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Thursday,Apr 24 2008, 01:54:12 AMAmerica Supports You: Organization Hires Heroes

By Jamie Findlater

Special to American Forces Press Service

April 18, 2008 - Returning from combat in Iraq or Afghanistan with a disability certainly brings with it a number of challenges, but for one soldier, a great aid to his successful recovery was the easy transition he made into the civilian job market.  Justin Callahan enlisted in the U.S Army as a combat engineer when he was 18. When he was 21, he deployed to Afghanistan, where he led a squad of 8 men squad leader. During a routine patrol, Justin was hit by an IED and suffered a left leg amputation below the knee.

During his recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here, Justin was approached by Bayne Tippins, a businessman who offered him a job as soon as his health returned.

Callahan inspired Tippins to found Hire Heroes USA, an non-profit organization dedicated to helping disabled veterans to find the right fit in the civilian job market. Hire Heroes USA is a member of America Supports You, a Defense Department program that connects individuals, non-profit groups and companies who want to support U.S. military men and women.

"Hire Heroes USA was designed to give other wounded servicemembers like myself the opportunity that I was fortunate to have right out of the hospital," Callahan said during an interview on America Supports You Live BlogTalkRadio. He and Tippins discussed the organization's success during the interview.

Callahan explained that the biggest challenge for many wounded warriors is getting their confidence reestablished after a tragic event.

"It's really to pick them up and point them in the right direction, helping them to re-establish the confidence they've lost going through something traumatic...and the direction to move forward," he said.

Part of re-establishing this confidence is understanding how the skills developed in the military apply to the civilian job market. One skill, Callahan mentioned, is leadership.

"A non-commissioned officer is responsible for 6 to 8 soldiers operating under very stressful situations...they are taught the hard things by the military."

Callahan talked about his day-to-day experience working with countless organizations that see great value in employing those with military experience. Employers notice military experience and benefit from an incredibly motivated group of individuals, Callahan explained.

"These men and women are so motivated to get into a good job that has a steady salary where they have the opportunity to advance."

Now the challenge for Callahan and Tippins is reaching out to the many veterans who might need assistance and do not realize how to best market their skills to a new audience. Callahan explained that the organization places everyone from sales reps to IT professionals, and from security personnel to project managers.

"A lot of servicemembers don't know what's out there. They are used to doing a certain job in the military, and when they get in the civilian world they do not always know how to apply and transfer the skills they have learned making them noticeable to employers," Callahan said.

One example of many such skills is the ability to handle logistics, Tippins said.

"Getting men and troops and supplies from point A to point B is an incredibly transferable skill," he said.

Tippins also said learning new skills easily is a common attribute of veterans.

"They are extremely trainable," he said. "The acquisition of the new skills within a new position comes easily because of their experience in the military."

Tippins explained that the mission Hire Heroes USA is to reach out to candidates, identify their strong qualities and let them know that there are jobs available for them.

"Some servicemembers just need to understand that company XYZ has a need for you.... Hire Heroes USA is designed to be a bridge to get out in front of organizations that are anxious to hire them," Tippins said. "We want to help them adjust to becoming a great member of society that they have already defended so bravely."

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EDUCATION

 

 

 

 

Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA 

 

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

 

Doctoral Student, Touro University International – Winter 2007

MPA, Public Financial Management — California State University, Fullerton

             4.0 GPA (Member Phi Kappa Phi) - 2003

BA, Criminal Justice — The Union Institute — 1999

 

National Institute for Justice, Technology Institute, Washington, DC

Federal Emergency Management Agency, Incident Command System

Federal Emergency Management Agency, Terrorism for First Responders

 

POST Courses                                   POST Certificates

West Point Leadership Program          Management

Instructor Development Course          Supervisor

Middle Manager                                   Advanced Officer

Watch Commander                              Intermediate Officer

Supervisory Development                   Basic Officer

 

 

 

 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

 

 

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

                                               

Police Technology                              

Computer Crime                                 

Analysis Techniques for Criminal Justice Managers

Terrorism and Criminal Justice                       

Homeland Security and Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice Supervision               

Minorities and Criminal Justice          

The Enforcement Function           

Principles of Investigations and Reporting                                         

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

            CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON

            (Instructor) 2004 - Present

 

            UNION INSTITUTE AND UNIVERISTY

            (Faculty Advisor and Instructor) 2004 – Present       

 

            HI TECH CRIMINAL JUSTICE

            2003 – Present – Owner

The mission of this business is to provide online resources for criminal justice practitioners.

