Dennis McLaughlin, SES

1. "Care for him who has borne the battle.” – Abraham Lincoln NAVSEA Wounded Warrior Program: The Way Ahead Dennis McLaughlin, SES 30 March 2010

2. NAVSEA Wounded Warrior Program Non-Traditional Relationships • NAVSEA has established excellent relationships with numerous Wounded Warrior (WW) Support Organizations • Army Warrior Transition Command (WTC) • Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) Program • Operation Warfighter (OWF) • Navy Safe Harbor • US Marine Corps WW Regiment • Military Hospitals such as Walter Reed, Bethesda, Portsmouth, Balboa Transition Center • Veterans Administration – “Coming Home to Work Program” NAVSEA has successfully placed nearly 200 Wounded Warriors with rewarding jobs throughout our Command!

3. NAVSEA Wounded Warrior Program - Recent Initiatives • Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Army Warrior Transition Command (WTC) • Importance of an MOA with WTC – WTC operates nationally to support and place Wounded Warriors. NAVSEA operates nationally in placing Wounded Warriors. • Great synergy in both organizations operating nationwide. • MOA signed By Gen Cheek and ADM McCoy. Hiring goals have been determined. • NAVSEA is attracting other Navy Commands into the partnership. • MOA with Marine Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment ready for signature. • “National Capitol Region” Wounded Warrior Hiring & Support Conference held on 2-3 Feb 2010 • Purpose – Improve DoN effectiveness in hiring and supporting Wounded Warriors. • Aid DoD Commands to easily “plug into” existing programs that are established and standardized in lieu of starting their own competing programs. • Speakers – Provide a host of speakers on Wounded Warrior Support from VA, OSD, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and DoL. • Conference Theme – “Continued Service to the Nation” • NAVSEA hosted, ASN (M&RA) sponsored.

4. Conference Out-takes • Establish Oversight and Coordination for Wounded Warrior Programs. • DON to establish an office charged with the responsibility and authority to be the POC for WW employment matters. • Streamline Process for Wounded Warriors to Obtain Security Clearances. • DON to explore ways to resolve security clearance issues with Wounded Warriors and their caregivers and assist in mitigating underlying causes. • Continue to Develop and Support Internships, Apprenticeships, Training and Education Programs. • Investing in our Wounded Warriors so they can build successful careers. • Connect our Wounded Warriors with Available Employment Opportunities. • Examine and assess the existing databases and websites to determine how best to utilize them. • Develop and Disseminate HR Guidance for Hiring and Supporting our Wounded Warriors. • Consider guidance and strategy to be used by the DON HR community to assist WWs and hiring managers in the employment process. • Develop and Disseminate Employer Guidance for Hiring and Supporting our Wounded Warriors. • Examine how to educate employers on the needs of our WWs and their value as employees. • Assist Family and Caregivers in their Support for our Wounded Warriors. • Consider how families and caregivers can best be supported by DON in the employment process. ASN (M&RA) will create a plan of action to address these recommendations

5. Wounded Warrior Hiring and Support Conference “We, as a nation, have no higher obligation than to care for our wounded warriors who have sacrificed so much to serve our nation. We have a solemn duty to ensure that when our forces go in to harm’s way, there is excellent, comprehensive and sustainable assistance and support for the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of our wounded, ill, or injured service member and their families.” Under Secretary of the Navy Robert Work. “This conference is a good starting point to examine how we can coordinate and network a great many excellent programs into an even more effective system to benefit some truly great Americans,” “The key to what we want to achieve, to successfully hire wounded warriors, is to create solid partnerships and have hard measurable goals.” ASN (M&RA) Juan M. Garcia.

6. The Journey so far… • Shotgun Approach (where we were) • Part of EEO • Passing resumes to sites • Very limited success rate (1 in 27 from AW2 hired) • Occasional job fairs • Realization of scope • Ad Hoc Approach (where we are) • Brought in full-time reserve support • The biggest factor in our success to date • A uniform helps bridge some gaps • More concentrated effort at placements • Focus on all-up round hires • Systematic Approach (where we are going!) • Define process and pipelines to match long-term needs • Filled through learning, education and internships

7. What We Have Learned • Hiring wounded Warriors is not easy! • Location is extremely important • Family support systems and family issues are number 1 • Skills gap is hard to overcome • A 19-year old wounded warrior rarely not possesses the skills we need – some training is necessary • Leadership at the command level is a difference maker • Ask a command about wounded warriors – who do they refer you to? • The system can completely overrun individuals • USA jobs, the VA, Security clearances, etc. are bureaucratic barriers • Out reach means Reaching Out! • Hiring manager’s expectations are for a full-up round • DoL, VA and other programs only go so far – we have the jobs Mentoring and Coaching Closes the Gaps Our Goal is Opportunities for Career Positions in the DoN

8. Wounded Warrior Flow In service Separated from service Do not Desire employment VA 36,000 OEF/OIF Wounded CBWTUs In Hospitals Pursue school or training after some recuperation WTUs School or training 300 Per Month All-up-rounds Ready for Employment Half Return to Service CIVILIAN EMPLOYMENT Many points to work with Wounded Warriors during the recuperation process

