When military service members return to civilian life, it can be challenging to find the right job. Comcast understands that and re-envisioned the career pathway so veterans and military members are not only welcomed, they are embraced. As part of that effort, the company recently signed a Statement of Support with the Connecticut Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).
At the signing event, Technical Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, Chris Thompson, who is also a construction specialist for Comcast’s Western New England Region, led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance.
We sat down with Thompson to discuss his thoughts about Comcast’s recent event. Thompson served in the military for the past 19 years and chose a career at a Comcast worksite near the Westover Air Force Base where he is stationed.
Q: How do you feel about Comcast signing the Connecticut ESGR Statement of Support?
A: I think it’s a good thing. It shows the public that Comcast is committed to hiring veterans and military service members.
Q: How do you think Comcast’s military support differs from that of other companies?
A: I hear other folks talk about their employers’ military support. Working for Comcast, I get 15 days of paid military leave every year. I know people who do not get any paid leave from their employers. When I tell them what I do and that I work for Comcast, people are pretty shocked to hear how much the company supports me.
Q: As a company, Comcast shows its support for military members by providing benefits like Guard and Reserve leave, differential pay and health benefit plans. What can individual Comcast employees do to show their support?
A: Just be very supportive of the service members and keep in mind the sacrifices they make, especially during deployment. I enjoy explaining to fellow Comcasters what it is that I do for my service. I appreciate them for thanking me for my service.
Q: Comcast has an initiative to hire 10,000 veterans by the end of 2017. How do you think this initiative will impact the military community?
A: It’s going to show the military community that Comcast is a strong supporter. It is also a great employment opportunity for veterans or people who recently ended their service.
In addition to Thompson, many other decorated military members attended Comcast’s signing event and had a lot to say about the excitement it generated. Check out the video, here:
For more information about Comcast’s support of the military community check out @ComcastMilitary on Twitter or visit http://corporate.comcast.com/military.
