*SPONSORED
Many private companies have released statements over the years vowing to hire more veterans.
While this may seem to be a simple marketing scheme – a statement-release full of “fluff words” to drive business up – in fact many companies have installed programs designed specifically for the integration of veterans into their companies.
In May 2014 it was reported that the post-9/11 veterans’ unemployment rate had declined to 6.8 percent – down from 14.3 percent in 2010 but still hovering about 1.1 percent higher than the national average. Companies have recognized the talent, abilities and work ethic they can tap into by making hiring veterans a priority.
“I think there is a mutual benefit in capturing the military leadership and management experience of JMOs who have the time and experience in the saddle, but out of the corporate arena,” says Michael Johns, a former Navy officer and current Veterans Services Officer for the town of Foxboro, Mass. “Companies have realized that it is more efficient to acquire candidates with a proven record of success in leadership and teach the candidates business.”
Here are five companies with JMO programs.
1. Walmart
Walmart remains a super-giant retailer in the U.S. and abroad. The company has taken hiring veterans to a new level by utilizing an entire website just for veteran applicants, including JMOs. Walmart’s JMO program is approximately 90 days long and yields a position in store management.
Even if you’re not an officer, Walmart is recruiting. Whether you are a student veteran, a newly discharged vet, a military spouse, or simply a veteran, this website has a place for you.
The Veterans Welcome Home Commitment is a program that gives priority to the hiring of veterans discharged within the last 12 months. Walmart’s Veterans Champion Program is described by the company as “a formal, institutionalized onboarding process that positions new veteran associates for success and makes them confident in us and in their ability to succeed in the work environment.”
2. General Electric
GE is a premier energy and engineering company. It was one of the first companies to launch a JMO program, called the Junior Officer Leadership Program (JOLP), which you can access here. The guidelines are a bit restrictive, requiring a bachelor’s degree, a good military record and military discharge not more than two years prior to application (exceptions are granted if military separation was in order to pursue further education).
3. USAA
USAA is a financial services company that serves military personnel, veterans and their families with expertise in general banking, insurance, and loans. The company runs a program called the Junior Military Officer Training Program, which you can access here. The training consists of a 90-day orientation, followed by on-the-job training and necessary certification.
4. PepsiCo
PepsiCo is the largest food and beverage distributor in North America. The company uses a JMO program with guidelines similar to that of GE. Once candidates are selected, they are matched with a mentor and are given an on-board plan to determine the goals of the individual within the organization. After appointment within the organization, veterans are encouraged to join the Valor community, a sub-organization within the company consisting of veterans and fellow employees who strongly support veterans. You can access the PepsiCo JMO program here.
5. Shell
Shell is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies. It actively recruits NCOs, JMOs and student veterans. You can access the website here. You can search for jobs or register your resume with their Shell talent community, located on the right side of the webpage.
Many civilian companies offer programs for transitioning service members. These are just five of those companies that offer specific programs for JMO’s. These organizations understand the important qualities that former officers of the U.S. military have, and offer training programs to teach the necessary industry requirements for employment.
Companies listed in the above section are paid advertisers that are recruiting for these positions.
