Kroger renews commitment to hire returning vets

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Thursday announced a renewed commitment to hiring veterans of the United States Armed Forces. The company is encouraging military veterans seeking employment to visit www.HonoringOurHeroes.com to learn more and find links to apply for a job.

"We are grateful that veterans have served Kroger customers for more than a century," stated David Dillon, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "Today, hundreds of Kroger associates serve in the armed forces, either as members of reserve units or on active-duty status, and thousands are military veterans. With more veterans coming home, we are continuing this proud tradition through a renewed commitment to recruit our nation's military and veterans."

Kroger's commitment includes joining several major companies in the 100,000 Jobs Mission, with a goal of collectively hiring more than 100,000 transitioning service members and military veterans by 2020. More than 17,000 veterans have joined Kroger's ranks since 2009.

Kroger's Hiring Our Heroes initiative is an extension of the company's Honoring Our Heroes program, which aims to support the military and their families through a variety of in-store and online activities. The company plans to attend 16 RecruitMilitary veterans career fairs in 2013.