AFC Press Room

          
USA – Military (Active, Guard, Reserve, Separated, Retired) and their spouses are invited to attend the Diversity Career Fair, sponsored by Armed Forces Connection (AFC). The event is designed to assist job seekers (i.e. former military and spouses, minorities, disabled, mature adults, multi-lingual professionals, and more) in connecting with employers with staffing needs. THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Employers and educational institutions will have the opportunity to showcase their businesses or school and to meet with candidates actively seeking employment and educational opportunities. Applicants will be prepared to fill out job applications on site. ADMISSION FREE TO ALL JOB SEEKERS! 

UPCOMING EVENT LOCATIONS:

EVENT: Diversity Career Fair – Tampa, FL
DATE: Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
PLACE: Sheraton Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 4400 West Cypress Street, Tampa, FL
TIME: 10 AM to 3 PM

(PARTIAL) LISTING OF CONFIRMED ATTENDEES:

Lee County Sheriff’s Department
Advanced Auto Parts
Wachovia
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Teco Energy
Armed Forces Connection (AFC)
Southwest Airlines
University of Phoenix
Raytheon Corporation
Tempwise
Pinellas County Transit Authority
Grow Financial Federal Credit Union
St Leo University
US Customs Border Patrol
AND MANY OTHERS….

EVENT: Diversity Carfeer Fair - New England
DATE: Wednesday, August 20th, 2008
PLACE: Radisson Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 11 Tara Blvd, Nashua, NH
TIME: 10 AM to 3 PM

(PARTIAL) LISTING OF CONFIRMED ATTENDEES:

GT Solar
American Resource Staffing
Fidelity
Premier Medical Staffing
New Hampshire Ball Bearing
TD Banknorth
BAE Systems
Employment Times
Blended Solutions
Armed Forces Connection (AFC)
Department of Education
United Parcel Service (UPS)
Ameriprise Financial
Hesser College
Waste Management
Soveriegn Bank
AND MANY OTHERS…

Upcoming Locations: Texas, Massachusetts, Maine, Pennslyvania, California, and more…

Employers: For additional information & registration contact Jeannie Lehouillier or Sarah Cavins,  Corporate Relations, at toll free  877-232-5027, or via email careerfair@armedforcesconnection.com.

About AFC

Armed Forces Connection (AFC) offers veterans (past & present) and their families a broad range of free services to ensure a smooth transition from military service to civilian employment.  These services include career and educational counseling, nationwide job board, and informational resources for locating a home.  In addition, employers and recruiting agencies have the opportunity to post jobs and recruit veterans and family members directly from AFC.  Rewarding benefits for businesses include a global resume access,  international job postings, Veteran Friendly profile, and competitive cost advantage.  Armed Forces Connection - “HELPING THOSE WHO DEFEND US”.

                   

BEDFORD, NH - Armed Forces Connection (AFC) announced today that it has chosen the University of Phoenix as its preferred provider of higher education.

The University of Phoenix, the largest private university in North America, now has a direct link from the AFC website connecting veterans and military families to special programs designed specifically to enhance their employment opportunities while fulfilling the nationwide demand for skilled workers. 

AFC, a leader in providing career and education resources to Service Members (past & present) and military spouses, now has the capability to bring numerous career-oriented courses and degree programs to AFC clients worldwide.  AFC clients now have direct access to course and degree information as well as a dedicated enrollment team and individualized enrollment services.

Shelby Russell, Executive Director, Armed Forces Connection stated, “The addition of the University of Phoenix as a preferred education provider significantly strengthens our nationwide career and education tools which we provide as a free service to America’s service men and women and their families.  The breadth and national availability of its educational offerings coupled with its ‘veteran friendly’ image make the University of Phoenix a logical choice for all veterans and military spouses who are looking to add civilian educational credentials.”

AFC members can choose from course and degree offerings in areas such as business, health care, education, technology and more.

Richard Purtell, AFC President and CEO, added, “We continue to augment the services that we provide to our veterans around the globe.  A major factor in selecting the University of Phoenix was the variety of educational offerings from professional development courses to certificate and degree programs.” “Obtaining professional certifications can help you stand apart from the competition and give hiring managers a reason to choose you over other candidates. It can also help you expand your knowledge of the industry and elevate your professionalism,” stated Russell.

Course and degree information is now conveniently available to all veterans and military families worldwide via a dedicated team at the University of Phoenix. To enroll or learn more please call toll free 800-915-1280 or email tom.donahue@phoenix.edu.

The University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (www.ncahlc.org). 
 
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help students balance education and life in a rapidly changing world. Through flexible schedules, challenging courses and interactive learning, students achieve personal and career aspirations without putting their lives on hold. As of March 27, 2008, 330,200 students were enrolled at University of Phoenix, the largest private university in North America. University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world.

To further your education and enhance your professional development visit  http://www.phoenix.edu/info/afc/ or click on The University of Phoenix under Transition Tools. START TODAY!

