Vet News: The Home Depot Ranks First, Showcasing its Massive Military Recruitment Program

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Touting an extensive program to recruit transitioning military troops and military Veterans, The Home Depot, based in Atlanta, GA, was found to be the most "military-friendly" employer in America. The company, which ranked fourth on last year’s list, improved an already excellent program by hiring 52% Veterans into its Store Leadership Program, a regimen that fast-tracks new hires to manage an entire store in about two years. The Home Depot was also recognized for its military spouse hiring efforts.

G.I. Jobs, a national monthly magazine that assists transitioning military members and Veterans in their search for civilian employment, has released its second annual list of the nation’s Top 25 Most Military Friendly Employers. The list, drawn from a sample of Fortune 500 companies, was created based on company criteria including the strength of company military recruiting efforts, the percentage of new hires with prior military service, and company policies toward national guard and reserve service.

"The war in Iraq has brought the professionalism of our troops to the forefront," said Rich McCormack, Publisher of G.I. Jobs. "Much like campus and minority recruiting, nearly all big companies now have a comprehensive military recruiting program in place. They recognize that the military training Veterans live every day is a huge asset. These are professional leaders that instantly add value to the companies that hire them. In today’s marketplace, companies with a military hiring program have a significant competitive advantage."

The second annual G.I. Jobs survey is perhaps the most comprehensive effort yet to research and evaluate corporate hiring policies and practices regarding Veterans.

Over 50% of new Brinks hires last year were military Veterans, a testament to the company’s commitment to military hiring given that only about 9% of the total U.S. population once served. EDS, Honeywell and ArvinMeritor hired a high percentage too; all were at least at 15%.

The global integrated communications provider Sprint ranked second for the second consecutive year. GE ranked third. Brinks, Johnson Controls, Union Pacific, Lockheed Martin, American Electric Power, USAA, EDS, Georgia Pacific and Manpower rounded out the top dozen.

*Rich McCormack and Chris Hale are available for interview.

SOURCE: VNIS