Following are some well-known organizations who have pledged support to this initiative by committing to veterans and military spouses hiring efforts. By calling attention to these organizations, I hope we can all be inspired by their example. It gives me great pleasure to list as the first of these companies an insurance underwriter.

USAA, headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, has hired 6,000 veterans and military spouses since 2005. The company is planning to add 1,000 more–30 percent of new hires–during the next three years. These motivated, disciplined and dedicated workers will add significant value to this organization and our industry. As a USAA client for more than 30 years (even though I own an agency), I can attest to their operational excellence in customer service and support.
The Home Depot has stated a goal of hiring 55,000 veterans and military spouses. With nearly 2,250 stores, this is nearly 25 veterans and military spouses per store. I predict we can all expect even better service next time we prowl the aisles for kitchen faucets, duct tape and weed whackers.
UPS has committed to hiring 25,000 veterans and military spouses. UPS operations will become even more efficient as former military personnel transfer their intense logistical training and go from "green or blue" to "brown."
ATT and BNSF Railway have each committed to hiring 5,000 veterans and military spouses.
Wal-Mart has made a commitment as large as its retail store footprint. Management has stated the firm will hire any veteran, who served honorably, the year after he/she leaves the military. Because much of Mal-Mart's success can be credited to brilliant supply chain management, operational skills these individuals gained in the military will be hugely valuable.
Comcast made a public commitment to hire 1,000 veterans within two years in March 2011. They blew away the goal and re-committed to hiring another 1,000 by 2015. They are active participants in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce "Hiring Our Heroes" campaign.

When considering veterans for employment opportunities, it can be useful to remember the particular challenges they face. According to a report co-sponsored by another underwriting company, Prudential, more than two-thirds of veterans list "finding a job" as their greatest challenge in transitioning from military to civilian life.

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