When he entered the civilian workforce, Navy veteran Bryan Fry says one of the hardest parts was finding the “red line.”

“In a blink, your military career is over. You’re done. Time to go home, time to get a job. But, where’s the red line? How do I integrate back home? I had a relationship with order, I had a relationship with the red line and it’s not there anymore,” Fry said at a King County Lunch and Learn called “Increasing Understanding of Our Veteran Employees.”

Moderated by Fry, who is now King County’s Veterans Program Coordinator, the Lunch and Learn included a short film honoring King County’s veteran employees, as well as a panel discussion. Panel members Steven Stamper, Jennifer Schneider, Manuel Martinez, and Renita Borders all are military veterans and King County employees.

The Lunch and Learn was inspired by King County’s goal to be more a more “veteran ready” employer.

“We recognize that military service members are a highly skilled and capable group of workers that can help build the future workforce of King County,” said Human Resources Projects Officer Candice Stephens.

Panelists said when coming out of the military, it’s sometimes difficult to translate skills used in the military to skills needed in the civilian workforce.

“Veterans need to know where they can go to get help to get their resume up to par,” Martinez said.

Stamper said veterans make excellent employees because they are goal oriented.

“If you give a service member a goal instead of a job you will be amazed at what that person can do,” Stamper said.