Rackspace Technology Honors Those Who Serve

Rackspace Technology® is proud to support and hire veterans, given it’s headquartered in San Antonio, a.k.a. “Military City, USA.” The company has a long-standing tradition of honoring our veterans on a global scale, through our own RackVet Racker Resource Group (RRG) and beyond – including recognition as a Best for Vets Employer by the Military Times, a testament to our commitment to those who have served.

This Friday, November 10, for Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, the company encourages everyone to recognize and honor veterans, each in his or her own way.

Through its various initiatives and partnerships, Rackspace Technology continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting veterans both within and outside the workplace. The company not only creates a welcoming and inclusive work environment for veterans but also actively contributes to helping them and their families thrive after leaving military service.

"The diversity of our individual experiences is something we celebrate at Rackspace Technology every day," said Brian J. Lillie, former Major in the USAF Reserves and President of the Private Cloud Business Unit at Rackspace Technology. "As a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Air Force Reserves, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the executive sponsor for our RackVet Racker Resource Group and honor and support veterans and their families from all over the world. On behalf of all Rackers, I extend a heartfelt thank you to all those who have served and continue to serve with bravery and sacrifice to make our world a better place."

Rackspace Technology has a strong track record of working with organizations like Hiring Our Heroes, a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation that connects veterans, service members and military spouses with meaningful employment opportunities.

The RackVet Racker Resource Group

One of the major ways Rackspace employees show appreciation for veterans is through the Racker led RackVet Racker Resource Group (RRG). This group of volunteers dedicates its time to creating a better workplace for all through a focus on supporting military veterans, reservists, guard members, family members and military supporters. This RRG is active year-round, organizing and participating in numerous events that promote appreciation and support for veterans:

• In March, RackVet partnered with organizations such as the Gary Sinise Foundation and Semper Fi & America’s Fund and Home for Our Troops to make donations. The group also conducted a survey to identify other charities they could contribute to.
• In May, the group also participated in a Flags for Fallen Vets event in honor of Veterans Appreciation Month, aiding the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery to assist with clean-up and decoration efforts for Memorial Day, 2023.
• June saw RackVet partnering with Train a Dog, Save a Warrior, a San Antonio-based organization that provides service dogs at a reduced cost to veterans and other individuals in need.
• In August, RackVet continued its philanthropic efforts by collecting school supplies for children in need through Operation Homefront.
• In November, RackVet members passed out poppies to raise money for the Royal British Legion in honor of Remembrance Day. Poppies are worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community. 

In celebration of Veterans Month, RackVet orchestrated a series of engaging companywide events to honor veterans. These included a virtual military trivia contest, a military-themed speed networking session for building connections, and a special observance with a moment of silence on Friday, November 10.
 
In addition, RackVet partnered with CreatiVets for a special Veterans Day social impact experience. CreatiVets is a nonprofit organization with a mission to assist wounded veterans in their healing journey through the transformative power of the arts and music. Attendees at this virtual social hour found enrichment through the talents of Nashville musicians. Some of the songs that were performed were co-written with veterans as part of CreatiVets’ goal to offer a window into the experiences of both active-duty veterans and those who have transitioned back to civilian life.

RackVet Core Values

The core values of the RackVet RRG align with those of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Highlighting the responsibilities inherent in the organization's mission, these values — Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence — define RackVet's culture and guide its care for veterans and eligible beneficiaries. These values also shape and impact the daily interactions between all Rackers, and those they serve.

“I CARE,” an acronym formed by the first letter of each value, serves as a powerful reminder for each Racker of their crucial role in the organization. Together, these core values form five promises that the organization, as a whole and as individuals, makes to those they serve.

• Integrity: Act with high moral principles. Adhere to the highest professional standards. Maintain the trust and confidence of all with whom I engage.
• Commitment: Work diligently to serve veterans and other beneficiaries. Be driven by an earnest belief in VA’s mission. Fulfill my individual responsibilities and organizational responsibilities.
• Advocacy: Be truly veteran-centric by identifying, fully considering and appropriately advancing the interests of veterans and other beneficiaries.
• Respect: Treat all those I serve and with whom I work with dignity and respect. Show respect to earn it.
• Excellence: Strive for the highest quality and continuous improvement. Be thoughtful and decisive in leadership, accountable for my actions, willing to admit mistakes and rigorous in correcting them.

The group is also involved in various initiatives aimed at supporting veterans outside the workplace. For example, the company has partnered with the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Dirt Therapy Project, which helps veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by getting them out on mountain biking and overlanding trips. Thanks to the group’s support, a group of 21 veterans was able to attend a mountain biking event in Angel Fire, New Mexico. The company also collaborates with an organization that offers therapeutic art activities for veterans.

The RackVet RRG is also involved in helping military members transition out of the military by providing them with job interview preparation and access to other career-building resources. This support is crucial for those trying to bridge the gap between military service and civilian employment — a transition that’s often fraught with unique obstacles and uncertainties.

How you can recognize those who serve this Veterans Day

As Veterans Day approaches, RackVet is encouraging others to join in celebrating and honoring veterans in their own way. Here are ten ways you can honor veterans in recognition of Veterans Day 2023, this Friday, November 10:

• Hold a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. on the day of remembrance
• Display the U.S. flag and fly it with pride
• Donate to veteran charities or programs
• Show appreciation through kind words and gestures to those who served
• Invite veterans from your community to a Veterans Day event
• Make crafts using donated materials and give them as gifts to veterans
• Re-enact historical battles or war stories with local reenactment groups
• Plant flowers, trees or shrubs in honor of the fallen
• Donate in the name of a veteran to an important cause
• Participate in clean-up efforts at military cemeteries or memorials