Living our mission

“We protect those who protect us.”

 It’s a noble mission and one we’re very proud of at BAE Systems. The work we do to support our military servicemen and women is just as motivating today as it was when I joined the company more than 20 years ago. These words reflect our passion for designing and delivering products and services to help our military customers complete their own missions effectively and return home safely to their loved ones.

 But our mission goes beyond the field of battle. Another phrase that holds significant meaning for us is “Remember. Honor. Support.” This is an initiative we run every year at BAE Systems during National Military Appreciation Month. From flag raising ceremonies at our U.S. sites to a Military Honor Wall, this is our opportunity to thank those men and women – both inside and outside our organization – who wear or have worn our nation’s uniform.

 Beyond creating opportunities to show our patriotic pride and express our gratitude, we further live our mission by emphasizing the third word of the three: Support. It means:

•  We support military members transitioning into civilian jobs, through targeted recruitment and outreach. In 2020, we hosted or attended 33 veteran recruiting events and hired 1,253 veterans into our U.S.-based workforce of 32,000. Our Warrior Integration Program helps to ease the transition and ensure veterans are settled into their new career at BAE Systems.
• We offer a supportive community for employees who are veterans or reservists. Our Veterans Support Network employee resource group offers networking and development opportunities, events, and resources to help members and their allies stay connected.
• We also provide resources to support the mental health of all of our employees, including the veterans in our workforce. We have programs to help bolster resilience, keep employees healthy inside and out, and provide help when it’s needed. Our annual “Defending 22” campaign focuses on mental well-being and encourages positive behaviors that can lead to healthy habits.
• Finally, we’re proud to reach into the community and support current service members, veterans, and their families through corporate giving, volunteering, company-matched donations, and in-kind support. We partner with outside organizations such as The Mission Continues, TAPS, Blue Star Families, the Armed Services YMCA, and more. It’s one of the primary pillars of our community investment strategy.

Our mission statement means a lot to us and our work to Support our servicemen and women continues even after their last mission ends. This month, don’t just thank a service member. Share information on resources, volunteer, and consider other things you can do to demonstrate your support in tangible and meaningful ways. After all they’ve done for us, they deserve everything we can do for them…