About AFC

Armed Forces Connection (AFC) offers veterans and their families a broad range of free services to ensure a smooth transition from military service to civilian employment.  These services include career and educational counseling, global job board, and informational resources for financing and locating a home.  In addition, employers and recruiting agencies have the opportunity to post jobs and recruit veterans and family members directly from AFC.  Rewarding benefits for businesses include a global resume search, international job postings, Veteran Friendly profile, and competitive cost advantage.  Armed Forces Connection - “HELPING THOSE WHO DEFEND US”.

MANCHESTER, N.H.

AFC Executive Director Shelby Russell with WMUR TV Political Director, Scott Spradling. Spradling was Co-Anchor of NH Presidential Debates, Sponsored by CNN and ABC TV. 

In the spring of 2007, the New Hampshire Political Library partnered with WMUR-TV and the Citizens Bank Foundation to produce Conversation with the Candidate. The series invited all Presidential candidates to participate in a one-hour taping with Granite State voters at the WMUR studio.

The conversations began with a short interview with an WMUR anchor followed by questions from the in-studio audience, as well as questions submitted online from viewers across the state. Eighteen candidates participated in the series and all interviews are available for online viewing by clicking on “politics” on the WMUR-TV website or by clicking on the link:  http://www.wmur.com/conversations-with-the-candidates/index.html

Shelby Russell, Executive Director - AFC, meeting with the Presidential Candidates at WMUR TV Studio.

Bedford, NH - Armed Forces Connection (AFC) will be a featured sponsor at the Air Show on May 31 and  June 1, 2008 at McGuire Air Force Base in Wrightstown, NJ. This year’s event will include the Air Force Thunderbirds, the US Air Force Reserve Jet Car, and many other performers. The gates will open at approximately 9:00 AM with performances running from approximately 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM. “We are excited about our return this year as a sponsor and proudly salute America’s service men and women (and their families) for their hard work and sacrifices” remarked Shelby Russell, AFC’s Executive Director.**

Air Show details… http://www.mcguireairexpo.info/index.html

About AFC
Armed Forces Connection (AFC) offers veterans and their families a broad range of free services to ensure a smooth transition from military service to civilian employment. These services include career and educational counseling, global job board, and informational resources for financing and locating a home. In addition, employers and recruiting agencies have the opportunity to post jobs and recruit veterans and family members directly from AFC. Rewarding benefits for businesses include a global resume access, international job postings, candidate skill evaluation and testing, and competitive cost advantage. Armed Forces Connection - “HELPING THOSE WHO DEFEND US”.

**No Federal endorsement of sponsor intended.

Bedford, NH– Armed Forces Connection (AFC), held its 2nd Annual Suit Drive throughout the months of November 2007 to January 2008.  Through the generosity of many New England businesses and citizens, we were able to donate approximately 500 men and women’s business suits, shirts, pants, and professional attire to local veterans and their families.   Recipients are currently residing in transitional housing including Veteran F.I.R.S.T. Homeless Shelter, Buckingham Place, and other locations throughout New England. Other suit drop-offs are scheduled this month.  AFC is hoping that these donations will assist veterans and their families who are looking for employment.

AFC is committed to providing free resources to honorably discharged veterans and their spouses to help them highlight their talents and stand out to prospective employers.  “The Veterans Suit Drive is just a small step in the process,” stated Shelby Russell, Executive Director of AFC. “Once again, the Suit Drive was a great success and AFC is looking forward to organizing this event again later this year.”  AFC was joined in delivering suits to local shelters by New Hampshire State Representatives, Frank Emiro and Pam Coughlin, Debbie Murphy, Assistant Vice President, Client Markets North American Specialty Insurance Company, Stephanie Richfield, Government Relations, American Resource Staffing, and Vicki Giuffre, Director, Human Resources, American Resource Staffing.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL THAT DONATED CLOTHING TO THE SUIT DRIVE – YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!

Bedford, NH - The public is invited to attend the New England Diversity Career Fair, presented by AFC. The event is designed to assist job seekers (i.e. former military and spouses, minorities, disabled, mature adults, and more) in connecting with employers with staffing needs. The public is welcome to attend.

Employers and educational institutions will have the opportunity to showcase their businesses or school and to meet with candidates actively seeking employment and educational opportunities. Applicants will be prepared to fill out job applications on site.
ADMISSION FREE TO ALL JOB SEEKERS!

We have invited over 100 companies to attend this event. Door Prizes (Hotel Stays, Sports Tickets, and more) awarded to attendees!

