December Newsletter Themes
Happy Holidays
May this beautiful holiday season fill your heart with love, your home with joy and your life with laughter. Happy Holidays! Wishing you and yours love, peace, and happiness!
Sincerely, The PaYS Team
Army National Guard Birthday
They're not just weekend warriors!
In a move that would create the first militia on the North American continent, the Massachusetts General Court in Salem issued an order on December 13, 1636, requiring all able-bodied men between 16 and 60 years old to create a standing Army for protection.
With that order, what we now know as America's National Guard was born. The idea was simple: Establish an Army of Citizen-Soldiers who could be called upon to fight when needed.
In 1636, that meant defending Massachusetts Bay. Today, it means answering the call of both state and Nation, deploying overseas and responding to natural disasters in the assistance of friends and neighbors.
Source: National Guard Birthday | Military.com
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Each year on December 7, Pearl Harbor survivors, Veterans and visitors from all over the world come together to honor and remember the 2,403 service members and civilians who were killed during the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. Another 1,178 people were injured. Eight Navy battleships were among the 18 Naval ships either damaged or sunk. On Oahu Military bases, 178 aircraft were destroyed.
December 7 was a catalyst that led to a changed world. The 80th Commemoration will tell the story of the multi-pronged attack across the Pacific and in particular the attack on Pearl Harbor. The goal of the commemoration is to ensure that future generations will understand the valor and legacy of those who perished and those who fought throughout the war. The commemoration also highlights the importance of the peace that brought reconciliation, a reconciliation that continues to move forward today in creating a better future for all.
Source: Home | Pearl Harbor Day (pearlharborevents.com)
PaYS Annual Training 2022
Team trainings can enhance skill sets even as it reinvigorates the passion around a project and/or the workplace. These events also are a safe space for building trust and initiating a change of pace in productivity. This year's training accomplished all of the above.
The training kicked off with opening remarks from BG Laurence Linton, Deputy Chief of Staff, TRADOC, who stated that what we are doing helps make an impact on the individual Soldier and their family. It helps build cohesiveness and ease the transition from being in the Military to life in the civilian sector. After his remarks, BG Linton participated in recognizing PaYS Team Members for outstanding performance in 2022.
Right - (l-r) Antonio Johnson, Cheri McCullough, General Laurence Linton
Throughout the week, the PaYS Team trained on several tasks and procedures in order to increase proficiency. The team also hosted several guests that added value to the training experience. Presentations from Soldier for Life, RecruitMilitary, National Guard Bureau, and Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army offered insight on how to better collaborate with stakeholders.
Left - PaYS Team discussions during Annual Training
BG Richard Harrison, Deputy Chief of Staff, TRADOC G-3/5/7 stopped by to provide feedback from a PaYS Signing Ceremony that he officiated earlier in the week. He stated, "I enjoyed participating in the ceremony and I am very interested in helping us tell the PaYS story while creating meaningful partnerships."
The week of training concluded with an after-action review and strategic plan to move forward into 2023. "The intent of this week's training was to bring the entire team together, build cohesiveness and share best practices on PaYS related tasks while in support of TRADOC's mission." ~Antonio Johnson, PaYS Program Manager.
Below - (l-r) Back row: Calvin Liggons, Antonio Johnson, Curtis Taylor, Matthew Green, Travis Carter
(l-r) Front row: Aimee Halpin, BG Harrison, Cheri McCullough, CSM Henry, Thomas Parker, Sam Armstrong
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A MESSAGE FROM
THE PROGRAM MANAGER...
Dear PaYS Partners,
Let's welcome our newest PaYS Partners and give a special thanks to the battalion's leadership and A&PAs for their support.
New PaYS Partners
Home City Ice - Columbus Recruiting Battalion
Hampton Roads Regional Jail - Richmond Recruiting Battalion
Communications & Power Industries - Dallas Recruiting Battalion
Valmet - Milwaukee Recruiting Battalion
ABM Industries - Dallas Recruiting Battalion
GCI Communication Corp. - AKARNG
G4S Secure Solutions (Guam) Inc. - Portland Recruiting Battalion
Amentum - Baltimore Recruiting Battalion
Upcoming Signing Ceremonies
12 January 2023
Pike Industries, Inc. - New England Battalion
12 January 2023
Buncombe County Sheriff's Office - Columbia Recruiting Battalion
23 January 2023
Henrico Police Department - Richmond Recruiting Battalion
31 January 2023
Atlanta Police Department - Atlanta Recruiting Battalion
Regional Army PaYS Marketing Analysts:
Crancena Ross
1st BDE
(410) 206-0413
crancena.g.ross.ctr@army.mil
Curtis Taylor
2nd BDE
(256) 566-9653
curtis.a.taylor8.ctr@army.mil
Matthew Green
6th BDE
(256) 566-9653
matthew.m.green.ctr@army.mil
Samuel Armstrong
ARNG East
(202) 770-7200
samuel.armstrong21.ctr@army.mil
Travis Carter
ARNG West
(228) 369-9169
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PaYS Signing Ceremonies
By: Crancena Ross, Travis Carter, and Davin Bentley
The PaYS Signing Ceremony solidifies the formal partnership and allows new partners to begin granting guaranteed interviews for transitioning Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve Soldiers. This month, we welcome JPW Erectors, United Natural Foods, Inc. and Montrose Regional Health.
