Spouses of soldiers recruited

The government hopes the retailer's program will keep people in the military.
ATLANTA (AP) -- The Home Depot Inc. is recruiting the spouses of military personnel in the latest hiring initiative between the nation's largest home improvement chain and the government.
Home Depot, which averages a new store opening every 48 hours, said its effort with the Defense Department also will involve hiring more veterans, active duty service members about to be discharged, National Guard members and reservists.
If a service member is relocated by the military, Home Depot will try to transfer the person's spouse to a store near the new community, if a job is available.
Reduce attrition
While the company does not guarantee a job in the new location, Home Depot believes the spouse transfer provision will help reduce attrition in the military because servicemen will be less worried about their spouse's ability to find work.
"It's very difficult for military spouses when the person in the military gets moved, the spouse has to uproot," said Dennis Donovan, Home Depot's human resources chief. "In some cases, it's a retention issue."
Lt. Col. Joe Richard, a Defense Department spokesman, said there are significant challenges that military couples face, especially when it comes to employment issues.
Home Depot will not create jobs specifically for former military personnel and their spouses but instead tap the roughly 20,000 jobs that will open up this year through new stores and other growth.
Store associates earn $7 to $20 hourly depending on experience, a company spokesman said.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.