The Ripple Effect of Employment for Veterans and Military Spouses: One Job. One Future. Thousands Impacted

What does it take to unlock economic mobility for those who have served? For veterans leaving the military and military spouses navigating careers disrupted by frequent relocations, the answer often comes down to one thing: access to meaningful employment.

At Hire Heroes USA, we know that mobility begins with one resource, opportunity. Through one-on-one personalized support, we help veterans and military spouses translate their service into civilian careers that provide stability, growth, and purpose. In the last 20 years, we’ve helped more than 110,000 clients secure jobs—and with continued support, we’re just getting started. 

Thanks to an incredible $10 million donation from Ripple, Hire Heroes USA will expand our reach—delivering life-changing career support to more veterans and military spouses nationwide, and expected to generate 14,000 employment outcomes. As a global leader in blockchain and crypto solutions for businesses, Ripple’s donation is being made in RLUSD stablecoin and is an investment in the future of the workforce through its $50M philanthropic initiative to expand economic and educational opportunity in the U.S. supporting organizations such as Accion Opportunity Fund, Teach for America, and Donors Choose alongside Hire Heroes USA.

With $10 million dedicated to our work, we’ll launch two key initiatives: the FinTech Pathways Partnership, preparing veterans for careers in blockchain, crypto, and financial technology; and the Ripple Effect Veteran Small Business Grants Program, helping veteran and military spouse-owned businesses expand. This investment will open doors to high-growth industries, fuel veteran entrepreneurship, and strengthen families, communities, and the future of our workforce.

The Ripple Effect

But how can we truly measure the success of these initiatives? Andrew Polley, our 2025 Junior Enlisted Service Member of the Year, is living proof that one person’s meaningful career can spark a ripple effect, creating momentum that leads to lasting change in the lives of thousands.

After serving in the U.S. Army and building a civilian career across education, operations, and healthcare, Andrew faced a layoff that left him at risk of losing his home. With the support of Hire Heroes USA—resume assistance, coaching, and a tailored job search strategy—he secured a leadership role as an Area Manager at Amazon. That role provided stability for Andrew and his three daughters and reignited his professional momentum.

Andrew’s journey is just one example of what’s possible when meaningful employment meets the right support. With Ripple’s investment, more veterans and military spouses will gain access to the opportunities they need to build futures of their own.

Employment Uplifts Entire Families

The impact of employment doesn’t stop with the individual—it extends across entire households. Research shows that children in households with stable parental employment are more likely to graduate, less likely to experience poverty, and more likely to achieve higher earnings as adults (Census Bureau, 2025; Oxford Research Encyclopedia, 2019). For Andrew, that meant not only stability for himself but a stronger foundation for his three daughters. One steady job today can shape a family’s future for years to come.

Communities Grow Stronger

And when families are stronger, communities benefit. Economist Enrico Moretti’s research shows that each new skilled job can generate up to 2.5 additional jobs in the surrounding community. Ripple’s investment aims to amplify this effect by helping veteran-owned businesses expand—creating the very jobs that fellow veterans and military spouses are ready to fill with the support of Hire Heroes USA to prepare them. As these roles are secured, local industries like childcare, food services, and education grow stronger—laying the groundwork for long term success.

Lasting Careers Create Stability

But creating opportunity is only part of the equation. What truly drives economic mobility is when those careers last. Hire Heroes USA clients maintain a 68% first-year retention rate, higher than the national average. Retention matters because it turns opportunity into long-term security. For families, it means steady paychecks and the ability to plan for the future. For employers, it reduces costly turnover—replacing a single worker can cost 50–200% of their annual salary. Stable careers create lasting value—strengthening households, workplaces, and entire communities. While individual impact is powerful, the scale of the need demands national action.

Meeting a National Challenge

Each year, about 200,000 service members transition out of the military. Ripple’s $10 million commitment helps ensure more of them, and their spouses, gain access to meaningful careers. Together, we are turning transition into opportunity and employment into lasting mobility.

Because when one veteran succeeds, entire communities thrive. The ripple effect has only just begun.