FORT LEE, Va. (WTVR) -- A job fair at Fort Lee Tuesday attracted hundreds of veterans getting ready for civilian life and looking for work.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Doug Roggenbuch, who will complete 21 years in the Army on Friday, said he thinks the job fair is beneficial for those who serve.
"I walk through here and get an idea of what's available, what's out there," Roggenbuch said as he paused for a moment before approaching another table.
Dozens of vendors, most in the transportation industry, were on hand to talk with soldiers and veterans who have recently left the military.
Most vendors, like CSX Transportation, said they wanted to be represented during the fair at Fort Lee.
"People that come from the military have really, really good skills.. They have attention to detail," CSX's Steve Toomey said. "They follow safety rules and that's really what we need in our job. We need all those people to do all those things."
Former Staff Sergeant Brandy Mallette, who spent 13 years in the Army, joined civilian life last month. She said the job fair happy to learn many of the companies were specifically seeking veterans.
"This is a whole different way of life for us... and it's everything is different going from the military community to the civilian community," Mallette. "I mean it's scary and so being able to say, hey we're looking out for veterans -- and we want you to come with us. It makes a big difference."
