Given that only 12 percent of the U.S. public is able to truly understand the sacrifice of the one percent who have served, Starbucks Corporation hired over 5,500 veterans and military spouses. This move is part of a commitment they made in 2013 to hire 10,000 by 2018.
Starbucks also issued a pay-for-service-benefit, to better address the needs of partners or employees who are reservists or engaged in active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard. The pay-for-service-benefit will allow the partners a cover of up to 80 hours of pay each year for service obligations.
Apart from offering tuition-free education to eligible partners, Starbucks further announced that it is providing current or former U.S. Armed Forces, who are also partners, with tuition-free education that extends to their spouses or children. This is made possible through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, and education plan in partnership with Arizona State University that assists partners in earning their bachelor's degree with 100 percent tuition-free coverage. To date, almost 4,200 veterans and 1,000 family members are enrolled at Arizona State University through the project.
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz acknowledges the corporation's responsibility to honor their veterans, as well as their families for all their sacrifice and service. This responsibility, according to him, transcends just uttering the words "thank you."
"We must put our thanks into action and collectively help those who are making the transition from military to civilian life," he said in a press release.
Starbucks continues to offer transition services as well as connections between military and civilian communities. Their initiatives include Military Mondays, which provides free legal consultation in stores across the U.S., Dog Tag Bakery, which educates and trains newly transitioned veterans with disabilities to become entrepreneurs, Convening Thought Leaders, a days of discussion with various military and civilian sectors with the goal of supporting and strengthening veterans and their families.
With these efforts towards national dialogue, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates hopes to influence other businesses as well as the government to be more involved.
"In doing so, our nation has the opportunity to define a new vision for veterans and their families to feel valued for their service, supported through their transition to civilian life and build a stronger connection to family, home and country," he stated.
Through Nov. 11, Starbucks hopes to send coffee donations to active military who are stationed overseas. The Starbucks Veterans Card, Starbucks Veterans Mug are available for purchase, through which $5 for each purchase will be donated to the USO Transition 360 Alliance.
USO Chief Development Officer Lisa Anastasi says that utmost support should be provided to those leaving the military, in terms of community reintegration.
"Partners like Starbucks play an important role in supporting our efforts and enriching our nation's workforce," she added.
To show appreciation for the military community's sacrifices and contributions to the nations, veterans, reservists, active duty service members and military spouses are enjoined to a free tall-brewed coffee on Veterans Day.
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