Military vets: Uber wants to hire you

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Rideshare company Uber is rolling out an aggressive new campaign to put veterans in the driver's seat.

The company is now looking to join forces with the men and women of the military with the launch of UberMILITARY. Former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has signed on to be a voluntary chairman of UberMILITARY. The project plans to put 50,000 veterans to work as drivers over the next 18 years.

"Over the next couple years hundreds of thousands of military members are going to transition back into the civilian life. We feel we have an obligation to help that transition," said Wayne Ting, Uber General Manager.

It starts with outreach and making sure veterans and their families know about job opportunities with Uber. The company says drivers are their own boss and they can get help buying a car if necessary.

"We know for military families, they don't have a car, so as part of this program, we also have vehicle financing. We are going to help those who may not have access to a car, who may not have access to financing, obtain and purchase a car as part of this program," said Ting.

H.T. Tran is onboard. He's a wounded Iraq vet who is passionate about hiring fellow veterans at his San Francisco construction company, Anvil Builders.

"Uber is giving them option for success later on down the line, rather than come home and just ponder where the next opportunity will be at," said Tran.

Tran says many vets will be well-suited as Uber drivers. Uber says the service men and women who already drive for them are very popular.

"Many people in the military are very service oriented. We see it out already out in the streets. They get better ratings. Our riders love veterans."