UPCOMING EVENT LOCATIONS:

EVENT: New England Diversity Career Fair – New Hampshire
DATE: Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008
PLACE: Radisson Hotel, Grand Ballroom, 11 Tara Blvd, Nashua, New Hampshire
TIME: 10 AM to 3 PM

Partial listing of CONFIRMED attendees:

Aerotek
American Resource Staffing
Ameriprise Financial
Armed Forces Connection
Babies R Us
BAE Systems
Bentley Commons
Border Patrol
Burger King
Comcast
Concord Hospital
Davis Companies Inc
Digital Credit Union
Easter Seals
Employment Times
Exeter Health Resources
Fidelity Investment
Franklin Pierce University
Hesser College
Hitchiner Manufacturing
Home Depot
Insight Technology 
Jobs in NH
Morgan Stanley
National Able Network
New Hampshire Employment Security
New Hampshire Army National Guard
PC Connection
Pikes Industries
Premier Medical Staffing
Seacoast Career School
Service Credit Union
Sovereign Bank
Toys R Us
United States Marine Corps
University of Phoenix
UPS
US Army Healthcare Team
US Cellular
Volt
Waddell & Reed
Waste Management
Wells Fargo
And Many Others…

EVENT: New England Diversity Career Fair - Massachusetts
DATE: Wednesday, February 27th, 2008
PLACE: Marriott Hotel, Grand Ballroom, One Mall Road, Burlington, Massachusetts
TIME: 10 AM to 3 PM

Partial listing of attendees:

Aerotek
American Resource Staffing
Armed Forces Connection
Cambridge College
Comcast
Conway Freight
CSX Transportation
Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA)
Digital Credit Union
Employment Times
Fishery Products International
General Dynamic’s Electric Boat Division
ABLE of Boston
Harvard Vanguard & Associates
John Hancock Financials
Liberty Mutual
Lytron Inc
Massachusetts Dept of Corrections
Met Life Insurance
MHM Services
Middlesex Bank
NFI Massachusetts Inc
Northern Arc
One Stop Business Center
Papa Gino’s
Paychex Inc
Premier Medical Staffing
Quantech Services Inc
SAIC
Sears Holding
Stop n Shop Stores
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
UPS
Volt
Wayne Griffin Electrical Inc
Wells Fargo
Wyotech
University of Phoenix
And Many Others…

SPONSORED BY THE EMPLOYMENT TIMES

Other Diversity Career Fair locations to be announced…

For additional information contact:

Career Fair Coordinator
603-606-3012 or toll free 877-232-5027
careerfair@armedforcesconnection.com
About AFC

Armed Forces Connection (AFC) offers veterans and their families a broad range of free services to ensure a smooth transition from military service to civilian employment. These services include career and educational counseling, global job board, and informational resources for financing and locating a home. In addition, employers and recruiting agencies have the opportunity to post jobs and recruit veterans and family members directly from AFC. Rewarding benefits for businesses include a global resume search, international job postings, candidate skill evaluation and testing, and competitive cost advantage. Armed Forces Connection - “HELPING THOSE WHO DEFEND US”.

**NOTE TO EMPLOYER (VENDOR)**

REGISTRATION CANCELLATION

Vendor may cancel Registration without cause upon written notice at any time prior to the event upon payment of an amount based upon the following schedule:

From 30 to 60 days prior to the event date: A full refund of Registration Fee to the Vendor.

From 29 to 16 days prior to the event date: An amount equal to 50% of the Registration Fee.

From 15 to 0 days prior to the event date: An amount equal to 100% of the Registration Fee.

The option to cancel is agreed by the parties to constitute the exercise of a contractual option and not default.  Vendor shall make payment due as a result of cancellation of the registration contract under this provision to Armed Forces Connection (AFC) at the time the contract is cancelled by written notice.

Bedford, NH - Armed Forces Connection (AFC), a Nationwide service providing jobs and other resources to transitioning veterans and their families is sponsoring its 2nd Annual Veteran Suit Drive. Professional men and women’s suits, shirts, ties, coats, and purses are needed for veterans and their families who currently reside in transitional housing. AFC’s services are free for any veteran or family member to use, and are in high demand for all those facing the challenges of transitioning into civilian life. Donations can be delivered to Armed Forces Connection’s Headquarters at 165 South River Road, Suite C, Bedford, New Hampshire, 03110, or contact 603-606-3012, toll free 1-877-232-5027.

To learn more about Armed Forces Connection visit online at www.armedforcesconnection.com or email info@armedforcesconnection.com.

About AFC
Armed Forces Connection (AFC) offers veterans and their families a broad range of free services to ensure a smooth transition from military service to civilian employment. These services include career and educational counseling, global job board, and informational resources for financing and locating a home. In addition, employers and recruiting agencies have the opportunity to post jobs and recruit veterans and family members directly from AFC. Rewarding benefits for businesses include a global resume search, international job postings, candidate skill evaluation and testing, and competitive cost advantage. Armed Forces Connection - “HELPING THOSE WHO DEFEND US”.

Manchester, NH - Armed Forces Connection was excited to be the official sponsor of the American Pride Night Celebration at the Manchester Monarchs Hockey game against the Springfield Falcons on November 17th, 2007, at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, NH.

Supported through the Manchester Monarchs Hockey Club, this American Pride theme was carried throughout the game focusing on honoring the military and their families.

Some of the highlights of the night and supported by the Monarchs included:

-          The first 5,000 fans received a raffle ticket for a chance to win multiple game-worn camouflage jerseys.

-          A choreographed pre-game show featuring members of Armed Forces, Color Guards, and more.

-          Team jerseys were auctioned off after the game with the proceeds going to an Armed Forces Connection supported charity group, the New Hampshire Gold Star Mother’s Memorial Association.

