Several years ago a nonprofit organization was formed in FortMyers, Fla., for the purpose of developing a program to providedisabled military veterans job opportunities within the insuranceindustry.

The carefully chosen name for this organization was Disabled Veterans InsuranceCareers Inc. (DVIC).

The DVIC mission is to educate, train and create meaningfulemployment opportunities within the insurance industry for disabledveterans. Since its founding, the program has developed into aviable resource for helping disabled veterans who need a jump-startin a professional career field.

The process is structured around hiring, educating, training,licensing and assisting with the placement of disabled veterantrainees upon completion of the program. When the trainees havecompleted the DVIC program, they are placed in customer servicepositions within successful insurance agencies.

DVIC was developed from the vision of two retired insuranceexecutives, Gary V. Trippe and James R. Pender, along withco-founders Gay Trippe, Kathy Pender, Lee Knapp and Brady Polansky.Having started and managed independent insurance agencies, bothTrippe and Pender felt strongly that their vision could become areality.

One of the first steps in starting DVIC was to find the rightperson to help build the organization and manage the day-to-dayoperations.

Gary Bryant, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, wasselected in January 2013 to be the first DVIC president and CEO.Bryant's connections within the military community and his personalservice record assisted DVIC greatly in procuring volunteers andsupporters from various industries.

In addition to Bryant's efforts, Trippe and Pender assembled astrong governing board of directors, a strategic advisory boardcomposed primarily of insurance industry executives, militaryofficers, community leaders and additional regionaldirectors. 

Veterans bring strong skills

Part of the success of the DVIC program is that veterans offeremployers a certain set of valuable skills, such as adaptability,efficiency, loyalty, diligence and respect for authority.

Often these skills are particularly valuable in the developmentof careers.

For example, veterans have been trained to focus on theorganizational mission and to not accept failure. Additionally,many have strong respect for procedures and accountability. When itcomes to working in teams, veterans excel in that work environment.Leadership, problem solving and time management are just a few ofthe other transferable skills that many veterans possess.

Application of these traits by disabled veterans can lead togreat success in the insurance industry.

In recent years, the industry has been wide open in terms ofemployment opportunities and is hiring at a rapid rate. Theveterans chosen for the DVIC training program must exhibit positivetraits in order to be considered for the program. They must alsoexpress a strong desire to have a career in the insurance industryand demonstrate good communication skills.

Solid training

The training program at DVIC is extensive and can last up to sixmonths.

The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research,which provides insurance education and training, has partnered withDVIC to coordinate and provide the veterans with education andtraining.

All veterans completing the education and training programreceive the Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR)designation from the alliance.

In addition to the formal training, on-the-job experience is akey part of the DVIC program as well. Veterans spend several days aweek at local insurance agencies, such as Rosier Insurance inBonita Springs, Fla., and Armed Forces Insurance in Leavenworth,Kan.

The next DVIC training program will begins this month, and willtake place both in Southwest Florida and Leavenworth, Kan. To learnmore about program, visit DVIC.us. You can see what thefirst "recruits" have to say about their experience withDVIC and the insurance industry on YouTube.

Phil Tuccy, AAI, AIM, is a member of the Disabled VeteransInsurance Careers strategic advisory board and is the owner ofEllenton, Fla.-based Insurance Group Consulting. Contacthim at [email protected].

Related: Veteransjoin with Farmers Insurance to help with disasterresponse

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