Wal-Mart pushes service support on Veterans Day

Megan Anthony is an example, according to Wal-Mart Stores Inc., of the retailer’s pledge to hire and support military veterans. Wal-Mart is the nation’s largest private employers of service men and women, numbering more than 100,000.

The retail giant held a Veteran’s Day celebration at its home office in Bentonvile on Monday (Nov. 11) with a special visit from actor and veteran advocate, Gary Sinise. Wal-Mart also announced $2 million in contributions to nonprofits catering to veterans and military families and provided an update of it’s own efforts to recruit veterans to its workforce.

Bill Simon, CEO of Walmart U.S. and a military veteran, made a commitment on Memorial Day to hire 100,000 veterans over the next five years. Simon pledged to offer a job to any honorably discharged veteran within his or her first 12 months off active duty. Since Simon announced the “Welcome Home Commitment” the retailer has hired more than 20,000 veterans.

“We are proud of the progress that has been made to this point, and we applaud other companies that have made their own hiring pledges, including most recently Starbucks, in what truly should be a national effort,” said Simon.

Wal-Mart said it recruits veterans into positions that best match their skills and professional goals, from immediate jobs in stores and clubs to long-term careers.

NEW RECRUITS
Anthony, a 2012 graduate from the University of Arkansas, recently secured a job as a manager at the jewelry distribution center in Bentonville, while she was in rehab therapy for a knee injury at Fort Sill, Okla.

Anthony briefly worked as event planner in Fayetteville after college, but as an ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) cadet all four years at the UA, she joined the National Guard as her chosen area for active service and was injured near the end of her basic training.

“I had always heard Wal-Mart was a very military-friendly corporation, but I never really saw myself working in retail,” Anthony said. “During my knee rehab at Fort Sill, it was mandatory that I attend a job fair because most of the people in that unit were actively working toward transitioning into civilian life.”

Anthony met a recruiter from Walmart Logistics at the Fort Sill job fair and said she received a call from Bentonville the next week to interview for the position. Her first day of employment was Oct. 21.

“It was so refreshing to meet with a recruiter who understood how my military training was applicable in the corporate world of logistics. That’s not always the case. Military recruits get an amazing amount of specialized training, but many times most of that is applicable in other careers. My position in the guard is a logistics officer where I lead 30 soldiers in my platoon,” she said.

Anthony also will remain active in her guard assignments, training one weekend a month and two weeks each summer.

“It is important for me to work for a company that understands I have a dual career, and in the short time I have been here I can say they really are veteran friendly,” Anthony added.

U.S. Army Capt. Mike Bolton also is one of the veterans hired by Wal-Mart this year. He is a logistics load manager at one of the company’s regional operations centers.

“I wanted to be part of a company where I can go as far as my talent and hard work can take me,” said Bolton. “When I went to a local recruiting fair, I was excited to see Wal-Mart reaching out to veterans. The skills I learned in the military translate well into my new job and I can see myself growing with the company.”

GARY SINISE
Lt. Dan, aka Gary Sinise, is a natural fit to be part of the Wal-Mart annual Veteran’s Day celebration.

The Gary Sinise Foundation is more than two years old and has raised tremendous awareness and continues to provide service to injured veterans and the families of fallen heroes. The nonprofit’s mission states: “We serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. We do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.”

One of the programs Sinise’s foundation has co-sponsored is the “Get Skills to Work,” an initiative led by General Electric to help match qualified veterans to careers in advanced manufacturing. This program cross-trains veterans to fill jobs in the manufacturing sector. The program hopes to place 100,000 veterans in high skill manufacturing jobs by 2018.

$2 MILLION IN GIFTS
Wal-Mart also announced a gift of $1.5 million for Operation Homefront that will provide 25,000 toys and more than 17,000 meals to military families across the nation. The gift also will bring home 500 active duty military to spend the holidays with their families in the nonprofit’s “Home for Holidays” program.

“It is because of partners like Wal-Mart that we are able to honor our commitment to provide year-round emergency financial assistance to the families of our military members and wounded warriors,” Jim Knotts, Operation Homefront president and CEO, said in a statement.

“Not only are our military families dealing with the challenge of deployment and separation from loved ones, but they’re also confronted by difficult economic situations like many Americans. This year alone, we’ve seen requests for emergency financial assistance triple over historical levels. We are proud of our partnership with Wal-Mart, and through our combined efforts we can make this time of year much more meaningful for thousands of military families,” Knotts added.

The Fisher House, based in Maryland also received a $500,000 gift from Wal-Mart on Monday for the “Sponsor a Family” program, which provides a home away from home for families with a service member in the hospital for an illness, disease or injury. The funding will provide 50,000 nights of free lodging for families so they can be close to loved ones.
 
“As an organization, we work very hard to fill the gaps and help our military during very difficult times, usually when a loved one is sick, or recovering from an injury. Our ability to make an impact is amplified through the support of partners, like Wal-Mart, going above and beyond the call of duty,” said Ken Fisher, chairman and CEO.