[August 20, 2018, Bel Air, MD] On August 20, 2018, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding (M.O.U.) with the U.S. Army, entering the Sheriff’s Office in a program to help soldiers gain employment at the conclusion of their enlistment.

The M.O.U. allows the Sheriff’s Office to partner within the U.S. Army Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) Program, and recruit those who have served our country to become members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. The PaYS program connects soldiers with potential employers early in their enlistment. It is designed to help young men and women, who have served our country, embark on a successful career after the military. Upon enlistment, soldiers are able to identify potential future employers. When their enlistment is complete, the potential employer is notified of the soldier’s discharge and the soldier is guaranteed an opportunity to compete for a position with that employer. Soldiers completing their enlistment are not guaranteed a position within the Sheriff’s Office, however, they are guaranteed the ability to interview, compete and test for open positions throughout the Sheriff’s Office, sworn or civilian.

The Army PaYS Program is a strategic partnership between the Army and a cross section of private industry, academia and state and local public institutions. It guarantees soldiers an opportunity to compete for employment with partnership companies and agencies. Army PaYS launched in 2000, and since that time, more than 700 employers have partnered with the program.

“These young men and women have honorably served our country and protected our citizens,” said Sheriff Jeffrey R. Gahler. “It is my privilege to be able to offer them an opportunity to continue to serve their community as members of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.”