March 29, 2024

NAVAIR Hosts Wounded Warriors

NAVAIR’s Wounded Warrior Program, in conjunction with the Patuxent River Sail and Power Squadron, hosted a Wounded Warrior outreach event at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Oct. 1. The event drew approximately 20 warfighters and their families from Maryland and Virginia.

According to NAVAIR Recruiting and Retention Program Manager Tania Dawson, NAVAIR’s support and participation at this event yielded more wounded warriors in the pipeline for hiring at NAVAIR and other commands.

The event is part of NAVAIR’s continuing commitment and focus to enhance the recruitment, hiring and retaining of qualified, job-ready individuals with disabilities with skills that align with the command’s needs. The event also helped commemorate National Disability Awareness Month in October and Wounded Warrior Care Month in November.

The nonprofit Patuxent River Sail and Power Squadron sponsors an annual outreach event for wounded warriors. The squadron teaches classes in seamanship, navigation and related subjects in an effort to make boating safer and more enjoyable.

NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. David Architzel, center left, and Command Master Chief Bret Joel, right, speak to wounded warriors.

During the event, NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. David Architzel met personally with each wounded warrior and their family members and distributed NAVAIR coins. His remarks confirmed his focus on hiring and providing transition support to wounded warriors. Participants also enjoyed a barbecue lunch, trying out the museum’s flight simulators and a boat ride of the Chesapeake Bay.

“If you want to stay working for the Navy, we will help you find a job with the Navy,” Architzel told participants.

Through NAVAIR’s Active Duty Intern Program, active service members can gain experience and exposure to NAVAIR placement opportunities in various civil service career fields as they transition from the military. The program enables wounded warriors to learn additional skills to make them more marketable for employment in either the public or private sectors upon transitioning from military active duty.

Wounded warriors enjoy an outreach event. (US Navy photo)

NAVAIR also provides opportunities for placement in the Naval Acquisition Development Program -Wounded Warrior for the life cycle logistics and financial management career fields. This four-year development program, specifically authorized for wounded warriors, does not require a college degree to qualify. The interns are civil service members with specific advancement opportunities over the four-year period. Candidates with a college degree are placed in the “traditional” Acquisition Intern Program for the career field for which they qualify.

NAVAIR also works with NAVSEA, SPAWAR and the Director, Naval Acquisition Career Management, as well as private sector organizations, to maximize wounded warrior employment, training and transitioning opportunities across the nation.

Additionally, NAVAIR and several other wounded warrior hiring and support partners will host a Wounded Warrior Career Day at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Dec. 6, where wounded warriors can interface with supervisors and hiring managers. For more information about this event, email [email protected] or call 1-800-787-9804.

Source: NAVAIR Headquarters

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