ARMY PaYS MARKETERS CONNECT WITH KEY PARTNERS IN WASHINGTON D.C., MARYLAND, AND VIRGINIA

By Samuel I. Armstrong

The U.S. Army's Partnership for Army PaYS marketers Crancena Ross and Samuel Armstrong spent a productive week in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) connecting with both current and potential partners to strengthen and expand their relationships. During their visit, they focused on enhancing collaborations with key organizations, including Soldier for Life (SFL), DTLR, Johns Hopkins University, the United States Secret Service, and Fort Belvoir’s Transition Assistance Program (TAP).

The outreach began with a visit to the SFL Headquarters, where they met with Antonio Johnson, Program Manager of PaYS, and MAJ Alexis Gonzalez, Executive Officer of SFL. Discussions centered around PaYS initiatives, potential collaborations, and the upcoming 25th anniversary of the program.

Photo right - Samuel, Crancena, MAJ Gonzalez, and Antonio Johnson

Photo far right - Brittany and Crancena discuss PaYS

Photo left - Samuel met with Johnathan while visiting John Hopkins Health System

Photo below right - Brandon and Samuel discuss PaYS

Photo below left - Crancena and Kiersty at Fort Belvoir TAP

Later, the team visited DTLR, and met with Brittany Leigh, Director of Marketing, who is now the primary point of contact for the company. Crancena provided a brief overview of PaYS, and they discussed future collaborations, particularly focusing on connecting with ROTC cadets and Veterans transitioning out of the Army. DTLR expressed a strong interest in hiring Veterans for various positions across multiple states.

At Johns Hopkins Health System, Crancena and Samuel met with Jonathan Thompson, Director of Talent Acquisition Strategy. The conversation highlighted PaYS' potential to help place qualified Soldiers with the health system. Jonathan expressed gratitude for the partnership with the Army and voiced enthusiasm about the possibilities of bringing more Veterans into the Johns Hopkins team.

Their visit to the United States Secret Service included a meeting with Brandon Cleveland, Human Resource Specialist (Recruitment). Brandon expressed a strong commitment to hiring Veterans across the country. He also agreed to regularly share job vacancies with PaYS and work closely with TAP programs to ensure smooth transitions for Veterans. In addition, the team discussed opportunities to connect with the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia Army National Guard to further enhance recruitment efforts.

While at Fort Belvoir's TAP, Crancena and Samuel met with Kiersty Duncan, Transition Service Manager. They discussed registration numbers and explored ways to increase awareness of the program among Soldiers transitioning out of the Army. As part of their efforts to foster greater participation, Kiersty invited Crancena to attend the Soldiers' transition classes twice a month to brief and register Soldiers for PaYS.

Crancena and Samuel's week-long visit through the DMV area successfully strengthened existing partnerships and laid the groundwork for new collaborations aimed at supporting Soldiers transitioning from the Army. By engaging key stakeholders across diverse organizations, they reinforced the shared commitment to connecting Veterans with meaningful career opportunities. Their proactive outreach and collaborative discussions set a strong foundation for expanding PaYS initiatives and enhancing support networks, ultimately benefiting Soldiers as they move into the next phase of their professional lives.

Additional stops included the Norfolk Army and Army National Guard recruiting offices, where several recruiters enrolled in the PaYS program. At the 508th TTD, 71st Transportation Battalion, a PaYS briefing generated strong interest, with multiple Soldiers registering on the spot. The team also participated in the Hire Vets Now job fair at Ft. Lee, engaging with transitioning Soldiers, connecting with current partners, and exploring new partnership opportunities. The outreach concluded at the Virginia National Guard Recruiting Headquarters, where the team met with SGM Clay to discuss how PaYS can support his recruiting efforts and benefit his team.


This outreach effort reinforced the PaYS program's growing impact across Virginia, strengthening partnerships, increasing awareness, and connecting more Soldiers and Cadets with career opportunities. Through continued collaboration with military leaders, recruiters, and employer partners, PaYS remains a vital resource in supporting successful transitions to civilian employment.

