Navy Safe Harbor Participates in Wounded Warrior Federal Employment Conference

From Navy Safe Harbor Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Representatives from Navy Safe Harbor, the Navy and Coast Guard's wounded warrior support program, participated in the 2011 Wounded Warrior Federal Employment Conference Feb. 23-24 at Fort Belvoir, Va.

The interagency event, hosted by the Army Wounded Warrior Program, convened nearly 125 federal hiring and personnel managers to share resources and discuss best practices for recruiting wounded, ill and injured service members.

"Navy Safe Harbor's goal is to return Sailors and Coast Guardsmen to duty, and, when that's not possible, we work collaboratively with our partners to ensure the service members' successful reintegration into communities," said Capt. Bernie Carter, director of Navy Safe Harbor. "In order to achieve real progress – and to help more wounded warriors find meaningful employment – federal agencies and all branches of military service must work together."

Carter was joined at the two-day event by Navy Safe Harbor staff members, as well as enrollees from the National Capital Area, who expanded their professional networks and received job-seeking advice from federal employers.

"Since I've been enrolled in Navy Safe Harbor, so many new doors have been opened for me," said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Oscar Longoria, who is seeking employment in health care or law enforcement. "My professional resume was already complete, but, thanks to this event, I now have a list of new contacts who can shepherd it through the federal hiring process."

Longoria, assigned to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., was recently diagnosed with kidney failure after undergoing a routine blood test. He currently is transitioning out of active duty.

Navy Safe Harbor's participation in job fairs and conferences is among the many services offered through its employment assistance program. The program provides enrollees and their caregivers a host of career counseling services, from assisting with job applications, to identifying vocational training opportunities, to sharing direct employer contacts. In addition, Navy Safe Harbor serves as a national champion for the hiring of wounded warriors and a source of information for employers interested in doing so.

"Whether our wounded warrior shipmates hope to return to school, a previously held position or to find a new job or career, Navy Safe Harbor works with them and their families to establish goals and chart a course toward long-term success," said Carter.

Navy Safe Harbor invites all federal and non-governmental agencies looking to initiate or expand efforts to recruit wounded warrior employees to contact the organization's headquarters at 877-746-5863 or safeharbor@navy.mil.

Navy Safe Harbor is the Navy's lead organization for coordinating the non-medical care of wounded, ill and injured Sailors, Coast Guardsmen and their families. Through proactive leadership, Navy Safe Harbor provides a lifetime of individually tailored assistance designed to optimize the success of enrollees' recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration activities.