The Sword - February 2015

Orion International Pledges Support to Members of the Guard and Reserve

Orion International has proudly joined the ranks of thousands of companies nationwide who have pledged their support for employees in the Guard and Reserve by signing an Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Statement of Support.

On December 11, Retired US Navy Commander and ESGR Area Chair Ken Oppenheim presented the statement to Dave Lehmkuhl (Sales Manager), Tim Isacco (Chief Operating Officer), Mike Wood (Recruiting Manager), and John Teague (Candidate Recruiter), at Orion’s headquarters in Raleigh, NC.

L to R: Dave Lehmkuhl, Ken Oppenheim, Tim Isacco, Mike Wood, and John Teague

By signing the statement, Orion pledges that we will:

• Fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).    
• Provide our managers and supervisors with the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.    
• Appreciate the values, leadership and unique skills service members bring to the workforce and will encourage opportunities to employ Guardsmen, Reservists, and Veterans.    
• Continually recognize and support our country's Service members and their families in peace, in crisis, and in war.

ESGR is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972 to develop and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service. ESGR advocates relevant initiatives, recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of applicable laws, and resolves conflict between service members and employers. The ESGR Statement of Support program was designed with the intent of increasing employer support by encouraging employers to act as advocates for employee participation in the military.

Founded in 1991 by five former Junior Military Officers, Orion is the nation’s largest recruiting firm, whose staff consists mainly of veterans, military spouses, and those still serving in the Guard or Reserves. With such a unique staff, Orion is not only able to help service members make the transition into the civilian workforce but also support our own employees who continue to serve. Additionally, Orion’s Values of Excellence, Innovation, Teamwork, Warrior Ethos, and Commitment complement ESGR’s mission of encouraging the employment of Guardsmen and Reservists who bring integrity, global perspective and proven leadership to the civilian workforce.

To learn more about Orion's Military Recruiting Service, please click here. For a list of useful employer resources for hiring military veterans, click here.

Veterans Help to Advance the Future with SpaceX

Ever since Orion International and SpaceX began their recruiting partnership back in 2011, one thing has been clear: military veterans are equipped with the top-notch leadership and state-of-the-art technological skills needed to drive as innovative a company as SpaceX. Founded in 2002, SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. Believing that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not, their ultimate goal is to enable human life on Mars.

SpaceX has been named a Featured Employer by Orion for their commitment to hiring Military, for realizing the value that veterans bring to the workforce, and for continually seek to add transitioning and former Military service members to their ranks. Over the past four years, Orion has matched nearly 200 veterans with exciting careers at SpaceX in positions ranging from Engineers to Technicians. These veterans have served in all branches of the military in varying MOCs, and their expertise has helped SpaceX to continue to break new ground with their commercial resupply services missions to the International Space Station for NASA.

SpaceX is not only an innovative company, but also an outstanding employer. Stephen Durant, a Lead Structures Technician at SpaceX and former Air Force Structural Maintenance Technician, has found that SpaceX not only offers a fantastic benefits program with lots of overtime, but they also “keep you developing and learning new skills and practices. The opportunity to progress in your career is clearly available with new positions opening all the time.”

Melina Velasquez, a SpaceX Technician and former Navy Aviation Electrician's Mate, explains, “We veterans like structure, stability and excitement! Of all the places I've worked since ending my military career (five to be exact), SpaceX is the first one to fulfill all my requirements and then some. If you want to be a part of history in the making and do something that matters and offers many perks all while being excited to get up in the morning to go to work, then I recommend SpaceX."

In fact, one theme that Orion has consistently seen in feedback from the veterans we helped find careers at SpaceX, is a sense of excitement of being part of a larger mission. Melina goes on to describe her experience at SpaceX, “I feel like 'Charlie in the Chocolate Factory' every time I walk through the doors at SpaceX. It's a dream job I didn't even know I could get. Throughout my military career, I've been able to see and do some neat things, like an F/A 18 Super Hornet landing on a moving ship mere feet from where I'm standing. And this continues to be the case at SpaceX, as I get to be a part of one of the fastest growing and history making companies in the world!”

The most rewarding part of the job for Anthony Bruno, also a Technician at SpaceX and former Navy Aviation Electrician's Technician, is actually seeing the things he worked on change an industry as a whole. “It is extremely rewarding with a lot of cool moments thrown in, like watching space station dockings and launches from mission control.  SpaceX is accomplishing things not seen in the industry, and it's cool to be a part of it. I would definitely recommend vets to work here!" says Anthony.

