NEWS RELEASE 12 -05                                                                                             March 21, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
          Marine For Life program sponsors seminars, help Marines transition
          By Marine Cpl. Shawn Vincent
 
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va (March 17, 2005) --  Transitioning from the military is a complicated step for almost everyone.  You're suddenly forced to think harder about bills, health coverage, food, clothing and shelter.
 
For transitioning Marines, a transition assistance program called Marine For Life, can help make a smooth transition into the civilian sector, and possibly help with employment.
 
"At Marine For Life, we know that separating Marines all don't want to do the same job," said Maj. Carolyn Dysart, Marine For Life spokesperson.  "We offer a variety of employment, and we highly encourage all Marines to use every resource they have available."
 
Marine For Life is an online network where honorably discharged Marines can post their resumes, search for employment, and look at companies who have joined the Marine For Life program, in hopes of eventually hiring Marines.
 
Included in the Marine For Life program are occasional job fairs and recruiting events on base.
 
On March 10, the Maryland State Police came to Marine Corps Base Quantico to administer a written test to anyone interested in joining their force. This is the first part in an eight-step process to become a Maryland State trooper.
 
The six-month long Maryland State Police Academy is the third most intensive training in the nation, and has numerous similarities to Marine Corps boot camp.  Because of this, Maryland State troopers are eager for Marines to join.
 
"We really like Marines to join the (Maryland) State Police because they are already well-disciplined, they have the training and they're used to adapting to diverse situations quickly," said Maryland State trooper 1st Sgt. David M. Hopp, assistant commander of the employment service section.  "Marines also have all of our core traits already instilled in them. They're honest, they have good moral character, they are professional and they're enthusiastic."
 
Hopp said some other requirements for the Maryland State Police include a good driving record, physical fitness requirements, U.S. citizenship and a high school-equivalent degree.
 
Hopp, who is a former Marine, has served as a Maryland State Trooper for 18 years, and said on average, 10 to 15 reserve or former Marines are in each quarterly class of 55.
 
"We just recently had a former Parris Island drill instructor as our lead instructor in the police academy," Hopp said.  
 
On the other side of the table, the applicants are just as enthusiastic about joining the force as the recruiters are to recruit them.
 
"I thought the test was a bit difficult since I'm not too familiar with law enforcement, but I'm looking for something similar to what I have in the Marines - a close-knit community and the same camaraderie," said Gunnery Sgt. Andrew Wilson, chief instructor at Small Arms Weapons School, Weapons Training Battalion.  
 
Wilson said he logs on to the Marine For Life Web site about a dozen times a month, and finds it is a helpful resource.
 
"The whole Web site is a great tool," Wilson said.  "I recommend it to any Marine who is getting out.  It would be crazy not to take advantage of it."
 
Although the applicants at the event could not be hired on the spot, some may receive a call to administer the Functional Fitness Test - the second step in the process.
 
Between e-mails, phone calls and logging in to the Marine For Life Web site, Hopp said the Maryland State Police recruiters are in weekly contact with Marine for Life, and are constantly looking for a few good recruits.
 
According to Dysart, a recent survey on Marine For Life concluded that 20 percent of the hiring businesses on Marine For Life had hired Marines through the program.
 
"(Businesses on Marine For Life) are people who want to hire Marines," she said.  "These businesses are all Marine-friendly, so (the Marines) all have a leg-up on their competition."
 
Dysart said a United Parcel Service representative has hired 20 Marines just in this area for a variety of jobs from the program, and returns positive feedback to Marine For Life complimenting them on the success of the program.  
 
"He is thrilled with the quality of candidates Marine For Life offers," she said.  "We've even had cases where an employer would hire one Marine, then come back for more.  We have one from Cleveland who would fill his office with Marines if he could.
 
On a few occasions, Dysart has had Marines leave active duty and at the end of their terminal leave, still have no job, turn to Marine For Life, and be able to find a job in a short amount of time.
 
Currently, more than 5,000 companies are registered through Marine For Life and more than 2,000 of them are currently online.
 
"Last year we had more than 20,000 Marines log on to Marine For Life, and a survey concluded the majority of them were searching for employment," Dysart said.
 
Another program offered through Marine For Life is the mentor program, in which Marines who have already separated give advice to Marines about to leave the Corps.
 
"Mentors will log in to say 'If you're trying to get into this field, call me,' or 'If you're ever passing through town, you know a Marine here,'" Dysart said.
 
For Marines seeking employment near their hometown, or in other parts of the nation, Marine For Life has Marine Links.  Marine Links are reserve Marines who recruit employers to join Marine For Life for hiring purposes. There are currently 80 Marine Link area representatives across the nation.  Some cities have as many as three, including New York and Los Angeles.
 
Although Marine Links will eventually get to all the people on their contact list, their priority is Marines in a six-month separation window.
 
In some cities, such as Houston, Marine Links hold a monthly Marine For Life luncheon.  During the luncheons, employers introduce themselves, and explain the type of employee they are looking for.  Marines subsequently introduce themselves and explain the skills they have and the kind of jobs they are looking for.
 
"There are at least five Marines at each luncheon who get follow-up interviews. It's great," Dysart said.  
 
To obtain a Marine For Life account, visit www.m4l.usmc.mil and click on "Create Account".
 
Any active duty Marine can obtain an account, and any Marine who has already separated but still has a file in the Marine Corps Total Force System can create an account as well.  Normally, a Marine's file will stay in MCTFS for approximately 13 months after his last paycheck.
 
For more information about Marine For Life, visit www.m4l.usmc.mil.