Soldiers leaving the Army may have more reason to stay in Liberty County.

The Army and the City of Hinesville signed an agreement for the Partnership for Your Success, or PaYS, program. Under the program, soldiers and ROTC cadets are guaranteed five job interviews after their Army service concludes.

It also coincided with National Hire a Veteran Day, retired Col. Pete Hoffman noted.

“Today is a fantastic day,” Fort Stewart garrison commander Col. Marc Austin said of the signing. “This is an amazing opportunity. The PaYS Program is a gamechanger. This partnership ensures a smooth transition for our soldiers.”

Col. Austin said there are about 300-400 soldiers who leave the Army each month at Fort Stewart, and about 150 opt to stay in the community. Over the course of a year, that’s about 1,800 soldiers.

With the PaYS program, their military experience is translated into civilian success, Col. Austin said.

“It’s a win for our families and our communities,” he said. “This program is going to help the soldiers. We invest in leadership but it doesn’t necessarily talk about the skills they develop. There are skill sets they have developed that are easy to market. It is going to help us to talk to business leaders and business leaders get a better sense of what our soldiers can bring their business to enhance it.”

Hinesville Mayor Karl Riles called the signing ceremony “a significant milestone in the city’s relationship with the Army.”

“The PaYS program is more than a partnership,” the mayor said. “It is a lifeline to our soldiers and veterans as they transition into civilian life. The program provides invaluable job opportunities, ensuring those who have bravely served our country have the support they need to embark on new and fulfilling careers.” Soldiers develop a range of skills in their Army careers, Col. Austin noted, and for those with specific skill sets, such as cyber and human resources. Mayor Riles also extolled the work ethic and experience veterans can bring to local businesses and civic institutions.

Soldiers, added Hoffman, the civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army for Coastal Georgia, also understand time management and leadership.

“It’s a win-win-win,” Hoffman said. “It’s a win for the soldier. But it is a big win for the employer. It’s really beneficial.”

Hoffman, who retired as a colonel, found there wasn’t a lot of need for his particular specialty.

“I realized there were not many jobs for people who could shoot artillery rounds 20 miles down range,” he said.

Through the Troops for Teachers, he got into education and became the director of Georgia Southern University’s Hinesville campus.

The PaYS program, Hoffman added, will be a boost for those soldiers exiting the Army after one hitch or 20 years.

“Most of our soldiers don’t have an intention of making a career out of it,” he said. “Many of them will stay because they will find out it is a great life. There are a lot of reasons why soldiers need programs like this.”

The secretary of the Army, Christine Wormuth, made people the number one priority upon assuming her role, Hoffman said.

“We have to take care of our people,” he said. “It doesn’t just mean when they get here. It means from when they walk in to the recruiter’s office. It means well after they have completed their service.”

The signing ceremony also shows the continued bond between the post and its soldiers and the civilian community, leaders acknowledged. Col. Austin indicated 70% of soldiers and their families live off post.

“Once again, Hinesville is giving back to our military community,” he said. “It is a symbol of our unwavering commitment to each other as one community. It empowers our soldiers and fuels the economic engine of Hinesville.”

Added Mayor Riles: “It’s not something we just hang on the ‘welcome to Hinesville’ sign. It’s something we really mean and cherish. This partnership will go a long way toward reinforcing that. This signing ceremony is a testament to Hinesville’s unwavering commitment to our veterans and our soldiers. The PaYS program is a shining example of how we can continue to work together and create those support systems that truly make a difference.”

It also signifies, Col. Hoffman added, just how special the relationship between Fort Stewart and its surrounding communities is.

“I’ve never seen a community quite like this,” he said. “It’s just part of the fabric of this community. The support you give to the soldiers and the families is really appreciated.”