SWAG�ϼ� prepares soldiers for transition to civilian life

June 23, 2016
Story and photo by Brandon Steinert

SWAG�ϼ�, in conjunction with the National Partnership for Environmental Technology Education (PETE), has been offering a 10-day Hazardous Waste Worker Training Program at military installations across the country. Most recently, the program was offered at Fort Riley.

The training is paid for by a grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The course is geared toward transitioning soldiers, retirees and family members at no cost.

“That was awesome,” said Sgt. Robert Burgess after donning a hazardous materials suit during the scenario portion of the course. “It’s great to actually get out there and do it. I learned a lot here, and I feel like I’ve learned something useful.”

Executive Director of PETE Kirk Laflin said the program is in response to the needs of transitioning soldiers.

“SWAG�ϼ�’s training is excellent quality,” he said. “Looking at reviews and program evaluations, the participants give overwhelmingly good reviews.”

Jim Remington, program analyst at NIEHS, said awarding the grant to PETE was an easy choice, and PETE’s selection of SWAG�ϼ� as the training provider has proven to be a good decision.

“I like how SWAG�ϼ� took all the lessons and pulled them together into a final activity and let the students run it,” he said. “Being a vet, I went through a transition program, but this was not an option then. When you get out of the military and look for a job, any tool you can walk away with and possibly apply to a civilian job is a good thing.”

The training consists of an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hazardous materials course, a 10-hour general industry safety course and Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training. The course includes classroom instruction and hands-on applications.

“This course is only 10 days and it is a great opportunity for transitioning soldiers because they can get this training at no-cost and immediately have qualifications that employers in the HAZMAT field are looking for,” said SWAG�ϼ�’s Dean of Fort Riley Technical Education and Military Outreach Training Bill Nash. “They can get back to their lives and get to work right away so they can provide for their families.”