story and photos by Kim Souza
ksouza@thecitywire.com
U.S. Secretary for Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki made a quick stop in Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday (Aug. 6) to talk jobs with Wal-Mart’s Bill Simon, perhaps one of the nation’s biggest cheerleaders for hiring veterans.
Simon, president of Walmart U.S. and a veteran, first announced the company’s commitment to hire up to 100,000 military veterans returning from war over the next five years. It’s been 60 days since Wal-Mart kicked off its “Welcome Home” commitment to the nation’s veterans. During that time the retailer has processed 30,000 applications and offered jobs to 3,100.
“This is a five-year commitment and just one of several programs we have in place to support veterans. Wal-Mart already employs 100,000 veterans,” said retired Brigadier General Gary Profit, who heads up the company’s military programs.
He said the company is pleased with the 60-day progress report but told the group there is still plenty of work to do.
Shinseki thanked Wal-Mart for their effort to provide job opportunities to any veteran within 12 months of an honorable release, calling it a “tremendous initiative” as he addressed a small group of media at the retailer’s home office in Bentonville. Shinseki said other companies are also actively pursuing veterans as they return from active duty, with about 290,000 veterans and their spouses hired by numerous companies since April. He said they have pledged to hire another 435,000 veterans and spouses by 2018. The Department of Veterans Affairs employs 100,000 veterans, roughly 32% of its workforce.
He said in July the unemployment rate among veterans was 6.4%, well below the national rate of 7.4%. For post 9-11 veterans, Shinseki said the unemployment rate is 7.7%, shrinking from 12.1% in 2011.
Shinseki said the Post 911 GI Bill and the IRS tax credit for businesses hiring veterans have helped bring the unemployment rate down among this military demographic. He also credits Wal-Mart and others who are extending a hand and opportunity for employment saying they recognize the character, discipline and sense of purpose that military veterans possess.
Shinseki said the discussions he has had with Wal-Mart and others are a meaningful start in reaching out to an important demographic that can put their talents to work in the private and public sectors as they are reintroduced into the civilian workforce.
Simon has said veterans who return home after fighting for their country should not have to fight for a job as well.
Profit said Wal-Mart does a good job assimilating its new veteran hires into the fold. One military tradition Wal-Mart has adopted for it new veteran hires is the challenge coin. Traditionally, challenge coins that bear military insignia are given to prove membership when challenged and to enhance morale. Challenge coins date back to World War I and provided soldiers with a way to identify themselves as part of a squadron or military branch, when they had been stripped from the uniforms.
Profit said the Wal-Mart challenge coin is given to new veteran hires and by tradition signifies their belonging to the Wal-Mart family.
Earlier in the day Shinseki said he toured the VA in Fayetteville and met with a few Arkansas legislators. These meetings were closed to the media.