Walgreens HERO program to hire 5,000 Veterans

2019-05-15T17:50:54-04:00

Walgreens recently announced a commitment to hire 5,000 Veterans over the course of five years though their Helping Veterans with Educational and Retail Opportunities Program (HERO). Walgreens established the HERO program for Veterans to transition the leadership skills learned through military service into a retail management career such as assistant store manager trainee and shift lead.

Participants in the program will have the opportunity to work towards a bachelor’s degree with tuition assistance and discounts available. Also, the GI Bill paired through Southern New Hampshire University provides a guaranteed 80-90% coverage of tuition costs to achieve a bachelor’s degree.

Benefits to the program include:

-On the job mentorship
-New team member and program support
-New student support through Southern New Hampshire University
-LEAP Program Retail Management Training – Plus more!

Walgreens is an Employer Support of Guard and Reserve (ESGR) and has pledged to recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, and to ensure Walgreens managers and supervisors have the tools they need to effectively manage team members who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Walgreens’ is also proud to offer Military Leave and Military Bridge Pay to eligible team members and employee store discounts are extended to spouses and eligible dependents.

To search for a career in the HERO program visit

Response by CPT David Gowel made May 15 at 2019 8:23 PM

2019-05-15T20:23:36-04:00

It's good to see that this includes an opportunity for education and a transition into leadership roles at Walgreens.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2019 8:50 PM

2019-05-15T20:50:31-04:00

Are all Veterans welcome?

Response by Cpl James Desoto made May 15 at 2019 9:54 PM

2019-05-15T21:54:51-04:00

I'm switching from CVS to Walgreen tomorrow

Response by Sgt Brian Rakestraw made May 15 at 2019 9:59 PM

2019-05-15T21:59:03-04:00

Just never have to have surgery for a service connected injury. I worked for Walgreen's and had surgery on my foot and the need fiscal therapy and was told if I went to fiscal therapy or I would lose my job. This came from my store manager.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made May 15 at 2019 10:23 PM

2019-05-15T22:23:17-04:00

I need a job and there's one barely 2 miles from where I live. Considering VA appts here and there if I get any grief before starting I'm done.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2019 10:57 PM

2019-05-15T22:57:37-04:00

Thats a lie, I worked for Walgreens and they do not help Veterans they fire them.

Response by PO3 Brad Thurau made May 16 at 2019 6:36 AM

2019-05-16T06:36:16-04:00

I have to agree with Miguel. Walgreens is not very nice to veterans and a vet will fare much better in life somewhere else. Walgreens always promises big but delivers very little.

Response by Sgt Navin Persaud made May 16 at 2019 6:43 AM

2019-05-16T06:43:04-04:00

I just love it when big companies brag about hiring veterans. "Oh look how patriotic we are"...then pays them a low wage. They hire veterans because they know veterans will do the job done correctly and not complain about it to the hire-ups. Also, shift lead and assistant store manager are non sense positions, Oh you have leadership skills in the military!? great, you can be "in charge" of the crew from 8-2 but you can't really do anything (a position obtained by 18 year olds). Assistant store manager? yes, you can deal with the angry people I don't want to talk to. Great job Wallgreens, I salute your effort to belittle veterans in order for your business to run smoothly. I also love your benefits program, seems like a college student "shows you how Wallgreens does things" and that's your training in their "leadership".

Response by Maj Chris Williams made May 16 at 2019 10:43 AM

2019-05-16T10:43:16-04:00

I'm a little leery of this one. Walgreens was pushing this many years ago when I retired and I thought I would give it a shot. I had done retail management during my college days and then throw in the numerous degrees since then, combined with 20 years of leadership experience, I thought I had a shot. Not so...luckily I got picked up fairly quickly for a much more lucrative endeavor...but I kept my application in the system just in case. I started doing a little research and found out that two Army senior NCOs were hired...not in a management position...out of 180 applicants in the entire San Antonio area. I hope Walgreens has changed their tune, but this may be a case of beating there chest and yelling patriotism.

Response by SSG John Dykes made May 18 at 2019 11:38 AM

2019-05-18T11:38:03-04:00

I’m a little disappointed. Assistant store manager or shift lead. Shift lead is nothing but a regular worker. Why can’t they be trusted to do Store management? They gave leadership skills that can’t be bought!

Response by CPT Gurinder (Gene) Rana made May 22 at 2019 10:22 AM

2019-05-22T10:22:07-04:00

Not a negative person, rather enjoy positive thoughts; however, after reading the feedback from veterans on RP, I conclude that Walgreens is a great business and LEAP opportunities may benefit former and transitioning non-commissioned officers, as well as lower enlisted ranks, but it doesn't satisfy commissioned officers. Is this summation on-song, Maj Chris Williams, CPT David Gowel, PO3 Brad Thurau, LtCol Charlie Brown, COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Response by SSgt Charlene Bugg made May 22 at 2019 9:10 PM

2019-05-22T21:10:33-04:00

I'd like to get back to work but no one hires me and just because I haven't had any employment history in such a long time. Any ideas what to do? I may be almost 60 but I am still employable and a hard worker and reliable and punctual. I'm prior military, Disabled Vet. Seems so many people discriminate!