NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — Many wounded warriors and veterans would still be on the battlefield today if an improvised explosive device (IED) had not detonated nearby.

For retired Army Capt. Eivind Forseth, it was an IED in a taxi in Mosul, Iraq, in 2005 that paralyzed his right hand and disabled his arm. However, after 23 surgeries and three years of recovery, Forseth remains committed to the men and women on the front lines.

“I knew my Army career was coming to an end, but I also knew I wanted to stay in the fight,” he said. “I still wanted to use my background, specialized training and tactical experience to support the warfighter.”

That attitude led him to his job at Naval Air Systems Command, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD), Point Mugu, California, where he serves as a civilian sea range test manager for the MQ-8C Fire Scout, and facilitates upcoming tests of the F-16 Seek Eagle stationed at Edwards Air Force Base.

“I’m so grateful to NAVAIR and NAWCWD for the opportunities I’ve had,” he said. “I honestly don’t know where I’d be if I weren’t here.”

Forseth is one of thousands of wounded warriors hired by NAVAIR, other DoD commands, federal agencies and private industry — several of which will be attending the DoN’s 4^th Annual Wounded Warrior Hiring and Support Conference May 28-29 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Day one of the free two-day conference offers employers, human resources professionals, hiring managers and perspective leaders the opportunity to discuss challenges and resolutions; develop relationships between the private sector and military transition commands; discover best practices to enrich wounded warrior and veteran hiring programs; and share knowledge. Several wounded warriors and veterans will communicate their perspectives during a panel discussion.

Day two features the Hiring Heroes Career Fair with more than 60 federal agencies and private industry employers with job opportunities for wounded warriors, veterans and their spouses.

To register for the free conference, visit: http://www.navsea.navy.mil/WWemployment/default.aspx.

Read Eivind Forseth’s full story on the NAVAIR News site.

The Wounded Warrior & Veteran Hiring and Support Conference is sponsored by Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, and co-hosted by Naval Air Systems Command, Naval Sea Systems Command and Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. DoN’s Office of Civilian Human Resources, Navy Safe Harbor and the Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service are supporting the conference.