More global companies pledge hiring of Army spouses

By Mr. Rob Mcilvaine (ARNEWS)November 5, 2010

More global companies pledge hiring of Army spouses
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Hon. Thomas R. Lamont, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs speaks at annual Army Spouse Employment Partnership meeting at the 2010 Association of the U.S. Army Meeting & Exposition. (cleared for public release, not for co... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
More global companies pledge hiring of Army spouses
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASINGTON, DC - On Oct. 25, at the Association of the U.S. Army's 2010 Annual Meeting and Exposition, the Army Spouse Employment Partnership welcomed 16 more U.S. corporations, who pledge their best efforts to increase employment opportunities for Army spouses.

A few months prior to this October's signing, six of these companies, along with the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Woosong University in Taejon, South Korea, pledged their support to Army spouses in Korea.

With the additional 16 new partners, the number of like-minded companies in the partnership has increased to 58. Each of these partners has officially declared their willingness to provide Army spouses the opportunity to attain financial security and achieve employment goals through career mobility and enhanced employment options.

"ASEP is paramount in achieving our goal of taking care of Soldiers and their Families," said the Hon. Thomas R. Lamont, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, at the event.

Also on hand at the AUSA signing was ASEP Chairman Anthony J. Stamilio, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civilian Personnel & Quality of Life).

"For the first time ever, we inducted eight new members overseas. This is just the beginning," said Stamilio, who recently returned from Korea.

In the future, ASEP will travel to Germany and Japan to continue their global quest of providing employment for Army spouses.

Seven years ago, the Army formally signed a Statement of Support with 11 Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies and two military agencies, who pledged their best efforts to increase employment and career opportunities for spouses.

Over the last several years, ASEP partners have worked together to craft a single strategic focus for hiring Army spouses, made up of four facets or perspectives: Imagine, Build, Solve and Lead. Their combined efforts have resulted in overarching, interrelated strategies which represent each partner's unique corporate structure while demonstrating their commitment to the common goal of better opportunities for the spouses of men and women in uniform.

"Army spouses are probably the most diverse in the world, with a variety of educational and professional backgrounds," ASEP Program Manager Dr. Lillie Cannon said.

"Widely recognized for their strong work ethic, professionalism and corporate loyalty, Army spouses, who relocate with their military sponsors, prove advantageous in an increasingly mobile corporate environment," Cannon said.

Two-thirds of our more than 510,000 Army spouses are 32 years old or younger. About 80 percent are married to enlisted Soldiers and live in the continental U.S.

Nineteen percent of spouses, though, are stationed overseas, including assignments in Alaska and Hawaii. For this reason, Army spouses bring the benefits of the ethnic diversity, native culture, and language background that are in great demand in the international business community.

While 70 percent of Army spouses have college, vocational or post-secondary education, they are hindered by limited job experience because of frequent relocations.

The employment of military spouses is a vital part of the Army Family Covenant. By expanding the ASEP program and strengthening local relationships, the Army continues its support of Soldiers and their Families.

To find out more, spouses can contact the Employment Readiness Program Manager at their local installation or unit, or by visiting the "Education, Careers and Libraries" section of ArmyOneSource.com.

The 16 companies who joined ASEP at the AUSA on Oct. 25 are:

1. Armed Forces Bank; Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

2. Dish Network, LLC; Englewood, Colo.

3. Bank of America; Charlotte, NC.

4. McKesson Corp.; San Francisco, Calif.

5. Amazon; Seattle, Wash.

6. Verizon; Basking Ridge, N.J.

7. Hyatt; Chicago, Ill.

8. Synovus Bank; Columbus, GA

9. FIS - Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.; Jacksonville, Fla.

10. Emergent Solutions; Florida

American companies that signed in Korea and here in U.S. at AUSA on Oct. 25 are:

11. Central Texas College; Killeen, Texas

12. SAIC; McLean, Va.

13. 3M; Maplewood, Minn.

14. CACI; Arlington, Va.

15. Northrop Grumman; Falls Church, Va.

16. Booz Allen Hamilton; McLean, Va.

Related Links:

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