#United States #McLean #HIRE Vets #Smoothstack #Federal Employment

Smoothstack Earns Recognition for Veteran Support

In an impressive display of commitment to workforce transformation and veteran support, Smoothstack has earned the 2026 Gold HIRE Vets Medallion Award from the U.S. Department of Labor. This distinction, administered through the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), highlights Smoothstack’s dedication to hiring and developing military veterans as they transition to engineering roles within enterprise and federal sectors. It marks the third occasion that Smoothstack has received this prestigious award, following similar recognitions in 2022 and 2025.

The Gold HIRE Vets Medallion Award Explained

The HIRE Vets Medallion is regarded as the only federal award program that acknowledges employers committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining veterans. To qualify for this award, organizations must demonstrate tangible results by meeting specific benchmarks for veteran hiring, maintaining twelve-month veteran retention, providing employee support programs, and adhering to federal veterans' employment laws.

Smoothstack's Unique Hiring Approach

Smoothstack’s approach is unique in a market where many employers focus on credentials rather than capabilities. As John Akkara, Smoothstack's CEO, stated, "Too many companies thank veterans for their service and then hire for credentials instead of capability. We hire for what veterans have already proven and develop the rest." This philosophy is crucial because many veterans possess operational discipline, sound judgment under pressure, and experience in meeting rigorous standards, yet often lack a clear pathway into modern engineering roles.

At Smoothstack, candidates are assessed based on skills and aptitude, leading to development in fields such as software engineering, cloud computing, automation, and Super Intelligence (SI) roles for various clients. This results in a mutually beneficial arrangement, where veterans gain skills they need for their careers, allowing Smoothstack's clients to benefit from dependable and adept engineering talent.

MEI™ Framework and Continuous Development

A critical component of Smoothstack’s strategy is the MEI™ (Mirrored Environment Immersion) framework. This framework enables new engineers to mirror the engineering environments of their clients. By helping engineers build skills on the exact tools and workflows they'll use in their jobs, Smoothstack ensures that these engineers remain productive and effective. Their skills are continually validated through actual work, creating a cycle of consistent ability enhancement.

Within the federal sector, Smoothstack’s subsidiary, Fedstack, embraces the same methodology, offering veteran candidates pathways into government technology roles. Each engineer at Fedstack earns the Full Stack SI Engineer credential, showcasing their capabilities across technical skills, leadership qualities, Agile methodologies, and federal immersion.

Expanding Outreach to Cybersecurity and Military Families

Fedstack has also tailored its approach for other unique demographics, including cybersecurity roles specifically aimed at military families. Their Women Veterans and Military Spouses Cybersecurity Cohort, developed in partnership with organizations like WiCyS and Women in Technology, successfully places veterans and military spouses in operational security positions.

Christopher Coligado, the Executive Vice President at Fedstack, pointed out the dual knowledge veterans possess: "Agencies modernizing critical systems need engineers who understand the mission as well as the technology. Veterans and military spouses have lived that mission. We build the engineering skills on top of it."

Conclusion

The ongoing success of Smoothstack illustrates a notable trend in workforce development—one that prioritizes skills-based hiring and the unique capabilities of veterans. As more organizations recognize the wealth of experience and adaptability service members bring to civilian roles, initiatives like those of Smoothstack could pave the path for progressive changes in the tech employment landscape. Veterans and military spouses interested in tech-related careers can discover opportunities at Smoothstack.com and Fedstack.com, forging a new chapter in their professional journey.

About Smoothstack and Fedstack, both companies represent a frontline force in fortifying the future of technology and workforce innovation in the U.S.