Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 11/01/99

Dear Sgt. Shaft:

I appreciate your column highlighting the work done by Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman and the Department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) in the area of veterans' preference for Federal Government employment and the non-discrimination provisions of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). USERRA prohibits any employer from discriminating or taking any adverse employment action against veterans, reservists, or National Guard members because of their past, present, or future military obligations.

VETS has an Internet web site to advise employers and veterans of their rights and responsibilities under veterans' preference and USERRA. The address in http://www.dol.gov/dol/vets. If a veteran doesn't have Internet access, he or she can con attact Nick Dawson VETS' national office on (202) 693-4711. In addition, the National Veterans' Training Institute in Denver has just finished a new course to help VETS' staff better understand veterans' preference and discrimination issues so they can do thorough professional investigations on complaints brought by veterans.

As important as VETS' enforcement responsibilities are for veterans and their employment well-being, it is part of how the agency serves veterans in today's growing economy. So many of today's good jobs require some form of license or certificate from the federal government, state governments, national organizations, or businesses. Our veterans learn many of these same skills in the military.

I believe that helping veterans get civilian credentialing so they can put their skills knowledge and abilities to work in our growing economy must be the cornerstone of VETS' programs to serve the needs of 21st century veterans. I want to make sure that the process works for veterans, not against them by requiring possible duplicative and expensive retraining and recertification for skills they already have. Secretary Herman is very interested in our work because it fits so closely with her departmental goal of a prepared work force through skill building and lifelong learning.

The digital economy is driving our economic growth and is responsible for much of our phenomenal job development. By 2006, almost half of all American workers will be employed by industries producing information technology or using it. And the jobs are high paying -- in 1997, the average wage of information technology workers was 78 percent higher than workers generally. There's a desperate need for qualified workers in this field. I want veterans to be able to get these good, career building jobs.

That's why VETS has been working, for the past two years, with a wide array of government agencies, state governments, companies, unions, trade associations, and educational institutions, to help veterans get the credentials they need to qualify for jobs ranging from information technology to telecommunications, health care, law enforcement and security, heavy equipment operators, over-the-road truck drivers, and so many more.

America's veterans have earned the best benefits and the highest level of service we can provide. Our work in this area has just begun. It is time-consuming and personnel-intensive. To do it right, we have to touch all the bases, include all the players.  With the continuing support of the Secretary of Labor and the cooperation of the department's other agencies, I believe the job prospects for veterans in the 21st century will be better.

Thank you for your continued support of VETS and all of America's veterans.

Espiridion "Al" Borrego
Assistant Secretary for VETS

Dear Mr. Secretary (Marine buddy):

I salute you and the Department of Labor for the work you are doing on behalf of our nation's veterans. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs has a blind spot when it comes to hiring some veterans in their blind rehabilitation program. I am talking about blinded veterans; for instance, the VA's failure to promote a highly qualified blinded vet to direct their blind rehabilitation program at the Hines Medical Center in Illinois. Additionally, some federal agencies are claiming that their alternate personnel systems do not include veterans' preference.

Now that I've got that off my chest, I'm looking forward to joining you at the Department of Labor's 19th annual Salute to All American Veterans, to be held in the Department's Great Hall at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 10. I can't wait to see your Master of Ceremony skills and hear Secretary Herman's official welcome to more than 300 guests from veterans service organizations, other government agencies, department employees, and the public. I know that, as in the past, you will have many surprise illuminaries and awardees. Thanks for celebrating our Marine Corps birthday. Semper fi.

Shaft Kudos
Join the Sarge at this year's patriotic Veterans Day Celebration honoring America, to be held on Thursday, November 11, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at DAR Constitution Hall, 18th and D Streets, N.W. This year's gala will be highlighted by John McDermott, one of the three Irish Tenors, singing "Danny Boy."  It will also include baritone Hershel Gober singing some Elvis Presley tunes; narrators Adrian Cronauer of "Good Morning, Vietnam" fame and Dave Lucas, NewsChannel 8 anchor; and the VA-National Medical Musical Group Chorale and Orchestra under the direction of Victor S. Wabby.

All tickets are $10 and available through Ticketmaster or via the Internet at  www.vetday.com. Contact Carol Auxier (301-208-0976) for additional information.

The Non Commissioned Officers Association (NCOA) is sponsoring Ronald Bedford, Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army, in a historic Honor Walk of more than 1,700 miles to raise money and awareness of the nation's World War II Memorial. The Command Sergeant Major will attend the November 11 National Veterans Day Celebration at DAR Constitution Hall. Persons wishing to support the WWII Memorial may contribute via the NCOA WWII Commemorative Honor Walk by calling 1-800-639-4993. Visit the Internet at www.ww2walk.com for details on the Honor Walk.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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