The American Legion Veterans Employment & Education Division is governed by a full commission that focuses on veterans education, employment, business development and assistance for homeless veterans. The commission was formed to ensure that veterans receive ample opportunities for success once they leave the military. Throughout the year, Veterans Employment & Education Division staff members prepare and deliver testimony for congressional committees on subjects of vital interest to the commission, including contracting/procurement for veteran-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses; transition from Department of Defense to Department of Labor, Veterans Employment and Training Services (DOL-VETS), the VETS budget, and VA services for vocational rehabilitation, education and home loans; and veterans preference in federal hiring.
The American Legion has formal memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Avue Technologies and Military.com, allowing The American Legion to have a presence at veterans career fairs around the country. The purpose is to educate veterans regarding their benefits and provide them with connections to veteran-friendly companies for employment. In addition, the Economic Division lists an employment chairperson throughout its 55 departments. The division also recognizes businesses and employer services with awards for excellence in veteran hiring and retention.
The Veterans Employment & Education Division will continue to assist veterans and their families in their transition to employment through our career fairs that we sponsor throughout the country in partnership with Military.com, along with the Small Business Development Workshops that we hold during our annual Washington Conference and National Convention. The division will also continue to aggressively urge Congress and federal agencies to adequately fund, staff and supervise veteran-based programs that involve education, training, employment and small business opportunities.
For more information:
202.861.2700
econ@legion.org
Joseph C. Sharpe, Jr., Director
Mark Walker, Deputy Director
Davy Leghorn, Assistant Director
John Kamin, Assistant Director
Ariel De Jesus, Assistant Director