Chicago, Il, – April 11, 2013 – Bankers Life and Casualty Company and Military.com hosted a military veteran appreciation pre-game event Tuesday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis to discuss the challenges facing veterans transitioning to civilian careers. The event was hosted by the Field Recruiting department of Bankers Life.
Military servicemembers and local veterans met with Ed Bonach, CEO of CNO Financial Group (parent company of Bankers Life); Brian Blandford, Director of Field Recruiting Operations for Bankers Life; and Jon St. Peter, National Recruiting Manager for Bankers Life.
“Veteran unemployment is among the highest of any group in the nation, and Bankers is dedicated to military veterans and their unparalleled commitment to serving our nation by growing and enhancing our military veteran recruitment program for Bankers’ field sales force,” said Scott Perry, President of Bankers Life. “This event was important in helping Bankers better understand how to provide the right tools and opportunities to returning veterans, to enable an easier transition from military to civilian careers.”
The Bankers Life event, sponsored in conjunction with Military.com, was held not only to honor local military veterans and thank them for their service to our country, but to talk directly with veterans and military personnel about the issues they face in seeking employment, and their needs in making the transition back to civilian life.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for local veterans and military members to see a great example of true commitment to supporting veterans,” said Randy Plunkett, Director of Government and Community Outreach for Military.com, who attended the event and spoke with a number of servicemembers and veterans going through the transition process. “By bringing these folks together and really listening to their needs means that Bankers Life will be able to recruit some incredible individuals who will bring the same loyalty and leadership to their company as they did to their military service.”
With over one million veterans transitioning out of the military over the next five years, the issue of employment and access to jobs has become a national conversation. In many cases the key factors are a lack of understanding on the business side of how skills in the military translate to civilian jobs, and a lack of experience on the servicemember’s part in articulating their military skills to a civilian manager.
“I am impressed that a big organization like Bankers is doing this,” said Captain Matt Limeberry of the Indiana National Guard, an attendee of the event. “I wonder why other companies are not reaching out to help veterans find jobs by learning more about their transition and what they need to find a civilian career.”
About Bankers Life and Casualty Company
Established in 1879 in Chicago, Bankers Life and Casualty Company focuses on the insurance needs of the retirement market. The nationwide company, a subsidiary of CNO Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: CNO), offers a broad portfolio of health and life insurance and annuities designed especially for retirees. To learn more, visit www.Bankers.com.