In their previous jobs, Victor Rivera, Chris Stephens and Mike Gastony didn’t face too many wardrobe choices. Getting dressed is fairly simple when you wear a military uniform.
Now, as they look forward to civilian careers, the veterans found some clothing that would help them dress for success.
Rivera, Stephens and Gastony were among more than 100 people who came to Friday’s Suits for Soldiers event at the district office of Farmers Insurance.
The event was an opportunity for veterans, active-duty personnel and military retirees to get free suits and other professional attire.
“This is really nice. I got two suits,” said Gastony, a Navy veteran who lives in Portland. “I’m seeking employment. I’m about to graduate from a paralegal program at Portland Community College.”
Stephens, a Vancouver resident, eventually wants to become a physician assistant. He was a military paramedic whose eight years of Army service included a combat tour in Iraq.
“I am more prepared to go through interviews than before,” Stephens said as he checked out the fit of a suit coat. “And I’m definitely saving a lot of money.”
And as a disabled veteran, Stephens noted that new civilian attire isn’t just a matter of appearances. Military personnel can leave the service with prosthetic limbs, pain-management issues or significant injuries that add an extra challenge to a fitting.
For Rivera, the new clothing (and a haircut) was just part of Friday’s career initiative.
“I’ll send out r?sum?s later today,” the Air Force veteran said.