400th Signing Marks Milestone for U.S. Army’s Partnership for Youth Success Program

By Mr Jerrod Resweber (USAAC)July 15, 2011

Army Celebrates 400th PaYS Signing
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Army Presents Partnership Certificate to Aaron’s, Inc.
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BRISTOL, Tenn. - The U.S. Army Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) program recently celebrated its 400th partnership signing with Aaron’s, Inc. during the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tenn. The program, which began in 2000, guarantees a Soldier an interview with a PaYS partner employer once a Soldier decides to enter the civilian workforce again.

“We are so excited about the signing of our 400th strategic partnership as it represents just another career advancement option for the Soldiers serving our country today,” said Dan Murdock, program manager of the PaYS program. “As we enter our 11th year, we can reflect with pride on the number of Soldiers that have had the opportunity to interview with one of our partner companies after honorably serving in the U.S. Army.”

PaYS began as a recruiting incentive program for active duty Soldiers blending the idea that while Soldiers were serving their country and protecting our nation’s freedom, they could also plan for their futures at the same time. PaYS partners benefit from the steady stream of quality Army job candidates with skills in vital areas such as leadership, work ethic, discipline, communication and technical experience.

“The Army values are important to URS because it allows for a diverse workforce, which URS does have, and it allows our employees to excel at doing their jobs in any environment,” said Kenneth Reese, staffing manager at URS Corporation, a participating PaYS program partner. “So we're getting the best of the best when we recruit these guys.”

The process of transitioning to the company or public sector agency, selected during the recruiting process, works by matching the skill set of each individual Soldier with the needs of a particular partner. A Statement of Understanding (SOU) containing specific PaYS partner and job information is signed during the enlistment process. Prior to leaving the Army after completing their active duty tours, Soldiers coordinate directly with their selected partner to submit their job application and schedule an interview. More than 106,000 active duty Soldiers have enlisted using this incentive program.

Since the start of the program in 2000, PaYS has expanded to include Army Reserve and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). The program has created more than 1.7 million positions in the PaYS database for active duty Soldiers, more than 550,000 positions for Army Reserve Soldiers and more than 133,000 positions for ROTC cadets. Of the 400 companies participating in the PaYS program, more than 50 are Fortune 500 companies.

The 400th partnership signing with Aaron’s, Inc. represents the continued support and recognition of the Army and its invaluable leadership skills, experience and values inherent in all of its Soldiers.

Related Links:

Partnership for Youth Success

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