SpaceX embodies the definition of an Orion Featured Employer by offering exciting, fulfilling career opportunities that not only allow veterans to put their skills to work but also be a part of history. And the partnership between Orion and SpaceX continues with interviews being held frequently for Technical and Engineering positions. Veterans like Stephen, Melina, and Anthony are just a few of the many veterans at SpaceX helping the company to complete its mission. 

Interested in how your company can join the ranks of companies like SpaceX and become an implement a Military Recruiting Program? Click here to learn more.

Upcoming Hiring Conferences

Meet Our Candidates

National Distinguished Candidate Conference

Mark your calendar for our upcoming National Distinguished Candidate Conferences:

Houston, TX
March 2-3, 2015

Since 1991, our clients have told us that the most important factor in deciding to hire military through an agency is the Quality of Candidate. Our unique Distinguished Candidate Conferences are designed to recruit, assess, screen, and present the top military candidates for your hiring needs. In 2014, nearly 100 client companies strategically hired Orion’s Military Officers through our Distinguished Candidate Conferences, with over 40% making multiple hires.

Orion’s Distinguished Candidates are carefully selected and represent the very top tier of Military Officers transitioning from Active Duty. They are seeking careers in growth roles including Leadership Development, Operations Management, Engineering, and Sales.

Our Junior Military Officer Candidates at these National Events:

• Service Academy Graduates and graduates of the nation’s top universities.
• Candidates with MBAs and other advanced degrees; and those with PMPs, PEs, and other professional certifications.
• Candidates who have consistently ranked well above their peers in their professional military evaluations.
• Willing to relocate and geographically flexible.

Distinguished Candidate Conference Highlights:

• These events will feature 30 minute Client Presentations in which you can present to the candidates you’ll be interviewing in advance. We recommend a C-level or VP Presenter for client presentations.
• Enjoy an additional opportunity for socializing with the candidates and other Hiring Managers, at our President’s Reception following the Keynote Address on Monday evening delivered by Clint Bruce, Navy SEAL and former NFL player and President of Trident Response Group, who will present "Pursuing Elite: Leadership Lessons Learned," speaking from his experinece as a Naval Academy graduate, former NFL player, Navy SEAL and successful entrepreneur.
• Jonathan Rosenberg, Manager of Talent Planning adn Acquisition at Phillips 66, will provide an overview of Phillip 66's Military Talent Program, providing valuable insight on how to create and implement a best-in-class Military Talent Program within your own organization.
• Pre-screened, assessed, qualified Officer Candidates suitably matched for your particular hiring needs.
• A private and professional interview setting.
• Personalized attention to ensure the best in customer service, including insight on the candidates and advice on the most effective hiring strategy.

In addition, Orion’s Executive Leadership Team will be available throughout these events to meet and discuss your company’s talent planning and how our dedicated on-boarding programs, assessment tools, and other enterprise-scale service offerings may be able to support your organization in 2014 and beyond.

What do our clients have to say about the caliber of candidates at an Orion Distinguished Candidate Conference?

"Our experience at Orion's Distinguished Candidate Conference was a great success. The candidates were of the highest caliber and extremely well matched for our Leadership Development Program. This event enabled us to hire 5 outstanding JMOs very efficiently, saving weeks of time. I look forward to seeing the impact these new leaders will have on BP." - Program Manager, BP

Our Distinguished Candidate Conferences enable you to develop a strong pipeline of future leaders and foster strategic organizational growth.

Learn more about our Distinguished Candidate Conferences and discover for yourself the impact a Military Officer can have on your organization.

Alumni Update: Ernie Ayala

According to Our Clients

Refer a Colleague to Hire Military Talent

Is your company or that of a friend or colleague in need of military talent? For every referral you provide, you will be automatically entered into our monthly drawing for a $50 gift card. Even better, if your referral results in a placement, you will personally receive a $100 gift card as our way of saying thank you. As always, we will maintain your privacy and never share your information nor that of your referral.

Click here to refer a colleague to hire military talent now!

Connect with Orion

Did you know that there are several ways to connect with Orion and learn how veterans impact the civilian workforce?

• You can join our LinkedIn group for employers, Hire a Hero, Hire a Vet®. This group is a great way to show your support of veterans in the civilian workforce. In addition, we have recently launched the Hire a Hero, Hire a Vet® for Veterans subgroup for all Veteran members who are interested in networking and learning about career opportunities.

• Read our blog, Hire a Hero, Hire a Vet®. This blog covers everything from veterans in the news to general employer-employee relations. Check it out!

• You can follow Orion on Twitter (@hirevets) to receive updates about Orion, learn about upcoming hiring events, and find links to articles of interest.

• Orion is now on Google+! Follow us to keep up to date on all things Orion.