Wounded Warrior Regiment hosted an Education and Hiring Expo for transitioning service members September 10-12, 2019, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Woodbridge, Virginia.
Nearly 100 wounded, ill or injured Marines stationed in California, North Carolina, and Virginia, along with and local and national businesses, including federal agencies, contracting companies, universities and private corporations, descended on the expo, which was the first of its kind for the Regiment. More than 70 businesses and colleges held workshops, mock interviews, and one-on-one sessions to help attendees prepare for separation from service.
Lt. Col. Larry Coleman, Wounded Warrior Regiment Executive Officer, gave opening remarks to attendees, giving the Marines a resounding reminder, “You are smart enough to take advantage of this event. Use what you learn here and take the information back to your peers. Capitalize on the opportunities that are here for you.”
In addition to the hiring aspect, the event included a resume workshop, breakout sessions for targeted audiences, a GI Bill and financial aid presentation, and an array of speakers offering advice.
Brian Bilski, a former Marine, attended the event recruiting for his civilian employer. When asked why it was important to be here for this group of service men and women, Bilski stressed that he wanted to make sure that service members learned what was available for their next steps on their new journey.
“I was able to network during my separation from the Marine Corps and hope to ‘pay it forward’ to provide opportunities, networking, and mentoring to these service members.”
The Wounded Warrior Regiment provides leadership and ensures compliance with laws and Department of Defense (DoD) regulations related to the support, recovery, and non-medical care of combat and non-combat wounded, ill, and injured (WII) Marines, Sailors attached to Marine units, and their family members in order to maximize their recovery as they return to duty or transition to civilian life