By Ryan Thompson, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Aug. 14, 2025) — Fort Leonard Wood’s next career summit is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Aug. 21 in Nutter Field House, where attendees will have opportunities to meet employers, interview for jobs and learn best practices for a successful transition from military service to civilian employment.
According to Walter Harris, Fort Leonard Wood transition services manager, the career summit will provide transitioning service members and job seekers the tools they will need to progress to the next stage of their careers.
“The career summit is going to be a great event for the Fort Leonard Wood community. If anyone is looking for a job, I recommend they come out because there will be multiple opportunities for individuals to find employment,” Harris said. “It’s an opportunity to set yourself up for success as you transition from the military.”
Harris said the career summit will consist of two parts, a series of sessions focused on preparing job seekers on how to put their best foot forward from 9 a.m. to noon and a hiring fair where people will have the opportunity to meet potential employers from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
“People should attend the workshops because they will give people a better idea of what they need to do to be successful,” Harris said. “They will have tips about what employers are looking for on a resume, tips on how to improve your online profile and it will teach people the proper way to network.”
On-site registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the following sessions are scheduled throughout the morning.
- Location matters at 9:10 a.m.
- Speed dating with future employers at 9:35 a.m., 10:25 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.
- What am I worth at 9:55 a.m.
- The interview: It’s just a conversation at 10:45 a.m.
- Ignite your network and job search at 11:35 a.m.
- Hot tools: Hot jobs and resume engine at 12:15 p.m.
Throughout the event, attendees will have the opportunity to broaden their network.
“The career summit sets up the opportunity for transitioning service members and individuals in the community to gain employment, create relationships and to network,” Harris said. “A lot of times the relationships and the networks you create during the career summit will have benefits later on.”
Harris encouraged everyone to attend the career summit.
“Even if individuals are not looking for employment, I think it is a good idea to come out and make those contacts, network and create those relationships with the employers that will be there,” Harris said. “Even if somebody is not currently looking for a job, they will have an opportunity to establish a relationship allowing employers to put a name to a face, setting the job seeker up for success later on.”
Events throughout the day are open to all service members, veterans, retirees, Defense Department civilian employees and family members.
Those wishing to attend the hiring summit should come prepared and be ready to make a memorable first impression, Harris said.
“That first impression is a lasting impression. I would recommend they come with a prepared resume, an elevator speech and come dressed for success.”
For more information, call 573.596.0175.
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About Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post more than 80 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains nearly 80,000 military and civilians each year.
Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.
Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps Detachment and Air Force Squadron on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.