Newsletter for July-August 2017

1. SFL-TAP has several events scheduled in the coming weeks to highlight various
skills, programs, and organizations involved with transitioning Soldiers:
 26 July & 2 August - Soldiers/Army Veterans will be speaking on Facebook Live
about their transitioning experiences.
 3 August - 12p.m. EST industry, companies, veterans, transitioning Soldiers and
Army programs are coming together for an online Twitter Chat using the
hashtag #HireaSoldier. The chat will focus on job seeking and resume advice
search at www.twitter.com/SFL-TAP, #HireaSoldier.
 10 August - SFL-TAP will be hosting a Facebook Live Resume talk for approxi-
mately 10 to 15 minutes.
 Contact Ms Jenny Hale with SFL-TAP Headquarters at www.facebook.com/
ArmySFL-TAP for more information.
Inside this issue:
Hire a Soldier 1
Career Skills Program 1
Writing about combat
experience in a resume
2
Federal Employment
Class Schedule
3
3 Tips for Transition 4
25 Top Hot Jobs 4
Job Fair & Hiring Event 5
Future Events 5
Contact Information 5
Schedule of Services 5
US Army Garrison—Fort Huachuca, AZ
SFL-TAP NEWSLETTER
Special points
of interest:
 Hours of Operation:
Mon thru Fri 0730-1630
 Open on Training
Holidays
 Closed on Federal
Holidays
 Location:
Building 22420, Butler Rd
Fort Huachuca, AZ
 Phone Number:
520-533-5764
 FAX: 520-533-7059
 Email:
usarmy.huachuca.imcom
-central.mbx.sfl-tap
@mail.mil
JULY / AUGUST 2017 VOLUME 2, ISSUE 8
Kate Curtis is Fort Huachuca’s new
Career Skills Program Installation
Administrator (CSPIA). Kate joined
us in late June 2017. She is excited to
work with employers and separating
Soldiers hoping to find the right “fit”
for both the employer and Soldier.
It’s all about finding that “career” and
not just a job when a Soldier sepa-
rates.
Stop by to visit her and let her know
what kind of careers you are pursu-
ing. Career Skills Program (CSP) indi-
vidual internships are underway and
the permissive TDY guidance is an-
ticipated soon that explains how in-
terested Soldiers are able to attend
CSPs outside the local area.
Soldiers are eligible for CSP once
they have completed all 14 Career
Readiness Standards (CRS). Come by
the SFL-TAP Center and complete
your DD Form 2648 eForm, start
your CSP and your future career!
Meet Kate!
Career Skills Program Administrator
SFL-TAP Hire a Soldier Campaign
What is a Career?
A career is the pursuit of a lifelong
ambition or the progress and actions
taken by a person toward lifelong
goals. A career is composed of jobs
held, titles earned, and work accom-
plished over a long period of time
rather than just one position. A career
include all the roles you undertake
throughout your life including educa-
tion, training, paid and unpaid work,
family, volunteer work, leisure activi-
ties and more.
Contact Kate:
Katherine.a.bakercurtis.ctr@mail.mil
Phone# 520-533-5417
Bldg 22420- SFL-TAP Center
(Mon & Wed) 0730-1630
Bldg 52104 - Education Center
(Tues, Thurs & Fri) 0730-1630

2. Exploring Your Career:
Addressing Combat Experience in a Resume
The core of a transitioning Soldier’s employment success
is the civilian resume. Soldiers must “demilitarize” their
resume as much as possible using terminology the aver-
age civilian employer will understand. Soldiers need to
properly address their combat experience within their
resumes. The following article was published by GI Jobs
Magazine:
“Tips For Writing About Combat Experience
On Your Resume” by James Clark
When writing your resume, don’t let the wrong language
keep you from landing the job you’re qualified for.
When it comes to transitioning out of the military and
into the private sector, combat veterans possess a
wealth of knowledge and battlefield experience that sep-
arates them from their civilian peers. Unfortunately,
sometimes that’s not enough on its own You have to be
able to express it in a way your civilian peers will under-
stand.
Which is a lot harder than it sounds. Most civilian em-
ployers have only a tangential understanding of what
military service or combat entails, informed by pop cul-
ture, films, books, and occasionally second-hand
knowledge.
To find out how best to make that experience translata-
ble in the civilian sector, Task & Purpose spoke with Ben
Vinograd and John Thompson of Conditions Set, a non-
profit that helps veterans and service members with
their job applications. We asked Vinograd, the chief exec-
utive officer, and Thompson, a former Marine officer and
the nonprofit’s president, about the one thing that no
hiring manager wants to see on a resume.
A detailed account of your combat experience.
American service members have been at war for a long
time now. They’ve seen combat and have had their lead-
ership skills tested in a brutal crucible, so it makes sense
that it’s something they’d want to highlight.
Unfortunately, that type of experience doesn’t always
translate well to the civilian job market.
“Hiring managers who are looking for resumes of people
who are directly involved in combat do not want to see
too many references to the combat mission,” Vinograd
explained.
However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t include
that information, just that there are right and wrong ways
to do it. It’s all about knowing your audience and tailoring
the language to fit with the position and the company
you’re applying to.
“Sometimes you get resumes where there are bullets,
where they say ‘received combat action ribbon for direct
combat with the enemy,’ and another bullet saying
‘responsible for the KIA of 13 Taliban,’” said Thompson.
“We generally recommend that it’s probably a good idea
to either completely delete this or to rephrase it in softer
language, because unfortunately there’s a preconceived
notion that if you’re in combat you have PTSD or might
have emotional problems or something like that.”
While frustrating, it’s important to remember that the
hiring manager reviewing your resume may have little to
no experience with the military at large, and combat in
particular.
“It’s just kind of how the culture is, everyone sees movies,
and everything like that and it’s obviously not the case,
but in order to be cautious we recommend you tamper
down that language,” Thompson explained, adding that if
you’re applying to a security firm or government con-
tracting company, you can probably keep that information
in there.
Now, how do you make combat experience
translatable?
First, you need to recognize that the language you might
be used to using doesn’t translate well to the job you’re
applying for, said Thompson.
Page 2SFL-TAP NEWSLETTER