-          In-game video vignettes featuring New Hampshire natives giving greetings to their friends and family.

-          And much more fun and excitement…

 

About AFC

Armed Forces Connection (AFC) offers veterans and their families a broad range of free services to ensure a smooth transition from military service to civilian employment.  These services include career and educational counseling, nationwide job board, and informational resources for financing and locating a home.  In addition, employers and recruiting agencies have the opportunity to post jobs and recruit veterans and family members directly from AFC.

 

Armed Forces Connection - “HELPING THOSE WHO DEFEND US”.

  

Manchester, NH - Armed Forces Connection (AFC) is a proud sponsor of the Manchester VA Welcome Home Celebration. The Manchester VA Medical Center is holding a welcome home celebration for Operation Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom veterans and their families on Saturday, November 3rd 2007, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be food, live entertainment, activities for children, a free family portrait, military equipment displays, VA benefits and claim information, VA health-care enrollment information, door prizes and veteran’s service organizations representatives at the event.

Armed Forces Connection (AFC) will be onsite to provide veterans and family members assistance with resume writing, interviewing skills, information on workforce trends, and employment opportunities. AFC’s services are free for any veteran or family member to use, and are in high demand for all those facing the challenges of transitioning into civilian life.

For more information on the Welcome Home Celebration, contact the Manchester VA Medical Center at 1-800-892-8384, ext. 6025 or 6419, or 624-4366, ext. 6025 or 6419.

About AFC
Armed Forces Connection (AFC) offers veterans and their families a broad range of free services to ensure a smooth transition from military service to civilian employment.  These services include career and educational counseling, nationwide job board, and informational resources for financing and locating a home.  In addition, employers and recruiting agencies have the opportunity to post jobs and recruit veterans and family members directly from AFC.

Armed Forces Connection - “HELPING THOSE WHO DEFEND US”.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Nashua, NH - Over 800 job seekers showed up Wednesday, August 29th, 2007 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom in Nashua for the New England Diversity Career presented by the Armed Forces Connection (AFC). WMUR TV, ABC Reporter, Scott Spradling reported the event was New Hampshire’s largest Diversity Career Fair ever held.

Shelby Russell, AFC’s Executive Director, said employers and prospective employees were extremely satisfied with the event. 68 companies/organizations with a commitment to diversity were represented, including: BAE Systems, US Cellular, Sears, Hello Direct/GN Netcom, Department of Corrections, Wal-Mart, Bank of America, Frito Lay, Home Depot, UPS, Verizon Communication, American Resource Staffing, Easter Seals, Velcro USA, and many more.

“Everyone I talked to on both sides (employers and job seekers) were very pleased with the way things went,” commented Richard Purtell, AFC’s President/CEO.

The Diversity Career Fair helped connect hundreds diverse individuals with businesses and schools actively seeking candidates. Companies were able to meet with a myriad of diverse candidates such former military, disabled, seniors, minorities, and many other actively seeking career opportunities. Many companies conducted on the on-the-spot interviews for entry-level to executive positions.

“Our events are created with one goal in mind: helping former military, minorities, older adults, and the disabled connect with companies who value the unique abilities they have to contribute”, remarked Russell.

Stacy Polansky, representing American Resource Staffing, said her firm tries to attend area job fairs. “We usually find some good prospects and are seeing quite a few highly talented people today,” Polansky said. American Resource Staffing was looking to secure people for clerical, industrial, office management positions as well maintenance technicians and IT professionals.

Monika Bellamy of New Boston, New Hampshire was among the people looking for employment. “I moved here from Florida with my husband who is Active Duty Air Force, and I’m looking for any kind of job where I can help others,” Bellamy said. “I talked with many of the companies about positions and ended up landing interviews with 4 of them,” remarked Bellamy. In less than 2 weeks, Bellamy was offered and accepted a position at Citizens Bank.  Several of the job fair attendees have similar stories.

Heidi Gregory, Human Resource Representative from Td Banknorth said her company was looking for a pool of prospective employees and the Diversity Career Fair was an excellent resource. “We’ve had a lot of non-stop traffic and met some really good prospects,” she said.

AFC sponsored Diversity Career Fairs provide recruiters and hiring managers access to a large pool of diverse, multi-cultural, and qualified professionals. These professionals include women, minorities, mature adults, former military, the disabled, and others. To learn more about Diversity Recruitment call 877-232-5027 or email careerfair@armedforcesconnection.com.

                       

Bedford, NH - The public is invited to attend the New England Diversity Career Fair, presented by AFC. The event is designed to assist job seekers (i.e. former military and spouses, minorities, disabled, mature adults, and more) in connecting with employers with staffing needs. The public is welcome to attend.

Employers and educational institutions will have the opportunity to showcase their businesses or school and to meet with candidates actively seeking employment and educational opportunities. Applicants will be prepared to fill out job applications on site.

ADMISSION FREE TO ALL JOB SEEKERS! We have invited over 100 companies to attend this event. Partial list of companies confirmed to participate so far include:

This will be a one day event on August 29th 2007.

