The freight railroad industry has been recognized for the seventh consecutive year by G.I. Jobs magazine, a career guide for military job-seekers, for their commitment to hiring military veterans. The magazine named five Class 1 railroads to their annual "Top 100 Military Friendly-Employers" list.

"America's freight railroads proudly support America's service men and women and their families," said Edward Hamberger, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads. "Not only have railroads historically been a critical link in the supply chain during war time, but freight rail has been an industry in which many members of the armed services have found good-paying, private sector jobs. Today, almost 25 percent of the employees working for the nation's freight railroads are current or former military service men and women."

The G.I Jobs list surveyed U.S. companies with earnings of more than $500 million in annual revenues and based the rankings on areas such as active recruitment efforts and results in hiring America's former service members. The survey also looked at which companies have the best company policies for employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve. Of the 5000 companies eligible, only two percent were recognized by G.I. Jobs.

"There is an attitude and skill set indicative of railroad employees that mirrors greatly with those of military service men and women," said Hamberger. "Those characteristics that make for a successful military career also make for a successful railroad career. The freight rail industry plans to hire 15,000 people next year and we want veterans to consider a career in railroading."

BNSF's military staffing program began in 2005 and has been managed for the past three years by U.S. Army First Sgt. (Ret.) John H. Wesley III. BNSF offers enhanced and extended benefits for employees and their family members when called to active duty, including make-whole pay and continued health care. In addition, the company offers 15 days of make-whole pay, without requiring the use of any vacation for annual training and drill duty. BNSF has hired more than 4,000 veterans since 2005 and currently employs approximately 7,000 veterans. In 2011, BNSF was named the No. 1 "Best Employer for Veterans" in the United States by Military Times EDGE magazine.

Canadian National offers excellent career opportunities for former members of the military. In the U.S., CN plans to add over 700 new employees this year. Military veterans comprise 20 percent of new hires at the company. CN has been recognized by G.I. Jobs as a Top Military Friendly Employer for three consecutive years.

Canadian Pacific supports military veterans with many Canadian and American employees currently listed as Reservists. In Canada, CP moves Canadian Forces' equipment and is one of Canada's most supportive employers of primary Reserve Force personnel. In the United States, CP is a proud partner of the U.S. Army PaYS program, which recruits soldiers interested in obtaining a quality civilian job following service to their country.

CSX has made a strong commitment to employing and supporting veterans; one in five new CSX employees is a veteran of the Armed Forces. For employees continuing to serve in the National Guard and Reserve, CSX provides extremely competitive military benefits, including differential pay based only on military base pay and the continuation of benefits for up to 15 days a year for annual training and for up to five years for state emergency duty and federal deployments. In addition, CSX supports the Wounded Warrior Project, which provides programs and services for injured service members to aid their transition from active duty to civilian lives. The company has been recognized since 2006 as a Top 100 Military Friendly Employer by G.I. Jobs magazine and was recently awarded the 2011 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award.

Kansas City Southern supports employees in the uniformed services and is committed to hiring transitioning service personnel and others with military experience. The company's efforts include job fairs, placing hiring stories in the media and advertisements in magazines such as G.I. Jobs. In 2008, KCS was recognized by the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve as a patriotic employer for its contribution to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America's National Guard and Reserve Force.

Norfolk Southern actively recruits veterans for careers in railroad operations and management. The company employs a full-time military recruiter who attends transition assistance events throughout the Eastern U.S. and participates in the Army's PaYS recruiting program. Fifteen percent of NS hires previously served in the Armed Forces. The company is considered a Consistent Performer by GI Jobs magazine, an honor reserved for those companies that have been included on the Military Friendly Employer list for three or more years.

Union Pacific developed a military-specific recruiting plan that includes involvement at military transition offices, military education offices, Reserve units, military panels, National Guard units, career fairs, information sessions, employer panels, resume review assistance and serving on local military committees and boards. UP encourages military personnel to apply within three months of their separation date and dedicates a section of its web site to military hiring. For the past six years, UP has been recognized as one of the most Military Friendly Employers in America by G.I. Jobs magazine, ranking No. 1 on the magazine's 2005, 2006 and 2010 lists. In addition, UP was named the No. 3 "Best Employer for Veterans" by Military Time's EDGE magazine in 2011 and was presented the Military Officers Association of America Distinguished Service Award in 2009. The company is a member of the Army Reserve's Employee Partnership Initiative, a supporter of the Army Partnership for Youth Success program and a past recipient of the Freedom Award, the U.S. government's highest employer recognition.