9. Two Successful Programs Employed by NAVSEA 1. CNIC/NAVSEA Joint Initiative “VITAL™” (Veterans Individual Training Assistance Link) • Hospital-centric, individual, full service approach to Wounded Warrior training and care • Original (successful) Pilot was with CNIC • Training and Placement for IT Positions • NAVSEA plans to expand VITAL to include Shipyard Apprentice Positions at all Four Navy Shipyards • Warfare Center Positions and RMA’s planned to follow 2. Learning & Employment Centers (LEC) for Disabled Veterans • Crane LEC has hired 55 disabled veterans in a two year period • Planning to expand to Indianapolis and FT Wayne, IN • We are cloning Crane model to new Southern California and National Capitol Region (NCR) Veterans Training Centers in FY10 • Expand to other key locations

10. Proposed Navy Regional Learning & Employment Centers (LECs) Legend LEC Major location for - NAVSEA NAVAIR SPAWAR CNIC Region NAVSUP NAVFAC c c S F LEC VITAL Existing & Proposed Locations for VITALTM Coaches and Mentors New England Based VITAL (P) CSF Madigan Army Medical Center VITAL (P) NE LEC NW LEC Bethesda Naval Hospital VITAL (Existing) San Diego Naval Hospital VITAL (Existing) & Balboa Career Transition Center Walter Reed & Ft Belvoir VITAL (P) NCR/ MD LEC s Crane LEC CSF F c F Ventura/ San Diego LEC CSF Portsmouth Naval Hospital VITAL (Existing) CSF Camp Lejeune USMC VITAL (P) Tidewater LEC SE LEC Camp Pendleton USMC VITAL (Existing) CSF Tripler Army Medical Center VITAL (P) Pearl Harbor LEC (Administered from San Diego) CSF

11. Vision for Learning & Employment Center (LEC) Expansion Consider Navy LECs strategically located throughout America LEC, Crane Indiana – A diversity of Professional and Trades Careers National Capitol Region (NCR) LEC – A wealth of DOD Commands and Federal Agencies all needing Acquisition, Contracting, Logistics trained Wounded Warriors. Ventura/San Diego LEC – Homeport of the Pacific Fleet; Numerous Navy Professional and Trades Careers. Administers Pearl Harbor LEC. Pearl Harbor LEC – Numerous Navy Professional and Trades Careers. Tidewater LEC – Homeport of the Atlantic Fleet; Numerous Navy Professional and Trades Careers. NW LEC – Located in Washington State; A diversity of Navy Careers; Puget Sound NSY & IMF and many other Navy facilities. NE LEC – Home to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC); Large USCG Presence; Private Industry. SE LEC – Jacksonville, FLA; A diversity of Navy careers at Jax, Kings Bay, Mayport, Panama City and Orlando.

12. General LEC Services Regional LECs to provides services such as: Recruiting Candidate screening Acceptance of Wounded Warriors (already in the Navy system) from VITAL Program. These Wounded Warriors would be inbound from military hospitals nationwide. Family financial status and financial counseling Career employment Spousal employment Relocation assistance Family assistance Resume writing Interviewing skills Administration of VA OJT training program for the supported activity Post Hiring Follow Up

13. Confederation of Federal Employers NAVSEA NAVAIR CNIC NAVFAC MSC NEX MCSYSCOM BuMED DoNCAF SPAWAR Naval Audit Service N41 AMC DOT DHS DIA USCG AFMC Green = On Board Yellow = Working Black = To be briefed Grouping of Hiring Sources that agree to the following tenets: All-Up-Round Placement of Wounded Warriors • Top Down emphasis • Strong POC with • Listing of available positions • Understanding of Schedule A hiring • Mentorship on the job Pipelined Placements • Defined job series • Solid understanding of required training and education • Internship or Apprenticeship program • Support for VITAL and LECs Many locations and career paths for Wounded Warrior candidates

14. Forward Proposal • Each major Navy employment site employs a Navy site coordinator of veteran employment • Employ a Learning and Employment Center 501(c)3 via a services contract to provide the mentoring and coaching needed to bridge the gap • A few sites can service several commands • Seven sites can cover most Navy installations • VITAL Hospital Support • Early interaction with motivated candidates is essential • Investigating future pipelines • Your input is desired • VCNO Briefing scheduled for 03 May • ASN(M&RA) and VADM McCoy to brief

15. Back-Ups

16. Why Focus on Hiring Wounded Warriors? • Force replenishment • 40% of our 180,000 civilian employees can retire within 5 years • We need individuals who are willing to serve their country in a different capacity • Only 25% of our youth are eligible to serve in the military • Civilian DoN employers have nearly the same criteria, thus we are seeking the same employment base • DoN hiring for targeted disabilities is well below the goal (2%) • Employment levels of OIF/OEF Wounded Warriors exceeds the national average • 36,000 casualties from OIF/OEF

