Mayor Gloria Signs Executive Order Promoting City Hiring of Veterans

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 4, 2024

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SAN DIEGO - Building off his administration's ongoing commitment to veterans and military families, Mayor Todd Gloria today signed an executive order further committing the City to hiring transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses. Mayor Gloria signed the order at the City's annual appreciation breakfast for veteran employees.

The executive order comes on the heels of the City of San Diego recently being approved as a U.S. Department of Defense SkillBridge provider, a program that creates a pathway for transitioning service members to enter City employment.

Through SkillBridge, active-duty service members in their final six months can gain hands-on experience with civilian employers via internships, apprenticeships and job training. The program helps prepare service members for civilian employment by providing practical skills, industry insights and essential networking opportunities.

"With this executive order and our new SkillBridge partnership, we're creating clear pathways for those who served our country to continue serving our community," said Mayor Todd Gloria. "This is about harnessing the skills, discipline and dedication of our veterans and ensuring they can build meaningful careers here in San Diego. Hiring veterans, military spouses and transitioning service members is not just the right thing to do; it's a smart investment in our City workforce."

Since taking office, Mayor Gloria has undertaken numerous initiatives to make the City of San Diego a more welcoming place for veterans and their families, including:

• Launching the 16-member Advisory Council made up of San Diego's veterans, military spouses, and transitioning service members.
• Spearheading a first-in-the-nation partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project to hire the City's first veteran engagement coordinator.
• Developing personalized City employee pins and patches for all veteran city employees.
• Hosting an annual appreciation breakfast for veteran employee to thank City employees for their military service.
• Initiating the tracking of veteran hiring at the City, allowing employees to voluntarily self-identify as veterans or military spouses to enhance understanding and support for these groups within the workforce.
• Creating the City of San Diego Veteran Association, which focuses on assisting City employees who identify as veterans and military spouses, to promote, advance, and support veteran and military spouse and family inclusion, culture, awareness and connections.

What Others Are Saying

We enthusiastically support Mayor Gloria's ongoing efforts to make San Diego a city where veterans and their families can thrive," said Lindsey Sin, Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs. "This announcement underscores our shared perspective that veterans are valuable to our communities, our civic spaces, and our places of work," said Secretary Sin.

"Our service members and their families selflessly place their lives on the line to defend our freedom and to keep America strong and safe. Veterans bring with them invaluable skills and life experience and are often proven leaders. This is a great way to expand opportunities for our veterans and their families and it's a smart move for San Diego." said U.S Congressman Scott Peters(CA-50)

I commend Mayor Gloria and the City of San Diego for their commitment to supporting our veterans, transitioning service members, and military families. As the Ranking Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, I know just how important it is for us to support our service members transitioning to civilian life. By becoming a U.S. Department of Defense SkillBridge provider, San Diego is opening doors for our brave men and women. These initiatives are a testament to the city's dedication to honoring and empowering those who have served. I look forward to working alongside Mayor Gloria to expand opportunities for veterans in our region and ensure they have the resources they need to thrive." said U.S Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49)

San Diego has a proud tradition of supporting our military community, and Mayor Todd Gloria's Executive Order reaffirms that commitment by creating new employment pathways for servicemembers and their families," said Assemblymember David Alvarez. These individuals possess a wealth of experience, leadership, and a strong work ethic that are invaluable to our region's workforce. As a member of the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, I am committed to supporting this initiative and exploring additional ways we can empower our military families to succeed beyond their service.

"Mayor Todd Gloria's executive order is a powerful step forward, showing our sincere gratitude for veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much for our nation. It's not just about saying thank you; it's about creating real opportunities for our veterans and their families to thrive and contribute to our communities. Let's celebrate their service and support their journey ahead," said Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs Assemblymember Tasha Boerner

"DoD SkillBridge is a crucial bridge for service members moving from military to civilian employment, providing them with direct, practical experience that sets them up for successful post-service careers. The City of San Diego's commitment to SkillBridge not only opens doors for veterans but also sets a forward-thinking example for public agencies nationwide, showing the potential impact of actively engaging military talent. San Diego's program is yet another way our community leads the nation in strengthening ties with the military, demonstrating how civic support and veteran readiness can go hand-in-hand to create vibrant, resilient communities." said Foundation for Women Warriors, Community Partnerships Director, Keshia Javis-Jones

"Through this unique partnership with the City of San Diego, we're seeing a forward-leaning approach to veteran support that goes beyond traditional employment initiatives. The City's adoption of SkillBridge as part of its recruiting strategy shows a powerful commitment to helping transitioning service members gain meaningful, hands-on experience in civilian roles. This collaboration not only strengthens San Diego's workforce but also underscores a shared dedication to empowering veterans as they move into the next phase of their careers." said Wounded Warrior Project Director of Careers and Financial Readiness, Greg Martin

"Skillbridge is a critical capability for transitioning military personnel as they seek opportunities to excel in the civilian workplace. It gives them exposure and hands on experiences while still on Active Duty to enable them to pursue the best opportunities after transition to civilian life. It is fantastic that the City of San Diego has been accepted into this program. Having Skillbridge here will expose more military members to job opportunities in our Region. I am very excited that we now have another tool in our community to encourage our military personnel to Stay San Diego!" said San Diego Military Advisory Council Chief Executive Officer David Boone

"It's exciting that the City of San Diego is establishing their own SkillBridge program. I have seen this program give transitioning service members a valuable pathway to meaningful, gainful employment in civilian roles with the City of San Diego. By connecting transitioning service members with on-the-job-training, internships, and apprenticeships during their final months of military service, SkillBridge enhances their prospects for stable, well-compensated employment-an essential foundation for financial wellbeing. This financial wellbeing also fosters positive mental and physical health outcomes for both veterans and their families, creating a smoother transition to civilian life, while reducing stress and the likelihood of food insecurity, homelessness, and other crises. Through programs like SkillBridge, the City of San Diego is helping to set veterans up for lasting success, strengthening the community, while also building a workforce rich in discipline, skills, and experience." said Chief Executive Officer of Support the Enlisted Projects (STEP), Commissioner on San Diego's Citizens Equal Opportunity Commission, and Member of San Diego County Military and Veteran Advisory Council, Tony Teravainen

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