In my own company, I have personally hired former Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy and Coast Guard personnel to assume the management and technical responsibilities of my company and for good reason. Military people understand the importance of the mission. They have a keen sense of loyalty and are technically competent to handle just about any situation thrown at them. If they don’t know how, they quickly adapt and accomplish the job professionally.

As the economy starts to recover and companies are looking to hire again, I urge you to consider hiring the skilled veterans from all branches of the military. Last year the U.S. Army Reserve created the Employer Partnership Office, a public-private venture that encourages companies to hire the nation’s one million current and former Reserve Soldiers, and assists in the process. According to military sources, more than 800 organizations have already joined this group. According to reports, Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, retailers, local police departments and hospitals have signed on as associates in this pioneering partnership designed to satisfy personnel staffing needs in all 50 states.

I am one who always practices what he preaches. Recently I became a committee member of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense organization started in 1972 to promote cooperation between Reserve component members and civilian employers. Through this important role, the ESGR increases public awareness of the role of the employer, and works to develop a dialogue among employers, the ESGR Committees, and local National Guard and Reserve unit commanders and service members. The organization is the lead advocate within the Department of Defense for Reserve Component employers.

As you can see, the military puts a huge importance on taking care of the well being of their personnel, both while they are actively serving, as well as upon their departure. Now we need more HR Professionals and corporate management teams to understand the urgent need, as well as the benefits of hiring qualified military veterans. Military members have learned how to easily assimilate themselves into any situation; they’re always willing to do more than is required of them and do so without complaint. It’s just part of their character. They are accustomed to sacrificing for the good of the unit and usually bring that characteristic along with them when they enter the corporate community.

Recently, Major General James Sholar, Deputy Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve Command wrote in an article supporting the Employer Partnership Office. He said, “As our economy grows strong again – and signs of a rebound in hiring are emerging more sharply month by month – more employers should join our efforts to find jobs and build careers for Soldiers and veterans. Beyond being good business, it serves a higher purpose. It lends stability to our families and strengthens our communities. It’s a smart, patriotic investment in our country for 2010. Above all, it gives us a chance to express the gratitude we all feel.” I couldn’t have said it better. Those individuals, who served and sacrificed for our country, deserve our gratitude and support. Contact the Employer Partnership Office at (703) 601-0898 or the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve at 1-800-336-4590.

If you are in a position to help, I urge you to do so.

A few years back I was fishing the SKA, the southern King Fish Association tournaments, with a few friends.  We were sitting at one of the captain’s meetings listening to the US Coast Guard try to convince the boat team captains to file a float plan and how important it was to have one.  Shall I say they were encouraging everyone to prepare one, as the routine was to fill one out and then put it in your vehicle or give to a loved one before heading out on the water. 

A float plan is simply an outline of your trip, where you are heading with whom and when you are leaving and returning.  And in case something goes wrong, the authorities are more likely to find you because they’ll have a starting and ending location.  The difference between life and death on the water is more often than not based on time.  The sooner a search can start the better chances for survival you have. 

My lifelong friend is currently a Chief in the Coast Guard reserves and has been for more than 21 years including active duty as well as several deployments in times of need.  Together we created a service that is free of charge.  We knew this would help both the boating community and the Coast Guard in times of distress on the water. 

It is automated and can be opened and closed very quickly.  If you are a boater then you need to take five minutes of your time and check out www.usfloatplan.com.  It could save your life!

In just the past few months, two NFL players and their friend lost their lives in an offshore fishing accident in Florida.  A float plan could have potentially affected the outcome of that search and rescue.  They ultimately died because of hypothermia after being stranded in the cold Gulf of Mexico winter waters for too long.  A Float Plan just might have saved their lives.

We received an email from a happy and safe boater in California recently;

Dear US Float Plan,

I would like to thank you and the US Float Plan organization for the great service provided to boaters.  I have always tried to let a relative or friend know about our boating trips in advance, and importantly, when we planned on returning home.  However, it seems that many times when we would “take off” on short notice, no one was notified.  US Float Plan solved that problem since I could have an existing plan ready for use for those routes we frequently cruised, and “open” a plan in minutes using the internet.

A few weeks ago, my wife and I were ready to set out on the Sacramento Delta, and I filed a float plan on your site.  Before leaving home, I received an “overdue notification” from your website.  Well, I had put in the wrong date on the plan that I filed, and so the computer sent out the notice to me, and also to my son who was the designated contact.  I closed the plan and told my son to ignore the notice.  I filed another plan and we left for the boat.

When we were about 5 minutes out from the marina, I was surprised; then pleased to receive a cell phone call from you.  You were concerned about the overdue notice, and wanted to know that we were safe.  What a great feeling that the US Float Plan notifications worked, and that you were concerned enough to call and make sure were OK.  Thank you for providing this service.

Regards,

Mike D.

CA”

Be safe – Use the USFloatPlan (www.USFloatPlan.com) before your next planned trip on the water.

Safe travels –

James Dicks