3. Page 3SFL-TAP NEWSLETTER
For example, don’t write patrol.
“Instead of saying patrol, call that a project, because
essentially that’s a project,” continued Thompson.
“There’s a lot of planning that goes ahead of that, a
lot of managing and impromptu decision making
that goes into that.”
Another thing you can do is to tweak the language
you use for individual units.
“If you’re a squad leader, and you’re responsible for
a squad, then that’s a team,” added Thompson.
“Basically, everything’s a team. Doesn’t matter how
big your team is. If you’re a squad leader, then you
led a team of 13 individuals, if you’re a platoon
commander, then you led a team of 42 or so individ-
uals.”
The reason you do this is to make the language
more relatable to a civilian audience by using termi-
nology that’s standard within the corporate envi-
ronment.
Another way to help you translate your military
experience is to provide your billet, and then ex-
plain what that position was in terms that relate to
the job you’re applying for.
Exploring Your Career
(continued from page 2)
“In the majority of cases, we have the transitioning service
member include what their official titles were, then just use
the first bullet underneath it to be the more general
description of what that actually means,” said Vinograd.
“Whatever it is, they can then use that bullet to kind of put
it in context.”
However, Vinograd stressed that you shouldn’t feel
compelled to completely mask or hide your military
background or experience. Instead you should try to find a
way to make it relatable to someone who hasn’t served.
“There’s no need to completely erase your military
vocabulary, it’s just picking and choosing when you provide
the military vocabulary and when you provide the
translation,” explained Vinograd.
In the end, your military background and your experiences
in combat or overseas are what separates you from your
civilian peers; just be sure you explain it in a way your
prospective employer can relate to.
Published in GI Jobs Magazine and re-posted on Task and Purpose:
http://taskandpurpose.com/how-to-write-about-your-combat-experience-in-your-resume/
Free Federal Employment Classes
2017 Schedule
2nd Tuesday Monthly
8:30 am – 12:00 pm (ACS Conference Room)
Aug 08, Sep 12,
Oct 10, Nov 14, Dec 12
Open to Military ID Card holders & DOD Civilians - Learn to navigate the Federal Employment process
Contact ACS at 533-2330 to register!
Sponsored by: ACS Employment Readiness Program. Pre-registration required 520-533-2330

