Mission United gains insight into reserve component

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Aja Heiden
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Mission United team members visited Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida, June 13, for a career building workshop and a chance to better understand the Homestead ARB members.

Members of Mission United, an organization that supports military veterans and their families located in Broward County, Florida, visited the base to gain a greater understanding of what reservists do during drill weekends so they can better understand the military background of veterans.

Mission United helps veterans navigate resources using employment readiness, legal assistance, and other supportive services for veterans and their families. Mission United is working to close the gap between military service and civilian employment for veterans. There are many resources available to veterans to bridge this gap but it can be difficult to navigate these resources alone, according to George E. Ivanoff, employment specialist for Mission United.

"During this event I was able to have one-on-one conversations with Airmen and hear about their challenges," said Ivanoff.  "It is invaluable for us to know what challenges our people are going through so we can find ways to help them." 

The team also provided Homestead ARB members with career building advice in a workshop that provided resume tips and discussed social media's impact on getting hired.

During their visit here Mission United members participated in events that included a live fire demonstration, bioengineering gas mask fit test and demonstration, life support demonstration, and tours of various facilities.

"It gave them an understanding of our value as potential applicants that a resume or mission briefing could never give," said Lt. Col. Norberta J. Patterson, commander of the 482nd Force Support Squadron here.

The event showcased the work Homestead ARB is doing as it relates to the local community and efforts abroad. It also demonstrated Airmen's skills the and how they can relate to civilian employment.

"This gave me a greater appreciation for what you guys do," said LaVerne Daley, chairwoman for the Mission United employment committee. "I already had an appreciation for what you do but now I have a better idea of how I can help."
Reserve Airmen have a unique mission as they are not solely Airmen or civilians. They are Citizen Airmen who spend time in both worlds.

"While most employers are supportive of veterans and reserve component members, they often do not realize the amount of work we cram into a UTA," said Patterson. "Many times employers just see it from their side - their employee is gone anywhere from one weekend to several weeks or deployed for months."   

Every Airman is expected to maintain a certain level of proficiency in their job, but this doesn't stop when they leave the base. Mission United has the tools to assist Airmen so they can be successful in their civilian lives, according to their website.