Veteran starts security company to hire wounded warriors

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — It can often be a struggle for veterans returning home to find jobs, especially if they’ve been injured during their service.

One local veteran knows that journey first hand and he’s started a business to help his fellow heroes.

Jason Kokotkiewitz received a Purple Heart after suffering a traumatic brain injury while serving in Iraq in 2007.

Years later he’s celebrating a new business, looking to hire veterans.

To help him focus through recovery, he decided to start a private security business to hire fellow injured veterans.

His company is called PH3, PH, for Purple Heart.

“I understand that frustration and being able to hire our wounded, being a wounded member myself. I get the frustration and putting them to work is paramount for me,” Kokotkiewicz said.

He believes certain security jobs can utilize the skills of vets like himself and provide a source of income that might otherwise be hard to find.

“I know it’s not a glamorous job being a gate guard, but it’s a perfect position for our wounded warriors who want to work but just can’t find jobs because of the liability,” Kokotkiewicz said.His company also provides security for businesses and residences.

His friends said his work ethic in overcoming challenges and creating this company has been inspiring.

He has five employees, but would like to hire more in the coming years and expand across the state of Indiana.

Other companies that often hire veterans, according to the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation are Lowe’s, Home Depot, UPS, FedEx, Interactions Corporation, G2 Secure Staff and AlliedBarton.