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The U.S. Congress in 1999 formally designated Could as Nationwide Army Appreciation Month, and at Microsoft we mark this as a time to acknowledge and have fun the worker navy neighborhood globally. On this second I keep in mind my very own grandfathers. My dad’s father served as an infantryman in World Conflict I. The tri-corner folded flag introduced to us at his funeral is encased steps away from my desk at residence. My mother’s stepfather served as a paratrooper in World Conflict II. The map he carried with him of the 1943 invasion of Sicily, the place he jumped behind enemy strains, hangs just some ft from my desk as properly.
Each my grandfathers have been enlisted troopers who volunteered and served with distinction throughout occasions of nice battle. Each formed my views of navy service — that it’s pushed by braveness, honor, and love of nation and fellow residents.
It’s why, once I was requested to function one of many govt sponsors for Microsoft’s Army Worker Useful resource Group (ERG), I fortunately however humbly accepted. I’ve had the privilege of interacting with many who’ve given distinguished navy service around the globe and who’re additionally dedicated Microsoft workers. Many in Microsoft’s navy neighborhood are veterans and others nonetheless serve at present, in reserve corps for his or her international locations. They commit weekends to coaching. They settle for the duty of periodic deployments, some weeks and even months in period. They, together with active-duty friends, are on the able to be referred to as to serve by their nation. They’re additionally excellent colleagues who’ve made a selection to use their well-earned abilities and capabilities at Microsoft. We’re higher in consequence.
I aspire to be an ally to Microsoft’s navy neighborhood. This implies committing to studying so I can achieve a better diploma of empathy for the experiences and views of those that serve. It means being an advocate for the neighborhood and dealing actively to worth veterans’ experiences. And it means doing my half for the neighborhood when referred to as upon — following their instance of service, even when in very small methods.
Right here I provide just a few reflections by myself studying journey and the journey we’ve been on at Microsoft, which I hope may present encouragement to others who attempt to be allies to the navy neighborhood:
Categorical honest appreciation for the service and sacrifice of veterans and people serving at present. After all, our gratitude shouldn’t be what motivates service — the veterans and repair members I do know are motivated by obligation, honor, love of nation and fellow residents. Those that serve know that their duty is 24 hours a day, every single day of the yr. Readiness and preparedness by no means get to take break day. We will categorical our gratitude by being keen to pay attention and study extra concerning the experiences of the navy neighborhood, and by remembering and acknowledging their service not solely throughout occasions of battle on the earth however always.
Rejoice and assist navy neighborhood members of their careers after energetic service. Microsoft employs 1000’s of veterans and reserve service members in lots of international locations around the globe. We try to be world class in our insurance policies and advantages that assist navy neighborhood workers. For instance, throughout reserve deployments within the U.S., we offer wage continuity by supplementing the distinction between navy and Microsoft pay, and we proceed advantages protection akin to worker and dependent well being care. And our advantages packages have supported over 600 worker deployments in 18 international locations outdoors the U.S. in simply the previous 5 years. Past our firm packages, our managers take particular care to understand and leverage abilities and experiences gained in navy service, and assist staff members referred to as to order obligation. This dedication at a person and staff degree offers me immense delight.
Admire that the navy neighborhood can expertise world occasions in important and distinct methods. The conclusion of the Afghanistan battle, for instance, had profound which means for therefore many who served throughout that 20-year battle, and particularly in order 13 U.S. service members gave their lives in the course of the closing drawdown and exit. It was a privilege at the moment for our Army at Microsoft ERG management to share a message of acknowledgment and due to our neighborhood: “To those that have served or are serving, whether or not with boots on the bottom or from afar, to those that have supported members of the family in service, you have got our deepest gratitude. We have been tragically reminded in latest days of the nice danger taken by those that serve. Like so many earlier than them, we is not going to neglect those that gave their lives. We honor them as heroes.” Together with important assist at key moments, the ERG — which is world and likewise encompasses energetic native chapters such because the Australia New Zealand chapter — is there for the Microsoft navy neighborhood day in and day trip, year-round. The navy expertise continues to evolve, and Army at Microsoft ERG helps workers join, navigate, and develop.
Serve those that have served. This yr’s theme for Army Appreciation Month at Microsoft is “Appreciation Past Phrases.” I deeply hope that our navy neighborhood experiences in tangible ways in which their service is acknowledged. A beautiful instance, considered one of immense delight for therefore a lot of our workers, is the Microsoft Software program and Techniques Academy (MSSA). Established 9 years in the past, MSSA has supplied a sensible and intensive coaching curriculum that has helped put together over 3,000 transitioning navy service members for his or her subsequent profession. Over 400 Microsoft workers have dedicated their private time to serving as mentors for MSSA members, one more instance of serving those that have served.
Army Appreciation Month offers us a possibility to acknowledge those that make such important dedication to their international locations and fellow residents. On behalf of workers at Microsoft and everybody who shares deep appreciation for the braveness, dedication and sacrifice of those that serve, thanks.
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