BATH, Maine – General Dynamics Bath Iron Works General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and the U.S. Army’s Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) program signed a formal agreement today that ensures Army veterans, Reservists and National Guardsmen have a job interview at the shipyard when they are ready to join the private sector.
“The Army’s PaYS program provides our nation’s employers with a pool of highly skilled, motivated and responsible candidates to fill their personnel needs,” BIW President Chuck Krugh said at the event. “Partnering with the Army through the PaYS program is a “win-win” opportunity for everyone.”
The PaYS program helps Soldiers prepare for a career after the Army by connecting them with employers who understand the skills, discipline, and work ethic that military service members bring.
“It is about building the relationship, being part of a team and connecting with our communities and our local businesses and our industry partners.” said Lt. Gen Maria Gervais, of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command. “It provides our veterans the opportunity to use their transferable skills.”
The agreement was signed at BIW’s Trades Learning Center in Brunswick. Attendees included Maine Adjutant General Douglas Farnham, leadership from BIW’s unions and Congressional representatives.
“It’s always great to see expanding options for transitioning service members here in Maine, especially when those opportunities continue to support the military and our men and women in uniform,” said Farnham. “Employers can feel good about hiring a veteran – no one understands ‘teamwork’ better.”
Krugh said he knows well the value to employers of skills acquired in the military. “My goal going into the Army was to have a skill that I could use when I got out,” said Krugh, who was a Blackhawk crew chief when he served in the Army. “The training and experiences that I gained in the military helped me stabilize a career path and provide for my family.”
The shipyard’s mission to build U.S. Navy ships make it well-suited to partner with the PaYS program to provide good job opportunities for people who want to continue serving their country,” Krugh said.
General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 100,000 people worldwide and generated $38.5 billion in revenue in 2021. More information about General Dynamics Bath Iron Works can be found at www.gdbiw.com. More information about General Dynamics is available at www.gd.com.