Wounded Warrior Project Partners Embrace the Value of Veteran Employees
Established in 2017 by Hire Our Heroes, National Hire a Veteran Day on July 25 encourages companies to consider veterans for their open positions.
In honor of the observance, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) is highlighting four of its partners that have been doing just that and more: Verizon, USAA, CSX®, and Johnson & Johnson.
“We thank the special people at these companies for their commitment to helping veterans and their families find their next missions in life,” said WWP Chief Development Officer Gary Corless. “Dedication to helping our nation’s heroes with their transitions to the civilian workforce is engrained within these companies’ cultures, and it is a model for other organizations to follow.”
Verizon
Verizon has been ranked the No. 1 Military Friendly® Company for the last three consecutive years. Here are a few reasons why:
- Employs more than 10,000 veterans.
- A dedicated military recruitment team ensures Verizon considers veterans and their family members for open positions.
- The company’s employee resource group, VALOR (Veterans & Advocates Leading Verizon Media Responsibly), supports veterans, their families, and military communities around the globe and assists veterans transitioning to the civilian workforce.
USAA
Since its inception, USAA has been a household name in the military community because of:
- Its history. USAA was founded in 1922 by 25 Army officers who struggled to secure car insurance from other companies due to the transient and unique nature of their service. Nearly 100 years later, the organization continues to strive and succeed in serving primarily the military community and meeting their insurance needs.
- Its employees. USAA has 35,000 employees, and approximately 22% are veterans or military spouses. Veterans represent two-thirds of the 22%.
- Its employee resource group, VETNET. This group leverages the military and USAA experience of the company’s veteran and military spouse employees to help create enterprise-wide awareness, appreciation, understanding, respect, and advocacy of the military culture.
CSX
CSX may best be known as a leading supplier of rail-based freight transportation. But the company is also a leading supporter of the veteran community. That’s evident in:
- The CSX Pride in ServiceTM program. This is the company’s commitment to honor and serve those who serve the country, including veterans, active-duty military, and first responders. The program is built upon partnerships with five organizations, including WWP, to connect first responders, service members, and their families with the support they need.
- The company’s workforce. One in five of its 19,000 employees is currently active-duty military or a veteran.
- Their onboarding programs. When active-duty military or veterans gain employment with CSX, they receive one-on-one peer coaching and career mentoring to supplement their experiences and capabilities obtained in the military and equip them with skillsets that are transferable to the corporate environment. They also participate in learning programs that are tailored to their military backgrounds.
Johnson & Johnson
Known for its prowess in the health care industry, Johnson & Johnson is also well-respected for its efforts with veterans. Here are a few reasons why:
- Johnson & Johnson partners with the Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program. This 12-week program provides transitioning service members with professional training and hands-on experience in the civilian workforce.
- The company has a veteran employee resource group with 30 chapters and over 1,500 people. As part of the group, Johnson & Johnson employees are engaged through volunteer opportunities with organizations like WWP.
- Johnson & Johnson’s legacy of helping military personnel dates to the Spanish-American War in 1898, when the company held positions for employees and paid their salaries while they served.
WWP is committed to empowering warriors to be successful in the civilian workforce. Simultaneously, the nonprofit is committed to connecting employers to qualified candidates, facilitating a productive onboarding process, and developing a long-lasting relationship through the life cycle of employment. Learn more about how your company can help wounded warriors find their next missions in life.
Contact: Jon Blauvelt — Public Relations, jblauvelt@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.426.9756
About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more.