JPW Erectors, Inc. is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Syracuse Army Recruiting Battalion and the U.S. Army. The ceremony was held in Syracuse, NY. Kicking off the start of the ceremony, was the singing of the National Anthem.
During the ceremony, LTC John Dickens, Commander, Syracuse Recruiting Battalion and Mr. Jody Wozniczka, Chief Executive Officer, JPW Erectors, Inc. signed the partnership Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). LTC Dickens stated, "The Army PaYS Program, is a program that benefits all who are involved."
Mr. Wozniczka stated, We are proud to be a partner with the U.S. Army. The Soldiers have all the characteristics that all organizations are looking for. A partnership will provide a very large pipeline of candidates for JPW Erectors, Inc. to choose from."
JPW Erectors has been in the steel fabrication business since 1953. Today they operate one of the largest stone quarries in the Northeast. 
Above - (l-r) LTC Dickens and Mr. Wozniczka signing the memorandum
Left - LTC Dickens conducts swearing in ceremony
Far Left - (l-r) LTC Dickens and Mr. Wozniczka--presenting the Ceremonial Plaque
 
United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) hosted their signing ceremony with the New England Army Recruiting Battalion at their headquarters in Providence, RI.
CPT Alex Waldron, Commander, Rhode Island Recruiting Company, represented the Army at the Signing Ceremony along with Ms. Danielle Benedicts, Chief Human Resources Officer, United Natural Foods, Inc. CPT Waldron stated, "The Army PaYS Program, is a program that benefits all who are involved." Ms. Danielle Benedicts is proud to have the opportunity to partner with one of the world's largest organizations.
Both parties participated in the signing of the ceremonial MOA and the PaYS Certificate of Participation and plaque was presented to Ms. Benedict, on behalf of PaYS.
UNFI distributes over 250,000 natural, organic and conventional products to more than 30,000 customers including natural product superstores, independent retailers, conventional supermarket chains, ecommerce retailers and food service industry.
Right - (l-r) Ms. Benedicts and CPT Waldron signing the memorandum
Far Right - (l-r) Ms. Benedicts and CPT Waldron presenting the Ceremonial Plaque
  
Montrose Regional Health became the newest company to join the Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) Program for the Colorado Army National Guard, U.S. Army and Army Reserve. As the leading healthcare facility in the Uncompahgre Valley, Montrose Regional Health offers patients personalized and professional healthcare, using the latest technologies and practices. Montrose Regional Health is the premier healthcare provider in the region and seeks to bring on the highest quality employees.
Signing the MOA for Montrose Regional Health was Jeff Mengenhausen, Chief Executive Officer and signing for the Army National Guard was LTC Ashkan Angha, Colorado Recruiting and Retention Battalion (RRB) Commander. In attendance at the ceremony were employees from Montrose Regional Health and Colorado Army National Guard Soldiers.
Mr. Mengenhausen had this to say, "Montrose Regional Health is proud to lead from the front as the only hospital in Colorado to partner with and support our Veterans after all their service to our country. We look forward to continuing to add to our diverse workforce."
LTC Angha stated, "The defense of our Nation is a collective effort - not just the Military. We need support from our communities as well. Programs like this give our members confidence, knowing they have a future after service."
Right - Mr. Mengenhausen and LTC Angha sign the memorandum of agreement
Far right -(l-r) LTC Angha and Mr. Mengenhausen--presenting the Ceremonial Plaque
 
Nippon Piston Ring (NPR) of America, Inc. has supplied Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and the Automotive After Market with the highest quality internal combustion engine parts, since 1973. They continue to modernize by meeting the changing demands of their customers through utilizing extensive product testing techniques to deliver long lasting quality.
This month, the PaYS Program and NPR of America, Inc. conducted a signing ceremony at their Bardstown, KY production facility. The event formalized the partnership between the U.S. Army and NPR of America, Inc.
The ceremony was hosted by LTC Kirsten McFarland, Commander, Nashville Recruiting Battalion and Mark Davis, Vice President of Sales and Manufacturing for NPR of America, Inc.
