I am a displaced Co Manager who was part of the corporate sacrifice. I, too, was with Walmart for twenty-plus years; I devoted and gave up everything for that company. Family time, holidays, I missed both my kids' first days at school, etc., etc. People not on the inside of this don't know what really goes on behind those closed doors. If you could have been a fly on the wall, witnessing some of the things my S.M. and M.M. were directing us to do to our Associates, it would make you mentally unbalanced, I think.
I was given TWENTY MINUTES notice of being cut loose. I'm still fighting to get all my severance package, to the extent of getting lawyers involved—and they're dragging their feet ridiculously because I'm not a minority or any s-xually protected class, and because of that they're all terrified of Walmart. Enough b–ching from me about my problems, I'm doing ok, I'm working in the insurance field now ( ho HO, they're FAR more crooked than Walmart!).
But I want to close by saying this: DO NOT seek long term hourly employment or professional advancement in retail. The current belief making the rounds is that the E commerce / instead of brick and mortar stores eschelon will be fine, but don't you believe it. This whole industry is seeking to make part time/minimum wage slaves of everybody. Find your career goals elsewhere, is my best advice.