CLARKSVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
The Army Career and Alumni Program said more than 2,500 came to a job fair on Fort Campbell Wednesday and Thursday. More than 130 booths for both local and national companies were set up between the two days for soldiers ending their service.
"It is scary," said Sgt. Mike Monroe, making his way through the crowd at the job fair. "It's absolutely scary to come out of the Army, and you've had such stability, and you've been taken care of the whole way through. I've been in the Army about seven and a half years. I'm looking for more of a challenge, looking for something to transition into a nine to five. It's really hard with deployments, and I have a family."
It's a time of transition in the Army, with a downsizing of 80,000 troops expected by 2017. Fort Campbell officials said they're so far avoiding a reduction in their force with higher command transferring those in over hired departments to other posts. Meanwhile, some temps, veterans, and those who've completed their service are looking into options at job fairs.
"I'll take really anything," said Monroe. "I'll take anything that'll give me a smooth transition into civilian life."
"Soldiers, they start their leadership training the first day they come into the army," said Harold Riggins of ACAP. "They deserve a smooth transition into society, a good paying job so they can be productive members of society."
ACAP officials added there will be another job fair on Dec. 4 just for wounded warriors. If you'd like to register a company for the job fair, call ACAP at 270-798-5000.
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