Chaplain (LTC) Angela White advises a member of the Kentucky National Guard on some of the employment services offered at the G1. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by: Spc. Harrison Moore)
By Carrie Rogers, Public Affairs Officer
FRANKFORT, Ky.-- As Americans face record unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kentucky National Guard is expanding efforts to ensure members have the support they need to navigate the job market.
Through September, the G1 will host two new faces - Chaplain (LTC) Angela White of the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade and Sgt. 1st Class Eric Merrell of the 149th Engineer Company, who are on full-time orders to support the Guard’s employment services.
Their mission? To grow the Guard’s existing network that
links Service Members with employment resources, service providers and
potential employers. While this may seem a daunting task to some, Chaplain
White sees it as a unique opportunity to do what she loves – finding the best
in others.
“People tend to overlook their skills and strengths…be too
modest about themselves. As a chaplain I always see the best in people. This
work gives me the chance to help others see what I see and ultimately translate
that into the marketable skills and qualities that employers are looking for,”
said White.
White and Merrell are available to assist Service Members
with every aspect of the job hunt, be it dressing for success, fine-tuning
interview skills or creating a long-term career plan. Their deep understanding
of the various positions in the Guard also help them translate an individual’s
military experience into civilian terms.
Merrell encourages anyone immersed in the job hunt to take
advantage of their services.
“There’s no shame in asking for help. We all need it from
time to time,” said Merrell.
White also voiced her praise and support to the Kentucky
National Guard for its programs helping and connecting Guardsmen and their Families
who may be unemployed or underemployed in a time of need.
“I always tell people, it’s that network that is going to
help connect you with the next step in your career or the new job you’re
looking for,” said White. “Our work is all about connecting people to the
resources that are already available to them.”
Above all else, Chaplain White and Sgt 1st Class Merrell bring passion to the task of developing Soldiers and they are grateful for the opportunity to invest in their brothers and sisters of the Kentucky National Guard.
“More than anything, we want to convey to our fellow service
members that periods of economic uncertainty can actually be a time of great
opportunity,” said Chaplain White. “All you have to do is reach out to us.”
Anyone interested in utilizing the employment services
resources available at the G1, can reach out to Chaplain White at (502)
607-1127 and Sgt. 1st Class
Merrell at (502) 607-1531.