Walmart has a rich history of supporting veterans over the years, starting with their first veteran, founder Sam Walton. In the summer of 2020, the company announced it had achieved its “Veteran’s Welcome Home Commitment” — hiring 250,000 Veterans since 2013. To date, Walmart has hired more than 320,000 veterans and military spouses since the beginning of that commitment, including 9,709 in Pennsylvania. Additionally, more than 1,488 of those associates have been promoted to roles with higher pay and greater responsibility at Walmarts and Sam’s Clubs in Pennsylvania alone. According to the company, the focus on supporting and hiring Veterans will only continue.
Walmart’s Senior Director of Military Programs Brynt Parmeter recently shared, “As a veteran myself, I feel a sense of excitement for what is coming in 2021 and beyond. Our company has had to adapt and evolve very rapidly during the pandemic, and our veterans and military spouses have been instrumental in helping to meet these requirements and continue to support our customers. There aren’t many populations or demographics as used to change and ambiguity, and these traits are very important as we work our way through the challenges of our time.” According to Parameter, Walmart has doubled down on plans to advance veteran and military spouse economic opportunity and well-being through initiatives spanning across four focus areas including employment, learning, entrepreneurship and health & wellness. Some areas of focus in 2021 include:
- Launching the Find-a-Future Platform: Launching in 2021, this new platform will guide military-related prospects through an audit of their current skills, experience and education. It will foster conversations about a wide range of future possibilities and aspirations and then help teach them how to build a road map and the connections to achieve their goals.
- Entrepreneurship: Veteran-owned businesses offer a tremendous opportunity to empower veterans and fuel economic growth. By connecting veteran and military spouse-owned businesses with organizations, resources and information, Walmart is helping empower them to launch their products and bring their ideas to life.
- Increasing Access to Health Care: Walmart Health is increasing access to health care for veterans through both telehealth and in-person visits when a VA facility is not easily accessible. In addition to great health care, they are also focused on providing job opportunities for individuals who are well-suited for placement in the health care industry.
- Support from other veteran associates: At Walmart, there are several Associates Resource Groups focused on creating communities of support. The SERVES ARG for veterans, military families and allies is the first of Walmart’s ARGs that has expanded to include our veteran associates working in stores, clubs, distribution centers and corporate offices. The SERVES leadership teams at the Home Office, Walmart U.S., Sam’s Club, and the Supply Chain are organizing and preparing for a variety of initiatives related to recruiting, onboarding, learning, leader development, and supporting each other and their communities.
Walmart has been a proud supporter of veterans and military spouses for generations, and will continue its efforts in many ways. Parmeter believes these will drive Walmart’s programmatic work in line with business needs across the enterprise. “In line with our broader business and people strategies, we will pivot from a primarily quantitative approach to a broader qualitative one that enables people to optimize economic opportunity and improve overall well-being,” he shares. “This approach will help grow and attract talent for the future and move the dial on diversity.”
At Walmart, the future for veterans, military spouses, and their communities is bright. For more information visit the Careers with a Mission site.