OREANDA-NEWS. Walmart announced today that it has hired more than 4,500 veterans across California since the launch of its Veterans Welcome Home Commitment in May of 2013, which guarantees a job offer to any eligible U.S. veteran honorably discharged from active duty since that time.

Walmart has hired veterans into every aspect of its 302 facilities in California, from Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets to distribution centers and Sam’s Club locations. The flexibility and scheduling opportunities the retailer offers makes it possible for transitioning service members to make their own path, whether that is pursuing educational goals, finding a meaningful new career path or finding a place to land after leaving the armed service, while deciding what’s next.

“We’ve experienced a tremendous response in California to Walmart’s support of veterans.” said retired Brigadier General Gary Profit, Walmart’s senior director of military programs. “We believe veterans represent the largest, diverse, talent-rich pool in the world and are an essential segment of the next generation at Walmart.”

John Sanborn, who is responsible for implementing multiple training techniques for Walmart Associates in California, said the possibilities Walmart provides veterans are practically endless.

“After growing up in a military family and spending nearly seven years in the U.S. Navy myself, I learned early on what it took to be successful,” said Sanborn. “I got my start with Walmart five years ago and am happy to see that investment really pay off. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life and I’m so thankful to Walmart for giving me—and other veterans—lots of great opportunities to pursue.”

Walmart expanded its 2013 projection of hiring 100,000 veterans nationwide by 2018, increasing the projection to 250,000 veterans by the end of 2020. Walmart has hired more than 107,000 veterans since May of 2013.

New this year, Walmart is teaming up with military service organizations including the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Team RWD, Hire Heroes, Team Rubicon and Blue Star Families to launch Greenlight A Vet, a campaign to help create visible and actionable national recognition for American Veterans. To learn more, visit greenlightavet.com. 

In 2011, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation committed $20 million by 2015 to support veterans and their families with assistance from programs that provide job training, transition help and education. After delivering on this commitment in 2014 (one year ahead of schedule), Walmart and the Walmart Foundation renewed their commitment, announcing an additional $20 million through 2019 to support veteran job training, education and innovative public/private community-based initiatives that address the challenges many of our veterans face when returning to the civilian workforce and their communities.

“Today's generation of veterans often need support in order to successfully transition the valuable skills they developed while serving our country to the civilian workforce," said Michael Blecker, U.S. Army veteran and Executive Director of Swords to Plowshares. "Walmart understands this and continually demonstrates their commitment to veterans and their families by welcoming them to their own workplace and making significant investments in veteran-serving nonprofits like Swords to Plowshares."