JPMorgan-Led Effort to Employ Military Veterans Nears Goal

A private-sector initiative launched by ""JPMorgan Chase"":http://www.jpmorganchase.com in early 2011, ""the 100,000 Jobs Mission,"":http://www.100000JobsMission.com is less than 8,000 positions from its goal. Member companies have collectively hired 92,869 U.S. military veterans through the third quarter of 2013, the organization recently reported.

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JPMorgan Chase was joined by 10 other companies in initially launching the program. Since then, the coalition has grown to 121 companies that represent almost every sector of the U.S. economy. Cooperatively, the firm's participating in the initiative are working toward a goal of hiring at least 100,000 veterans by the year 2020.

""Our coalition has made great progress,"" said Maureen Casey, director of military and veterans affairs at

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JPMorgan Chase. ""But the 100,000 Jobs Mission is much more than a number. We are committed to positioning veterans for long-term success and sharing best practices.""

Participating companies did just that at the group's quarterly meeting last month hosted by Lockheed Martin in Arlington, Virginia. The meeting focused on bridging the knowledge gap between civilian and military cultures and breaking down barriers to employment. Company representatives also divided into working groups that focused on several important topics including talent sharing among 100,000 Jobs Mission members through its Veteran Talent Exchange, hiring military spouses and launching business resource groups.

""By working together and sharing best practices, the 100,000 Jobs Mission companies are deepening the level of understanding of the challenges veterans face when they enter the civilian workforce,"" Casey said. ""This has been critical in helping veterans understand their own skills and businesses understand the tremendous value military-experienced employees bring to their companies.""

100,000 Jobs Mission has created the ""Veteran Talent Exchange"":http://www.VTX.jobs (VTX), an employer-led Web tool that facilitates the sharing and referral of veteran career profiles among 100,000 Jobs Mission members. AT&T, a founding member of the 100,000 Jobs Mission, is leading the Veteran Talent Exchange effort.