Orkin pledges to double Veteran employment by 2026

IMAGE: ORKIN

In celebration of Veterans Day tomorrow and to encourage employment within the military community, Orkin made a hiring pledge to bring more Veterans into its workforce. In honor of its 125th anniversary in 2026, Orkin plans to double its current number of Veteran employees to represent 10 percent of its overall workforce. In a news release, the Atlanta, Ga.-based firm reported that finding a job after serving the country affects nearly 200,000 veterans each year, and only one in four have a job lined up after leaving the armed forces.

“Veterans already embody all the traits we look for in a quality candidate, and we’re excited for them to have an opportunity to don a new uniform — ours,” Pat Chrzanowski, president of Orkin USA, said in the news release. “During the transition to civilian life, Veterans can face very specific issues, including finding supportive and challenging work that provides stability for themselves and their families. As a Navy veteran myself, I am even more grateful to companies like Orkin that recognize the value and benefit of employing Veterans.”

In 2021, the U.S. Veteran population numbered 16.5 million, representing slightly more than 6 percent of the overall U.S. adult population, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Currently at Orkin, one in 20 Orkin employees is a Veteran.

“Veterans bring with them a wealth of skills, including leadership, teamwork, dedication and the ability to work well under pressure,” Chrzanowski said in the news release.

Orkin, which was recognized among the Top Workplaces in the U.S. in 2023, was founded in 1901 by Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer Otto Orkin (Class of 1999). In the news release, the company stated that it will continue working with organizations such as RecruitMilitary to help meet its hiring goal by its 125th anniversary in 2026. RecruitMilitary connects employers to military job seekers via services that are specifically targeted to Veterans and their spouses.