Bentonville, Ark., Feb. 15, 2018 – Walmart announced today it has hired more than 194,000 veterans and promoted more than 28,000 to roles of greater responsibility since launching its Veterans Welcome Home Commitment in May 2013. The commitment guarantees a job offer to any eligible, honorably discharged U.S. veteran who has separated from active duty since Memorial Day 2013. Walmart is now more than three-quarters of the way to reaching its goal to hire 250,000 veterans by 2020.*
Approximately 1,300 new veterans and their families return to civilian life every day, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. Veterans possess important skills and leadership abilities that make them highly sought after job candidates. The Veterans Welcome Home Commitment helps veterans find career opportunities at Walmart and aims to ease the sometimes difficult transition from active duty to civilian life.
At Walmart, we see the dedication and value veterans bring to the workforce every day, and we’re committed to providing service men and women open paths to success. We are proud to use our strengths to support veterans and their families, not only as they reintegrate into the civilian workforce, but throughout their entire career.
In addition to hiring veterans, Walmart is reinforcing its support to veteran business owners or those who are considering an entrepreneurial endeavor. The company is co-sponsoring Veteran EDGE, a first-of-its-kind conference and training event dedicated to veteran-owned businesses and the network that supports them. Powered by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University, the event, held Feb. 16-18 in Austin, TX, will gather veteran and military spouse small business owners from around the country alongside IVMF program graduates to network and share the latest opportunities, best practices and available resources for their growing companies.
"Veteran owned businesses play an integral role in our nation’s economy. There are more than 2.5 million veteran owned businesses in the U.S. and they employ more than 5 million Americans, generating more than $1.1 trillion in sales annually," said Mike Haynie, founder and executive director of the IVMF and vice chancellor of Syracuse University. "Walmart leads the way in the private sector with regard to their commitments to the veteran community. Their employment initiatives as well as their focus on doing business with veteran entrepreneurs are exemplary. Our longstanding partnership is a key contributor to the ability of the IVMF to serve transitioning service members, veterans and their families in communities across America."
For more information about Walmart’s Veterans Welcome Home Commitment and overall support to veterans, service members and military families, please visit www.walmartcareerswithamission.com.
Editor’s Note
*These projections and reported hires/promotions include veterans hired under our original and expanded Veterans Welcome Home Commitment, as well as other veterans hired by Walmart in this time frame. While we think it is particularly important to support military members as they make the transition to civilian life, Walmart believes all veterans deserve our respect and support, no matter when they leave active duty.
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, over 260 million customers and members visit our more than 11,600 stores under nearly 60 banners in 28 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2017 revenue of $485.9 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.3 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart.
About the Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University
The Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) is the first interdisciplinary national institute in higher education focused on the social, economic, education, and policy issues impacting veterans and their families. We deliver leading programs throughout the US and the world, as well as online in career, vocational, and entrepreneurship education and training -- at no cost to participants -- while also conducting actionable research, policy analysis, and program evaluations. The IVMF also supports communities through collaborative efforts that make delivery and access to services and care easier, faster and more efficient for those whom we serve. The Institute, supported by a distinguished advisory board, along with public and private partners, is committed to advancing the lives of those who have served in America’s armed forces and their families. For more information, visit ivmf.syracuse.edu and follow the IVMF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
