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, the USO, and the National Day Calendar® — July 25 is now a fixed point on the national calendar.
Talent isn't the problem. Access is. Every year, hundreds of thousands of skilled service members re-enter the civilian workforce — and too many land in roles far below their capability.
"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 online career fair connecting veterans with employers is now a nationally recognized observance honored by the VA, the USO, 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 Fortune 500 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.
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.
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.
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 officially recognized by the National Day Calendar®, the observance enters its 10th year in 2026 and has been honored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the USO, and employers across the country. 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.