Safeway receives military accolade in D.C.

In recognition of its support of national defense and the uniformed service community Safeway received the Military Officers Association of America’s highest honor.

Safeway was presented with the organization’s Distinguished Service Award at an event in Washington, D.C., in recognition of its outstanding support as an employer of Guard and Reserve members and veterans. The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) ’s highest honor. MOAA was founded in 1929 and has 380,000 members.

"We take great pride in providing employment opportunities to our men and women in uniform, whether they are Reservists, National Guard or veterans," said Safeway EVP Larree Renda. "We encourage all employers to consider how their business could benefit from the training, discipline and strong character that is synonymous with America's military men and women."

Safeway was among the first employers to commit more than 10 years ago to covering the pay differential and extending full benefits to employees in the Reserve and National Guard, who were called to active duty. Safeway continues to provide this benefit today. The company actively pursues employment opportunities for returning veterans through three targeted programs.

Safeway's Junior Military Officer (JMO) and Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) programs were launched in 2010 and 2011, respectively, and accept applicants who have been military officers and places them in an accelerated leadership program. The programs include on-the-job training, job-shadowing and classroom seminars. Graduates qualify for store manager and assistant manager positions, along with other manager-level roles in supply chain, distribution, and the company's division and corporate headquarters.

In 2012, Safeway expanded its military hiring initiative further to include a broader cross-section of the military personnel from all backgrounds through its Retail Military Recruiting Program. The program focuses on hiring our veterans and military personnel for the retail store environment into positions such as baker, courtesy clerk, Starbucks clerk, night crew and department managers.

Since 2012, Safeway has hired nearly 3,600 veterans or members of the Guard and Reserve. Safeway has also committed to hiring at least another 1,500 veterans or members of the Guard and Reserve in 2014. In addition, the company has donated $2.6 million to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and other organizations that help veterans recover from service-related injuries.