Chevrolet’s Historic Dedication To Those Who Serve
In May our nation honors military service members serving today, as well as those who have served in the past, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. General Motors (GM) and Chevrolet designate May our Military Appreciation Month, and participating dealerships have special offers for military personnel that can be applied to the purchase or lease of new Chevrolet or GM vehicles.
However, our connection to the United States Armed Forces goes far beyond offering discounts. Chevrolet and General Motors have been staunch supporters of the military for over 100 years, supporting our Armed Forces in every major military conflict, and continuing to support numerous veteran causes today.
Today, General Motors is a leading corporate partner of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes Program, which has helped find jobs for more than 500,000 veterans since its inception in 2012. As a member of the Hiring Our Heroes Veteran Employment Advisory Council, GM has joined other leading companies to organize hundreds of job fairs across the country, as well as on U.S. bases in Germany, Italy and Japan. In addition, GM started the Shifting Gears Automotive Technician Program, which offers automotive technician training to soldiers who are transitioning from service to civilian life. To date, over 700 veterans – from all branches of the military – have graduated to become GM trained automotive technicians!
Chevrolet has been supporting Operation Homefront since 2011. Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit whose mission is to build strong, stable military families so they can thrive in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. The organization has fulfilled nearly 42,000 requests from military families, providing over $26 million in financial assistance.
Chevrolet is also proud to partner with Wreaths Across America, an organization that’s dedicated to remembering our fallen heroes and honoring those who serve. Each year, Chevrolet donates 4,000 wreaths and provides 12 vehicles to support a weeklong veterans parade from Maine to Arlington, Virginia.
The Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans
The Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans is comprised of athletes who have overcome life-changing injuries to compete in various marathons across the country. Our Chevy engineers partnered with students from Michigan Technological University to develop a more efficient handcycle for the Achilles Freedom Team.
While Chevrolet and General Motors’ current support is extensive and unwavering, their dedication to supporting our Armed Forces and its members has existed since 1914 and the First World War (WWI). During WWI, 90% of GM’s truck production was redirected to war manufacturing supplying over 15,000 vehicles, engines, aircraft and ammunition. Cadillac delivered America’s first armored car, and GMC’s Model 16 was chosen as the standard ¾-ton truck by the U.S. Army.
During World War II (WWII), Chevrolet built 1,326 Suburbans from 1941 to 1942 for the U.S. Army. Combined, GMC and Chevrolet built more than 850,000 trucks for military use including Chevrolet 4×4 trucks, officer cars, and Suburbans from 1938-1945. In addition to vehicles, Chevrolet alongside other GM divisions, built 15 different types of anti-aircraft guns, cannons and carbines, as well as over 120 million artillery shells.
M1301 ISV
Today, GM Defense continues to develop vehicles for the U.S. Army. In 2024, the U.S. Army adopted the M1301 Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) which is based on the Chevy Colorado ZR2 platform. While the vehicle is made for combat use, it is 90% built with commercial off-the-shelf components! It is a new lightweight, all terrain carrier with advanced suspension and off-road capabilities, making it perfect for quick deployments in rugged environments. It is light enough to be transported by helicopters like the UH-60 Black Hawk or CH-47 Chinook, and even airdropped from a C-130 Hercules, making it a game-changer for modern warfare. The Army has ordered 1,070 of these vehicles thus far, and plans to eventually acquire a total of 2,065 of them. All of the M1301 ISVs are being produced here in the United States in Michigan and North Carolina.
Chevrolet has long had the tagline, “The Heartbeat of America”, and it is with good reason. Throughout the trials and tribulations of our country’s history, Chevrolet and General Motors have been there to answer the call and provide support to protect the welfare of our nation. And after all is said and done, we remain in place to continue to support those who get the job done. This month, and every month, we honor those who serve, and we thank all of you for your support of our company, our brand, our products, and what we stand for.
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