Members of the Missouri National Guard 1138th Engineering Company are at Southeast Missouri State University this week to hone their job searching skills. The 1138th just returned from an eight-month deployment in Afghanistan on Sunday, where they cleared improvised explosive devices near Kandahar for other units.
This week’s workshop gives soldiers job seeking and interviewing skills, and assists their transition to the civilian workforce.
Captain Nick Swoboda is the state family program director for the Missouri National Guard. He said they are trying to bridge the gap between military service and civilian life.
“They’ve learned a lot of skills over the past year with their military service,” Capt. Swoboda said. “These guys are heroes. They did a fantastic mission all year long. We just want to make sure they we capitalize on their skills sets and their abilities here back in the States and link them up with employers where they can be of mutual benefit.”
One option for National Guard members is the Show-Me Guard Officer Leadership Development (GOLD) program. The program is starting this fall at Southeast Missouri State University, and is similar to the ROTC. It produces officers for the Missouri National Guard.
Captain Tyson Mele is the chair of Southeast’s Military Science Department and is in charge of the Show-Me GOLD program. He said it’s not the easiest transition to come home after a deployment, and he wants soldiers to take advantage of resources to further their careers.
“Maybe I’m going back to working a desk job where I was hunting for roadside as 1138th was. We just want to emphasize to them that, hey, take advantage of these opportunities. They are out there, and plan for your future,” Capt. Mele said.
For Specialist First Class John Gilman, his future will stay with the Missouri National Guard. He just returned from an eight-month deployment with the 1138th in Afghanistan. He’s leaning towards the GOLD program at Southeast.
“I’ve gone to SEMO previously, and there wasn’t a whole lot of involvement for veterans,” SFC Gilman said. “Just being gone a year and coming back, I’m completely blown away how much they’ve invested into the veterans program and how much they’re actually putting forth for us.”
Gilman recently re-enlisted and hopes to continue his career in the National Guard.
“This is just even better, coming back home from deployment, being away from family. Now there’s just a relief of stress knowing that I can enroll in a program, continue my military career, and stay right here in my hometown,” he said.
Guard members are non-deployable while enrolled in the Show-Me GOLD program. Captain Mele said 50 have already committed.