EVENT: New England Diversity Career Fair
DATE: Wednesday, August 29th, 2007
PLACE: Crowne Plaza, Hotel, Ballroom, 2 Somerset Parkway, Nashua, New Hampshire
TIME: 10 AM to 3 PM

For additional information contact:
Christopher Scanlon
Career Fair Coordinator
603-606-3359 or 603-606-3348
careerfair@armedforcesconnection.com

About AFC
Armed Forces Connection (AFC) offers veterans and their families a broad range of free services to ensure a smooth transition from military service to civilian employment. These services include career and educational counseling, global job board, and informational resources for financing and locating a home. In addition, employers and recruiting agencies have the opportunity to post jobs and recruit veterans and family members directly from AFC. Rewarding benefits for businesses include a global resume search, international job postings, candidate skill evaluation and testing, and competitive cost advantage. Armed Forces Connection - “HELPING THOSE WHO DEFEND US”.

Bedford, NH - Armed Forces Connection (AFC) will be featured in the MOAA Career Fair at the Washington DC Convention Center on April 25th, 2007, 10 AM to 3 PM.

This event is designed for job seekers with military experience — active duty members separating or retiring, National Guard and Reserve, former and retired service members and their spouses. This is an opportunity to meet with representatives of military-friendly employers with local and nationwide opportunities in a variety of fields, including defense, information technology, health care, retail, real estate, education, and more. Attendance is free for all job seekers, and pre-registration is not required.

Click for interview tips

About AFC
Armed Forces Connection (AFC) offers veterans and their families a broad range of free services to ensure a smooth transition from military service to civilian employment. These services include career and educational counseling, global job board, and informational resources for financing and locating a home. In addition, employers and recruiting agencies have the opportunity to post jobs and recruit veterans and family members directly from AFC. Rewarding benefits for businesses include a global resume search, international job postings, candidate skill evaluation and testing, and competitive cost advantage. Armed Forces Connection - “HELPING THOSE WHO DEFEND US”.

Bedford, NH - Armed Forces Connection (AFC) recently held a Troop Care Package Drive. Through the generosity of Metro Products, Indiana, Del-Fall-Way Service Unit for Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, Junior Troop 953, Daisy Troop 679, Brownie Troop 47, Brownie Troop 213, Brownie Troop 643, Brownie Troop 1355, Brownie Troop 1757, Brownie Troop 1967, Junior Troop 91, and AFC Staff, cases of Girl Scout Cookies, bottles of Hand Sanitizer, and custom AFC T-Shirts were donated to Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts service men and women deployed overseas. “We are happy to support those who serve, and we hope they enjoy this little piece of home”, remarked Carole Krol, Leader - Junior Troop 953. Hanscom Air Force Base personnel were able to fill more than 700 Troop Care boxes for shipment overseas. In addition, Metro Products, Indiana, donated “Golf Ball Hogs” golfing accessories for upcoming veteran charity events. “America’s Heroes are proudly serving around the world and we wanted to give back and make a goodwill gesture to show our troops that we are thinking about them,” stated Shelby Russell, AFC Executive Director. Brownie Troop 47 also wrote personal thank you letters to the deployed troops, living up to their Girl Scout Promise. “On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, to help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law”

To learn more about Armed Forces Connection visit online at www.armedforcesconnection.com or email info@armedforcesconnection.com.

About AFC
Armed Forces Connection (AFC) offers veterans and their families a broad range of free services to ensure a smooth transition from military service to civilian employment. These services include career and educational counseling, global job board, and informational resources for financing and locating a home. In addition, employers and recruiting agencies have the opportunity to post jobs and recruit veterans and family members directly from AFC. Rewarding benefits for businesses include a global resume search, international job postings, candidate skill evaluation and testing, and competitive cost advantage. Armed Forces Connection - “HELPING THOSE WHO DEFEND US”.

Bedford, NH - Armed Forces Connection (AFC) will be a featured sponsor at the Air Show on May 12-13 at McGuire Air Force Base in Wrightstown, NJ. This year’s event will include the Air Force Thunderbirds along with the Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, and many other performers. The gates will open at approximately 9:00 a.m. with performances running from approximately 11:00 a.m - 4:30 p.m. and static displays remaining open until approximately 5:30 p.m. “Through our sponsorship, we can say ‘Thank You’ to America’s service men and women and their families. It is an opportunity to show our recognition of their efforts and celebrate 60 years of Air and Space Power,” remarked Shelby Russell, AFC Executive Director.**

Air Show details… www.305services.com/main/airshow07/

About AFC
Armed Forces Connection (AFC) offers veterans and their families a broad range of free services to ensure a smooth transition from military service to civilian employment. These services include career and educational counseling, global job board, and informational resources for financing and locating a home. In addition, employers and recruiting agencies have the opportunity to post jobs and recruit veterans and family members directly from AFC. Rewarding benefits for businesses include a global resume search, international job postings, candidate skill evaluation and testing, and competitive cost advantage. Armed Forces Connection - “HELPING THOSE WHO DEFEND US”.

