Huntsville, AL – October 2012
Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation (INTUITIVE) believes those who have fought for our country should not be stranded in their search for employment. In the past couple of years, INTUITIVE has laid a foundation and paved the way to introduce new programs focused on Veterans’ needs in the workforce. According to Forbes magazine*, an overwhelming 12.7% of new Veterans have been left without employment. By focusing on Veterans, INTUITIVE hopes to inspire other companies throughout the area and beyond to help bring that percentage down.
INTUITIVE, a Huntsville based company, provides services to the different tenants of Redstone Arsenal, including AMCOM, AMRDEC, SMDC, and MDA. Having the Warfighter as a primary customer, the company is exposed to the lifecycle of active duty service men and women that later transition to Veterans in the workforce. INTUITIVE has found the most successful way to reach these Veterans is by taking a proactive approach in recruiting and instating policies and benefits that appeal to them and their families. This strategy gained INTUITIVE a reputation of “rolling out the red carpet for vets…”, as stated in the Military Times EDGE article on the Best For Vets: Employers 2012 List. The article continues, “Intuitive Research and Technology Corp. and Kearney & Co., each of which has fewer than 600 employees, have instituted vet-friendly programs ranging from special orientation for former service member to hiring programs for their spouses.”
Earlier in the year, INTUITIVE launched a new Veterans Information Program (VIP). To kick off this program, INTUITIVE held a Lunch ‘n Learn bringing in several leading figures in the community who specialize in Veterans’ affairs. These presenters included, BG Retired Bob Drolet, Vice Chairman of the Huntsville-Madison County Veterans Memorial; Paul Elliott, President of Redstone Arsenal-Huntsville AUSA Chapter; Laura Ayers, Co-Chair of the State of Alabama Returning Veterans Committee; Max Bennett, President of the North Alabama Veterans and Fraternal Organization and Coalition (NAVFOC); Dave Carney, Editor and Publisher of The Tennessee Valley Bugle; and Will Webb, President of Still Serving Veterans. Each guest speaker focused on presenting to employees different Veteran services their organization provides; i.e., Ms. Ayers discusses her involvement treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). By authoring the Reintegration Action Plan workbook for returning service men and women who struggle with PTSD, Ms. Ayers was appointed by the Governor to the Department of Health and Human Service Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, allowing her to further help returning Veterans.
INTUITIVE Command Sgt. Maj. (R) John Perry has been very instrumental in the company’s Veteran programs. Both John and his wife Brenda dedicate much of their time supporting Veteran’s program. As a result the Spirit of America Festival Committee named an inaugural award in their honor, called the “CSM John and Brenda Perry Support for Military Families Award.” For the past year John has played an important role in the organization of the Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial Time Capsule. This intricately painted and custom built square cube filled with Veteran memorabilia will be dedicated surrounding Veterans Day 2012, and re-opened in 50 years. INTUITIVE was allowed to display the Time Capsule at the corporate facility from September 11th to 14th, prior to its sealing.
As stated by INTUITIVE President, Harold Brewer, “Exhibiting something that preserves the historical value of our Warfighters is a special privilege for our employees and visitors. We deeply respect our Veterans and are proud to provide programs that assist them.”
By keeping its organization structured in such a way that enables them to assist Veterans, INTUITIVE plays a leading role in protecting the quality of life these men and women can expect when they are integrated back into the workforce. It also ensures the company will recruit individuals with proven qualities like commitment, sacrifice, and honor. With their example, INTUITIVE hopes the Huntsville area will be a leader in changing the Veteran unemployment rate, and in turn, serving its country by serving the Warfighters.
Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation (INTUITIVE), a Small Business, supplies a wide range of services including programmatic support, systems engineering, product development, production systems support, rapid prototyping, and technology management solutions to the Department of Defense, government agencies, and commercial companies.
For More Information:
Tonya Maurice
(256) 922-9300
info@irtc-hq.com
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*http://www.forbes.com/sites/paulrieckhoff/2012/06/22/solving-the-riddle-of-veteran-unemployment/