Walmart’s Job Pledge to Veterans Honorably Discharged in the Last Year

As Michelle Obama announced new hiring commitments for veterans and military spouses at the White House on Tuesday, Walmart swung in with an attention-grabbing offer.

The retail giant unveiled a new program that pledges to hire any honorably discharged veteran within one year of their date of leaving the service.

Walmart U.S. CEO Bill Simon said the average hiring process should take 30 days but there was no mention as yet on how long the program will last.

Mr. Simon issued a statement, saying: "The private sector is stepping up for our heroes, just as they have stood for us. Every company in America has benefited from the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.

"Sadly, too many of those who fought for us abroad now find themselves fighting for jobs at home.

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"It’s up to us to right this – and to put our veterans back to work. And let’s be clear: hiring a veteran can be one of the best decisions any of us can make. Veterans bring to the private sector that seriousness and sense of purpose that the military instills. These are leaders with discipline, training, and a passion for service. Our nation has invested in their skills and it shows."

He added that the program will start on Memorial Day and estimated that Walmart will hire and train more than 100,000 veterans over the next five years.

"We’ve also been reaching out to other companies. When we announced our commitment, the First Lady’s team immediately expressed an interest in working with us and the entire business community to build on our pledge through the Joining Forces Initiative.

"To move this effort forward, I wrote to 50 CEOs in the U.S. to urge them to make hiring commitments of their own. And I’m proud that 43 of those companies joined us in March for a working meeting at the White House. I’d like to thank the Joining Forces Initiative, which has been a great partner in creating awareness and building momentum."

The First Lady was joined by President Obama, Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden at the Joining Forces Employment event.

Mrs. Obama announced the following initiatives:

• BNSF Railroad have committed to hiring 5,000 veterans and military spouses in the next five years.
• UPS have committed to hiring 25,000 in the next five years.
• Home Depot have committed to hiring 55,000 in the next five years.
• McDonald’s have committed to hiring 100,000 in the next three years.
• Deloitte will double its veteran hiring over the next three years.
• USAA pledged that 30% of its new hires will be a veteran or military spouse.
• The Blackstone Group challenged each of the 50,000 managers at its affiliated businesses to hire at least one veteran.
• AT&T committed to creating an online military talent exchange.
• The International Franchising Association has helped more than 4,300 veterans own their own business since 2011.
• The U.S Chamber of Commerce just held its 400th hiring fair since last March for veterans.

For more details about Walmart’s Veterans Welcome Home Commitment please visit: www.walmartcareerswithamission.com/