What Is the Definition of a Military Community? Listen as Tim Tarchick with Bank of America Merchant Services Explains
For those of us who have lived on a military installation or for those of us who have worked on one, it’s quite possible that you picture a military community as the homes and buildings within the gate.
Maybe you consider a military community the family you have curated across many moves, deployments, and duty assignments.
It turns out, concerned citizens and co-workers with no direct affiliation to the military can become just as much a part of your military family as those you served with or lived next door to.
On this episode of the HOH Sitrep podcast, listen in as Tim Tarchick, VP at Bank of America Merchant Services, shares how and why businesses of any size can start a military resource group for their employees. If you have any questions after listening to this episode, Tarchick says to email him directly (he really wants you to!) at Timothy.Tarchick@bankofamericamerchant.com.
Top Takeaways from “What Is the Definition of a Military Community? Listen in to Find Out!”
1. After serving 35 years in the Air Force, this retired colonel joined Bank of America Merchant Services in 2014.
“I was throwing out my application and not getting a lot of bites. But then one of the executives working at Bank of America Merchant Services approached me and said, ‘we’ve just hired this new CEO and he’s really pro military. This CEO wants to hire more veterans and we know what you can do based on what you’ve done. How would you like to come work for us?’ I said, ‘Let’s do this.’” – Tim Tarchick, Veteran Program Director and Operational Oversight and Management at Bank of America Merchant Services
2. Two years later, Tarchick built Bank of America Merchant Services’ Military Affinity Group from the ground up.
“They said, ‘We want you to build a military affinity group.’ They gave me the keys and said, ‘go build it.’” – Tim Tarchick, Veteran Program Director and Operational Oversight and Management at Bank of America Merchant Services
3. Today, Bank of America Merchant Services’ Military Affinity Group is comprised of more than 300 members and 75% of them didn’t serve in the military.
“Whether they are a (military) spouse or an uncle, aunt, dad, sister, or mom (of a service member), they’ve jumped in ready and willing to help and be a part of our military affinity group.” – Tim Tarchick, Veteran Program Director and Operational Oversight and Management at Bank of America Merchant Services
4. Companies with military resource groups understand the value that military talent brings to their organizations.
“Those are the companies, in my opinion, that get it. When there’s a proactive approach, for hiring veterans, Guardsmen and Reservists, and military spouses, it makes that company better. I encourage companies that haven’t embraced that view to give veterans the opportunity. Veterans just want an opportunity.” – Tim Tarchick, Veteran Program Director and Operational Oversight and Management at Bank of America Merchant Services
5. If you give a veteran the opportunity to work at your company, they are likely to become one of the MVPs at your business.
“Please give a vet an opportunity; all they’re looking for is a chance. Give them a phone call and see what they have to say and invite them in for an interview because you never know if you have a Michael Jordan or a Tom Brady on the other end of the phone.” – Tim Tarchick, Veteran Program Director and Operational Oversight and Management at Bank of America Merchant Services