**No Federal endorsement of sponsor intended.

Bedford, NH - Active duty, Reserve, Guard, Retired, Separated Military Members, DoD Civilians, spouses and family members are invited to attend a free Career Information Session - to assist those who are preparing to enter or reenter the civilian workforce - on Tuesday, March 20th, 2007, at the Airman & Family Readiness Center, Building 1218, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.

The Armed Forces Connection (AFC) has teamed up with Staffing Industry and Human Resource Professionals to sponsor this free Career Boot Camp, designed to prepare military members, DoD Civilians, and family members with the information needed for a smooth transition from military to civilian employment.

AFC will present the straightforward facts on the “Do’s and Don’ts” of civilian resume writing, interviewing techniques, and dressing for success. In addition, participants will learn of job openings nationwide in a variety of career fields. The Boot Camp will include a presentation given by Shelby Russell, Retired Air Force, AFC Executive Director, on “Converting Military Skills to Civilian Terms”.

Armed Forces Connection (AFC) offers veterans and their families a broad range of free services to ensure a smooth transition from military service to civilian employment. These services include career and educational counseling, nationwide job board, and informational resources on current employment market conditions.

Pre-registration is required as space is limited. For more information, please call (781) 377-4222 or e-mail donald.chappel@hanscom.af.mil. To learn more about Armed Forces Connection visit online at www.armedforcesconnection.com or email info@armedforcesconnection.com.

About AFC
Armed Forces Connection (AFC) offers veterans and their families a broad range of free services to ensure a smooth transition from military service to civilian employment. These services include career and educational counseling, global job board, and informational resources for financing and locating a home. In addition, employers and recruiting agencies have the opportunity to post jobs and recruit veterans and family members directly from AFC. Rewarding benefits for businesses include a global resume search, international job postings, candidate skill evaluation and testing, and competitive cost advantage. Armed Forces Connection - “HELPING THOSE WHO DEFEND US”.

The Bedford firm ‘translates’ military experiences and skills into more understandable terms for civilian human resource professionals

By Cindy Kibbe NH Business Review

A new Bedford staffing company assists servicemen and women in finding jobs after they’ve completed their tours of duty — but the support doesn’t end in simply posting a resume.

Launched in November, the Armed Forces Connection helps veterans and employers understand how military qualifications fit into a civilian world.
Richard Purtell, president of AFC and its sister companies, American Resource Staffing and Premier Medical Staffing, said he saw the difficulties service members were encountering as they tried to find careers outside of the military.

“Those with longer military experience have this quiet, self-assured nature about them, but they didn’t have interviewing skills. Sometimes they need more counseling than the kids with two or three years of service,” he said.
And younger soldiers returning from service may only be in their 20s and have never held a professional job or had an interview prior to their military experience.

Purtell found that employers were unaware of the qualifications of service people, and veterans themselves were unaware of just how their duties in the military translated to job functions outside of the military, whether they have been in the service for two years or 20.

That is where AFC is different from other veterans’ assistance programs, said Purtell. Not just a job board for posting resumes and open positions, AFC provides that “translation” of military experiences and skills into more understandable terms for civilian human resource professionals.
 
Kevin Vail, a 10-year veteran of the U.S. Navy serving as a medic with the Marines, said he looked for a position for about three months after he left the service, but his resume was not stirring up any employer interest.
It was, he said, the transition from military to civilian life was “by far the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” The job search was a large part of that difficult road.

Well-qualified for a number of positions in the health-care and human resources fields — he holds several military certifications including that of an instructor of advanced life support — he found many hospitals could not make the connection between what they needed and what he had to offer.“My certifications were great, but I was told they were from a different accrediting agency than what they wanted,” said Vail.

His 10-page resume — a behemoth by today’s standards — also was an issue.
With AFC’s help, he was able to trim down his resume to one page and post it on AFC’s Web site and several other general job sites.
In a little over two months, Vail has received 100 responses by his estimate and has been interviewing for a management position in human resources for an employer in North Carolina.

“I have to say, at every turn, AFC has come through with any last-minute requests I’ve needed for interview critiques or anything else,” said Vail.

Quality job candidates

AFC’s services do not end with career placement assistance or even with the soldier — an entire family must begin anew.

Shelby Russell, AFC’s executive director and a retired master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force with 20 years of service, is well aware of what today’s soldiers and their families leaving the military are facing, having gone through the struggle himself.

“Not only did I have to find a civilian job, we had to find a house, my wife had to find a job and find new schools for the kids,” he said.
According to AFC, while 225,000 service members leave the armed forces each year, half that number again represents military spouses who also may be looking for civilian careers.

That’s why the staffing firm’s services also extend to immediate family members, said Russell.

“We are passionate about helping the whole family,” said Russell.
In addition to career guidance, AFC provides educational assistance to its clients.

“I had one young man who drove a truck in Kuwait, but was not interested in driving another one down I-93,” said Purtell. AFC helped him look at his skill set in different ways and find education programs that were compatible.
AFC also provides information on locating colleges, applying for federal grants and scholarships, and even hosts a blog where service members can ask questions of transition counselors.

