Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin, Ranking Member Boozman, and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to present information concerning my experience with the Ellsworth Air Force Base’s Transition Assistance Program and reasons why I support it.

I am honored to have served my country over 19 years. In May 2007, I deployed to Iraq and shortly after my departure, my husband was relocated for a one-year assignment in Central America. I have had the opportunity to benefit from many of the services provided at Ellsworth Air Force Base including pre-deployment and post-deployment services and most recently the Transition Assistance Program.

I have been out of the civilian work force for almost 20 years, and was intimidated on the transition back into civilian life. This course provided me great insight into areas I should consider prior to separating. I was given information to assist me in job search, access to tools such as websites, personal appraisal information, financial guidance, etc. I only wish I would have attended earlier and had more time to get prepared.

The training I received was very informative and presented in a logical format. Lessons included how to fill out job applications, understand different types of resumes, the importance of cover letters, and the instructors even provided assistance to me in drafting my own resume. I learned keys to job searching such as preparation (knowing the company), knowing the job description, and different types of interviews. The last day I learned about my veteran’s benefits and specifically about programs I didn’t know were available to me. Every military member should attend this class.

There is one area of concern I have in applying for civil service following military service. Although benefits and preferences are available for veterans after separation, the hiring systems for civil service may not allow you to take advantage of veteran’s preferences until you receive the final DD Form 214. In the past, a copy of this document was provided to the member during their last appointment to out-process. It is now mailed to the service member and can take more than a month from the date of separation. Many members who are retiring spend up to 60 days on terminal leave attempting to secure employment, and in some cases remain unemployed for as long as 3 months before they can take advantage of the VA preferences because they have not received the DD Form 214. Compounding this problem is the complicated hiring system. In my current position, I have worked through this difficult hiring process to hire a civilian employee and it took months. On USAJOBS.com, positions were listed that were not truly open (two other civilian positions in my office) and there were positions open for months that remained unfilled because someone in the reviewing process determined the applicant was unqualified. This process was very difficult for the unit waiting for the position to be filled, and frustrating for applicants who needed employment and had applied but did not receive feedback on why they were found to not be qualified. This hiring system needs significant work.

Chairwoman Herseth Sandlin, Ranking Member Boozman, and members of the Subcommittee, I support your efforts to review and improve the Transition Assistance Programs offered throughout our nation and hope that the information provided here today is of help to you. This concludes my testimony. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have.