The U.S. Army officially joined forces with Banner Health during a Partnership for Youth Success signing ceremony at Banner's headquarters in Phoenix in August. The event welcomed Arizona's major health care provider as the battalion's newest member of the Army's PaYS program.

The contract was signed by Lt. Col. Alfonso Mandujano Jr., Phoenix Recruiting Battalion commander, and Ed Oxford, Banner Health Senior Vice President and Chief Talent Officer, in the presence of seventeen other Banner Health, Army Medicine and Phoenix Battalion members.

"It was nice to welcome Banner Health as part of the Army team and the newest PaYS Partner for the battalion," said Mike Jetton, Phoenix Battalion PaYS program manager. "This company has a high respect for veterans and is very enthusiastic about the program."

The PaYS program benefits both the Army and corporate organizations because it pairs Army enlistees with PaYS partners that are looking for employees with specialized military skills and a solid work ethic. Once Soldiers who enlist under the PaYS program complete their military obligation with an honorable discharge, they are guaranteed a job interview with a PaYS partner. In addition to having specialized job training, veterans' military experience often makes them loyal, hard-working, detail-oriented, employees who can work efficiently under pressure and meet deadlines.

"We look forward to working with the Army and the opportunity to interview veterans who meet our qualifications for specific jobs. This will greatly benefit our organization," said Oxford. "We're honored to be a member of this program."

Other local PaYS partners include the Phoenix Police Department, U-Haul, Southwest Airlines, and the Scottsdale Police Department. The U.S. Army has more than 400 PaYS partners nationwide.