Beyond brushing up resumes and providing scholarship information, AFC also helps vets and their families find homes through relocation assistance partners, such as Realtor.com.

“The government pays for most relocation costs of service members for up to a year,” said Purtell, “so this even helps employers.”

A new service Purtell and Russell are currently working on is putting together resources for disabled veterans.

Statistics say there are 7.3 million disabled vets, many of whom are seeking employment.

Purtell said employers also benefit from AFC’s services by being able to draw from a pool of experienced candidates who are well-educated and have, in many cases, undergone pre-screening and behavioral testing.

“Over 99 percent of service members have a high school diploma, and at least 25 percent have training beyond college,” said Purtell.

AFC’s candidates also have proven leadership and management experience and technical skills, and many already possess security clearance from the U.S. Department of Defense, which can cost companies upwards of $10,000 to obtain.

Employers can choose from several tiered packages, ranging in cost from $249 to $999 per month, which enable them to post jobs, view resumes of potential candidates anywhere in the world, and provide skills testing and evaluation.

Other job boards can charge thousands of dollars more per month and may also have limits on how far away from the business the search pool can extend, said Purtell.

Another benefit for employers is subtle but important, he said: AFC’s candidates are all actively seeking jobs, not merely “testing the waters,” as many do who post their resumes on larger national sites.

One employer, Kirk Marshall, vice president of Premier Medical Staffing – which places nurses and nurse’s aides — praised the quality of AFC’s job candidates.

“The candidates we see seem to be a bit more disciplined. They show more strategic thinking skills and know where they want to go,” said Marshall.
There’s another benefit in hiring a service member that doesn’t touch the bottom line, said Marshall: working with men and women who have volunteered to serve their country.

“The least we can do is make it easier for them to find a job” after they leave the service, he said.

Bedford, NH– Armed Forces Connection (AFC), held its First Annual Suit Drive throughout the month of December 2006.  Through the generosity of many NH business and citizens, we were able to donate approximately 250 men and women’s business suits and professional attire to local veterans and their families.   Recipients are currently residing in transitional housing including Veteran F.I.R.S.T. Homeless Shelter and Liberty House.  Other suit drop-offs are scheduled this month.  AFC is hoping that these donations will assist veterans and their families who are looking for employment.  AFC is committed to providing free resources to veterans to help them highlight their talents and stand out to prospective employers.  “The Veterans Suit Drive is just a small step in the process,” stated Shelby Russell, Executive Director of AFC. “It was a great success and AFC is looking forward to organizing this event again later this year.”  AFC was joined in delivering suits to local shelters by NH Representative, Frank Emiro, and NH Air Force Association President, Louis Emond.

To learn more about Armed Forces Connection visit online at www.armedforcesconnection.com or email info@armedforcesconnection.com. 

About AFC
Armed Forces Connection (AFC) offers veterans and their families a broad range of free services to ensure a smooth transition from military service to civilian employment.  These services include career and educational counseling, global job board, and informational resources for financing and locating a home.  In addition, employers and recruiting agencies have the opportunity to post jobs and recruit veterans and family members directly from AFC.  Rewarding benefits for businesses include a global resume search, international job postings, candidate skill evaluation and testing, and competitive cost advantage.  Armed Forces Connection - "HELPING THOSE WHO DEFEND US".

Bedford, NH - Armed Forces Connection (AFC), a new service providing jobs and other resources to transitioning veterans and their families is sponsoring the First Annual Veteran Suit Drive. Professional men and women’s suits, shirts, ties, and purses are needed for veterans and their families who currently reside in transitional housing. AFC’s services are free for any veteran or family member to use, and are in high demand for all those facing the challenges of transitioning into civilian life. Donations can be delivered to Armed Forces Connection’s Headquarters at Two Bedford Farms Drive, Bedford, NH or contact 603-606-3013, toll free 1-877-232-5027.

To learn more about Armed Forces Connection visit online at www.armedforcesconnection.com or email info@armedforcesconnection.com.

About AFC
Armed Forces Connection (AFC) offers veterans and their families a broad range of free services to ensure a smooth transition from military service to civilian employment. These services include career and educational counseling, global job board, and informational resources for financing and locating a home. In addition, employers and recruiting agencies have the opportunity to post jobs and recruit veterans and family members directly from AFC. Rewarding benefits for businesses include a global resume search, international job postings, candidate skill evaluation and testing, and competitive cost advantage. Armed Forces Connection - “HELPING THOSE WHO DEFEND US”.

Las Vegas, NV– Armed Forces Connection (AFC), a new service that provides jobs and other resources to transitioning service men and women, has just received widespread acclaim at the 2006 American Staffing Association (ASA) Staffing World Convention in Las Vegas.  AFC helps military personnel and their families make the transition from military service to civilian life.  Components of AFC include a job search, housing relocation, and continuing education information.  AFC’s services are free for any veteran to use, and are in high demand for all those facing the challenges of transitioning to civilian life.  AFC was showered with support and praise from hundreds of ASA businesses nationwide that showed intense interest in a staffing solution whereby candidates are pre-screened for exceptional technical skills, great integrity, and a security clearance as well.