4. Page 4SFL-TAP NEWSLETTER
Are you prepared to transition to the civilian
work force? Are you ready to apply to a
higher education institution?
The Soldier for Life - Transition Assistance
Program (SFL-TAP) can help you better
prepare for your transition from active duty.
Below are three tips to help you prepare:
#1 - Go early and often to your SFL-TAP
Center. The earlier you start your transition
process, the easier it will be to prepare a re-
sume, develop a network, attend career
workshops, apply to jobs or school, com-
plete credentials, participate in internships,
Career Skills Programs, and more.
#2 - Use the SFL-TAP resources provided
to you. The programs requires the comple-
tion of Career Readiness Standards (CRS).
These requirements include attending vari-
ous briefings, classes and workshops that
educate you on transition and career skills.
Classes focus on VA Benefits, resume
development, financial planning, and more.
SFL-TAP also offers additional classes through
the Virtual Center including Advanced Resume
Writing, Federal Resume Writing, and Federal
Jobs. Job fairs and employer events are also
held at local SFL-TAP centers. The more these
resources are utilized by you, the more prepared
you will be for transition.
#3 - Network Opportunities. Networking
within the community and with those in the
industry you want to work with is important
because many jobs are found through word-of-
mouth. The earlier you start SFL-TAP, the more
time you will have to build relationships. Take
the time to join networking groups, and talk to
your peers about employment opportunities you
may be interested in.
To learn more about SFL-TAP, visit
https://www.sfl-tap.army.mil
Where To?
Approximately 80 percent
of transitioning Soldiers
stay in the local
community where they
separate from the Army.
The reasons vary from
lack of employment
opportunities in their
chosen profession to the
cost of living and where
the family may already
own a home.
Fortunately, the Army
does not require Soldiers
to immediately move.
Soldiers have up to six
months after their ETS
date or one year after their
retirement date to make
their final paid move.
3 Ways to Prepare for Your Transition From Active
Duty
Top 25 Hot Jobs for Veterans
GI Jobs Magazine, April 2017 issue asked the 2017
Military Friendly Employers what jobs they recruit
veterans for and what they paid:
1. Operations Manager—$97,730
2. Customer Service Rep—$31,720
3. Computer Information Sys Mgr—$131,600
4. Accountant & Auditor—$67,190
5. Mechanics, Installers & Repairers—$63,070
6. Software Application Developer—$98,260
7. Computer Systems Analyst—$85,800
8. Sales Account Representative—$55,730
9. Office & Administrative Workers—$52,630
10. Human Resources Manager—$104,440
11. Cyber Security Analyst—$ 90,120
12. Electrician—$51,880
13. Software Systems Developer—$105,570
14. Transportation, Material-Moving Vechicle Operators—
$55,860
15. CDL Driver & Operattor—$40,260
16. Computer Hardware Engineer—$111,730
17. Construction & Trade Workers—$62,070
18. Automotive Technician & Mechanic—$37,850
19. Aircraft/Aviation Technician—$58,370
20. Diesel Engineer Specialist—$44,520
21. Welder—$38,150
22. WEB Developer—$64,970
23. Financial Services—$71,550
24. Marketing Manager—$128,750
25. Registered Nurse—$67,490

5. The annual Fall Career Fair is scheduled for September 21st,
2017 at the Murr Community Center on Fort Huachuca from
1000 to 1400. There are two primary career fairs every year
hosted by SFL-TAP and Army Community Service (ACS) in
the fall and spring. The career fairs are held in conjunction
with the local American Job Centers, which hold their semi-
annual career fairs off post. This year’s AZ@Work event is
on September 20th, with the location still to be determined
Employers attending the career fairs are required to be active-
ly hiring, and are not invited to attend if they don’t have cur-
rent job vacancies. The average employer attendance for the
past three career fairs is 40-45 employers and approximately
10 employment-related organizations such as the Sierra
Vista Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC),
Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2), and the US
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The second annual Fall Pre-Match Hiring Event is
scheduled for Tuesday, October 3rd at the Thunder
Mountain Activity Centre (TMAC) from 0900 to 1600.
Last year’s inaugural event resulted in over 70 interviews,
16 Soldiers, dependents and veterans offered jobs on the
spot! This event is sponsored through a State of Arizona
grant administered through the Arizona Coalition for
Military Families (ACMF).
Get a Job This Fall!
Mondays: 0800-1030 Preseparation Counseling
1330-1500 New Client Initial Counseling
Tuesdays: 0800-1030 Preseparation Counseling
1300-1500 Clearing
Wednesdays: 0800-1030 Preseparation Briefing
1330-1500 New Client Initial Counseling
Thursdays: 0800-1030 Preseparation Briefing
1330-1500 Clearing
Fridays: 0800-1200 Clearing
1330-1500 New Client Initial Counseling
Schedule of Services
SFL-TAP is open from 0730 to 1630
Monday through Friday, including train-
ing holidays. We use an appointment
system for scheduled activities such as
pre-separation counseling, new client
initial counseling, and clearing. Our
staff will try to accommodate walk-ins
on a space-available basis. However, we
cannot guarantee a short wait if Soldier
needs help beyond our staff answering
basic questions, so appointments are
recommended. We are also open during
lunch to provide maximum availability.
Page 5 SFL-TAP NEWSLETTER
COME EARLY,
COME OFTEN!
Arizona@Work Job Fair:
20 September 2017, 1000-1400, Location TBD
Fort Huachuca Fall 2017 Career Fair:
21 September 2017, 1000-1400, Murr Community Center
Fort Huachuca Pre-Match Hiring Event:
3 October 2017, 0900-1600, TMAC
Find us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/HuachucaSFLTAP Like us!
Future Events SFL-TAP Points of Contact:
Transition Services Manager:
Charlene Shelton 533-7314
Transition Services Specialist:
Bobby Fields 533-8414
Contract Installation Manager:
Tomas Velez 533-5757
Transition Services Center (MPD):
Supervisor & Retirement Services Officer:
Rosalie Monge 533-5733
Chief, Military Personnel Division
Mike Barber 533-3267