Spring 2006
G.I. Jobs, a magazine that helps transitioning military members search for civilian employment, released its 2005 list showcasing large companies that do the most to recruit and retain military veterans. The annual list is created using company criteria such as the strength of military recruiting efforts, percentage of new hires with military experience, and policies toward Guard and Reserve service.
The No. 1 Military-Friendly Employer: railroad giant Union Pacific, which boosted its military program by committing full-time recruiters to the effort. Rounding out the top five were Johnson Controls, where veterans comprised 30 percent of new hires last year; General Electric, which ranked third for the third straight year; Home Depot, the top firm on the 2004 list; and USAA, which has long been active in hiring military veterans and spouses.
Completing the top 25: Sprint Nextel, Lockheed Martin, BellSouth, American Electric Power, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Brinks, Georgia Pacific, Electronic Data Systems, Manpower, Exxon Mobil, SBC Communications, Honeywell, State Farm Insurance, Morgan Stanley, Cintas, Capital One Financial, ITT Industries, BNSF Railway, Merrill Lynch and Southwest Airlines.
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