Richard Purtell, President of AFC, is excited by the response AFC received in Las Vegas.  Purtell stated, “It exceeded our expectations.”  Shelby Russell, Executive Director of the Armed Forces Connection, remarks, “AFC is a service that is long overdue."

To learn more about this service please go to: www.armedforcesconnection.com or email info@armedforcesconnection.com.

About AFC
Armed Forces Connection (AFC) offers veterans and their families a broad range of free services to ensure a smooth transition from military service to civilian employment.  These services include career and educational counseling, global job board, and informational resources for financing and locating a home.  In addition, employers and recruiting agencies have the opportunity to post jobs and recruit veterans and family members directly from AFC.  Rewarding benefits for businesses include a global resume search, international job postings, candidate skill evaluation and testing, and a competitive cost advantage.  Armed Forces Connection - "HELPING THOSE WHO DEFEND US".

By ALBERT McKEON, Nashua Telegraph

After a 20-year Air Force career, Bonnie Powe-Morgan should have quickly landed a job.

She offered what many employers want: leadership experience in the Air Force. Still no one bit on her resume. Weeks of unemployment turned into months and ultimately took a toll.

“I was really depressed,” said Powe-Morgan, who retired from the military in 1998 and afterward worked for Pitney Bowes. “I was going to Hanscom Air Force Base and seeing counselors. You only have so much income. It was a very stressful five months.”

But those counseling classes provided not only an emotional outlet but unexpected serendipity. A woman in the class had just seen her husband land a job through a new employment service. Powe-Morgan called the placement firm, Armed Forces Connection, and had a new gig within weeks.

The trick: Armed Forces Connection promoted Powe-Morgan’s military experience as something corporate executives could grasp.

“We changed my job in the military to civilian wording,” she said. “It was the terminology. I was a non-commissioner in charge, and we converted that to supervisor . . . so real-world people can understand what you did.”

Powe-Morgan landed a job as a staffing supervisor with Tac Worldwide, a company that provides workforce and technical support to other firms.

Armed Forces Connection Executive Director Shelby Russell hopes Powe-Morgan will be just one of many veterans who use the free services offered by the new Bedford company. A division of American Resource Staffing, AFC charges not the veterans but prospective employers – and at that, at a rate far less than other employment services, Russell said.

Roughly 250,000 men and women leave the military each year, said Russell, who lives in Milford. Veterans have leadership and technical skills and an ability to fit into all sorts of industries, but they often lack the ability to converse in the language of the civilian world, he said. As with Powe-Morgan, many veterans didn’t have comprehensive training on how to ease into civilian life and just need a boost to start a new career, he said.

“Someone in the civilian world may not understand that it’s a great resume and this veteran has great experience,” Russell said.

AFC helps veterans and their families write resumes, provides access to job postings, and offers helpful interview tips such as what to wear, how to act and what compensation to seek, Russell said. Career counseling consists of lining veterans up with the right professional field, and also includes helping them further their education, he said.

The biggest step for many veterans is resume preparation. Veterans have only a few seconds to catch the eyes of employers, and if the resume is a jumble, they won’t go beyond that starting point, Russell said.

Employers tend to like veterans because they’re drug-free, have security clearances and take pride in their work and themselves, Russell said. The industries that tend to be most receptive to veterans are security, health care, finance, trucking and industrial, he said.

“We’re here to help them,” Russell said. “We review what they need to do. ‘Are you talking too much at an interview? Is your resume good? You want a job making big money but maybe you’re not qualified enough.’ ”

AFC officially opened Nov. 1 but has been helping veterans for a few months now. The firm’s office on South River Road was hit by a fire in September, and AFC has temporarily moved to another office building at Bedford Farms.

Fortunately, a case displaying Russell’s medals earned during a 20-year Air Force career was salvaged from the fire. He spent 15 years overseas working as a flight medic and in anti-terrorism efforts, but after his discharge Russell felt overwhelmed by what lay ahead.

“The first thing I thought was, ‘I got to find a job. I got to pay the bills,’ ” said the married father of two children.

But American Resource Staffing tabbed him to lead the 11-member AFC staff. Now, Russell feels satisfied he can return the favor to other veterans.

“We do it because we’re not trying to get rich,” Russell said of AFC’s no-charge policy with veterans. “We’re trying to do the right thing.”

Prospective employers pay $5,499 for unlimited job postings on the AFC Web service and can access the resumes of vets nationally and those still stationed overseas, Russell said. Such a service would cost an employer $15,500 with Monster.com, for instance, he said.

Powe-Morgan is happy she connected with Russell. After five months of dead ends, she started to wonder if she had to move back to New Mexico after recently settling in New Hampshire to be close to family.

She had the money to buy a home but couldn’t sign a contract until she had steady employment. Now, she’s got a job that fits and a condo in Nashua.

Veterans and their families interested in AFC can go to armedforcesconnection.com.