Veterans and military spouses tend to be “values-based and purpose-driven” and that is why employers like Johnson & Johnson go out of their way to recruit them, according to John Perez, head of military and veteran affairs at J&J.

WorkingNation sat down with Perez at the NASWA Veterans Conference in Washington, D.C.

Perez, who is a veteran himself, notes that the values of the military community often align with that of Johnson & Johnson and that is why he chose the company as his first civilian job.

“We’re purpose-driven, with our purpose of changing the trajectory of health for humanity. So veterans and military families and folks from the broad military-connected community often find that being part of a values-based, purpose-driven organization is great.”

Perez adds, “Our history of focused support to the military population really begins in 1898 during the Spanish American War, when employees volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army during that war. Our president agreed to hold their positions and continue paying their salary while they served during that war until they returned.”

He says this continues today. For employees serving in the National Guard and Military Reserve, J&J continues to pay their full salary and benefits – on top of their military compensation – for up to three continuous years of service.

Learn more about Johnson & Johnson military affairs.