Sodexo Teams With First Lady to Support Joining Forces and Serve America's Military Families GAITHERSBURG, Md., Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As the country prepares for the homecoming of thousands of troops this year, Sodexo, Inc., which is headquartered in Gaithersburg, MD, and today operates 51 mess halls for the United States Marine Corps, has pledged its support to Joining Forces, an initiative launched by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden to serve and support military service members, veterans, and their families. With this pledge, Sodexo also answers President Obama's challenge to hire and train more veterans and military spouses in the private sector and continues its ongoing focus on strengthening the company's existing military-friendly programs. "Our company has a long, rich history of working with and supporting the United States military and families of our service members, and we are thrilled to take another step forward through Joining Forces," said Sodexo North America's President and CEO George Chavel. Sodexo recognizes that current and veteran service members and their families provide a rich talent pool with specialized skills that can contribute to the success of the company. Sodexo's teaming effort with Joining Forces reflects the company's commitment to maintain leadership as a top employer of choice, including its position as a G.I. Jobs Top 100 Military Friendly employer and its status as a "Patriot" company with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program. Sodexo dedicates resources to maximize hiring efforts for veterans, provides tools for veteran employees to engage in networking and mentoring once on board, and offers job transfer and flexible work options beneficial to military families. Along with its pledge to Joining Forces, Sodexo will continue to foster the education and well-being of military families through programs like the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, the Marine Corps Community Services Youth Sports Association and the Marine Corps Marathon Healthy Kids Fun Run and Healthy School Award program. "Sodexo is one of the nation's leading employers -- serving over 10 million people every day; their ability to make a very positive impact in the lives of our nation's veterans and military families is significant, noteworthy and most genuinely appreciated," said Executive Director of Joining Forces, Captain Brad Cooper. Sodexo is committed to supporting those White House initiatives that raise awareness and take action on the important issues facing our country. We are proud of our successful corporate partnership with the First Lady's Let's Move! campaign to end childhood obesity over the last two years, and we are now especially pleased to unite with her again through Joining Forces to provide even greater assistance to our veteran service members and their families," added Chavel. Veterans and transitioning soldiers are encouraged to visit www.SodexoHiresHeroes.com for career opportunities. About Joining Forces Joining Forces is a national initiative created by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr Jill Biden to energize action from every sector of our society - individuals, businesses, non-profits, philanthropy and faith-based institutions - to give service members, veterans and military families the support they have earned. See www.joiningforces.gov for more information. Sodexo in North America Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), leading Quality of Daily Life Solutions company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On-site Service Solutions in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, and Remote Site segments, and Motivation Solutions such as Esteem Pass. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $17 million in grants to end childhood hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.