Killeen council approves partnership with Army on giving city jobs to Army soldiers after they leave their enlistment

Killeen Daily Herald
By Kevin Limiti | Herald
January 17, 2024

The Killeen City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday that would help soldiers find work in the city of Killeen after they finish their time in the Army.

This program — called the Partnership for Your Success or PaYS — began in October 2000 as an enlistment incentive for the Army.

It partners with corporations, companies and the public sector.

It will not cost the city of Killeen money for its participation. There will also be no obligation from the city of Killeen to employ anybody through the program.

Crancena Ross, a marketer for the U.S. Army’s PaYS program, spoke briefly at the City Council prior to their vote, introducing herself to the council.

“I do look forward to have an opportunity to partner with you guys,” she said via Zoom. “I just basically did a partnership last Thursday with the town of Prescott Valley in Arizona. It was a great ceremony and a great partnership. We currently have over 1,287 partners and definitely would like to partner with the city of Killeen. That will give you guys the opportunities to bring veterans back into your community as well as revenue back into your community.”

The PaYS program offers guaranteed interviews for jobs that soldiers are qualified for. Applicants still need to meet the minimum requirements for any position.

Councilman Riakos Adams said Wednesday that partnering with the PaYS program was good since it didn’t actually cost the city anything and would help keep some veterans in the city of Killeen.

“We are always looking for people to come here. I think this is a good way,” Adams said. “When you transition sometimes its hard to apply your social skills.”

He explained that when he was a ROTC cadet, they didn’t have this program and it could’ve been useful for him.

Adams said it would help soldiers coming out of the Army and would be useful to people who were either short-term enlistees or retirees.

Councilwoman Jessica Gonzalez said they’ve never had a formal partnership with the PaYS program and thought it was a good program, especially since it is at no cost to the city of Killeen.

“I’ve heard nothing but great things about their partnership,” she said. “Obviously there’s no cost to us and it expands our workforce.”

Councilman Joseph Solomon echoed his fellow council members’ comments. He said partnering with the military — which is such an integral part of the Killeen community — always has benefits.

“Anytime we can collaborate with them, I think it’s good for the military and good for the city,” Solomon said. “I think its a good collaboration.”