Veteran-Friendly Employers: Identifying Companies Committed to Hiring Veterans was originally published on DiversityJobs.
As a way of saying thank you, many employers throughout the United States have initiatives that include both hiring and on-the-job training for military veterans and their spouses.
These employers recognize that the soft skills veterans have developed throughout their careers, such as teamwork, critical thinking, and the ability to adapt, are widely beneficial in the workplace, and you can start applying to these companies on DiversityJobs today!
This is in addition to on-the-job training vets may have received that allows them to thrive in certain industries, such as engineering, aerospace, information technology, and healthcare.
If you’re a U.S. veteran seeking a new career opportunity now that your enlistment is over, here are the top 5 veteran-friendly employers you should consider.
1. Amazon
In the retail industry, there’s no bigger behemoth than Amazon. With over 100 fulfillment centers across the country, Amazon currently employs over 1,500,000 workers. More than 40,000 of these full and part-time employees are U.S. vets.
What’s unique about Amazon is the program they created called Amazon Skillbridge. This program is designed to give veterans, within 180 days of their separation, access to apprenticeship and fellowship roles so they can develop the skills needed to transition into a post-military career.
These skills set veterans up for success in career fields such as operations, web services, and robotics – all sectors the e-commerce tech giant employs and oversees. This initiative is in conjunction with Amazon’s pledge to hire 100,000 U.S. veterans by the end of 2024.
2. USAA
If you are a servicemember and have car insurance, it’s likely through USAA.
USAA, which stands for the United Services Automobile Association, is a financial services company only available to military members and their families.
Unsurprisingly, their commitment to veterans extends far past providing great insurance rates, as they aim to have 30% of their workforce made up of veterans.
On their website, they offer a bunch of helpful tips to make the transition into civilian life easier, such as identifying your new passion and updating your resume.
However, they take it a step further to include an overview and links to their initiatives, such as the Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program, Veteran Transition Leadership Development, and VETNET, which is an employee resource group for vets and their spouses.
Upon joining the Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program, you’ll develop the skills needed to transition into a new career. Perhaps the best offering on USAA’s website is the Veterans Skills Match and Military Spouses Skills Match.
These features allow you to get matched to a job that meets you where you are. Best of all, these helpful programs are all free for you to use any time you’d like!
3. Lockheed Martin
Many U.S. veterans transition into civilian careers that allow them to hone the skills they developed in the armed forces. If this is you, then you may want to consider a career at Lockheed Martin.
Lockheed Martin is one of the leaders in global security, including maritime technologies and aerospace. Unsurprisingly, the hard and soft skills service men and women gain through the course of their enlistment are well-appreciated and coveted at this corporation.
Dedicated to hiring a diverse team of employees, Lockheed Martin’s workforce is comprised of approximately 30% of veterans, who often work in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Defense. Through their Handshake 2 Hire program, they provide supportive resources as veterans transition into civilian life.
This program allows vets to network, update their resumes, and gain helpful interview techniques through one-on-one mentoring with a Military Manager.
Lockheed Martin celebrates the unique experience veterans bring, so even though they don’t have a veteran-specific job board, putting your experience on your resume will certainly help you stand out upon submission.
4. Home Depot
Depending on the career you had in the military, you likely spent a lot of time working with your hands. If you are looking to still do that, but be around people in a relaxed, customer service-based setting, why not consider Home Depot?
Like Lowes, Home Depot is one of the largest home improvement chains in the United States. In addition to offering a veterans discount, they also have a deep commitment to those who honorably served their country.
As of 2023, the retailer has employed over 35,000 veterans and is well on their way to investing half a billion dollars in veteran causes by 2025.
Through both Home Depot and their Home Depot Foundation, they have created the Path to Pro Program, which in partnership with the Home Builders Institute, helps vets develop the hands-on skills needed to work in a skilled trade industry such as construction, welding, bricklaying, and electrical.
5. Transportation Security Administration
On its website, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) proudly announces that honorably discharged veterans may receive preferential treatment during the employment hiring process. This treatment extends to veteran spouses, as well.
While the FEDS HIRE VETS program employed by the TSA doesn’t guarantee you job placement, it may make it easier to land a job when going up against other applicants who do not possess military experience.
You can read more about TSA’s commitment to veterans here, as well as the benefits of becoming a member of the team. Employed veterans will have access to veteran-specific resources that will make their transition to civilian life smoother.
Currently, one out of five TSA employees are veterans. The TSA has been recognized as being one of the Top 10 Best Employers and Companies That Hire Veterans, not just for their proclivity for bringing them on, but for being able to retain them, as well.
Click the link to browse current career opportunities like Law Enforcement, Federal Air Marshal, and Transportation Security Officer.
Recent statistics show that veterans working with TSA make about $65,000 on average, making it one of the more lucrative career choices for veterans.
Where You Can Find Veteran Career Resources
These are just some of the employers that are committed to hiring veterans. However, there are so many more not mentioned here.
As such, you may be wondering where you can find additional career resources specific to helping veterans, and one such resource is DiversityJobs. Visit the “Community” tab in the top menu and then click on “Veterans” to be brought to their job board.
Just as you would on other career websites like Indeed and CareerBuilder, DiversityJobs allows you to browse careers via keyword, job title, and location. Your job results will include employers who are excited to hire veterans, as they acknowledge the unique skills and experience you can offer the role.
Other amazing job resources you can access include American Corporate Partners, which offers career advice, networking opportunities, and one-to-one mentoring to both vets and their spouses.
You may also want to check out:
U.S. Employers Are Committed to Hiring Veterans
According to the Center for a New American Security, 90% of veterans are promoted faster than their co-workers, signifying how successful a transition to civilian life can be.
Whether you want to work in law enforcement, retail, aerospace, or with your hands, there are plenty of employment opportunities available to you.
This list of the top veteran-friendly employers in the United States can help you begin the transition.