Photo right - PaYS team with TAP Service Specialist Deontrez Albury

SEATTLE & JBLM TRIP HIGHLIGHTS PaYS OUTREACH

By Alfredo Harris

PaYS Marketer Alfredo Harris traveled to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) and the Seattle area to strengthen engagement with key partners and Army units in the Pacific Northwest. The trip centered on reinforcing program visibility through the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Installation at JBLM and the Recruiter and Retention Partnership Council (R2PC). Alfredo was also able to engage with existing partners and explore new opportunities in the region.

At the TAP Installation, Alfredo met with Mr. Frank Handoe to provide program updates and discuss ways to expand PaYS awareness. Mr. Handoe agreed to display PaYS sign-up materials along with multiple hot job flyers from PaYS partners, ensuring that transitioning Soldiers have direct access to employers actively seeking to interview Veterans.

As part of the trip, Alfredo participated in the Reserve Regional Partnership Council (R2PC), where he delivered a briefing to more than 40 Soldiers and personnel representing various locations, including Washington, Hawaii, and Kentucky. The session focused on the benefits of the Army PaYS program and strategies to expand awareness among Soldiers and leadership.

During the event, Alfredo also met with Mr. Jonathan Pan, Army Reserve Ambassador for Washington, to discuss how the PaYS program supports Reserve Soldiers. Reserve personnel are eligible to take advantage of PaYS benefits immediately following their initial training, providing a valuable pathway to meaningful civilian employment.

Alfredo visits to JBLM and the Seattle area helped strengthen key partnerships and boost awareness of the PaYS program. His efforts ensured more Soldiers in the region have access to valuable career resources as they prepare for life after service.

Photo above - Frank Handoe with Alfredo Harris ------------------- Photo right - Alfredo Harris briefing soldiers during the R2PC

ARMY PaYS SAN ANTONIO MARKETING TRIP ENHANCES PARTNERSHIPS AND INCREASES PROGRAM AWARENESS

By Frank McNeil

The Army Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) Program recently reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening civilian-military connections during a multi-day visit to San Antonio and surrounding South Texas communities. Focused on supporting Soldiers as they transition to civilian life, the visit showcased the Army's ongoing efforts to provide service members with the tools, resources, and professional networks they need for long-term success. Designed to enhance collaboration between the Army, local employers, and community leaders, the trip brought together military partners, civic organizations, and industry leaders further positioning the PaYS Program as a vital bridge between service members and the workforce of tomorrow.


The visit began with tours of Army recruiting stations across Texas, including stops in San Antonio, Corpus Christi, McAllen, and Weslaco. At each location, the PaYS team engaged directly with recruiters, those on the front lines of communication between the Army and Future Soldiers. These interactions highlighted the critical role recruiters play in understanding and promoting the PaYS Program, particularly in the more remote areas of South Texas where civilian job opportunities can be limited. During the visit, Frank also had the opportunity to brief the incoming San Antonio Recruiting Battalion Commander, LTC Nicole Hash, further reinforcing the importance of PaYS at the leadership level.


As part of the visit to San Antonio, widely known as "Military City USA", Frank participated in the San Antonio Military Affairs Council (MAC) monthly meeting. This event provided an opportunity to present the PaYS Program to a network of influential leaders who play a key role in bridging the military and civilian communities. By introducing PaYS to these stakeholders, the Army strengthened its connections with employers, educators, and civic organizations eager to support transitioning Soldiers. Council members responded to the program overview with strong interest, recognizing the mutual benefits of the partnership.


In addition to engaging with recruiters and community leaders, the PaYS team also collaborated with the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) and local Army Reserve units, further demonstrating the program's comprehensive approach to supporting Soldiers as they prepare for civilian life. Whether connecting directly with Soldiers during their transition or working with partners to expand hiring pipelines, PaYS provides a consistent and trusted platform for bridging the gap between military service and civilian careers.


The PaYS Program's recent outreach in South Texas exemplifies the power of strategic collaboration and community engagement in supporting Soldiers as they transition to civilian life. Through partnerships with local employers, civic organizations, and military leaders, the program continues to build a strong foundation for long-term success beyond military service. As PaYS expands nationwide, its efforts in South Texas serve as a model for how targeted initiatives can create meaningful career pathways and strengthen the civilian-military bond.