Fort Hood gives CEOs soldier skills

FORT HOOD, Texas (KXAN) - With unemployment rates rising for veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Fort Hood gave potential employers a look at the skills soldiers have during their “CEO Day” on Wednesday.

“Responsibility, discipline, standards. These men and women are what CEOs are looking for to build their companies,” said Lt. Genl. Don Campbell, the post’s commanding general.

In 2011, unemployment numbers for Operation Enduring Freedom vets reached 12.4 percent. By comparison, the unemployment rate for the general population is 8.9 percent.

But Campbell and Fort Hood want to show employers the skills learned on the battlefield can translate into any occupation.

“We wanted to showcase what we do at Fort Hood, and more importantly, these young men and women serving as representatives of our great country," he said.

Area CEOs were given the opportunity to go through simulated training exercises which included firing weapons, driving tanks, and taking a look through armored vehicles.

“We have had former military personnel work for us and they are very disciplined and very driven,” said Texas Fleet Fuels president Allen Smith.

“They have always done a great job for our company," Smith said.