Bridging the gap: Iron Mountain's commitment to veterans through SkillBridge

Hiring managers at Iron Mountain are searching for individuals who are prepared to take ownership, build value for customers, and contribute to a culture of teamwork and inclusion. Thanks to SkillBridge and the dedication of military Veteran Mountaineers, we’re seeing candidates who "meet - and exceed - those requirements".

The SkillBridge program is a DOD-sponsored initiative designed to smooth the transition for service men and women who are honorably completing their active duty obligation. It partners approved civilian companies with applicants, offering company-sponsored training programs that last up to 180 days and align with the service member's remaining active duty commitment.

Iron Mountain has proudly become a SkillBridge partner, focusing on placing service members in training roles as Critical Facilities Technicians within its Data Centers business. This successful partnership is largely due to the efforts of Jim Donahue, Head of North America Professional Recruitment and a U.S. Marine Corps Infantry Captain, and Rob McClary, VP of Data Center Operations for North America, who served in the U.S. Navy as a Chief Petty Officer and a Lieutenant.

A safe place to land

For veterans, SkillBridge acts as a vital "safe place to land" as they navigate the significant change from military to civilian life. Rob McClary explained, "we offer a safe environment with people that understand they're making a transition".

When assessing veteran candidates, it is crucial for hiring managers to recognize the invaluable skills they bring, even if they show up differently on a resume. To ensure this understanding, Jim Donahue has made sure that Mountaineers with prior military experience participate on the interview panels for veteran candidates.

Cultivating future leaders

According to both Jim and Rob, the greatest value veterans contribute often isn't just technical knowledge; it is the "untutored skills that create future leaders".

Rob emphasized the foundational qualities essential for long-term success, such as "leadership, management... dependability, work ethic," noting that he prioritizes these over specific technical aptitude. Jim added that "Veterans possess a professional maturity and are mission-focused". Additionally, in some cases, the military skills transfer to the corporate environment in a more obvious way. As Jim pointed out, "a lot of the positions you see in the service are very similar to what you see in the corporate world as well".

A mutually beneficial partnership

The SkillBridge partnership provides Iron Mountain with highly vetted and dependable candidates, while simultaneously ensuring that those who have served have a clear, supportive route to meaningful civilian work. This commitment to those who served demonstrates a powerful way to build a stronger Iron Mountain.