A national call to action challenging employers to hire, retain, and promote America's veterans and military spouses. Hiring a veteran isn't charity — it's a smart business decision.
Founded in 2017 by U.S. Marine Corps veteran Dan Caporale, National Hire a Veteran Day has grown from an idea into a nationwide awareness movement observed every July 25. It doesn't recruit or place candidates — it rallies the country's employers to do the hiring. In 2026, it enters its 10th year.
Veterans bring leadership, discipline, accountability, teamwork, problem-solving, and mission-first execution to every role — the exact traits high-performing companies compete for.
The mission goes beyond a single hire. It's about retaining veterans, promoting them, and giving them a real path to grow long after July 25.
Recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Army, registered with the National Day Calendar®, and proclaimed by governors across multiple states — July 25 is now a fixed point on the national calendar.
Talent isn't the problem. Access is. Every year, roughly 200,000 skilled service members re-enter the civilian workforce — and too many land in roles far below their capability.
Transition estimate: U.S. Department of Defense / Department of Labor transition figures. Underemployment: widely cited veteran-workforce research (Call of Duty Endowment / ZipRecruiter). Figures are approximate and provided for context.
From a single founder's question to an observance recognized by federal agencies and governors — here's how National Hire a Veteran Day grew, year by year. Each milestone links to its public source.
U.S. Marine Corps veteran Dan Caporale — founder of the nonprofit Hire Our Heroes — establishes National Hire a Veteran Day and it is registered with the National Day Calendar® for July 25.
Source: National Day Calendar →The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs publicly observes National Hire a Veteran Day, pairing it with veteran employment events and a national virtual career fair.
Source: VA News →The Army & Air Force Exchange Service marks the day with on-the-spot interviews and hiring events for veterans across its locations.
Source: DVIDS →The U.S. Army observes its seventh consecutive National Hire a Veteran Day; the Governors of Virginia and Michigan issue proclamations; and national employer 84 Lumber opens its recruiting center specifically for veteran job seekers.
Source: Army.mil →The Governors of Missouri and Vermont proclaim July 25; the Exchange runs hiring events across 80+ locations tied to its 130th anniversary; and Iowa Workforce Development joins the observance.
Source: DVIDS →National Hire a Veteran Day enters its 10th year — a decade of turning national gratitude into real hiring, retention, and promotion of America's veterans and military spouses.
Take the pledge for year ten →
"Hiring a veteran is not charity. It's a smart business decision."
Dan Caporale is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and the founder of Hire Our Heroes, a national nonprofit dedicated to veteran employment. In 2017 he asked a simple question — what would happen if there were a single day dedicated to hiring veterans? — and National Hire a Veteran Day was born.
What started as one idea to connect veterans with employers is now a nationally recognized observance honored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Army, and employers across the country. The message has never changed: veterans are trained, proven leaders — and the best way to honor them is to put them to work.
Request an InterviewFrom the U.S. Army and the VA to national employers, National Hire a Veteran Day is marked across the country every July 25. A selection of coverage:
Coverage shown is a representative selection from across the years. Members of the press: see the Media Kit for assets and interview requests.
Federal agencies, national employers, and governors across the country have publicly recognized National Hire a Veteran Day. Each name below links to public evidence of that recognition.
This list reflects public acknowledgment of the July 25 observance as documented at the linked sources. It does not imply that any organization, agency, or official sponsors, partners with, or endorses this website or its operators. Trademarks and organization names belong to their respective owners. If your organization has marked the day and would like to be added — or removed — contact us at press@nhavd.com.
Whether you run a company, lead a team, or simply believe in the mission — there's a role for you.
Interview, hire, and promote veterans and military spouses. Post a veteran-friendly role.
Sponsor or mentor a transitioning service member. Open a door and share your network.
Commit your company to veteran-ready hiring and say so out loud — on July 25 and every day after.
Share your veteran hiring story using #HireAVeteranDay and #NHAVD.
Add your name to the employers and leaders committing to hire, retain, and promote America's veterans and military spouses — on July 25 and every day after.
Thank you for standing with America's veterans. Watch your inbox for your July 25 employer toolkit — and share the day using #HireAVeteranDay.
Everything a journalist, producer, or partner needs to cover National Hire a Veteran Day — fast. For interviews with founder Dan Caporale, use the contact below.
Logos, fact sheet, founder bio & headshot, key messages, and approved boilerplate.
Quick answers about National Hire a Veteran Day — for journalists, employers, and supporters.
National Hire a Veteran Day is a national awareness movement observed every year on July 25 — a call to action challenging employers to hire, retain, and promote America's veterans and military spouses. Founded in 2017 by U.S. Marine Corps veteran Dan Caporale and registered with the National Day Calendar®, the observance enters its 10th year in 2026 and has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Army, employers across the country, and governors in multiple states. Its message is simple: hiring a veteran is not charity — it is a smart business decision. Learn more at nhavd.com and join the conversation with #HireAVeteranDay.
Join employers across the country turning gratitude into opportunity. Take the pledge, tell your story, and make this the year a veteran's next chapter starts with you.
