JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
A total of 80 transitioning service members celebrated their graduation from the Onward to Opportunity Program at the Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Military & Family Readiness Center Jan. 17.
The JBSA Onward to Opportunity, or O2O, Program offers a no-cost hybrid learning experience combining classroom interaction with an online learning experience. The program starts with a week of face-to-face classroom training, which is complemented with six weeks of online course work, as well as networking opportunities with employer partners in San Antonio.
During this course, while students were working through the certification training and participating in the professional development activities, they also worked with national partners through Hire Heroes USA to build resumes and prepare for interviews, according to Angenetta Lambert, JBSA O2O Program manager.
“O2O brings civilian career training to eligible servicemembers up to six months prior to their transition date and any active duty military spouse, regardless of where their partner is in their military career,” Lambert said. “O2O combines industry-validated curricula, strong partnerships and comprehensive career coaching and placement services to match program candidates with civilian job opportunities.”
A public-private collaboration between the Department of Defense, Schultz Family Foundation and Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University, the program offered an information technology track and certification, as well as a customer service excellence track.
“The O2O Program has been excellent,” said retired Army Sgt. Maj. Darlene Taylor. “It really spans all career fields.”
“Remember your experiences here and the challenges you faced,” said David Roddenberry, O2O national program director. “You’ll see changes in yourself after this. Remember, the attitude you bring into this wins the fight.”
“Congratulation on choosing a career field that is both challenging and rewarding,” said John McCary, Onward Veteran program manager with the Schultz Family Foundation, to the graduates. “Your influence as veterans is profound. You know how to work as a team and know the meaning of sacrifice. Any employer would be lucky to have you.”
Information technology track and certification graduates include: Kofi Adjei-Sarpong, Devon Buscon, LaShawn Campbell, Gina Chang, Deogratias Chilambo, Vanessa DeDe, Carrie Deza, Jay Doshi, John Dupeire, Christopher Duran, Jonathon David Evans Jr., Michal Fabius, Carl Fresia, Desiree Gipson, Michael Guadian, Solange Grande, Chad Henshaw, Richard Higginbotham, Rashaun Hill, Steven Howard, John Johnson, John Johnson, Toni Jones, Samantha Jurney, Craig Kellner, Cecilia King, Kalob Lemley, Maria Mares, Jake Montgomery, James Newman, Andrew Niehus, Rashaan Paine, Kenneth Paulding, Keshia Willams Parks, Shawn Piatz, Donnie Pleasant, Casey Ralson, James Reams, Macie Shaw, Eric Simmins, Anthony Soileau, Cody Stacy, Marcus Starks, Andrew Stephenson, Chad Strickfaden, Larry Thomas, Karen Thompson, Brad Thuma, Joy Tousant, Juwin Viray, David Walker and Robert Young.
Customer service excellence track graduates include: Mathew Acome, Chad Baker, Brian Benjamin, Keith Blackmon, Gregory Carter, Daniel Christmas, Kellie Cole, Steadman Friday, Lillian Haggerty, Gisela Hawthorne, Andrew Jurney, Ashley Kinard, Roablas Lumpkins, Kim Mart-Trujilo, Eric Rascoe, Diane Reece, Yahil Sanchez, Tanya Schilling, Olivia Seets-Warner, Todd Speer, Darlene Taylor, Christopher Tipton, Dennise Villanueva, Moe Watson, Lisa Wickstrom and Mary Williams.