LEXINGTON, Ky. –
The Kentucky Army National Guard hosted the signing of a partnership agreement between Amteck and the U.S. Army Partnership for Success (PaYS) program at Amteck headquarters, May 20, 2024.
Maj. Gen. Hal B. Lamberton, Kentucky's Adjutant General signed the memorandum of agreement and spoke on the connection between the PaYS program and the military.
“Whether you’re in the Army National Guard, active duty, or a Soldier in the Army Reserves, and even when you end your time in service or retire, you are still a Soldier,” said Lamberton. “So, for the Army PaYS Program, it really kind of mirrors that dynamic, and it’s a dynamic of taking care of our folks while they are currently serving in uniform and beyond their service.”
The PaYS Program is a strategic partnership between the Army and a cross-section of private industries, academic institutions, and state and local public entities. It guarantees Soldiers five job interviews and potential employment after their active-duty Army service or during service as a Reservist.
Daren Turner, CEO of Amteck, also signed the memorandum of agreement and expressed gratitude for the Service members dedication and the characteristics they embody.
“I’ve always said the best employees who come to this company will be ones who served our country because of the dedication they have to care for others, their attention to detail, and the discipline and structure they go through,” said Turner.
The KYARNG Recruiting and Retention Battalion coordinated this relationship with Amteck to leverage the PaYS program as a compelling incentive for new enlistees and reenlistees. By showcasing the benefits of this partnership, they aim to attract more individuals to join the Kentucky Army National Guard, emphasizing the unique opportunity to serve their country while simultaneously preparing for their future careers.
“This initiative not only enhances recruitment efforts but also strengthens the support system for current and future citizen-Soldiers nationwide,” said Lt. Col. Jason Mendez, commander of the KYARNG Recruiting and Retention Battalion.
Rolland Smith, the executive vice president of Amteck and a retiree from the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 138th Field Artillery Brigade, compared the resiliency of Service members with that of those in the electrical trade. His core values of never giving up and striving to be the best he can be came from his time in service.
“Once you get back from basic training and you get your first job, it’s time to learn your next job. It’s the same with the electrical trade. We go to our apprenticeships, and we continue to learn from there,” said Smith.
Designed to help Soldiers build post-Army careers, the PaYS Program connects them with employers who value the skills, discipline, and work ethic that military service members bring.
This initiative is part of a long-term effort to help transitioning active-duty Soldiers and National Guard citizen-Soldiers establish professional relationships and simultaneously improve their civilian and military careers. Since its inception in 2000, more than 1,317 employers have partnered with the PaYS Program.
“The program benefits the organizations involved, but I believe it benefits all the men and women of the total Army even more,” said Lamberton.
More photos available here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kentuckyguard/albums/72177720317151453