Military Veterans Strengthen SAIC Inside and Out

As a premier Fortune 500 technology integrator, SAIC is driving digital transformation across the defense and intelligence sectors, among others, delivering innovative IT, digital and engineering solutions. What is especially meaningful is that our mission, and that of our customers, is supported by our 6,000 veteran employees. Veterans comprise more than 25% of our workforce, and we are grateful for their military service and the sacrifices they’ve made. We also recognize the important work they continue to do at SAIC to ensure our nation is safe and prosperous.

Every day, SAIC’s veteran employees are using the mission-critical skills, expertise and insights gained during their military service. They are working with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence/machine learning and augmented/virtual reality, in high-velocity areas such as advanced analytics and simulation, software, cyber, digital engineering and training.

SAIC is committed to advancing the nation's defense and readiness. With Department of Defense customers representing approximately 50% of our business, veterans have an affinity with us as an employer, as they get to work alongside other veterans and men and women in uniform. And, with digital transformation initiatives sweeping across the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and other DOD organizations, our work and mission have never been more aligned with our customers’ needs

Dedicated to veterans hiring

“We naturally offer interesting and meaningful work for veterans,” said Amy Butchko, director of talent acquisition solutions. “Each year, the SAIC talent acquisition team attends multiple military-friendly events hosted by a variety of transition assistance programs, military bases and recruiting partners.”

In fact, SAIC ranks fifth in Forbes' newly released list of America's Best Employers for Veterans. Forbes' list features the nation's top 200 companies from across all industries for veterans.

SAIC has attended and hosted over 50 veteran recruiting events over the last three years, reaching an average of over 10,000 veteran candidates per year. Over this time, approximately 20% of our employee hires have been former service members, translating to around 900 veterans each year.

For transitioning military members, SAIC understands that the change to civilian life is challenging, specifically when it comes to employment. Many SAIC recruiters are also veterans, regularly participating in virtual events with our recruiting partners to provide career advice and helping job-seekers at career chats and events throughout the year.

In addition to providing one convenient location to view jobs, especially for transitioning service members and veterans, our employment opportunities are posted on veteran-specific and transitioning military job sites such as Military Hire, US TechVets, and Corporate Gray.

Invested in veterans' well-being

As huge contributors to our vision, purpose and mission, veteran employees are an integral part of SAIC’s culture, anchored by our values. In commemoration of Veterans Day, SAIC has set up a place for veterans to share their stories and photos of their service in the armed forces on our intranet site. Sparking enterprise-wide camaraderie, this hugely popular and informal “roll call” is just one way we recognize our veterans.

The Military/Veterans Employee Resource Group (M/VERG) at SAIC is another venue for veterans and their families. It is the second-largest of our seven ERGs, composed of over 700 veteran and non-veteran employees.

The M/VERG serves as a regular forum and a resource for voluntary members and their families. In addition to celebrating each other’s contributions to the nation’s defense, M/VERG members provide peer guidance and mentorship opportunities for recently transitioning veterans in our company.

“Veterans who have joined M/VERG are actively involved in our group’s mission and goals, participating in many events, including fundraising, talent acquisition, community outreach and mentoring,” said M/VERG co-lead Stefanie Wall, adding, “and some volunteer externally through their own personal connections.”

The M/VERG hosts regional on-site meetings, community outreach activities across its chapters, and group-wide socials. The gatherings give members time to relax from their busy schedules and have fun. Other times, the meetings facilitate networking and sharing of knowledge and best practices, professional development and career growth and opportunities to talk with M/VERG members who are in leadership positions in the company for mentoring and guidance.

Additionally, the M/VERG has established partnerships with local community groups and national organizations that support the well-being of present and former military personnel. There are always volunteer activities and fundraising work happening with M/VERG members.

A good citizen to our communities

Local and national outreach with our nonprofit partners to help veterans and military families in need is deeply rooted in SAIC’s mission and values. The company has a proud history of philanthropic efforts, and part of our corporate social responsibility program focuses on enhancing the lives of those that have served in our armed forces.

Each year, SAIC sponsors numerous events, such as the Back-to-School Brigade with Operation Homefront, which fills the backpacks of children in military families with donated school supplies; and Project Elf with USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore, which makes the holiday wish lists of military children come true. We also partner with Marine Corps Toys for Tots to donate toys to less fortunate children during the holidays.

SAIC is proud to partner with Building Homes for Heroes, bringing renewed hope to our nation’s disabled veterans and their families. Building Homes for Heroes constructs or modifies homes and gifts them, mortgage-free, while providing support services to enable disabled veterans to lead better and brighter lives.

Since 2013, the company has assisted in donating 10 houses to military heroes across the U.S., with our employee volunteers putting the final touches on these homes before welcoming the receiving families. “SAIC has a proud legacy of supporting veterans, and it is an honor to partner with Building Homes for Heroes, USO-Metro, Operation Homefront and all of our other military-focused nonprofit organizations,” said Jennifer Love Bruce, corporate social responsibility manager.

Veterans are appreciated

Bringing their valuable experiences, skills, determination and discipline, SAIC's veteran employees are engaged and woven into our fabric.

“The skills I learned during my time in the Air Force have allowed me to showcase myself at SAIC,” said Tracey Baker, a senior logistician who serves on a human dimension support services program providing advanced training solutions. “In a few months, I will have been with the company for a year. It has been a great experience since retiring from the Air Force, and I’m glad to be part of the SAIC family and starting my new purpose.”

Albert Prew, an SAIC cybersecurity operations analyst who served in the Marines and now serves in the Rhode Island Air National Guard, appreciates that the company continues to support his learning of technical and leadership skills and provides a flexible work schedule that allows him to continue his service and deployments. "SAIC is veteran-friendly and a great place to work, and I love that there are so many veterans around to talk to," said Prew.

Jim Hunnewell served over two decades with the Navy as an airborne sensor operator and aircrew training manager. He is now applying his aeronautics and aviation safety expertise as a military operations principal at SAIC. "I enjoyed my Navy career but now enjoy being able to apply my knowledge and experience to supporting the Navy with SAIC," he said.

“As a new SAIC employee, I look forward to using all of the tools and experience I garnered while in the service and, at the same time, learning new ones," said Belinda Cunningham, another Air Force veteran, who recently joined SAIC as a defense health program analyst. "I am proud to have served, and I thank all of my fellow veterans for their service.”