In 2003, video gamers began learning about World War II battles from the realistic launch of Call of Duty. Released to universal acclaim, the ongoing series holds the Guinness World Record as the best-selling games of their kind.

But the charity work done by the game's publisher Activision Blizzard is also deserving of a Congressional medal.

Last month the Call of Duty Endowment reached its goal of placing 100,000 veterans into meaningful employment two years ahead of schedule.

To mark the occasion-and the start of Military Appreciation Month-Activision Blizzard has committed an additional $30 million in funding to support the program moving forward.

Over the last twelve years, the Call of Duty Endowment says it has partnered with the most effective nonprofit veterans organizations in both the US and UK to deliver high value job placements-which is the service most requested by veterans.

"To put 100,000 placements in perspective, the entire active-duty Marine Corps is made up of more than 178,000 people," said General James Jones, United States Marine Corps (retired) and Co-Chair of the Endowment. "While reaching 100,000 placements two years earlier than our goal is an accomplishment to be proud of, there is much more we can and should be doing to support our veterans as they transition to civilian employment."

"To date, we have invested over $60 million in support of veterans employment initiatives," said Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard and Co-Founder of the Endowment. "With our even more efficient programs we expect to generate another 50,000 job placements through Call of Duty Endowment grants."

With its first donation of $125,000, presented to the Paralyzed Veterans of America in 2009, the Endowment created thousands of career opportunities for veterans returning from the Middle East.

One of the leading charities supported by the grants is VetJobs. Their mission has received funding that led to more than 48,000 of its 77,000 placements.

"There is no better, more supportive resource for veteran job placement than the Call of Duty Endowment," said ​​VetJobs CEO Rear Admiral Dan Kloeppel, U.S. Navy (retired).

The Endowment also released a white paper in April detailing veteran employment over the organization's 12-year history. "Lessons Learned for the Future of Veteran Employment" contains recommendations for veterans, employers, policy makers, and philanthropic donors.

It shows that modest, individualized assistance such as improving interview skills and resume coaching have a dramatic impact, as veterans are nearly three times more likely to find a job if they practice interviewing with a coach or mentor. Veterans are also twice as likely to find a job if an experienced mentor or coach helps them with resume writing.

To help get veterans back to work or learn more, please visit the Call of Duty Endowment.

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