In a significant announcement, Military Friendly® unveiled the top employers for 2026, recognizing 376 organizations for their remarkable commitment to creating meaningful job opportunities for veterans and military families. Topping the list is Amentum, which achieved the highest ranking in the largest company category.
The recognition underscores the growing trend among businesses to create a supportive workforce that actively integrates veterans' unique skills and experiences. As voiced by Kayla Lopez, VP of Partnerships at Military Friendly®, this initiative demonstrates that supporting the military community is not merely a duty but a strategic advantage that leads to business excellence.
The organizations highlighted range from large corporations to nonprofits, showcasing a diverse array of industries committed to veteran employment. In the hierarchy of categories, Performance Contractors, Inc. was recognized at the top for companies yielding between $1 billion to $5 billion in annual revenue, while Roche Diagnostics USA excelled in the middle-market segment. For small-to-midsize firms, The Adversity Academy Leadership Development Group received accolades, and The Warrior Alliance emerged as a leader in nonprofit/government categories.
Notably, The Home Depot and USAA have consistently been recognized as Military Friendly® Employers since the list began, reflecting their enduring commitment to supporting the military community. Other companies, including Travelers, Lockheed Martin, Lowe's, CDW, AT&T, BNSF, Cintas, Schneider, Southern Company, State Farm, Southwest Airlines, and J.B. Hunt, have been recognized for at least 19 of the past 23 years, highlighting their long-standing dedication to veteran employment.
The sectors leading the charge in veteran employment include Construction, Infrastructure, and Engineering, accounting for 16% of the recognized employers. Other prominent fields with significant representation include Manufacturing (9%), Health, Pharmaceutical Services, Information Technology, and Business Services (each 8%), Defense (7%), and sectors such as Energy, Extraction, and Utilities, along with Financial Services and Banking (6% each). Insurance and Trucking also contribute by accounting for 5% of the awarded companies.
Geographically, the states making significant strides in hiring veterans include Texas, California, Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Georgia, Illinois, and Colorado, emphasizing a nationwide commitment to support the military workforce.
Military Friendly® serves as a national standard, maintaining a vetted membership program to identify organizations genuinely dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for veterans, military members, and their spouses. With over 2,800 organizations recognized, Military Friendly® is proudly owned by Viqtory, Inc., a veteran-owned small business that is committed to this cause but is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense or the federal government.
The rigorous selection process involves a data-driven, rules-based algorithm, ensuring transparency and consistency in the results. The complete list of Military Friendly® Employers, along with detailed criteria and rankings, can be found at
MilitaryFriendly.com. As this recognition fosters a deeper understanding of the critical role veterans play in the workforce, it also serves as inspiration for businesses to nurture and uphold various practices that promote inclusivity and support for the military community.