Oceanside CA— Walmart today announced it has hired 2,800 veterans for job opportunities across California in the first 18 months of the retailer’s Veterans Welcome Home Commitment.
Part of the company’s long, storied commitment to supporting our nation’s military and military families, Walmart’s hiring effort has connected more than 67,000 veterans with employment opportunities across the country to date. The initiative guarantees a job offer to any honorably discharged veteran within the first 12 months of separation from service.
“Walmart has benefited greatly from the expertise and dedication of the thousands of veterans we’ve welcomed into our ranks this year,” said retired Brigadier General Gary Profit, Walmart’s senior director of military programs. “No veteran should have to fight for a job when they return home. We are proud to be a part of their story as they transition to the next chapter of their lives.”
Charged with driving programs that support veterans, a large focus for Profit in the last year has been building a community within Walmart for its military hires. Profit is proud of how the hiring effort is contributing to the fabric of the retail giant.
“Veterans thrive in our structure, and we have promoted thousands of our Welcome Home Hires within the last year,” said Profit. “The flexibility we offer allows some to pursue educational goals, while others are finding a meaningful new career path.”
Walmart has welcomed veterans into every aspect of operations from logistics to management to sales at its more than 290 facilities in California. U.S. Marines veteran Erik Bellitire works with Walmart as Assistant Manager at a Walmart Supercenter in Oceanside off of College Boulevard.
“I think Walmart is a great place for veterans to work,” said Bellitire, “Moving up the chain of command is very similar to the military. As long as you are motivated and willing to learn, you can really do anything.”
Founded by Army veteran Sam Walton, serving the military and military families is part of the global retailer’s DNA. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have worked with many organizations supporting veterans such as Goodwill and Fisher House for many years.
Supporting the Military Community
In 2014, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation doubled down on its commitment to veterans by pledging an additional $20 million through 2019 to support veteran employment and transition programs. In 2011, the Walmart Foundation pledged $20 million through 2015 to help veterans and their families get through those challenges with assistance from programs that provide job training, transition support and education. It met that goal one year early.
For more information about Walmart’s Veterans Welcome Home Commitment please visit: www.walmartcareerswithamission.com and follow on Twitter @WalmartVeterans.