100,000 Jobs Mission – Accomplished

By Debbie Gregory.

Next Mission: 200,000

America has had trouble finding jobs for Veterans. This is especially true for the Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, whose unemployment rates have been between two and five percent greater than the national average over the last several years. There are claims and some speculation as to why the employment for these Veterans is greater than average Veteran unemployment. But the most direct reason seems to be that employers are just not hiring these Veterans.

In 2011, eleven companies banded together and vowed to hire 100,000 Veterans within ten years. That coalition of companies came to be known as the 100,000 Jobs Mission.

The eleven companies that formed the 100,000 Jobs Mission were: AT&T, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Cushman & Wakefield Inc., EMC Corporation, Iron Mountain Incorporated, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Modis, NCR Corporation, Universal Health Services, Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc.

Within a short period of time, the 100,000 Jobs Mission rapidly expanded to include more than 130 companies. This alliance of corporations has been making a difference in the fight to find jobs for Veterans. Recently, the unemployment rate for Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan dropped to 7.3%. That is the lowest percentage for this group in five years. With a concerted effort such as this, unemployment could cease to be a problem in our nation. The group’s success is apparent when you look at the numbers.

The 100,000 Jobs Mission promised to find 100,000 Veterans jobs within ten years. But as of December 31, 2013, just three years in, the group found employment for 117,439 Veterans,. The 100,000 Jobs Mission has extended its campaign by vowing to provide a total of 200,000 jobs for Veterans by 2020.

Over the last 5 years, MilitaryConnection.com has consistently been listed among the Top 100 Employment Websites by the International Association of Employment Web Sites. We take great pride in utilizing our broad range of influence to connect members of the military community to resources and contacts that can truly benefit their lives. Active duty Military, Reservists, Veterans and their families are encouraged to register on MilitaryConnection.com.