About Us
Launched in 2014 by Governor Nikki Haley, Operation Palmetto Employment is a statewide military employment initiative directly supported by the S.C. National Guard and the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, a proud partner of the American Job Center Network. Program partners including various state agencies, educators, workforce development representatives and many others work together under the OPE umbrella to serve South Carolina’s military job seekers and the civilian employers who hire them.
Our Vision
To make South Carolina the most military-friendly state in the nation.
Our Mission
To provide updated resources in an effort to continually reduce the unemployment rate among South Carolina’s military community, and to further educate South Carolina employers on the value of military hires.
Our Goals
- To streamline the employment process, reducing duplicated efforts of multiple agencies and service providers to increase efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
- To leverage military expertise, enhancing work-ready communities statewide.
- To ensure cross-functional collaboration between providers and employers.
Leadership Team
S.C. Office of the Governor
S.C. National Guard
S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce
S.C. Commission on Higher Education
S.C. Department of Commerce
S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles
S.C. Department of Social Services
S.C. Department of Transportation
S.C. Division of Veterans Affairs
S.C. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve
S.C. Military Base Task Force
S.C. Military Community (Base Commands)
S.C. Technical College System
State and local Chambers of Commerce
Contact Us
To learn more about OPE and how to get involved or receive training or services, contact Elisa Edwards at (803) 299-1713 or elisa.m.edwards2.ctr@mail.mil, or Marlin Bodison at (803) 737-9936 or marlin.bodison@dew.sc.gov.
For general questions, comments or suggestions, email OperationPalmettoEmployment@gmail.com.