Also in attendance were Nicky Rapier, Nelson County Judge Executive, Dick Heaton, Bardstown Mayor, and Frank Jemley III, President of the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers.
Right - (l-r) LTC McFarland and Mr. Davis cut the cake using a ceremonial Army Saber
Far Right - (l-r)- Mr. Rapier, Mr. Davis, LTC McFarland, and Mayor Heaton
Marketing Trips
By: Curtis Taylor and Samuel Armstrong
This month's marketing trip was vital in discussing the opportunities that PaYS provides as Soldiers transition from the Army to interviewing with up to five of our 1146 PaYS Partners.
PaYS Marketing Analysts Curtis Taylor and Samuel Armstrong conducted a marketing trip to Atlanta, GA, visiting the Atlanta Military Entrance Processing Station and Atlanta Recruiting Battalion Leadership to discuss the PaYS Program.
During the visit, Mr. Armstrong was given the opportunity to conduct an overview brief with Georgia Tech Army ROTC where he discussed how the PaYS Program will offer Cadets five guaranteed interviews with established companies.
Right - Mr. Armstrong briefing Georgia Tech Army ROTC Cadets on how PaYS benefits them
Below left - (l-r) Curtis Taylor, CASA Angela M. Odom, and Samuel Armstrong
A meeting was scheduled with the new Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army (CASA), Angela M. Odom, Georgia (North). CASA Odom stated, "I'm looking forward to learning more about PaYS, so that I might be able to support them more effectively." She is especially excited about attending upcoming signing ceremonies for Atlanta PD and Rome Fire Department.
Upon visiting the Atlanta Recruiting Battalion Headquarters, they met with LTC Adair L. Cox, Commander and CSM Jason Schwartz, Command Sergeant Major. The status of PaYS was discussed, and an overview was provided to those in attendance. LTC Cox recommended the team stop by and see the director of The National Infantry Museum, Scott A.D. Daubert.
Right - Curtis Taylor (m) with Atlanta Battalion Leadership CSM Jason Schwartz (l) and LTC Adair Cox (r)
Continuing their marketing trip, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Armstrong visited PaYS Partners COX Communications and Aaron's Corporate office, where at both locations new points of contacts were established and follow up overviews were scheduled to familiarize with the program capabilities.
 
The last stop of the trip was the Roswell Recruiting Center. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Armstrong met with SFC Hunter Norton. They discussed the current use of PaYS and potential partners. SFC Norton shared the recruiter presentation binder, which included data on what partners that future applicants were selecting. He said "I had great experiences with PaYS while in Missouri as an Army recruiter and fully support the program."
Above - Curtis Taylor and SFC. Hunter C. Norton, Station Commander, Northside Atlanta Recruiting Station, discussing PaYS systems
Spotlight on Army Program: Army Career Skills Program
By: Aimee Halpin
Our spotlight program this month is the Army Career Skills Program (CSP). We had the opportunity to interview Jeanette Kahn, CSP Program Manager, Headquarters Installation Management Command (IMCOM), about the program and how to get involved as a Soldier.
The CSP provides Soldiers opportunities to participate in career and employment skills training programs during transition to improve their employment options as they start their separation from military service.
The focus of the employment is on those at-risk Soldiers, 18-24 years old, who are first term enlistments and have rapid separation from active duty or are involuntarily separated due to force shaping.
To be eligible, the Soldier must be within 180 days of discharge/release of military service.
While Tuition Assistance is not authorized, the Army Emergency Relief (AER) partnership provides grant support for Soldiers participating in a CSP for expenses such as tools, books or any other out-of-pocket expenses that might occur.
The CSPs are offered as a cohort, a class of approximately 5-50 people, or as an individual internship. A cohort is an approved CSP that is sponsored/hosted at an IMCOM Garrison and follows a scheduled program while the internships are offered to individuals with companies that do not have a cohort approved program.
Ms. Kahn stated, "the purpose and goal is that after that training, it will turn into a career." And that there is a very high standard once the Soldier joins the program as 85% complete the program and of that 100% are given an interview. To date, 40,523 Soldiers have completed one of the 225 CSPs hosted at 31 IMCOM installations, partnering with over 4,000 employers delivering a 93% hire rate since 2013.
Ms. Kahn went on to state, "that it is not just a training program, that training qualifies the Soldier for the job that is offered." And this helps reduce unemployment for Veterans.
She went on to say, "Soldiers show up with qualifying skills reducing onboarding costs for the employer and that they form a personal partnership with the company they are learning about through the CSP."
The return on investment for companies is amplified by Military values that prove difficult to find in the civilian sector these days...especially post-pandemic as we spoke of how much the job market has changed over the last three years.
