Nonprofit group helps former soldiers find jobs

BY STEPHANIE GASKELL
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Sunday, February 24th 2008, 4:00 AM

Soldiers getting out of the military have a new weapon to help them find a job in the civilian world.

Hire A Hero is a nonprofit group that places soldiers and Marines in jobs after they serve their country.

Founded in January 2007 by Dan Caulfield, a former Marine who served in the 1991 Persian Gulf War, Hire A Hero has helped more than 10,000 former soldiers find jobs - but there are still thousands more looking for work.

"People need to do more to help than hang a yellow ribbon," Caulfield said.

When people leave the military, they often have a hard time finding work - especially those stationed in Iraq or Afghanistan, he said.

They face stereotypes that they have posttraumatic stress disorder, or are only able to follow orders rather than take the initiative.

"If we don't fix this problem, we won't have an all-voluntary military anymore," Caulfield said.

Sgt. Clifton Haylock, 28, of Staten Island, finished his military career in 2006. It included a tour in Afghanistan.

He has been working for a catering company, but is using Hire A Hero to look for something more stable to help support his 9-year-old daughter.

"It's tough, because you are competing with thousands of other people," he said. "You'd think they'd help you out more because you are military."

Hire A Hero also welcomes volunteers - people in the community who can help link soldiers to prospective employers.

"If you believe those who have defended the American Dream should participate in its rewards, make a difference by helping them network locally with people you know," Caulfield said.

He's also trying to get federal funding for his company through the Hire A Hero Act, which was introduced yesterday.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Queens), who is cosponsoring the bill, said, "Our commitment to our soldiers should not end when they return from harm's way."

For information, visit http://www.hireahero.org/.

sgaskell@nydailynews.com