           

            CONNECTION HOUSE

            2003 – Present – Founding Board Chair        

The Mission of this organization is to provide transitional housing, independent living skills and educational opportunities for emancipated foster youth.

           

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT         1980-2003

·        LIEUTENANT (1997-- 2003)

 

Detective Support Division, Fugitive Warrant Section

Supervise 70 sworn and 5 non-sworn employees.

Oversaw service of all adult felony warrants; the prosecution of foreign nationals in their country of origin; and the location and apprehension of fugitives from other jurisdictions;

Conduct international criminal investigations at the behest of Interpol. Liaison between Interpol, foreign consulates and LAPD. Acting Commanding Officer — coordinated all division activities in absence of superior

 

Central Traffic Division

Watch Commander—Bureau consisting of 110 sq. miles with approximately I million residents. Supervised the activities of 20 accident investigators and 44 motorcycle officers. Acting Commanding Officer — coordinated all division activities in absence of superior

 

Pacific Area

Administrative Lieutenant reporting to Area Commanding Officer — prepared and reviewed all paperwork and documentation for 405 personnel. Watch Commander — directed 10 subordinate supervisors and 110 line personnel.  Responsible for basic patrol, Venice Beach Detail and LAX Substation. Oversaw anti gang activities; responded to tactical alerts; and resolved all management issues. Managed transition from flexible work schedule to standard 10/80; directed the transition to new public complaint system; and facilitated transition to improved Community Oriented Policing Model.

 

·        SERGEANT (1988-1997)

 

            Internal Affairs Group

Investigated allegations of misconduct against police officers.

 

Northeast Area

Patrol Sergeant, Administrative Sergeant — conducted personnel investigations at   direction of Commanding Officer.

           

77th Area

Community Relations — supervised a staff of 8; responded to crisis situations throughout the community; and represented Department through numerous public speaking engagements. Managed Explorer Post, Business Booster Association, Police Clergy Council, Reserve Police Officers, Senior Lead Officer Program, and Neighborhood Watch Program. Participated in numerous community related activities and events including Open Houses, Halloween activities and Christmas basket distribution.

Patrol Adjutant — directed all front office activities including writing management papers, drafting management correspondence, reviewing time slips and handling all personnel functions.

 

Communications Division

Floor Supervisor supervised thirty 911 operators and 10 report takers.

Watch Commander — managed emergency allocation of personnel citywide; and oversaw system crises and breakdowns.

 

Southwest Area, 77th Area & Northeast Area

Field Sergeant

 

·        POLICE OFFICER  (1980- 1988)

 

            Newton Area . . . Southwest Area . . Central Area

Foot beat officer, patrol officer and training officer

 

WEINGART CENTER ASSOCIATION     (1986- 1990)

(One-stop Service Center for Homeless - Concurrent with LAPD Employment)

       

·        DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS (Part-time & Concurrent with LAPD)

Initially hired as Director of Security, responsible for 18 security officers and a $1 million budget.  Accountable for the management of security services provided to in-house County agencies; Advanced to Director of Operations, in charge of 150 employees and a $3 million budget.

 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS / COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

 

·        Member, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences

·        Member, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)

·        Member, Author’s Guild

·        Member Rotary Club of San Dimas, Past President

·        Explorer Post Advisor, Boy Scouts of America

·        LAPD Code One Toastmasters (Past Vice President)

·        Assistant Cubmaster, Boy Scouts of America

·        Member, Peace Officer’s Association of Los Angeles County

·        Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

·        Chapter Advisor, Order of the Arrow – Sunset Chapter, Navajo Lodge

·        Phi Kappa Phi – Honors Society

 

AWARDS & HONORS

 

·        Police Medal for Heroism

·        Club, District and Regional Toastmaster Awards

·        Commendations for Outstanding Performance (200)

·        Numerous community letters of appreciation

·        Recognized by southern California Automobile Club for superior vehicle and antitheft enforcement and safe driving

 

MILITARY SERVICE

 

·        United States Coast Guard Reserve (1976-1983)

                  Honorable Discharge