CCA Salutes Its Active Military Employees
As the nation celebrates Independence Day, CCA salutes the estimated 120 employees companywide who are currently active or deployed in the U.S. military protecting the freedoms that millions in our nation pay tribute to on this holiday.
Corrections is a favorable career path for many active and retired military professionals as it blends well with their prior security experience and training. “The basic fundamentals they teach us in the Army, also stand true for corrections,” says John Kelly, Army Specialist and maintenance support at Diamondback Correctional Facility. “Integrity, duty, honor and respect can be applied to both.” These shared core values motivated Kelly to start a career in both military and corrections. “The military and CCA have given me a whole new outlook on life,” he says. “That is why I became a part of both.”
CCA facilities do their part to support deployed and returning staff through care packages, cards and organizing homecoming parties. CCA’s Eloy Detention Center is among those facilities committed to recognizing deployed employees and supporting the nation’s military troops. Corina Price, Eloy Detention Center warden’s secretary, assembles colorful displays to encourage support for our troops among facility staff. “Some employees aren’t personally familiar with the employees we are supporting, they just appreciate what they are doing,” says Melanie Van Ness, Eloy Detention Center Classification Coordinator.
When Navy Petty Officer First Class Karl Lyons, also a correctional officer at Eloy Detention Center, received a care package from his facility, he was thrilled. “I was overwhelmed with how many items were in it,” he says. “It really made my day.” Care packages commonly include local newspapers, facility newsletters, hard candy, socks, bug spray, sunscreen, granola bars and pictures of coworkers. “We customize care packages based on the employee and what he or she enjoys,” says Van Ness.
CCA’s active military employees appreciate the support from their colleagues. “I’m very glad to know I was being thought of by family, friends and coworkers when deployed,” says Army Private First Class Nathan Fredley, correctional officer at Eloy Detention Center. “It really put a smile on my face to hear from my facility.” After serving overseas for more than a year, Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Allen Holland and K-9 sergeant at Red Rock Correctional Center, received a warm welcome when he returned home. “I was greeted with a welcome back party, which I greatly appreciated,” he says. CCA, the nation’s largest provider of corrections management services, is committed to hiring dedicated and disciplined professionals who understand the needed public service we provide to our government customers. The culture of the military and corrections share a deep sense of pride, duty and camaraderie as well as professional similarities including wearing a uniform, an established chain of command, operating in a safe and secure environment and more. CCA, named a G.I. Jobs magazine Top 50 Military-Friendly Employer, employs more that 17,000 corrections professionals nationwide, 10 percent of which are military veterans.
For more information on correctional careers with CCA for military servicepersons, visit the Careers for Military section of our website.
