Veteran Support at EDSI: Insights from Unsung Heroes Tammy and Autumn
In a corner of Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, two incredible women are making a profound difference in the lives of Veterans transitioning from military service to civilian life. Tammy Souder and Autumn Allen, both Veterans themselves, are dedicated EDSI employees who offer invaluable support to soldiers exiting the service. In this in-depth Q&A, we explore their experiences, motivations, and the impactful work they do through EDSI’s partnership with the Career Skills Program (CSP) at Fort Campbell.
Q: Tammy and Autumn, it’s wonderful to meet you both. Can you share about your backgrounds and your roles at EDSI?
Tammy:
I served active duty in the Army, and I'm a single mother to a 22-year-old daughter. Working at EDSI as the Transition Services Manager and interacting directly with soldiers at Ft. Campbell is incredibly fulfilling for me. Autumn and I have unique roles working on-base, and there are no others like ours within EDSI. When I left the Army in 2013, programs like the one we now partner with didn't exist. Being able to provide these soldiers with support and resources I didn’t have is immensely rewarding.
Autumn:
I serve as the Intake Specialist here at Ft. Campbell and I’m a Veteran of the Army National Guard. I too, wish there would have been a support program like this when I transitioned to civilian life. Tammy and I bring different perspectives from our military experiences, but we both deeply understand the transition challenges. Our primary goal is to prevent the struggles we faced by ensuring Veterans have the support and resources they need. We focus on identifying and removing barriers, whether it's ensuring they aren’t homeless or helping them secure employment.
Q: What drives your passion for this work?
Tammy:
Knowing that we can ease the transition for these soldiers is what keeps me going. The world changes dramatically once you leave active duty, and it’s not always easy to navigate. We help them with practical needs like tools for trades, tuition assistance, and supportive resources, but we also offer guidance and support. Being called a “mother hen” is a label I wear with pride because I genuinely care about each of these young men and women.
Autumn:
For me, it’s about the connection we create and the opportunities we provide. We’re not just ticking boxes on an application; we’re making a real difference in preventing financial burdens, homelessness, and unemployment among Veterans. The impact of our work extends beyond the immediate support we provide—it changes lives for the better. Our own experiences as Veterans who didn’t have these opportunities fuel our dedication to this cause.
Q: Can you explain more about the Career Skills Program (CSP) and how your roles integrate with it?
Tammy:
CSP is a program for soldiers, Veterans, and sometimes their spouses to receive training that furthers their education or skills in trades or specialties. Our offices are located within the CSP building, allowing us to seamlessly connect with soldiers as they enroll in training programs. This proximity enhances our visibility and the effectiveness of our support.
Autumn:
Being in the CSP building is a privilege. We get to interact directly with the soldiers, offering our services and collaborating with the CSP team. This setup allows us to refer soldiers to CSP and vice versa, creating a comprehensive support system. We’ve been in this building since October 2023, and it has significantly improved our ability to assist Veterans.
Customer Testimonial: The staff of the CSP building, especially your front desk personnel and the ladies in EDSI have been absolutely wonderful. I wanted to utilize every program that y'all had to offer as far as CS, Fuel cards and the AER Grant, I probably came in every day for a week and every time I stepped in the building, I was greeted with a smile and lead in the right direction to help get me where I needed to go. I couldn't have made it happen without their help and I appreciate everything that they are doing.
Q: What specific services do you provide to Veterans transitioning to civilian life?
Tammy:
We offer two main services: tuition assistance and supportive resources. We partner with local community colleges like Hopkinsville Community College and Nashville State University for tuition assistance. Examples of supportive services we provide are: tools, gas cards, work clothes, and other necessary items. Additionally, we are a hub for resources, connecting Veterans with various supportive services in the community.
Autumn:
Individuals attending trade training can use supportive services to purchase tools. For other fields, we can provide necessary resources based on the individual’s intended workplace. We also attend job fairs, hiring events, and program graduations to stay connected with the community and ensure Veterans know we are here to support them. Our goal is to be more than just a service provider—we want to be a consistent support system, showing up for them every step of the way.
Q: What challenges do you face in your roles, and how do you overcome them?
