After retiring from a 26-year Marine Corps career in 2014, combat veteran Dr. Paul T. Archie, pictured, embarked on seven years as a JROTC Instructor at a public school in Chicago, Illinois. Archie wanted to come home to Texas and resume fulfilling his passion for leadership training. He reached out to the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) at an American Job Center near the city where he wanted to live in Texas. Archie connected with TVC Veteran Career Advisor (VCA) and Army veteran Curtis Owens in Dallas. The two went to work immediately on a resume that would help to land interviews with employers hiring for leadership training. Fellow Marine Corps veteran and TVC Veteran Employer Lisason (VEL) Tanya “Tee” Huling ensured key words within the resume matched key words within the job descriptions researched.
Read the whole story below, as reported by Ron Abrams, TVC Employment Services North Texas District Outreach Coordinator and Army veteran:
26 Year U.S. Marine Corps veteran rediscovers his passion!
Dr. Paul T. Archie had a very successful, 26-year military career in the United States Marine Corps. While in the USMC he served in three combat tours and numerous special duty assignments; notably, he was a U.S. Marine Corps Drill Instructor (two times), and a U.S. Marine Security Guard at four overseas assignments. Finally, he rounded out his military career as a Recruiting Station Sergeant Major in Baltimore, Maryland. After retiring on 31 August 2014, veteran Dr. Archie went on to complete a seven-year career as a Marine Corps JROTC Instructor, at a public school in Chicago, Illinois. While in Chicago, Archie found himself missing his home state of Texas; additionally missing his passion for Leadership Training. So he reached out to the Texas Veterans Commission and an American Job Center (AJC), near the city where he wanted to relocate in Texas.
Archie’s search pointed him to the Redbird AJC, and to Curtis Owens, TVC Veteran Career Advisor (VCA), in Dallas, Texas. After an in-depth initial assessment of Archie’s status at that time, VCA Owens, pictured, determined the veteran had a qualifying Significant Barrier to Employment of low income and was eligible for JVSG (Jobs for Veterans State Grants) services. Owens went to work immediately, helping the veteran produce a resume that would help to land interviews with employers hiring for the Leadership Training career that Archie desperately missed. Once the resume was completed, Owens assisted the veteran with interview techniques that would help him effectively negotiate and interact during interviews with potential employers.
VCA Owens then facilitated a Case Conference with Tee Huling, Veteran Employer Liaison (VEL) at the Redbird AJC. VEL Huling, pictured, ensured key words within the resume matched key words within the job descriptions researched. This helped to produce great job matches within the Leadership Training field; to which Archie submitted applications.
The hard work and collaborative efforts paid off! Archie interviewed for a position with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shortly after submitting his application. They were very impressed by his extensive experience attained in the U.S. Marine Corps and his staunch professionalism. Archie is now a Leadership Training Instructor, within DHS’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He was given a Hire Letter and his first day of work was on 14 August 2022! Archie commended VCA Owens and VEL Huling for their efforts:
“Mr. Owens, you and Mrs. Huling were very instrumental in connecting me with DHS and getting an interview opportunity in April of this year. I am living proof that the Texas Veterans Commission cares and works diligently to get veterans employment.”-Paul T. Archie.
VCA Owens and VEL Huling, you two are exceptional examples and why the North Texas District is a cut above the rest, in service to Veterans!
Pictured is Ron Abrams, TVC Employment Services North Texas District Outreach Coordinator and Army veteran.
Veterans throughout Texas can find the TVC Veteran Employment Services team in 90 locations across state including 70 American Job Centers. Find your local office.
TVC VES receives federal funding. For more information, visit Stevens Amendment.