In conclusion, a Soldier cannot exceed 180-days for an approved CSP. Also mentioned, how beneficial it is to alert the Soldiers of both the CSP and the PaYS Program as the two could go hand-in-hand. Once the Soldier selects their CSP company, they can learn those skills and take advantage of the PaYS Program to interview with up to five companies in the field of their choice.
To learn more about the program see this link.
Army PaYS Soldier Hired at Suburban Propane
Story by: Crancena Ross
Army PaYS Partner, Suburban Propane is proudly committed to recruiting and hiring Military personnel through their many partnership programs. Jamal Laster, U.S. Army Veteran and PaYS Soldier, has joined their team as a Service Technician Apprentice.
Jamal's interest in pursuing a career as a Mechanic led him to enlist and serve in the Army as a Light-Wheel Mechanic from 2010-2015, where he performed maintenance repairs and recovery operations on wheeled vehicles and select armored vehicles. Jamal feels that his time in the Army helped prepare him for a Civilian career by instilling in Soldiers the importance of being punctual, accountable and hard-working.
In 2022, Jamal enrolled in the inaugural HVAC & Energy Professional Program at the Pennsylvania Petroleum Association Technical Education Center (PPATEC). Upon conclusion of the program, graduates were connected to PPATEC Member Companies, including Suburban Propane, to discuss prospective employment opportunities. After interviewing with multiple companies, Jamal accepted a job offer with Suburban Propane as a Service Technician Apprentice. Jamal was drawn to the structure of the Apprentice Program, which would allow him to follow a detailed curriculum and provide on-the-job training leading to a promotion into a Service Technician position.
We thank you, Mr. Laster for your service and look forward to your bright future with Suburban Propane!
A Big Thank You to these Partners Celebrating their December PaYS Anniversaries:
Florida Highway Patrol 2-Dec-05
San Diego Police Department 2-Dec-05
Harold Zeigler Auto Group 2-Dec-05
Orlando Utilities Commission 8-Dec-05
Empire Southwest, LLC 8-Dec-05
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office 8-Dec-05
Gully Transportation, Inc. 11-Dec-06
Florida Power and Light Company 11-Dec-06
FPL Energy, LLC 11-Dec-06
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) America 11-Dec-06
Memphis Police Department 11-Dec-06
Norfolk Southern Corporation 11-Dec-06
Shelby County Sheriff's Office 15-Dec-06
Raytheon Company 15-Dec-06
Steinhafels, Inc. 6-Dec-07
AAR Aircraft Services, Inc. 14-Dec-07
Harris County Sheriff's Office (TX) 14-Dec-07
Lubbock Police Department 12-Dec-08
Yale-New Haven Hospital 12-Dec-08
Richland County Sheriff's Dept. 7-Dec-09
Cisco Systems, Inc. 1-Dec-10
Mercy Medical Center 1-Dec-10
City of Camuy, PR 8-Dec-10
Weber Stone Company 8-Dec-10
Aviall, Inc. 10-Dec-10
Reliant Medical Group (formerly Fallon Clinic and Fallon Foundation) 21-Dec-11
Arrow Strategies, LLC 21-Dec-11
Office Depot, Inc. 21-Dec-11
FirstGroup America, Inc. 21-Dec-11
Quaker City Motor Parts Co. 21-Dec-11
VSP Global 21-Dec-11
Maines Paper and Food Service 21-Dec-11
C.R. England 27-Dec-11
John Morrell & Company 29-Dec-11
City of Savannah 29-Dec-11
West Valley City 29-Dec-11
TMC Transportation, Inc. 18-Dec-12
Draftfcb, Inc. 18-Dec-12
Roush Industries, Inc. 18-Dec-12
Precision Services 4-Dec-15
The Fresh Market 14-Dec-15
Nidec Minster Corp. 22-Dec-15
Harris County, Texas 5-Dec-16
Reeves Eye Surgery Center 5-Dec-16
USF Holland, LLC d/b/a Holland 5-Dec-16
Mount Carmel Health System 5-Dec-16
The SYGMA Network 5-Dec-16
Egis Projects, Inc. 8-Dec-17
Arizona State Hospital 8-Dec-17
Mike's Carwash, Inc. 3-Dec-18
Zimmer Biomet 28-Dec-18
Titan Machinery Inc. 3-Dec-20
Greenville Police Department 3-Dec-20
Community Financial LLC/CFSC 9-Dec-21
Konecranes, Inc. 10-Dec-21
BDO USA, LLP 20-Dec-21
EquipmentShare 22-Dec-21
Brewster Ambulance Service 23-Dec-21
City of West Monroe 29-Dec-21
Archived newsletters - https://www.armypays.com/newsletter/archive/Newsletter_list.html
To contact us please email usarmy.knox.hqda-asa-mra.mbx.Payshelpdesk@army.mil
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