Corporate America is investing in military veteran talent across all industries, according to the latest annual list of the nation’s top military-friendly employers.

Military veterans returning to the workforce and transitioning service members looking for civilian jobs face still-high unemployment and rising competition for fewer openings in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest veteran employment data, the overall unemployment rate for veterans stood at 7.7 percent last month. Nevertheless, businesses in nearly every industry are investing heavily in military talent, according to G.I. Jobs’ 2012 top 100 military-friendly employers.

Released this week, G.I. Jobs’ ninth annual list of 100 companies represents the top 2 percent of more than 5,000 eligible companies with yearly revenues exceeding $500 million. Criteria include the strength of company military recruiting efforts, the percentage of new hires with prior military service, retention efforts and company policies toward National Guard and Reserve service.

“While hiring veterans may seem like a noble thing to do, the reality is that corporate America hires them in droves because, quite simply, it’s a smart business decision that drives shareholder value,” Sean Collins, director at G.I. Jobs, said in a statement.

The military produces approximately 400,000 new civilian workers annually, making “military alumni” a significant source of skilled talent in the country’s labor force. On average, companies on the list in 2003 reported that 6 percent of their new hires were veterans. Nine years later, that number has swelled to 17 percent. The reason, according to G.I. Jobs, is that most military personnel perform the same job functions as those in the civilian world, and often better.

“They are supply chain experts, auditors, technicians, nurses and skilled laborers. They are problem solvers, ambassadors and leaders. They are pressure-tested, work well in teams and possess a global perspective,” Collins said. “What company wouldn’t want to leverage that training and experience?”

A recent CareerBuilder.com survey asked employers that have hired U.S. veterans or members of the National Guard to list the top attributes military personnel brought to their organization. Among the valuable traits these veterans possess, employers cited: a disciplined approach to work (66 percent); an ability to work as part of a team (65 percent); respect and integrity (58 percent); leadership skills (56 percent); problem-solving skills (54 percent); an ability to perform under pressure (53 percent); and communication skills (45 percent).

“Our military veterans prove themselves exceptional employees, and their hard work helps us to continue delivering quality service to our customers,” Michael Ward, chairman, president and CEO of transportation firm CSX, says.

While industries represented at the top of the list include transportation, industrial products, insurance and retail, defense companies, unsurprisingly, constitute the bulk of the top 15:

1. Amazon.com (Retail)
2. Southern Company (Energy)
3. CSX Corporation (Transportation)
4. BNSF Railway (Transportation)
5. URS (Defense)
6. ManTech International (Defense)
7. Johnson Controls (Industrial Products)
8. Booz Allen Hamilton (Defense)
9. USAA (Insurance)
10. T-Mobile USA (Telecommunications)
11. Northrop Grumman Corporation (Defense)
12. Lockheed Martin Corporation (Defense)
13. Fluor Corporation (Diversified Services)
14. Dyncorp International (Defense)
15. CACI International (Defense)

(View the complete list.)

At the top of this year’s list, Amazon.com provides a dedicated military talent program to help veterans transition into the civilian workforce and find job opportunities within the company. The online retailer’s team of military recruiters, composed of veterans from all branches of the armed forces, works with each vet to translate his or her skills into job opportunities within the company, including management positions in operations, safety and corporate operations.

At the No. 2-ranked Southern Company, some 11 percent of the energy firm’s 26,000 employees are veterans or serve in the Guard or Reserves, and 15 percent of new hires this year alone are veterans, according to Susan Story, executive VP for Southern Company and president and CEO of Southern Company Services.

In the No. 3 spot, CSX has been included on the annual top 100 military-friendly employers list since 2006. Earlier this year, the company was also one of 15 recipients of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, which recognizes businesses that support active duty reservist employees.

“With nearly one in five employees a veteran of the armed services, CSX recognizes the integral role that veterans play,” the company said in a statement. “With their leadership, critical thinking, technical and problem solving skills, veterans typically have the invaluable skills CSX actively recruits.”

BNSF, ranked No. 4, has hired more than 4,000 veterans since 2005 and currently employs more than 7,000 veterans, or approximately 18 percent of its workforce. In 2011 alone, the freight transportation company has hired more than 1,000 vets, more than a quarter (26 percent) of its new hires, BNSF said in a statement.

Amazon, Southern Company, CSX and BNSF were also named among the most valuable employers for military personnel by Civilianjobs.com this summer.

Yesterday, military-friendly employers, as well as veterans and transitioning service members looking for civilian jobs, got some help from Congress, which passed the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. The legislation will offer tax credits to businesses that hire veterans — a provision of the American Jobs Act.

“This isn’t about charity or patriotism. It’s about good business,” Rich McCormack, who heads G.I. Jobs’ list research, said in the announcement of last year’s list. “The companies on our list understand that.”

Related

Why (and How) to Support Veteran-Owned Businesses

Top 15 Military-Friendly Employers

Job Opportunities for Military Veterans

Resources

The Employment Situation – October 2011
U.S. Department of Labor, Nov. 4, 2011

2012 Top 100 Military Friendly Employers
G.I. Jobs, Nov. 14, 2011

G.I. JOBS Announces 2012 Top 100 Military Friendly Employers List
G.I. Jobs, Nov. 14, 2011

Top 5 Most Underrated Sources for Talented Employees
by Jeff Haden
CBS MoneyWatch, June 14, 2011

One-in-Five Employers to Hire U.S. Veterans Over the Next 12 Months…
CareerBuilder.com, Nov. 10, 2011

Amazon to U.S. Veterans – “We Want You!”
Amazon.com, Nov. 14, 2011

Southern Company Ranks as Top Utility for Most Military-Friendly Employers
Southern Company, Nov. 16, 2011

CSX Named Top Military Friendly Employer in Transportation Industry
CSX, Nov. 14, 2011

World’s Top Military Magazine Names BNSF No. 1 “Best Company for Veterans”
BNSF, Sept. 13, 2011

Most Valuable Employers (MVE) for Military
Civilianjobs.com, May 2, 2011

Congress Approves Jobs Bill for Veterans
by Dan Fazio
G.I. Jobs, Nov. 17, 2011

What the American Jobs Act Means for Veterans and Military Families
AmericanJobsAct.com

Obama Launches 3 Initiatives to Help Veterans Find Jobs
by Dan Fazio
G.I. Jobs, Nov. 7, 2011