Fort Sill, Oklahoma - U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recruiters and staff experts recently visited Fort Sill, Oklahoma as part of the continued efforts of Phase II of the Veteran Invitational Program (VIP). The visits and training programs are part of OPM's goals of tapping the veteran talent pool to strengthen the Federal workforce and encourage the use of veterans' preference.

"I'm always encouraged about the future of the civil service when I hear about new veterans joining the ranks," stated Dan G. Blair, Acting Director U.S. Office of Personnel Management. "Veterans' preference is something that these brave men and women have earned, but it's only useful to them if they know what it is and how to use it; that's why training and outreach programs like the VIP are so important. VIP is working and its effects will be felt for years to come through the strength and competencies that veterans bring to the workforce."

The OPM outreach group conducted seminars including a session which explained veterans' preference and veteran appointing authorities. Other seminars and workshops covered navigation of the usajobs.gov website, resume writing, interviewing skills, and the Federal application process. One of the key take-home products was the OPM-produced DVD "What Veterans Need to Know About Veterans' Preference," a comprehensive 40-minute video seminar of veterans' preference rights and eligibilities.

"I think it is fantastic that OPM is visiting military installations in an effort to get the word out to our Army soldiers and family members about the benefits of continuing their service to our country by working as a civilian," said Debra Watts, Transition Services Manager - Army Career and Alumni Program, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. "Our transitioning soldiers here at Fort Sill are especially grateful to OPM for helping them with tips and techniques to enable them to hopefully secure employment with the Federal government. The classes offered by OPM are very informative. The session explaining veterans' preference is an especially popular one."

OPM recently launched a Federal Hiring Flexibilities Resource Center website (http://www.opm.gov/strategic_management_of_human_capital/fhfrc/default.asp) that provides valuable information on appointing veterans to the American civil service.

Other valuable online resources can be found at www.opm.gov, including the VetsInfo Guide which provides general information about how the system works and how veterans' preference and the special appointing authorities for veterans operate within the system. Also available is the VetGuide which gives detailed information about the special rights and privileges that veterans enjoy in Federal civil service employment.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.