Jose Cruz, flight attendant at Southwest Airlines, finds that there’s an esprit de corps at Southwest Airlines similar to what he enjoyed in the U.S. Navy, and that comes from the hiring.

“Our philosophy at Southwest is to hire for attitude. Southwest’s culture drives hiring the best people and hiring the right people drives Southwest’s culture.”

It’s a culture of caring, he points out. “We’re most interested in how individuals will care for our customers and our cohearts (that’s Southwest-speak for colleagues). We’re looking for people who embody the golden rule.”

As such, Cruz shares how he didn’t apply to Southwest willy-nilly. “I did research after retiring from the Navy because I wanted to be in a place that valued me as a person, where my efforts and dedication made a difference.”

Cruz clearly chose well. “At Southwest I’ve received more than I ever could’ve expected. Southwest has given my talents a platform,” he shares. “Southwest gave me opportunities to train others, represent veterans, and recruit my fellow cohearts as a member of the Inflight Interview Team.”

One of more than 60,000 employees, Cruz has found that Southwest goes the extra 500 miles to hire vets: “Southwest actively seeks military talent through recruitment efforts, like career fairs and military job boards, and through partnerships with organizations that help veterans transition out of the military. Southwest partners with ArmyPaYS, the Texas Veterans Commission, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Hire Heroes USA, Allies in Service and others to help veterans transition from military to meaningful employment.”

Southwest also supports vets who aren’t its employees, according to Cruz. “We’re proud of our 10 national sponsorships with military-focused non-profits, chosen strategically to represent a variety of services to military personnel, veterans, and their families,” she points out.

“In 2019 employees have logged 2,155 volunteer hours for military-focused organizations, earning the various organizations they support more than 2,100 round-trip tickets through Southwest’s Tickets for Time program.”

Southwest’s culture is likely to feel like home for vets. “The Southwest Way encompasses having a warrior spirit, fun-LUVing attitude, and Servant’s Heart. Warrior Spirit is the determination to never give up, regardless of obstacles. Servant’s Heart is the purpose of why we do what we do to care for our customers and each other. Fun-LUVing attitude is simply work hard and play hard.”

At Southwest, working and playing hard are often the same thing. “The best part of my job is I get to be myself. I get to laugh and enjoy camaraderie with customers and cohearts,” he says.

“I get to still see the world and travel to visit family and friends. I get to take my wife, who is also a flight attendant at Southwest, on date nights, in different cities when we work together.”

Learn more about Dallas, TX-headquartered Southwest Airlines via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Glassdoor and YouTube. Explore open positions at careers.southwestair.com.