Tidbits

LVMAC Tidbit: Commercial Truck Drivers Are a Critical Profession Needed in the Lehigh Valley

On 20 November, LVB.com (a media product of Lehigh Valley Business) reported, “The trucking industry has a shortage of drivers, and many military veterans get out of the service and struggle to find the right job to be their second career.”  The article stated Mack Trucks is donating one of its locally manufactured Anthem Trucks to the American Trucking Association to help recruit and hire veterans into the trucking industry.

The “Education and Talent Supply Report” recently released by the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation suggests (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: The Army Goes Green Again

Heraclitus said the only constant is change.  The Army, like the Navy, continues to prove its constant is a uniform change.  Therefore, on Veterans Day, the Army officially announced a replacement (“pinks and greens”) to its current service uniform (Class A’s) inspired by its World War II uniform — “pinks Read more…

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: A Post-9/11 Vet Article on Depleted Uranium

Depleted uranium (DU) has 60 percent of the radioactivity of natural uranium.  It is a byproduct of creating the enriched product for nuclear reactors and weapons.  Because of its density, easy availability, and relatively low cost, the U.S. military found it to be useful in manufacturing tank armor and some bullets to penetrate enemy armored vehicles. The large-scale use of DU for this purpose began during the Gulf War and has continued. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit:  Veterans’ Trust Fund Grants Notice of Funding Announcement

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) announced today the opening of its fiscal year 2018-19 Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF) grant cycle.

A combined total of $800,000 in grant funding is available for the 2018-19 grant cycle:  1) $650,000 for grants of up to $50,000 to veterans’ service organizations (VSOs) with 501(c)(19) status and nonprofit organizations with a mission of serving Pennsylvania veterans granted 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Code. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Local Red Cross Seeks Special Volunteer to Serve Our Military Servicemembers and Their Families

American Red Cross SAF PinOne of our member organizations, the Lehigh Valley-Bucks Chapter of the American Red Cross, wants to re-establish its Services to the Armed Forces (SAF) program in Lehigh, Northampton and Bucks counties.  As a first step, a special kind of volunteer, working with the regional project manager for the program, must be found.

What is the Red Cross’ SAF program in the first place?  It is a longstanding program which supports our service members in the military by connecting them with their families during emergencies, providing them resilience training to deal with the challenges of deployment, and linking their families with local community resources.  (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Having Difficulty Finding Employment?

Are you a veteran returning to the Lehigh Valley and looking for a job?  Have you just lost a job?  The question for you might be how best to find one.

Yes, going to college is the typical answer these days, but a job on the other end is never guaranteed.  CareerLink is yet another, but currently lacks the Disability Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) counselor to properly assist.

Going out on a limb, the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council (LVMAC) believes traditional college training and employment methods are not necessarily the answer for most veterans for finding a job, especially for those with families to immediately support after separation from service — at least until stability is assured.  The GI Bill, a valuable benefit,  is meant to be used wisely, not as a living stipend as sometimes has become the case. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Ritter School Honoring Veterans Once Again

Once again the students of the Ritter School prepare for their well-known Veterans Day event.  It is currently looking for veterans to step up to be interviewed.  Details are provided by clicking on the images below.

The project starts off with interviewing veterans on 27 September.  Students are given the opportunity to interview those who have served or are currently serving our country in one of the highest ways possible: service in the armed forces of the United States.  The end result is a remarkable event honoring these citizens at a school assembly on 9 November, which is open to veterans whether or not interviewed. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago

LVMAC Tidbit: Continue Your Service: Now Is the Time to Join the VA?

VA releases data on vacancies as required under MISSION Act

va-logo-featured-news-releaseWhat the VA seeks is a steady, intelligent, reliable, adaptable workers who can tolerate its bureaucracy because a greater good is served and can work in it in creative ways.  Sound like someone who has just completed full-time military service honorably, and is not in the Reserve Components and subject to likely call-up?  It should.

The article below from the VA Office of Public and Intergovernmental Relations suggests good, family-wage employment opportunities, especially if you are willing to travel and relocate, although some of these opportunities now exist in the Greater Lehigh Valley and Eastern Pennsylvania areas.  Regardless, is the idea of relocation new to a professional, military servicemember?  We do not think so — another advantage over your non-veteran peers we have heard.

With over ten percent of its positions vacant and being an organization which is growing, now might be the time to inquire for employment.  And if needed, do not overlook its educational cost offset opportunities.  The G.I. Bill is not the only game in town. (more…)

By LVMAC, ago