Hiring: Exchange Reaffirms Commitment To Hiring 50,000 Veterans, Military Spouses by 2020
The Exchange is reaffirming its commitment to hiring 50,000 Veterans and military spouses by 2020.
“We are on a mission to welcome home our American heroes and our military spouses,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull. “Their commitment is our commitment. That’s why the Exchange will hire an additional 16,000 Veterans and military spouses to hire 50,000 former service members and military spouses by 2020.”
Shull announced the hiring initiative at the Exchange’s annual conference for general managers and main store managers in Frisco, Texas. About 35,000 associates work for the 122-year-old Department of Defense retailer at its department stores, convenience stores, malls, restaurants, theaters and other operations around the world to make life better for Soldiers, Airmen and military families.
The Exchange puts a lot of stock in hiring Veterans and military spouses. They understand what the Exchange means and what we do for those who serve.”
-Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull
The Exchange has long been considered a leader in hiring Veterans and military spouses. The Exchange was named a 2018 Top 10 Military Friendly Employer® and Military Spouse Friendly Employer® by Victory Media. Since 2010, the Exchange has hired more than 1,100 Wounded Warriors.
Sharing a ‘special bond’
Julissa Pettway served in the Air Force before joining the Exchange. “I chose the Exchange for employment because the Exchange was home,” said Pettway, who manages the Gate 1 Express at Fort Gordon, Ga. “It was a familiar place to start post-military.”
The announcement comes as the Exchange began serving honorably discharged Veterans once again on Veterans Day 2017 with a lifelong online military exchange shopping benefit. All who served honorably receive military-exclusive pricing and tax-free shopping at shopmyexchange.com. Eligibility to shop can be verified at shopmyexchange.com/veterans.
Veterans, military spouses and others seeking employment with the Exchange can visit applymyexchange.com to view job openings worldwide.
“Exchange associates share a special bond with service members as 85 percent have a military connection,” Shull said, “They’ve served in the Armed Forces, or are the parent, spouse or extended family member of someone who is wearing or has worn our country’s uniform. The Exchange puts a lot of stock in hiring Veterans and military spouses. They understand what the Exchange means and what we do for those who serve.”
Thank you for continually putting the military first. This is a wonderful initiative on your part. Military retirees and spouses understand what the military is all about. I hope you are considering their children for employment too. Thanks for all you do AAFES.
Ms. Noble:
Thank you for writing to your Exchange Post. Thanks for the comments!
Steve Smith
Editor, The Exchange Post
I am so proud to be a part of the Exchange family. I am a former Military Spouse and I am a huge advocate not only to our veterans but to our “unsung heroes,” the military family and support system. The Exchange gives us a sense of belonging. With so many of our veterans returning from wars, there are so many with visible injuries but also the injuries that cant be seen, PTSD, being one of them. Many of our veterans, spouses and military family members cant relate to the civilian world because no one can truly relate to our military and family members, they are from a very special arena.
The Exchange, however, can relate, because we are family serving family. We are unified in so many ways. Not only does the Exchange offer goods and services, they offer so much more. I must say that in recent years, i have witnessed a positive effect on our veterans and families, the ones who are only used to one way of life, the military way. with that being said, we have veterans who are transitioning out of the service, whether it be because their enlistment is up or because of medical discharges, this in itself is a traumatic experience and foreign to our service members and their families. The Exchange has become that therapy, the security blanket that these individuals need, the Exchange understands and has respect and compassion for these heroes. The Exchange has not only given employment opportunities, it has been a life line for those who can’t adjust to the civilian way of life. the Exchange is the transition home to so many and i am so proud that we are advancing every day.
I love the fact that i can be proud of who i work for and how the Exchange has opened it’s arms out to those who need it. Thank you Exchange for being the therapeutic transition blanket that so many need. It is a pleasure and honor to work for the the greatest company of all, “The Exchange.
Karen Seigh (EG)
Appeals Paralegal
Karen:
Wow, this is awesome. Thanks so much for writing this.
Steve Smith
Editor, The Exchange Post
Does anybody else have compelling stories like Karen’s? If so, we want to hear them!
Steve Smith
Editor
The Exchange Post