Ford joins forces with the U.S. Army to support civilian careers for veterans

Oct 16, 2023
<2 MIN READ
Ford Chief Government Affairs Officer Chris Smith and Lt. Gen. Douglas F. Stitt sign the U.S. Army Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) ceremonial agreement. Click to Enlarge

Ford Chief Government Affairs Officer Chris Smith and Lt. Gen. Douglas F. Stitt sign the U.S. Army Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) ceremonial agreement.

This summer, Ford announced a partnership with the U.S. Army Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) Program with a signing ceremony in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon. The PaYS program will help connect servicemen and -women to Ford, ensuring a guaranteed job interview and potential employment post-military service.

During the event, Chief Government Affairs Officer and U.S. Army Veteran Chris Smith underscored the significance of the agreement, stating, “This partnership isn't a mere collaboration; it's a pledge, a commitment to forge a path for those who have so honorably served our country. And Ford, in turn, gains access to an unparalleled pool of talent.” Ernest Adams, chief diversity, equity & inclusion officer also spoke at the event, highlighting Ford’s commitment to supporting service members in their transition to civilian employment.  

August 23, 2023, Ford Motor Company joins the U.S. Army PaYS program to help support servicemen and women as they transition to the civilian workforce. Click to Enlarge

August 23, 2023, Ford Motor Company joins the U.S. Army PaYS program to help support servicemen and women as they transition to the civilian workforce.

Teaming with veterans through employment and engagement

Ford has a long history of supporting veterans, dating back to 1919 when Henry Ford employed disabled veterans. Decades later, during World War II, Ford halted civilian vehicle production to manufacture more than 280,000 vehicles for the Allied war effort.

Today, support for veterans can be seen in the Ford supplier diversity and inclusion program, which supports veteran-owned businesses, and the Ford Veteran’s Network Group (Vet NG). Vet NG is an employee resource group that supports current and former service members. Notably, it played a critical role in the company's recognition as a Gold Level Veteran-Friendly Employer by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.

Having a strong talent pool is critical to the success of our business, and the PaYS partnership provides Ford with a direct connection to a group of solid candidates. “Leadership, resilience and an unbreakable spirit of teamwork define not just our veterans but our company,” said Smith. “Through this pledge, we’re not merely employing servicemen and women; we are elevating the standards of our entire workforce.”