Most people would think it odd to see First Lady Michelle Obama pair up with Walmart, a corporation infamously attacked by the left for corrupt employee practices and employee exploitation. However, this unlikely match has teamed up to help U.S. veterans find work.
Mrs. Obama saluted Walmart, the largest employer in America, for its plan to hire 100,000 veterans over the next five years. She called Walmart's initiative "historic" and praised the retailer for "setting a groundbreaking example for the private sector to follow."
Bill Simon, president and CEO of WalMart's U.S. business said that this will give vets a "place to go."
Helping veterans has been one of the First Lady's passions and signature issues. She spearheaded the "Joining Forces" campaign with Jill Biden to help get veterans back to work. According to White House reports, the initiative has resulted in the hiring of 125,000 veterans and military spouses.
However, Walmart's effort to hire veterans has not won over all critics. Time magazine pointed out that the 20,000 vet hires yearly goal only accounts for 4.2 percent of the company's projected hiring. AOL Jobs also highlighted that the corporation will only be hiring service members who were honorably discharged after Memorial Day, thus excluding about 1 million unemployed veterans from qualifying.
Nonetheless, praises from a Democratic leader like Michelle Obama will help the world's largest retailer redeem its public image.
In Jan. 2011, Michelle O. also lauded the corporate giant for selling healthier food products to their customers. In return, Walmart credited the FL's "Let's Move" anti-obesity campaign as inspiration. Mrs. Obama attended the announcement ceremony and called the plan "a victory for our children."
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