Skip to content
HomeOur CompanyDiscover J&JVeterans, military and military families

Veterans, military and military families

Johnson & Johnson is proud to lead in support of the United States military-connected community: from military service members to veterans to military families & spouses and veteran caregivers – we are committed to keeping this community healthy and enabling them to bring their unique experiences and strengths to the world.
A headshot of Courtney Billington Head of Johnson & Johnson Government Affairs, North America
Johnson & Johnson has a long and proud history of caring for the communities in which we live and work, including caring for our U.S. military heroes and their families. We strive to do our very best to provide them a strong network of support that enables them to serve in an exemplary manner for both their military and civilian responsibilities.
Courtney Billington
Head, Johnson & Johnson Government Affairs, North America

Long-standing commitment

Johnson & Johnson‘s long and proud history of supporting military service members dates back to the Spanish-American War in 1898, when the company held positions for employees and paid their salaries while they served.
Spanish American War
1898

Spanish-American War

During the war, Johnson & Johnson developed a groundbreaking dressings packet for the unique need of soldiers—outfitted with compact, waterproof casing that could fit in a uniform’s pocket. To meet the urgent need, Johnson & Johnson sent additional dressings to the military at no extra charge.
Laurel Club Members With Injured Vets
1916

World War I

During World War I, Johnson & Johnson ran round-the-clock shifts to produce sterile dressings, gauze and other medical products to supply the Allied forces, as well as hospitals in the U.S. and Europe.
General Robert Wood Johnson
1942

World War II: General Robert Wood Johnson

In 1942, during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed General Robert Wood Johnson as the head of the Smaller War Plants Corporation in Washington, D.C. In this role, Johnson managed the wartime contracts for all U.S. factories with fewer than 500 employees.
archival image showing WWII use of duct tape on tanks, planes and ammunition
1943

World War II: Duct Tape

In 1943, the U.S. Army turned to Johnson & Johnson to manufacture “duct tape,” a sturdy, cloth-based, waterproof tape. The idea of Vesta Stoudt, an ordnance plant worker with two sons in the Navy, duct tape was originally used in munitions packaging and then by soldiers to repair just about anything.
Lumite
1945

World War II: LUMITE®

In 1945, Johnson & Johnson pioneered LUMITE® plastic screen cloths, which reduced soldiers’ exposure to disease-carrying insects during World War II.
Nylon Dental Floss
1946

World War II: Nylon Dental Floss

During World War II, Johnson & Johnson introduced nylon dental floss. Previously, silk had been used to make floss; however, during the conflict, the material was largely allocated for parachute manufacturing.
Korean War
1951

Korean War

During the Korean War, Johnson & Johnson produced large quantities of surgical dressings, sponges, adhesive tape, splints and other medical supplies for the armed forces and for emergency civilian use, increasing manufacturing shifts to meet the demand.
helicopters in Vietnam
1967

Vietnam War: No. 1 supplier of medical supplies

In 1967, during the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army noted that Johnson & Johnson was the No. 1 supplier of medical supplies to the U.S. armed forces.
Partnering with the USO
1968

Vietnam War: United Service Organizations Partnership

In 1968, Johnson & Johnson partnered with the USO to provide care packages containing personal care products to soldiers serving in Vietnam. Today, Johnson & Johnson is the Official Healthcare Partner of the USO.
have you written a serviceman lately
1969

Vietnam War: Letters

Continuing a long-standing tradition during times of conflict, Johnson & Johnson employees wrote letters to those who served, providing a lifeline to home.
Veterans Leadership Council (VLC) logo on white background
2006

The Johnson & Johnson Veterans Leadership Council

Johnson & Johnson forms the VLC—the award-winning military-connected ERG to enable this community to connect, engage, develop and grow.
veteran-jobs-mission.jpg
2012

Veteran Jobs Mission

Johnson & Johnson joins the “100,000 Jobs Mission”—now called the Veteran Jobs Mission—a collaboration of companies committed to increase the hiring, retention and development of veterans in the private sector.
USO.png
2014

Official healthcare sponsor of the USO

Johnson & Johnson provides support and sponsorship of USO programs that offer direct aid, comfort and support to service members and military families.
esgr.jpg
2017

Awarded the Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve Freedom Award

Johnson & Johnson receives the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their outstanding support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.
Department of Defense Military Spouse Employment Partnership logo
2019

Supporting military spouses

Johnson & Johnson joins the Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Employment Partnership and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes “Hiring 100K Military Spouses” Campaign.

Awards & recognition

VETs Indexes 5 Star Employer 2023 award logo

J&J named a “Five-Star Employer” (2023)

Military Friendly Silver Employer 2023 award logo

Military Friendly® awarded J&J “Military Friendly® Silver Employer” (2023)

Military Times Best for Vets Employers 2022 award logo

Military Times awarded J&J “Best for Vets: Employers” (2022)

Chief Executive Patriots in Business Best Companies with Military and Veteran Initiatives 2022 award logo

J&J named a “Patriots in Business” (2022)

US Veterans Magazine Best of the Best 2022 Award logo

J&J named to the “Top Veteran-Friendly Companies” and “Top Supplier Diversity Programs” Lists (2022)

DiversityInc Top Companies for Veterans 2021 Award logo

J&J named to “Top Companies for Veterans” List (2021)

National Veteran Business Development Council logo

J&J named “Corporation of the Year” (2020)

AMSUS SM Tip of The Spear Award Recipient logo

J&J presented the “Tip of the Spear Industry Federal Leadership Award” (2020)

Best Corporations for Veteran's Business Enterprises award logo

Johnson & Johnson named a “Best Corporation for Veteran’s Business Enterprises” (2019)

Above and Beyond Diversity Best Practices award logo

J&J’s Veterans Leadership Council ERG awarded the “Best-in-Class” Above & Beyond Award (2018)

The Secretary of Defense Freedom Award 2017 Recipient logo

Johnson & Johnson awarded the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award (2017)

Community partners

USO.png
Travis Manion Foundation
ACP.png
Wounded Warrior Project logo

Supporting military-connected business owners

At Johnson & Johnson we recognize the importance of having a diverse supplier base that reflects our patients and customers. By working with military-connected suppliers, we tap into new ideas that add value and provide innovative solutions to our businesses. Through the efforts of our Supplier Diversity Program we proudly partner with leading national and regional military-connected business support organizations and hundreds of Veteran-Owned Businesses.
CVOB.png
nvbdc-copy.jpg
NaVOBA.png

Careers with Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson values the unique skills, competencies and experiences the military-connected community brings to the workplace and partners with leading organizations to enable this community to join us.

Military experience translates to success at Johnson & Johnson

We value the meaningful contributions the military-connected community makes every day, for our teams, our customers and our businesses.

Our commitments

Johnson & Johnson is proud to be a signatory to the United States Department of Defense initiatives for Guard & Reserve military members and military spouses.

More from Johnson & Johnson

What’s the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?

Both are life-threatening heart-health emergencies, but they are two distinct conditions with different causes and treatment. Here’s what a cardiologist wants you to know.

What you need to know about Johnson & Johnson’s 2023 transparency report

The annual report has just been released—here are key takeaways that showcase the company’s commitment to creating a more sustainable, equitable and innovative healthcare system.

Diversity in the OR: 3 barrier-breaking female surgeons share their stories

Only one in 10 orthopedic surgeons in the U.S. are women. Learn how Johnson & Johnson is working to change that stat.