Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/74682
employees, Schueller says. "Some employers love having military vets. They see these men and women have the right work ethic to be a great addition to their team." Oshkosh Corporation, with more than 300 active-duty National Guard and Reserve military members (as well as many veterans) on the payroll, is one of those manufacturers. Rod Wedemeier, vice president of human resources for the company's Defense segment, says employees with military experience fit well with the company's culture. "If you look at our statement on our annual report – 'Mission Driven: To Move the World at Work' – I don't think there's any other population group that is more motivated. Soldiers and Marines know how to work together as a team and they know how to get the job done, Wedemeier says, so even if they may not have the right set of skills, they can quickly be trained. In addition to actively recruiting those who have served Those with a military background also learn quickly, " he says. in the military for employment opportunities, Oshkosh's military-leave program is focused on helping employees and their families stay in touch with deployed loved ones. Helping Veterans Employees receive a paid differential when called for active military duty or when time off is needed for Reservists' yearly training. Oshkosh's dedication to hiring veterans landed it on G.I. Jobs' 2012 Top Military-Friendly Employers for the second year in a row. In 2008, Oshkosh was awarded the Freedom Award from the U.S. Department of Defense, the highest recognition given by the government to employers for support of employees who serve in the National Guard and the Reserves. The state of Wisconsin recently ramped up its efforts to connect veterans with jobs. Here's a look at some of its initiatives: Expanding Wisconsin GI Bill benefits. The bill entitles vets to full tuition and fees for up to eight semesters or 128 credits at any University of Wisconsin System or Wisconsin Technical College System institution for continuing education, undergraduate or graduate study. It also has no post-service time limit for using the benefits, as opposed to the federal Montgomery GI Bill's 10- year post-discharge limit. Adding resources accessible online and via telephone, from a web page devoted to employment resources to staff members available to hold live, online chats with job-seekers to partnering with a trucking company that is interested in hiring ex- military personnel. Working with some of the state's technical colleges to provide training in high-demand fields that are likely to attract people who have served in the military. Increasing the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs' presence at job fairs to raise awareness about its programs. www.insightonmfg.com "Going off to war is stressful and we do what we can to make their leave from here as stress-free as possible by helping to take care of things like health insurance for their family so that's something they don't need to worry about. " –Rod Wedemeier, vice president of human resources for Oshkosh Corporation's Defense segment we do what we can to make their leave from here as stress-free as possible by helping to take care of things like health insurance for their family so that's something they don't need to worry about, "Going off to war is stressful and " Wedemeier says. Fitting in leaving the U.S. Army B ryan Schaefer of Princeton served in the military for six years and started at MPTC after continued > July 2012 • INSIGHT on Manufacturing | 11