Ft. Stewart, Georgia - Under the direction of U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kay Coles James, OPM staff experts today continued Phase II of the Veteran Invitational Program (VIP) at the Winn Army Community Hospital (WACH) in Ft. Stewart, Georgia.  The continued outreach efforts are part of Director James' initiatives to tap the veteran talent pool and strengthen the Federal workforce.   

"The soldiers of the Third Infantry Division have a storied history and have been at the forefront in the war on terror," stated Director James. "The call to serve for these men and women though does not end with military service.  America's veterans are a rich, ready-made talent pool we welcome in the Federal civil service and they can and will continue to carry the guidon for the American people.  It is our duty to ensure they are fully aware of the opportunities and tools that await them in the civil service and ensure they are afforded their due preference in the Federal hiring process." 

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. 

"Kudos to OPM Director Kay James for sending members of her staff to speak to transitioning soldiers from Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield who are interested in continuing their service to their country as Federal civil service employees," stated Louisa H. Sigman, Army Career and Alumni Program Manager, Fort Stewart & Hunter Army Airfield, GA.  "There is a lot of interest in federal service opportunities as was evidenced by the more than 100 personnel who attended this seminar that was sponsored by the Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP).  What a wonderful opportunity for soldiers to ask their questions and have them answered by the subject matter experts.  Thank you for thinking of our soldiers as they prepare to leave active duty."

OPM aggressively reached out to veterans through Phase I of the VIP which was launched in August, 2003. In Phase I, OPM developed informational brochures and posters designed to raise the level of awareness among separating soldiers from the U. S. Armed Services.  These materials were distributed to all major veteran service organizations and military separation offices throughout the country.

Visits have already been made to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the Washington DC area as well as the Hampton, Virginia; Albany, New York; Kansas City, Missouri and Minneapolis, Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Centers.  Additional visits are scheduled for Jacksonville and Tampa, Florida; Ft. Bragg, North Carolina; Ft. Campbell, Kentucky; Ft. Hood Texas; Camp Pendleton, California; Ft. Jackson, South Carolina and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.  

Available at usajobs.gov, OPM also has produced valuable online resources 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.