The purpose of Career Exploration and Hiring Fair is to create windows of op- portunity for our military community to connect with local and national companies,” said Alizabeth Dang, 56th FW MFRC com- munity readiness specialist. “Attendees will have the chance to network with over 60 employers, receive resume reviews, and interview for potential jobs.”
In addition to connecting active duty, reserve and retired community members with potential employers, the event served as an opportunity for attendees to partici- pate in workshops facilitated by HOH. The workshops, run by industry leaders from Fortune 500 companies, touched on topics related to economic success, career explora- tion, growing networks, and job searching.
“The MFRC hosts career expos quarterly and we decided to kick off 2024 with a bang,” said Brandy R. Wyatt, 56th FW MFRC tran- sition assistance program manager. “This is an excellent opportunity for active-duty service members and their families who may be searching for a second job, a job post-transition, or spouse/child employment, as well as retirees who may be looking for employment or career assistance.”
In addition to the vendors and organiza- tions present, the expo had multiple key- note speakers including Kandi Tillman, the managing cofounder of 50Strong, an orga- nization that partners with companies and universities to assist veterans transition to civilian careers, retired Command Sergeant Major John Wayne Troxell, the former Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Elizabeth O’Brien, HOH’s executive director.
“Transitioning from military to civilian life can be overwhelming for some,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jason Shaffer, 56th FW command chief. “Transition assistance programs like Hiring our Heroes are an important part of maintaining our Airmen’s quality of life when they move on from their time here at Luke.”
Events like Hiring our Heroes create a steppingstone for Airmen; thanking them for their past dedication, and setting them up for the success of tomorrow.
Thunderbolt http://www.luke.af.mil
U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Elias Carrero
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jonathan Mullen, 56th Contracting Squadron contracting of- ficer, reviews a flyer during the Hiring our Heroes Career Expo, Jan 18, 2024 at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Over 250 active, retired, and separated service members and their spouses attended the expo where they were able to connect with 65 poten- tial employers for their life beyond military service.
Career recruiters speak with active, retired, and separated service members and their spouses during the Hiring our Heroes Career Expo, Jan 18, 2024 at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
Alexandra Barker, Lowes military recruiter and program manager, participates in a panel during the Hiring our Heroes Career Expo, Jan 18, 2024 at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
Shane Hol- lander, Rubi- con Technical Services pro- gram man- ager, speaks with service members dur- ing the Hiring our Heroes Career Expo, Jan 18, 2024 at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
U.S. Air Force veteran Elijah Douglas speaks with an Amazon recruiter during the Hiring our Heroes Career Expo, Jan 18, 2024 at Luke Air Force Base, Ari- zona. HOH hosted a career expo at Luke AFB where representatives from 65 organizations were able to connect with members of the Luke community.
Kandi Tillman, 50Strong managing cofounder, speaks at the Hiring our Heroes Career Expo., Jan 18, 2024 at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Tillman started 50Strong to connect veterans with companies and universities to assist them with their transition to civilian careers.