We Did It! Exchange Reaches Veteran and Military Spouse Hiring Goal

The Exchange has crossed the finish line on its goal to hire 50,000 Veterans and military spouses.

Air Force spouse Caitlynn Kelly, the organization’s 50,000th Veteran or spouse hire since 2013, recently joined the Exchange team as a customer experience associate at the Grand Forks Air Force Base Express.

“I was definitely surprised,” Caitlynn said of learning she was the history-making hire. “It feels a little special to have a milestone with your name on it.”

Having been with her husband, Air Force Staff Sgt. Michael Kelly, for six of his nine years of service, Caitlynn knows what it takes to meet the unique needs of Warfighters and their families.

“No matter where military life has taken us, the Exchange has always been there,” she said. “Now that I’m part of this mission, I want to provide that same high level of service to the Grand Forks community.”

Veterans and military spouses and family members comprise 45% of the organization’s U.S. workforce. This fall, associates with a military connection will start receiving Badges of Honor produced at the Exchange’s nametape plant at Fort Knox, Kentucky, to help shoppers recognize and connect with associates who have served or have a family link to the military.

The Exchange plans to hire an additional 25,000 Veterans and spouses over the next five years, aiming for a total of 75,000 such hires by 2026.

“The Exchange is all in to provide meaningful career opportunities to our military community,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull. “We look forward to offering even more opportunities to military spouses and Veterans as we begin the march to 75,000 hired.”

The Exchange has been named a Military Times Best for Vets employer and one of U.S. Veterans Magazine’s Best of the Best Top Government and Law Enforcement Agencies for seven years running. Viqtory Media, publisher of Military Spouse and G.I. Jobs magazines, has named the Exchange a Military Friendly® Spouse Employer nine times and a Military Friendly® Employer 11 times. In 2021, the Exchange was named a 4-Star Employer for Veterans and their families by VETS Indexes as part of its inaugural VETS Indexes Employer Awards.

“Having an initiative like this lets military families and Veterans know there’s a place for them within their community, no matter where they go,” Caitlynn said. “It definitely shows how much support the Exchange gives Veterans and military families.”

Know a Veteran or military family member? Let them know they can learn more about exciting job opportunities with the Exchange and apply to join the team at ApplyMyExchange.com.