MOAA earned a four-star ranking – its highest to date – on the annual VETS Indexes Employer Awards, which recognized 285 organizations for their work in support of veteran, military spouse, and National Guard and Reserve employment.

The awards, which consider about 300 metrics pulled from extensive participant surveys, began in 2021. MOAA has been honored each year – named a “recognized employer” in 2021 and 2022 before reaching three-star status in 2023.

MOAA’s 84 employees include 18 former or retired servicemembers and 13 spouses of currently serving members or veterans, or surviving spouses. 

“The value a member of the uniformed services community brings to an organization as an employee – whether a veteran, a reservist, or a spouse – can’t be overstated,” said Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, MOAA’s president and CEO. “We are proud of the work these employees have done and continue to do for MOAA, and we are proud of the support systems we have in place to allow them to excel.”

[RELATED: MOAA's Transition and Career Center]

The award, announced April 11, goes beyond the number of military-connected employees on an organization’s roster, reviewing items such as:

• Retention rates and seniority levels.
• Use of veteran-owned businesses as suppliers and vendors.
• Flexible work scheduling and other considerations for military spouses.

Other Honors and Programs

The VETS Indexes award is the most recent in a series of honors and commitments involving MOAA’s employment efforts.

In November, MOAA received a HIRE Vets Medallion Award (Platinum Level) from the Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS). It was the fourth-straight year of recognition under this program, which evaluates an organization’s commitment to recruiting, employing, and retaining veterans.

In April, MOAA signed up for the 4+1 Commitment, a nationwide program led by Blue Star Families and Hiring Our Heroes. Participants commit to assisting military spouses through one of four programs, and to participate in or consider joining a DoD-led spouse employment effort (the “+1” portion). MOAA has been a long-term partner in DoD’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership, which helps connect spouse with prospective employers.

“It’s not enough to ask others to support transitioning servicemembers, military spouses, and others in the uniformed services community – you have to lead by example,” said Lt. Col. Ginni Guiton, USA (Ret), MOAA’s vice president of human resources. “We’re happy for this recognition, and we’re always looking for ways to improve our programs and provide the needed support for those who serve and have served, and their families and survivors.”