National Hire a Veteran Day Is Saturday, July 25, 2026

va flagVirginia Department of Veterans Services, Virginia Works, State Agencies and Partners Work To Match Veterans & Military Spouses With Job Opportunities In Commonwealth’s Workforce

(Richmond) July 25, 2026, has been recognized as National Hire a Veteran Day in Virginia by Governor Abigail Spanberger as Virginia continues to lead the way in developing and sustaining veteran and military spouse hiring initiatives across the Commonwealth. The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS), state agencies and partners, work to streamline special hiring authorities, enhance skills-translation tools, and match skilled veterans and military spouses with critical mission needs in technology, logistics, healthcare, skilled trades, and beyond.

 

Here is how we are accomplishing this collaborative effort:

  • Mission to Hire: The Virginia 100 Veteran Hiring Pledge

Virginia’s newest hiring initiative, Mission to Hire: Virginia 100 Veteran Hiring Pledge, launches July 24, 2026. This 100-day statewide campaign brings together agencies and community partners to connect veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses with high-demand careers while helping Virginia employers access the Commonwealth’s exceptional military talent. It is led by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS), working hand in hand with Virginia Works, the Hampton Roads Workforce Council, and regional workforce partners across all nine of Virginia’s economic regions.  The goal of this campaign is to gain 100 employer pledges to hire at least one veteran, transitioning service member, or military spouse within the campaign window. To learn more, click here or connect at thevirginia100@dvs.virginia.gov.

 

  • Virginia Works

Veterans from all periods of military service are eligible for job referral, job training, and job placement assistance through Virginia Works.  Veterans may access employment services through a statewide network of Virginia Works offices.  Veterans can contact veterans.services@virginiaworks.gov to learn more or click here.

 

To learn about job opportunities in Virginia visit virginiahasjobs.com/veterans a one-stop launch pad introduced just this week for Virginia’s veteran community.

 

  • Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program

The Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program provides veterans, transitioning service members, and their spouses with the best Virginia has to offer. By providing peer-to-peer support through the transition process, the V3 team works alongside veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses to make referrals that address specific needs. The referral services could include, but are not limited to, resume review, career coaching, mentorship, hands-on training opportunities, access to credentialing pathways, hosting in-person and virtual job fairs, and connection to V3 certified companies for employment.

To learn more about the next DVS hosted virtual veteran hiring fair on July 29, 2026, click here.

 

  • Virginia’s HIRE VETS NOW

Hire Vets Now is a statewide initiative launched in the Spring of 2018. The program brings together transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses, and dedicated businesses to share in camaraderie, professional development, and career networking. Monthly networking events are held on military installations to expand opportunities for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses to gain access to career openings with Virginia Values Veterans (V3) employers and Virginia Chamber members. These programs are hosted by the Virginia Chamber Foundation, Virginia Department of Veterans Services and Transition Assistance Offices on Virginia military installations. To learn more, click here.

 

  • Virginia’s Community Colleges: Credits2Careers

Credits2Careers is a free online portal created by Virginia’s Community Colleges that translates prior military service, workforce training, and industry certifications into college credits and civilian career paths.

 

  • Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR)

 

DPOR licenses about 50 professions statewide, from contractors and real estate agents to barbers and cosmetologists. DPOR stands ready to assist veterans and active-duty military personnel as they maintain or transition to civilian careers requiring professional credentials.

 

Active-duty military personnel and their spouses may be eligible for automatic license transfers under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. To learn more, review the application here.

Spouses of active-duty military personnel assigned to a duty station in Virginia, a contiguous state, or the District of Columbia are eligible for expedited processing using the Military Spouse Expedited License Application. Retirees are also eligible within the first year of leaving the service. Military spouses licensed in another state may also receive a temporary 12-month license if they need more time to meet Virginia-specific requirements.

 

  • Virginia DMV: Troops To Trucks

Through the Troops to Trucks℠ program, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is making it easier for personnel trained by the military in the operation of heavy vehicles to obtain civilian commercial driver’s licenses (CDL).

 

  • Virginia Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM)

Virginia’s executive branches pride themselves on their commitment to recruiting, hiring, and retaining veterans and their spouses. To learn more about Virginia’s Veterans Hiring Preference, resources for military spouses, and other information to assist you in becoming an employee of the Commonwealth, click here.

 

  • Military Medics and Corpsmen Program (MMAC)

The DVS MMAC team recruits, reviews and refers candidates to healthcare employers statewide. To learn more, click here.

 

“Virginia serves as home to one of the largest populations of veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses in the nation. They bring unmatched leadership, discipline, and technical expertise to the workforce,” said John Maxwell, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Veterans Services. “By aligning our cross-agency and key partner resources, we are removing bureaucratic hurdles to ensure those who wore the uniform and those who support them can seamlessly continue their service to the Commonwealth.”

 

“National Hire a Veteran Day” is a reminder that hiring those who served isn’t only the right thing to do, it’s a sound workforce strategy. By connecting this proven talent with businesses across the Commonwealth, we’re helping employers strengthen their teams while giving our military community the opportunities they’ve earned and the support they need. Virginia Works is proud to partner with the Department of Veteran Services to support every step in our veterans’ career journeys,” said Nicole Overley, Commissioner of Virginia Works.

 

About the Virginia Department of Veterans Services

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is a state government agency with more than 50 locations across the Commonwealth of Virginia. DVS traces its history to 1928 and the establishment of the Virginia War Service Bureau to assist Virginia’s World War I veterans.  Today, DVS assists veterans and their families in filing claims for federal veterans benefits; provides veterans and family members with linkages to services including behavioral healthcare, housing, employment, education, and other programs.  The agency operates four long-term care facilities offering in-patient skilled nursing care, memory care, and short-term rehabilitation for veterans; provides an honored final resting place for veterans and their families at three state veterans cemeteries; and operates the Virginia War Memorial, the Commonwealth’s tribute to Virginia’s men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice from World War II to the present. For more information, please visit www.dvs.virginia.gov.