Walmart announced last week it has hired 130,828 veterans since it launched its Veterans Welcome Home Commitment in May 2013, according to a news release. This number includes more than 3,900 veterans in Missouri, which represents a nearly 50 percent increase in veteran hires in the state during the last year alone. Of the 130,828 veterans hired nationwide, 15,176 have been promoted to jobs with higher pay and greater responsibility.
"As a World War II veteran and prisoner of war that worked in intelligence and reconnaissance under General George S. Patton, I can testify that veterans have a great work ethic, and Walmart recognizes this," said 90-year-old Keith Fiscus, a Walmart people greeter in Joplin, in the news release. "Walmart is very supportive of veterans, giving them jobs whenever they are available. I have been with this store since 1992, when I stopped teaching university horticulture. This is a great place to work, and I plan on staying here as long as I can."
On Memorial Day 2013, Walmart introduced the Veterans Welcome Home Commitment, which guaranteed a job offer to any eligible, honorably discharged U.S. veteran who was within 12 months of active duty. The initial goal was to hire 100,000 veterans by the end of 2018. In May 2015, Walmart announced the expansion of that original projection, with the goal of hiring 250,000 veterans by the end of 2020. Walmart has also changed the eligibility from within 12 months of active duty, to any veteran who has been honorably discharged since the announcement of the commitment in May 2013.
Despite unemployment among veterans being at its lowest in eight years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterans from the Gulf War era continue to be under-employed or unemployed.
"As a veteran, I know how critical it is for our men and women in uniform to have a strong support structure when transitioning back to civilian life," said Brig. Gen. Gary Profit (ret.), senior director of military programs for Walmart.
"A job is an important part of that transition, and at Walmart, we're proud to use our strengths as one of the nation's largest employers to be a part of that bridge back home by providing meaningful opportunities to over 3,900 veterans, and counting, in Missouri to use their unique talent and skills. Veterans are among some of our strongest associates, and we are pleased to see the growth and success they have achieved at Walmart."