July 22, 2015 -- Georgia’s ninth Commissioner of Labor, Mark Butler, and his staff joined officials here at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany and Marine Corps Logistics Command, July 22, for an afternoon consisting of briefs, tours and fellowship.
Butler said MCLB Albany was one of the few military installations in the state he has not had a chance to visit yet even though he had heard a lot about it. He wanted to visit while he was in the area to learn about the mission and become more familiar with what the Marines do here.
“I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen here today,” he said. “I was amazed at the large amount of private sector jobs available here. Most people don’t think of the large number of private sector jobs at a military base, but it was interesting to see the vast majority of the work being done here by civilians and contractors.”
Butler said he wanted to look at ways to help in the future with MCLB Albany’s workforce needs and to also help those military members who choose to leave the Marine Corps and make Georgia their home.
“We want to retain as many military members as we can in the state of Georgia after they get out because they are so valuable and have a lot of the built-in skill sets employers are looking for,” Butler added. “When members of the military choose to leave and are looking for work, they bring a level of soft skills that employers often don’t have to train them for such as how to get to work on time, how to work with others or certain leadership or teamwork skills.”
Butler said members of the military are a tremendous asset to Georgia’s workforce.
Col. James C. Carroll III, commanding officer, MCLB Albany, thanked the commissioner for visiting the base.
"Commissioner Butler's visit was a phenomenal opportunity for him to visit the largest employer in Southwest Georgia and have him see what we do here on behalf of the Marine Corps and the Department of Defense as a whole," Carroll said.
"For him to take time to come here to understand our workforce gives him a chance to see what (the base) brings to this area and as an industry and employer, that we are leading the way in employment, training and education of our employees,” the commanding officer continued. “He was able to see that a lot of veterans are able to go to work after leaving the military."
Carroll added, "Our installation already has a strong bond with the local community and his visit further solidifies our state-level relationship."