Supporting citizen service members and their families

Last summer, when the call went out for members of the U.S. National Guard and Military Reserves to step up in the face of the global pandemic, it was answered by thousands of citizen soldiers and airmen around the world. Given that one out of every 7 of our teammates is a veteran, it’s no surprise that many of them answered the call. Among them were Ross Walker, Simon O’Brien and Jason Hanslovan.

These selfless individuals live a duality that most of us can’t readily understand, said Kristin Saboe, Global Talent Solutions senior manager who leads our strategy for veterans and military spouses. “On Friday they are at their desk or in the factory, and on Saturday they may be in a military uniform following orders in a very different sense only to return to their job at Boeing on Monday again.”

When an employee who is in the National Guard or Military Reserves is activated, each employee works with Human Resources and their manager to formulate a plan for the time while they are gone. Boeing ensures employees will return to their role or a similar role of the same level or higher after their military duty. Boeing also pays employees their full salary for two weeks for mandatory training and differential pay up to 90 days for certain military deployments.

Ross Walker, Texas Army National Guard (U.S.)
At a moment’s notice, Ross went from managing logistics and parts for fighter jets in Boeing Global Services to helping coordinate COVID-19 coronavirus relief efforts. “As a soldier, you never lose that military mindset,” Lt. Col. Walker said. “I know the mission and exactly what we need to do to help those families impacted.”

Before joining Boeing in 2014, Walker spent nearly 25 years in the military starting out in the U.S. Army and then continued his service in the Texas Army National Guard.

Walker’s COVID-19 service was based in Austin, Texas, at the Texas National Guard Headquarters. Walker helped manage requests for personal protective equipment and coordinated the deployment of resources across the state. It’s a job not too different from his work in BGS. “There’s a lot of commonality. A lot of experiences I have had at Boeing make me better in the military, and there are leadership traits from the National Guard that make me better at Boeing,” Walker said.

Simon O’Brien, Royal Air Force (UK)
Simon O’Brien, a lead operations analyst with Boeing Defence UK, was mobilized with the Royal Air Force at the end of April. O’Brien, who joined Boeing in 2017, spent nearly 35 years with the RAF as a Chinook crewman and instructor.

In his role as a Reservist, he helped ensure the UK Armed Forces vertical lift capability was effectively supporting the distribution of supplies for the National Health Service.

“I felt it was hugely important to continue my commitment to serve my country, especially during times like this,” O’Brien said. “My combined experience in the Royal Air Force and more recently at Boeing allows me to draw on the best of both to support the military’s aviation efforts in response to COVID-19. I’ve received great support from Boeing, which allowed me to mobilize within days of receiving the call up.”

Jason Hanslovan, District of Columbia National Guard (U.S.)
Jason Hanslovan is an Autonomous Systems product manager in BDS and just marked 16 years of military service. He was activated with the District of Columbia National Guard to support the Health Emergency Preparedness & Response Administration for DC Health.

The D.C. Guard was involved in transporting personal protective equipment and ventilators, establishing an alternate care facility and delivering food to local schools. “I felt a sense of duty and obligation to serve my country and my community,” Hanslovan said. “I believe that my military experiences have helped shape me to become a better and more effective member of the Boeing Team,” he said.

Supporting them and the families they have to leave behind
We know that military families serve too and make sacrifices while loved ones are serving. “The commitment required of our Guard and Reservists employed at Boeing along with the commitment of their family truly demonstrates what it means to serve for the greater good,” said Saboe.

That’s why we offer employees married to a service member access to benefits such as expanded back-up care offerings through Bright Horizons and access to military-specific financial planning with Financial Engines. Boeing Veteran Engagement Team chapters across the country are an important resource for military families as well; they provide employees support and volunteer their time at community events serving military families. BVET’s chapter in the UK is called BRAVO (Boeing Reservists and Veterans Organisation).

“When you know that your loved ones and employer support you, it allows you to focus on one thing and that’s the mission,” Walker said. “And that’s great piece of mind.”