Fireflies Host 2,000 Soldiers and their Families on Fort Jackson Centennial

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Fireflies) — As Friday night’s Columbia Fireflies game sponsor, Amazon celebrated the Fort Jackson Centennial with 2,000 Army soldiers and their families. Flanked by members of his family, Jeffry Snow, a manager at Amazon’s local fulfillment center, threw the ceremonial first pitch. Snow has served in the military for 19 years and currently serves in the Army Reserves at Fort Jackson.

“We at Amazon are thrilled to be at the game [on Friday] to celebrate such a great anniversary,” said George Schultz, general manager of the Amazon facility. “We are tremendously supportive of our military and are actively recruiting veterans and military spouses to come join our team.”

Earlier this year, Amazon pledged to hire 25,000 veterans and military spouses over the next five years. Schultz said that the company values the extraordinary leadership skills and problem solving abilities that military veterans bring to Amazon. In 2015, the company hired more than 4,400 military veterans, and today there are more than 7,000 veterans in different roles throughout the company nationwide.

The transition from military life to the civilian workforce can be daunting. Amazon has developed a means to make that transition easier and to provide support throughout and beyond the recruiting process.

“Once employed at Amazon, we offer military veterans several programs that help them transition more easily into the civilian workforce,” added Schultz. The company’s military recruiting team is made up of veterans from all branches of the armed forces. They attend military-specific events throughout the year and network directly with veterans seeking ways to help connect men and women with civilian jobs.

Major thunderstorms ended the game early. As the game’s first inning came to a close, fans fled to the covered concourse at Spirit Communications Park.

“We’re grateful to our friends at Amazon for helping bring Fort Jackson’s Centennial celebration event here to Spirit Communications Park,” said John Katz, team president of the Fireflies. “We’re excited to be the home of the largest Army Basic Training Center in the US, and the Fireflies are proud to serve those who serve, have served and will serve our country.”

Amazon planned to give away fifty gift cards, two Amazon Echos and two Fire TVs at the game. These giveaways were given to lucky fans at Saturday’s Fireflies baseball game.

Amazon encourages military veterans to visit amazon.com/military to learn more.