Tammy:
One of the biggest challenges is the lack of understanding from those outside our unique operation. Our work is very different from typical EDSI operations or other American Job Centers (AJCs). Explaining the specific needs of soldiers and the importance of our work can be difficult. We are constantly learning and adapting to new dynamics, but our passion and commitment drive us to overcome these challenges.
Autumn:
Another challenge is the limited resources and funding, which are grant-based and can change. Despite these constraints, we prioritize supportive services to ensure we can still make a significant impact. The unique nature of our work requires us to continually educate others within EDSI and the broader community about the importance and impact of what we do.
Q: Tammy, you mentioned the unique nature of your operation compared to traditional AJCs. Can you elaborate on that?
Tammy:
In EDSI’s traditional job seeker AJC office, people come in for resume work, mock interviews, and various other services. We don't have that. Our funding continuity is critical for the supportive services we provide, when funding is cut, other offices can still function in several ways, but ours can’t. While I can catch up on case notes and case management, I’m unable to provide direct services. When soldiers go through CSP and the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), many of those services are already provided. Their resumes are done, they don’t need mock interviews or tuition assistance, and many go to unions like Millwright, Ryder, etc.
Q: How does this difference impact your approach to supporting Veterans?
Tammy:
Our role is to back up these soldiers. They already know their locals, have intent letters, and have spoken with their union reps. We run completely differently from a typical AJC, and grant funding is so critical to the success of the work we do. These soldiers aren’t going to come through our door unless we can provide great benefit and supportive services, and I refuse to waste their time by enrolling them for nothing. We’re here to provide tangible support, not just check-ins.
Q: What is the current state of your caseload and how do you manage it?
Tammy:
We have about 215 individuals currently on our active caseload. Autumn helps as much as she can, but it’s a lot for one person. KPIs are important, but I’m in the people business, not the numbers game. Each person we enroll, we aim to exit them successfully, though it’s not always possible.
Q: What does the exit process look like for a Veteran in your program?
Tammy:
Once a Veteran attains employment, we wait 30 days after their start date, and Autumn or I will verify their employment. Once verified, we exit them from the system. For the next 12 months, we do quarterly follow-ups to ensure they maintain gainful employment. If they lose their job, we can refer them to the AJC or find resources in other states. Our goal is to ensure long-term success, not just a temporary fix.
Q: How does your program ensure support for Veterans across the United States?
Tammy:
We track and support Veterans regardless of where they move. When they become dislocated workers at Ft. Campbell, we maintain their case no matter where they go. Even if they find a job in another state, it still comes back to us because this is where they started. This comprehensive tracking and support system makes us unique. Most AJCs focus on local employment, but we ensure our Veterans succeed wherever they go.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your work?
Tammy:
Seeing the light bulb go off for these young men and women when they realize the support available to them is incredibly rewarding. Whether it’s through a conversation or providing them with tools, knowing that we’ve taken some weight off their shoulders and helped them start a new career is the best part of my job.
Autumn:
The connection we build with each Veteran and the positive impact we have on their lives is unmatched. We help them avoid the struggles we once faced and set them up for success. It’s fulfilling to know we are preventing financial hardships, homelessness, and unemployment while also fostering fiscal responsibility. Our work is personal, and it changes us for the better, allowing us to help even more people.
Q: What are your hopes for the future of your program?
Tammy:
I hope we can continue to expand our reach and resources. It would be amazing to see our model replicated at other bases to help more soldiers transition smoothly. We want to ensure every soldier knows about and has access to the support we provide.
Autumn:
I echo Tammy’s sentiments. We want our voices to be heard, and we hope this article helps raise awareness about our work. More resources and recognition would allow us to support even more Veterans. Ultimately, our goal is to make sure every soldier has the opportunity to transition successfully and thrive in civilian life.
Tammy and Autumn’s dedication to supporting Veterans at Ft. Campbell is both inspiring and essential. Through their roles at EDSI, they provide critical services and unwavering support, helping soldiers navigate the challenging transition to civilian life. Their work not only impacts the lives of individual Veterans but also strengthens the broader community. It’s clear that their passion and commitment make a profound difference, ensuring that no soldier has to face the journey alone.