17. The Plan for LECs • Follow the model piloted at Crane, Indiana • Establish training pipelines that fill Navy needs • With the local 501(c)3, establish the Learning and Employment Center • 501(c)3 can provide services not possible with appropriated funds • Leverage VA and other sources of support • Navy provides internship and a job on completion of training • A proven method of hiring Wounded Warriors • 55 in Crane’s pipeline • Closes the skills gap for Wounded Warriors • Provides the Wounded Warrior with the mentorship and guidance they need to reintegrate • Provides the Navy with full-up rounds • Cost per position is ~$20K – comparable with other focused recruitment efforts

18. ALNAV ALNAV 002/10 MSGID/GENADMIN/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/-/JAN// SUBJ/WOUNDED WARRIOR EMPLOYMENT AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WOUNDED WARRIOR HIRING CONFERENCE// RMKS/1. SINCE THE ATTACKS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, OVER 10,000 MARINES AND SAILORS HAVE BEEN WOUNDED DEFENDING THE CAUSE OF OUR COUNTRY. THEIR SERVICE HAS BEEN EXEMPLARY AND UNSELFISH, AND IN THEIR SACRIFICE THEY HAVE GIVEN MUCH OF THEMSELVES SO THAT OUR COUNTRY WILL REMAIN SAFE FROM ATTACK AND FREE FROM TERROR. 2. THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS ARE COMMITTED TO SERVING OUR WOUNDED VETERANS, JUST AS THEY HAVE SERVED US. THE DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY (DON), THROUGH THE WOUNDED WARRIOR REGIMENT AND NAVY SAFE HARBOR PROGRAM, PROVIDES SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE TO OUR WOUNDED, ILL, AND INJURED SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGHOUT RECOVERY, REHABILITATION, AND REINTEGRATION. 3. BUT FOR SOME OF OUR RETURNING BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ARMS, REINTEGRATION TO THE WORKFORCE IN THE FACE OF THE CURRENT ECONOMIC DOWNTURN POSES A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE. OVER 140,000 VETERANS OF OPERATIONS IRAQI AND ENDURING FREEDOM ARE UNEMPLOYED OR UNDEREMPLOYED; THIS REPRESENTS ONE OF EVERY TWELVE VETERANS FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. THE CHALLENGE IS PARTICULARLY ACUTE IF THE RETURNING SAILOR OR MARINE IS WOUNDED OR INJURED. IN ADDITION TO WEEKS, MONTHS, OR YEARS OF RECOVERY, THEY FACE THE POTENTIAL TRAVESTY OF UNEMPLOYMENT. 4. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE EMPLOYMENT CHALLENGES FACED BY OUR WOUNDED WARRIORS, NAVSEA, SUPPORTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY FOR MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS, WILL HOST A WOUNDED WARRIOR HIRING AND SUPPORT CONFERENCE FOR THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION AT THE HILTON ALEXANDRIA MARK CENTER FEBRUARY 2-3, 2010. THE PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE IS TO ADDRESS AND IMPROVE THE DON APPROACH AND EFFECTIVENESS IN HIRING WOUNDED WARRIORS, WITH A FOCUS ON INCREASING THE NUMBER OF WOUNDED VETERANS IN EMPLOYMENT. 5. CONFERENCE DETAILS FOR THE WOUNDED WARRIOR HIRING AND SUPPORT CONFERENCE MAY BE FOUND AT WWW.DONHQ.NAVY.MIL/AAUSN/REGISTRATIONMRA.ASPX?1AE5B26896. FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE DON WOUNDED WARRIOR PROGRAMS CONTACT: A. SAFE HARBOR TOLL FREE AT (877)746-8563 OR ON THE WEB AT WWW.SAFEHARBOR.NAVY.MIL. B. THE MARINE CORPS WOUNDED WARRIOR REGIMENT MAY BE CONTACTED VIA THE SERGEANT MERLIN GERMAN WOUNDED WARRIOR CALL CENTER TOLL FREE AT (877) 487-6299 OR ON THE WEB AT WWW.WOUNDEDWARRIORREGIMENT.ORG. C. THE BUREAU OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY, WOUNDED, ILL AND INJURED WARRIOR SUPPORT MAY BE CONTACTED AT (202)762-3043. 6. TOGETHER WE CAN ENSURE OUR WOUNDED VETERANS CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THE CARE THEY NEED AND ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED THAT THEY DESERVE. 7. RELEASED BY RAY MABUS, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.// BT

19. NAVSEA Wounded Warrior Program Mr. Dennis McLaughlin Enterprise Program Director Warfare Center Executive (401)832-1724 dennis.m.mclaughlin@navy.mil CDR Dave McAfee Enterprise Program Coordinator (Full time) (202)781-1364 david.r.mcafee@navy.mil Ms. Ladeaner Williams HQ Regional Manager (Full time) (202)781-5272 ladeaner.williams@navy.mil Ms. Jennifer Walsh NAVSEA/NUWC HQ-SES Office (Full time) (401) 595-0655 jennifer.walsh@navy.mil Contact Information: