Walmart Hires More Than 4,000 U.S. Veterans Regionally

Walmart Hires More Than 4,000 U.S. Veterans in

Washington, DC, Maryland, & Virginia Since Memorial Day 2013

Walmart Expands Veterans Commitment to include a Guaranteed Job Offer to any eligible

Veteran Honorably Discharged Since Memorial Day 2013

BALTIMORE – Walmart announced today that it is creating even more job opportunities for transitioning U.S. veterans in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia by guaranteeing a job offer to any eligible U.S. veteran honorably discharged from active duty since the original launch of the Veterans Welcome Home Commitment on Memorial Day 2013. The previous commitment was for veterans within 12 months off active duty.

Since Memorial Day 2013, Walmart has hired more than 4,000 veterans across Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia.* In addition to the Veterans Welcome Home Commitment, Walmart is expanding its 2013 projection of hiring 100,000 veterans nationwide by 2018, increasing the projection to 250,000 veterans by the end of 2020.* 

“I can sum up in three words what Walmart’s veterans hiring initiative means to me – opportunity to succeed. Walmart provides veterans with the opportunity to grow our own careers, as well as the careers of others,” said Calvin Summers, Assistant Store Manager at the Georgia Avenue Supercenter in Washington, DC. “My favorite part about my job is being able to bring a unique skill set to the table and help others progress in their professional development. I make it a priority to help our associates mature and meet the workload and their potential, many don’t realize they have the potential to grow until they have someone to mentor them and push them to that next level.”

Walmart has welcomed veterans into every aspect of its facilities in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia, 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 or finding a meaningful new career path.

“We’ve experienced a tremendous response in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia to the Veterans Welcome Home Commitment, and as more service members transition out of active duty, we know we can do more.” 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.”

Walmart’s support for transitioning military veterans and their families extends into programs that provide training, education and economic opportunity.

•           Coalition for Veteran Owned Business: On May 5th, Walmart participated in the launch of the Coalition for Veteran Owned Business, which will work to create opportunities for veteran and military-family owned businesses with American businesses and supply chains.

•           Walmart’s U.S. Manufacturing Summit and Open Call: Walmart is also specifically encouraging military and veteran-owned businesses to apply for its annual U.S. Manufacturing Summit and Open Call to be held July 7-8, 2015 in Bentonville, AR. The summit and open call will provide an opportunity to meet with Walmart’s buyers and facilitate meetings for current and potential suppliers with key state economic development officials.

In 2014, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation committed to veterans by pledging $20 million through 2019 to support veteran employment and transition programs. This pledge was made after Walmart and the Walmart Foundation successfully reached a 2011 commitment of $20 million by 2015 to help veterans and their families get through those challenges with assistance from programs that provide job training, transition support and education.