The recent Vanity Fair profile of Uber CEO Travis Kalanick provide deeper insight into the man whose confrontational style is often hard to unravel from the company he runs. But last night, when he was honored by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) in New York, it was the softer side of Kalanick on display. The organization gave Kalanick its 2014 Civilian Service Award to recognize UberMilitary, a two-month-old program with a goal on getting 50,000 veterans driving for Uber within 18 months.
“I’m honored to receive this award” Kalanick said, visibly emotional after being introduced by the actor J.R. Martinez, who was severely burned while serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq in 2003. “Thank you for the tremendous service you provide to our country," Kalanick continued. “It’s what you guys do that allows entrepreneurs like me to follow our dreams. It’s the least we can do… to create opportunities for those who serve when they come back home.” Kalanick said Uber already has brought on board 5,000 veterans who have earned $8 million driving for the company.
Martinez' introduction drew parallels between military service and small business: "Veterans are entrepreneurial, they’re resourceful… We have to be that way. On the battlefield if you’re not, you die or someone else dies. The mission is lost. These are amazing qualities that veterans bring to the table and unfortunately these are the very qualities that are too often overlooked."
"These are qualities that Travis Kalanick recognizes in our returning veterans and that’s why he’s giving them their opportunities. It’s not a handout .. unemployment is a huge issue within our veteran community. Giving us discounts and gift cards and pats on the back are great its a great start, but what these troops need is a purpose, a mission, the ability to serve and let’s be honest a way to provide for themselves and their families."
Uber isn't the only company committed to hiring veterans. Starbucks has pledged to put 10,000 to work by 2018 and AT&T is looking to employ 5,000 over the next 5 years. A number of other firms have gone public with commitments to veterans and the White House has compiled those public statements.
IAVA, for its part, calls itself a 21st century veterans organization. With 176,000 veterans as members it describes itself as wanting to improve the lives of veterans. Obtainable work is a small, but necessary part of that. That's why IAVA was handing an award to Kalanick last night. And the significance of what his company is doing clearly hit home strongly enough, that at least for a moment he let his guard down.
