Taking Command: Elite 9 Veteran Acquisition Services

Like most veterans, when US Marine Corps Sergeant Major Chris Thomas left military service, he weighed his options and asked himself a tough question: “What am I going to do, now?” Transitioning jobs can be emotionally draining and mentally exhausting for anyone, but for veterans thrust into civilian life, the prospects are daunting.

In 2022, Chris founded Elite 9 Veteran Talent Acquisition Services, LLC, an employment placement and business consulting firm focused on matching candidates with the right jobs. The Elite 9 team also provides employers with leadership development training, helping to facilitate the conversations that
resolve workplace conflicts, create a more cohesive team, and a more positive work environment for everyone.

“I’ve seen so many service men and women (who perform well in active-duty) struggle immensely when they get out. When I envisioned this company, I wanted to find ways to partner companies with veterans (or those wanting to work with more veterans) but what I quickly realized was that, while there are veterans in need, these companies could also use other services including workforce development solutions that went beyond recruiting, to retaining employees,” said Chris.

PROCURING A FLIGHT PLAN
In June 2001, Chris joined the Marine Corps and began working in the Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron stationed in Beaufort, SC. From 2005-2008, he took a special duty assignment as a Drill Instructor in Parris Island, SC before moving on to high-level aviation logistics in Norfolk, VA. He was then selected to train Navy Officers at Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. In 2015, he was among the rarified few chosen to serve as First Sergeant.

“It takes a special person to become First Sergeant,” said Chris.

Enlisted service personnel positions are sorted into an E-1 to E-9 ranking system, he explained; First Sergeants are selected from a competitive list of E-7 level Gunnery Sergeants. As First Sergeant, Chris’ duty was to perform human resources tasks for companies with 160 – 600 people. As a senior advisor to the Commanding Officer of the unit, as First Sergeant Chris’ responsibilities also included boosting and maintaining morale, promoting general welfare, addressing disciplinary issues, as well as guiding personnel through the strict brig regimen, the legal measures of losing rank, and processing out of the Marine Corps.

DEFUSING DRAG
In 2019, after a board review of Chris’ Marine Corps experience, he was selected to the rank of Sergeant Major. After achieving this elite E-9 status, Chris was ordered to Recruiting Duty, and was responsible for Marine Corps recruiting in Boston, MA, Central and Eastern Pennsylvania. As fortune would have it, it was in Pennsylvania where he’d also be closer to Anne, a Lake George, NY native he’d met online. Then, after 20 years of service, Chris left the Marine Corps to marry Anne and join civilian life in Upstate New York.

“There are a lot of veterans embedded into the Warren, Washington, and Saratoga Counties with organizations like the VFW, Veteran’s Affairs, County Services, and the Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program (which offers holistic grants so those leaving service can be more effective). In my experience, I’ve never seen anywhere else as responsive to veterans,” said Chris.

DEPLOYING THE LANDING GEAR
“As long as you do what you’re told to do, and how you’re told to do it, you’ll be ok (and get that paycheck twice a month),” said Chris about military service. This level of job security puts veterans transitioning into the civilian workforce, and its relative unreliability, in a precarious position. Unsure of how to translate their military skills into civilian terms, veterans may take a temporary position to pay the bills, then stay on; dissatisfied, but glad to be putting food on the table.

Elite 9’s rigorous, mission-focused mindset instead puts job seekers in the pilot’s seat with effective career search strategies, expert resume writing services, and a specialized job bank of available openings. Elite 9 writes 2-page resumes for candidates applying for non-federal positions, and detailed 4–6-page descriptions for Federal agencies – giving problem-solvers with a readiness to adapt and perform a leg-up in securing these coveted positions.

MASTERING THE SWITCH
Finding the talent to fill civilian job openings is only part of the Elite 9 equation. They also act as head-hunters and facilitate candidate-employer connections through the Department of Defense (DOD) SkillBridge Program, placing service members in valuable paid internships with civilian companies during
their last 180 days of service. An obvious advantage for interns looking to gain work experience, the DOD SkillBridge Program also comes at zero cost to employers (as service members will continue receiving their military compensation and benefits during their internship).
Local companies including State Farm, Mr. Electric, and Miller Mechanical Services have currently been approved to participate in the program, making them visible to the nearly 200,000 highly-trained and motivated service members making the transition into the civilian workforce each year.

SOARING TO GREAT HEIGHTS
Although a life spent in the line of duty already provides unique cross-training in multiple skill sets, Chris understands knowledge is power and has added a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, and two Master’s Degrees in Public and Business Administration to his long list of military credentials. He also chose to participate in the Resilience-Building Leadership Program, an authorized DOD Training Partner, working to create comradery while building resilience within companies.
After an initial consultation, Chris conducts DiSC personality assessments to categorize employees by their learning style. In addition to being a catalyst for successful decision making (that allows managers at every level of the company to identify issues and respond), Chris also uses what he discovers to conduct conversations that create cohesive teams.
Then, after approximately six months, Elite 9 revisits its business clients for feedback and to address any concerns that may still exist, building accountability into the system, and leading by example.

For more information, find Elite 9 Veteran Talent Acquisition Services, LLC on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and at elite9vtas.com