Marine to help House hire wounded vets - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Marine to help House hire wounded vets

A retired Marine master gunnery sergeant has been appointed by the House of Representatives to head an effort to hire more disabled combat veterans to fill administrative and support jobs in Congress.

Patricia Orsini was named director of the House’s Wounded Warrior Program, a position created to help achieve a goal of hiring 50 veterans to work for House leaders or in support services.

Employment in the personal offices of members of Congress is controlled by each member, but Orsini’s work would involve hiring for administrative jobs or support jobs that are under the control of House leaders or the House Committee on Administration.

Orsini retired from the Marine Corps in 2002 after 24 years of service but was recalled to active duty in 2004 to work on the Marine for Life program at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va.

Dan Beard, chief administrative officer for the House of Representatives, said Orsini “understands the needs of wounded warriors, and understands that many veterans want to continue to serve their country.”

One of her first duties will be to start identifying jobs in the House that can be filled by disabled veterans. House officials said in a statement that some of the positions may be part-time work that could become full-time jobs later.