Military veterans face many difficulties transitioning back to civilian life. Uber wants to make one of those struggles, securing employment, a little easier.
The ride-sharing service wants to hire 50,000 more veterans to its fleet, and has teamed up with "Hiring Our Heroes," a non-profit veterans service organization, to meet its goal, according to CBS News. The addition will also have the benefit of providing more quality drivers.
"The veterans who are already on the system provide such a high quality experience, and they provide so much, you know --- they just have a better work ethic. And they're out there, doing more trips than the average partner," Uber CEO Travis Kalanick told CBS News.
Uber already employs thousands of veterans. The service allows drivers to use their own cars and have a more flexible schedule for work, school and other important obligations. To further support these new drivers, the company will take a lesser commission (the norm is 20 percent) and help them buy cars at better interest rates.
Former defense secretary Robert Gates has signed on to chair Uber's volunteer military advisory board. He's joined by former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen and the former commander of forces in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal. The board will help the ride-sharing service better pitch its opportunities to veterans.
"The reason companies like Uber want vets is because of the qualities that vets brings to the workplace - their discipline, they're team players, they're easily trainable, they're feasible, they've had a lot responsibility at a young age - they're trainable - and they're reliable," Gates told CBS News.
Gates also attributed the service as a good option for veterans who want to be on their own.
Uber claims its UberX New York City drivers can make a median income of $90,000, and $74,000 in San Francisco, according to the Washington Post. Those figures don't include gas and other car expenses.
