JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Many employers across the nation assure their military support through their hiring efforts. This year, one business venture stood out among the competition by earning the 2014 Military Spouse Employer title; the Army and Air Force Exchange. The title was bestowed on AAFES by Victory Media, G.I. Jobs and Military Spouse, publisher.
"I think it's tremendous, it shows what we are about as a company, what our mission is, what we do and how we reciprocate benefits back to military communities," said Tony Pares, Joint Base Andrews and Joint Base Anacostia Bolling AAFES general manager.
Military spouses currently compose 24 percent of JBA and JBAB AAFES employee staff, says Pares.
Pares said he agreed the AAFES at JBA and JBAB played a role in earning the title by promoting their hiring initiatives. AAFES manages 3,100 facilities on military bases worldwide to include retail stores, restaurants, convenience stores, name-brand franchises and more.
An AAFES press release says this military employer, commonly known as the Exchange, "aggressively" seeks to hire military talent and has found that hiring from the military community is a "strategic competitive advantage".
Pares, a near 20-year associate with the Exchange, discussed how JBA and JBAB AAFES actively promotes their benefits at job fairs and educates others about the spousal preference program along with interactive workshops.
"We also participate a lot with the relocation program where we let [service members] know about these benefits if they do happen to [make a permanent change of station] here or from here," said Pares.
Military Friendly Employers has been surveying companies nationwide for 11 years to find out where the best corporations were for spouses seeking civilian employment, service members' recruitment, and retention for veterans.
According to an AAFES press release, the Exchange competed for the Military Friendly Employers title via a data-driven survey of more than 5,000 companies.
"I'm delighted to hear the great news in being recognized for our superb efforts to hire military spouses," said Exchange Deputy Director Maj. Gen. Joseph Ward. "Our military spouses play such a huge role in supporting our troops. It is wonderful to see so many companies, to include the Exchange, recognize what they bring to the fight. Our military spouses truly represent our motto: family serving family."
Those interested in learning more or applying for a position with AAFES, visit their official website at applymyexchange.com.