May is Military Appreciation Month in the U.S., a month-long celebration that recognizes and honors the sacrifices and service of current and former members of the armed forces. This weekend we will also be observing Memorial Day, a federal holiday that pays tribute to those who lost their lives while serving.
At Levi Strauss & Co., we’re committed to creating an inclusive culture that supports, understands and celebrates our veteran and military community. And one of the most meaningful ways to honor our veterans, service members and their families is by supporting them as they transition back into civilian life. This can be a challenging process, as veterans leaving the service often struggle with a loss of comradery and supportive structures, combined with a profound sense of duty.
“Veterans receive world-class training when they join the military, but that’s not always the case when they leave the military. This creates a unique opportunity for organizations like LS&Co. to support our veterans and their families through a military-inclusive culture guided by values that are deeply familiar to service members,” said Christina Glennon, global head of DE&I programs and operations and U.S. Army veteran, serving from 1998 to 2008. “As a veteran myself, I’m proud of the work we’re doing to earn a reputation as an employer of choice for transitioning military members and their spouses.”
As a company that lives our values of empathy, originality, integrity and courage, we see ourselves as a destination employer for transitioning veterans seeking meaningful second careers. As we work on sustaining our culture of inclusion and belonging at LS&Co., we recognize how important it is that we remember and celebrate the unique skills, experiences and perspectives that veterans and their family members bring to our workforce. By embracing and supporting this community, we’ll be able to build stronger and more diverse teams for long-term business success.
“LS&Co.’s military employee resource group, Operation 501, supports our military community through programs promoting well-being and career transitions,” said Garrett Petraia, vice president of global security at LS&Co. and executive sponsor of Operation 501. “As a values-led company with a history of military collaboration, we’re well-suited to lead the way for global businesses in creating economic opportunities for this community. This will build a more inclusive, equal and diverse workforce.”
Our Continued Commitment and Action for Equality
We should all strive to honor and support our veterans and active-duty service members every day, by listening to their stories, offering a helping hand when needed and thanking them for their service.
To establish our standing as a military-inclusive company, we will continue to drive progress through education, meaningful programming and lasting partnerships with veteran service organizations (VSOs). We’ll also continue to grow and develop our Operation 501 employee resource group made up of veterans, current and former service members, military family members and allies who seek to uplift, celebrate and support our military community around the world.
