According to Tobyhanna Army Depot and the Department of Labor, an estimated 200,000 military members retire or separate from the U.S. Armed Forces every year. Their transition into civilian life can be daunting, especially regarding employment. In 2017, Marine Corps veteran Dan Caporale established National Hire a Veteran Day. Observed annually on July 25, this day serves as a call to action for employers to recruit and hire veterans.

Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) proudly employs hundreds of veterans from all branches of service. The depot’s veteran population comprises nearly a quarter of its workforce. National Hire a Vet Day is an opportunity to highlight the unique skillsets that veterans bring to the workplace.

U.S. Army veteran Paul DePrimo currently serves as a Lead Training Administrator at TYAD. Inspired by his father, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, DePrimo enlisted in the Army Reserves at age 17 for six years. After a brief break in service, he reenlisted into the Pennsylvania National Guard and later deployed to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom II. DePrimo retired from the guard in 2013 with 22 years of service.

“The military influences discipline, dedication, and drive like no other. The training and experiences you endure while serving shape you into a dependable, hardworking, punctual, and enthusiastic leader,” he added.

DePrimo recalls that the experiences he had overseas were some of the best and worst times of his life.

“Our unit was task organized under the 1st Calvary Division for the first two months and then we were reassigned into the 89th Military Police Brigade for the remaining 12 months. Prior to Iraq, we transitioned from tankers into a military police company. Stationed at a base known as Camp Slayer, we worked out of what was known as Sector Control Point-Baghdad and worked directly for the Iraq Survey Group. As a senior NCO, I filled the role of a battle captain for the duration of the tour. Our mission was searching for weapons of mass destruction,” he said.

After many years in the private sector, DePrimo decided to pursue a career at TYAD because he missed being a part of an Army team. He has continued to thrive at the depot. Within the first six months of his employment, he was promoted to a supervisory position. His leadership style is rooted in the core values of the Army: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage.

“I love the Army and working here as a civilian gives me a great sense of pride,” he added. “As a past warfighter, my main focus is to take care of our current warfighters and the Department of the Army Civilians who supports them.”

U.S. Navy veteran Jennifer Caldero serves as a Logistics Management Specialist in TYAD’s Strategic Initiatives Office. Caldero enlisted after completing the Navy ROTC program in high school. She saw this as an opportunity to travel the world and focus on professional development.

“I grew up in Oklahoma, so I wanted to see the ocean,” she joked. “I traveled via Navy ship to eight different countries. I’ve been all around the world and to multiple places in the United States.”

Caldero served for a total of eight years – six active duty and two as a reservist. She then utilized the GI Bill to obtain her bachelor’s degree before continuing to complete her MBA in 2023, noting that TYAD’s flexible and consistent schedule helped her manage her educational pursuits.

“Veterans often bring with them a sense of duty, integrity, and respect for others,” added Caldero. “These values can help shape a positive and ethical corporate culture, reinforcing the importance of integrity, teamwork, and respect within the organization.”

A positive, healthy culture is a priority at TYAD. The depot’s Employee Wellness Center (EWC) offers programs intended to foster employees’ growth and well-being. The EWC recently implemented the Veterans Peer Support Group, which meets weekly to provide a space where veterans can discuss their challenges in a confidential environment.

“When discussing how to improve our culture, we heard a common theme that our veteran population felt disconnected and disengaged. We want veterans to build connections and feel the same unity they felt while serving,” said EWC Chief Ricardo Horn.

Patrick Hart, a painter in the Systems Integration and Support Directorate and veteran, says the weekly group is beneficial.

“A Veterans Peer Support Group is a much-needed program. Having other veterans around and knowing who they are helps us transition from military life to civilian,” he said.

Veterans interested in future career opportunities with Team Tobyhanna can apply through USAJobs at www.usajobs.gov.