Tobyhanna Army Depot Acknowledges Contributions of Veteran Workforce 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.
DMVA To Host Virtual Town Hall on Veteran Transportation Issues, Says Boback The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) will host the fourth in a five-part series of virtual town hall meetings for veterans on Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 6-7:30 p.m., according to Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming). The discussion will focus on resources to assist veterans facing transportation issues. One of the presenters will be Brig. Gen. (PA) Maureen Weigl, DMVA deputy adjutant general for veterans affairs. “Older veterans and those with a disability often face the challenge of access to health care because of not having proper transportation available to them,” said Weigl. “We want veterans to know that help is available. There are community organizations ready and able to provide veterans with transportation to and from the federal VA and other health care providers.” Veterans can participate by using a Microsoft Teams link available on the DMVA’s website at www.dmva.pa.gov. They will have the opportunity to ask questions of the presenters live during the program through the chat feature.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Recognizes Contributions of Veteran Workforce Tobyhanna Army Depot observed National Hire A Veteran Day on July 25 by highlighting Veterans across the workforce. The observance, created in 2017, serves as a call to action for employers to augment their workforce with veterans, who bring a unique blend of skills and practical experience to the workplace. Nearly a quarter of the depot’s workforce has prior military experience. Air Force veteran Gretchen Bentler serves as the depot’s Employment Readiness and Financial Readiness program manager. In her role, she provides guidance to active duty, retired and reserve/guard Soldiers, and other service members on finding employment and maintaining good financial health. She says she understands all too well how hard it is to adjust to civilian life. “After serving for 10 years, I had a hard time ‘finding myself’ and feeling like I was making a valuable contribution to society.” While attending Johnson College and studying electronics technology, she joined Team Tobyhanna as a materials handler in the Production Management directorate. While the position served many of her career goals, something was missing. After a year at the depot, Gretchen transferred to the Veterans Administration. “My passion was always helping others, and I missed interacting one-on-one with service members,” she said. In 2011, Bentler shifted her educational pursuits by returning to school and completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling and Human Services and her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Scranton. Returning to Tobyhanna in her current position in 2016, where she strives to help America’s heroes ensure they have purpose in the next phases of their lives. Looking ahead in her career, Bentler hopes to continue to make a difference in the lives of others. “I am lucky to have a true passion for what I do. I hope to carry that into the future for a purposeful, fulfilling next chapter.” Eligible service members can learn about the GI bill, take workshops on using USA Jobs and even participate in mock interviews through Tobyhanna’s Employment Readiness program. After retiring from the Army after 32 years, former depot Sergeant Major Kelvin Spencer did not intend to become a permanent Northeastern Pennsylvania resident. He knew he wanted to continue serving Soldiers and their families, but, like Bentler, was unsure where the “right place” was for him. “When a position opened up at the depot, it was very enticing to remain here as part of Team Tobyhanna – an organization and community I already had a strong commitment to. In addition, I was thrilled that I may be able to use skills I gained over the years,” adding that he supervised communications and electronics equipment repairers in the Army. Since re-joining the depot team in 2012, Spencer has served as a leader in the Systems Integration and Support Directorate, where he says he continues to honor the values he learned as a Soldier. “As a leader, I still live by the Non-Commissioned Officer’s (NCO) Creed and focus on the two responsibilities of an NCO – the accomplishment of our mission, and the welfare of my team. Nothing is more important to me,” adding that he strives to capitalize on the skills of depot veterans wherever he can. Spencer also serves as the President of the Tobyhanna Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, where he takes delight in helping make Northeastern Pennsylvania a better place. The former Sergeant Major has a clear message for service members considering employment with Team Tobyhanna. “This is a welcoming place for you. Your experience, knowledge and skills can be used to help the Soldiers who come after you when they need it most.” The Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) Veterans Council supports northeastern Pennsylvania’s veteran community both on and off the installation. Officially chartered in October 1997, the organization’s mission is to promote connection and comrade rie for those who have served, and provide support and information for those who seek it. In tandem with the Army Community Services office, the council is available to provide veterans with updates on current changes to military benefits, and assist veterans with transitional issues, unused benefits, and general support by directing them to available resources. Longtime member and the council’s current president, Adam Chase strives to invest his time and attention to the causes and concerns of the active and veteran personnel of all the uniformed services through the works of the group. “We pride ourselves in the ability to direct or refer those needing assistance or help to any number of resources in our community,” said Chase, who is himself a U.S. Army veteran with 21 years of service. “Our members consist of a diverse group of veterans with a vast knowledge base.” Though much of the support the council provides happens away from the spotlight, the organization steps forward several times throughout the year to honor and show support for the community of service men and women on and off the depot, through planned observances, ceremonies and events. The Veterans Council’s keystone events bring appreciation and awareness to important veteran commemorations – Memorial Day, the Armed Forces birthdays, POW-MIA Remembrance Day, and Veterans Day. The group extends the invitation to the many veteran employees at TYAD to take an active role in these events. But one is not required to have served in the armed services to join the council and support these endeavors – all Team Tobyhanna employees are welcome to join the Tobyhanna Army Depot Veteran’s Council – whether a veteran, or a non-veteran with veteran causes at heart. “Any current or former member of the armed forces, non-veterans receiving benefits, military dependents, or depot employees who share a common interest are welcome to attend and actively participate in Veteran Council activities, and can be a member of the organization,” said Mike Cook, council Vice President and Tobyhanna employee. “Criteria for membership includes attending a council meeting and expressing a desire to become involved.” The Tobyhanna Army Depot Veterans Council meets the first Thursday of every month at Noon in the Lexington Conference room. Employees can get involved by contacting any one of the council officers: Adam Chase, President; Mike Cook, Vice President; or Tom Salek, Sergeant at Arms. Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners. Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters. About 3,700 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities.
Committee Unanimously Passes Boback Bill Supporting Active Military and Disabled Veteran Hunters and Anglers Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) announced that the House Game and Fisheries Committee Unanimously passed and reported her bill, House Bill 490, that seeks to provide reciprocal agreements for our active duty military and disabled veterans hunting and fishing licenses. “I am thrilled to see the unanimous passage of this bill out of committee,” said Boback. “This bill offers an opportunity to both active duty service members and disabled veterans who are hunters and anglers. It seeks to encourage other states to enter into agreements with Pennsylvania and create and offer great savings to our service members. This will also provide the opportunity to increase attraction to our Commonwealth for more travel from non-resident military sportsmen, offering a much-needed boost to our economy.” This legislation will allow the Pennsylvania Attorney General to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states to recognize lawfully issued hunting and fishing license or permit types for active duty military and disabled veterans, as resident licenses or permits in each state, provided the Attorney General has determined that the fishing and hunting laws of states are similar to the hunting and fishing laws of our Commonwealth. This bill has been reported to the House floor as committed.
