PaYS Program Overview
The Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) Program is a strategic partnership between the US Army and a cross section of corporations, companies, and public sector agencies. The Program provides America’s youth with an opportunity to serve their country while they prepare for their future. PaYS Partners guarantee Soldiers an interview and possible employment after the Army. This unique Program is part of the Army’s effort to partner with America’s business community and reconnect America with its Army.
The PaYS Program began in 2000 as an enlistment incentive for Regular Army enlisted Soldiers. In October 2002, the Program expanded to include Army Reserve Soldiers. The Program later expanded to include Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Reserve Component Cadets and ROTC Cadets who incur an active duty commitment.
In April 2011, the US Army Marketing and Research Group (AMRG), a field operating agency of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, assumed the responsibility for administering and managing the PaYS Program. The AMRGs mission is to conduct national marketing, marketing analysis, and accessions analysis and to develop best-value strategies and tactics that inform the American people and motivate the most qualified candidates to consider Army service.
US Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)
The PaYS Program for USAREC completes the “enlistment package,” which begins with the Future Soldier Training Program, continues during the term of enlistment, and ends with the job interview and possible employment with the Soldier’s selected PaYS partner. This in addition to the Army’s education benefits (Montgomery GI Bill, Post 9/11 GI Bill and Army College Fund).
Recruiters discuss the PaYS partner details, when making a temporary reservation, using Future Soldier Reservation System (FSR2S). Recruiters review the jobs loaded by PaYS partners that match the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) and enlistment term selected during the temporary reservation process. It is important for recruiters to articulate that the PaYS Program is not a guarantee of employment. The Program establishes a relationship between the Soldier and participating partner and affords the Soldier a guaranteed inverview. The interview establishes a relationship between the Soldier and partner’s senior human resource personnel. In some cases, the PaYS Soldier has an advantage over many other applications and resumes.
US Army Cadet Command / Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)
The PaYS Program for ROTC personnel complements the benefits associated with becoming an Army officer. ROTC cadre must ensure cadets understand the Program guarantees a job interview. The Program establishes a relationship between the cadet and a participating partner and affords the cadet a guaranteed interview. ROTC cadre should stress that it is the responsibility of each interested cadet to contact the selected PaYS partner(s) to establish rapport and a relationship. ROTC Cadets can select two PaYS partners in the Cadet Portal (armycadetportal.com). A “Step to Success” checklist is available on the armypays.com website to ensure they are a competitive candidate for employment.
PaYS Partner’s Qualifications
1. Companies or agencies having 500 employees are the ideal partnership, although smaller companies or agencies are considered.
2. The partnership welcomes established companies and public sector agencies with secure reputations.
3. All positions identified must be for full time permanent employment. Positions reflecting a 40 hour work week with a classification of temporary hire do not qualify. This includes temp agencies and/or placement agencies.
4. The PaYS Program does not charge a fee to become a partner. In turn, companies that charge a fee for employment or placement do not meet qualification.
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
PaYS partners are required to enter into an MOA with the Army. Although not a legal contract, the MOA is a legal document that must remain consistent in language from one partnership to another.
Requested changes require a legal review from the USAREC Staff Judge Advocate and as necessary, AMRG Associate Deputy General Counsel. Once the prospective partner reviews and accepts the terms of the MOA the following information is required to complete the Official MOA.
1. Legal name of corporation/company/public sector agency
2. Full name and title of official authorized to sign the MOA
3. Full name and title of the internal point of contact
4. Complete address, phone number and fax number
A ”Consent to Use Company Marks” form is included in the mailing with the Official MOA which the partner signs and returns with the MOA. This form authorizes the PaYS Program to post the partner logo on the Army PaYS website once the partnership process is completed.
Obligations
Soldier and employer participation and commitment are key to the success of the Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) Program. Establishing and maintaining contact with Army PaYS Soldiers who have selected your company or agency at enlistment utilizing the PaYS Information Exchange (PIX) is vital.
The PaYS job database enables PaYS partners to plan future hiring needs out ten (10) years for Regular Army Soldiers, Army Reserve Soldiers and ROTC Lieutenants. PaYS Partners must reinvest in the Program by loading new positions each July to insure the steady flow of Army PaYS Soldiers from which to interview/hire.
One measure of success for the Army PaYS Program is the number of PaYS Soldiers interviewed with their PaYS partner. PaYS partners can annotate their interviews and hires in the PaYS Information Exchange (PIX) application available on the www.armypays.com website. Senior Army Leaders use this data to track the Program’s success.
Job Hiring Plan
Regular Army (RA) PaYS Soldiers are eligible for their interview after completing their first term of enlistment (2–6 years). Regular Army PaYS Soldiers are available for long-term planned positions.
Army Reserve (AR) PaYS Soldiers are eligible immediately, after completing their basic training and job training. Army Reserve Soldiers normally drill with their Army Reserve Troop Program Unit (TPU) one weekend a month and attend two weeks of annual training with the TPU during the summer.
ROTC Cadets select two PaYS partners during their senior year of college and, if hired, most expect to begin employment after graduation and commissioning. ROTC Cadets entering active duty will complete their first term of service obligation before being eligible for their interview and possible employment.
Job Loading / Database Access
The PaYS helpdesk will issue the PaYS user a log-on ID and password to access the database and load future jobs. Contact the PaYS helpdesk at (502) 613-1222 or usarmy.knox.hqda-asa-mra.mbx.payshelpdesk@mail.mil for database access. Begin by logging into the PaYS Information Exchange (PIX) from www.armypays.com.
The PaYS marketing analysts will make the Army job association recommendation based on the job description/qualification, previous conversations, and correspondence. PaYS partners may select up to three career fields to associate to each ROTC position.
Community Involvement with the US Army
The local Army Recruiting Battalion will coordinate a signing ceremony to promote the partnership and with the college ROTC Program incorporate PaYS partners in Grassroots initiatives. PaYS partners receive invitations to participate alongside the US Army in recruiting functions, community events and various outreach activities.
National level recruiting initiatives include Army sponsored NHRA races, tandem jumps with the Army’s Golden Knights, US Auto Shows, the opportunity to practice with the Army Marksmanship Unit/Team, and attending the All American Bowl in San Antonio, TX as a guest of the US Army.
Mentorship with PaYS Soldiers / PaYS Information Exchange “PIX”
PIX is a web-based portal to facilitate communication between the Partner and Soldier using the Soldier Lookup function. Army transition counselors can also connect Soldiers with their partners using the Soldier Lookup function. Other PIX reports available are Pays Soldier Report, Job Report, and Soldier Demographics.
Army Career Tracker
Army Career Tracker (ACT) is a leadership development tool for Soldiers that integrates training and education into one website. Soldiers use ACT to search multiple education and training resources, monitor their career development and receive personalized advice from their leadership. Soldiers will be able to view their specific PaYS partner information incorporated into the Soldier dashboard. The information reminds the Soldier of the PaYS enlistment option and is useful for Army Leaders when counseling Soldiers.
Summary
The PaYS program supports the Army’s mission to recruit, with integrity, high quality men and women, reconnect America with its Army and positively impact perceptions of the Army to build an environment more favorable to the Army’s Brand. The PaYS Soldier agrees to fulfill their Army obligation with the knowledge of a guaranteed interview, which may lead to possible employment. Soldiers who participate in the program develop valuable skills and experience, in addition to gaining opportunities for employment with organizations who understand the value of their military service. This partnership connection provides a win-win situation for all.