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Werner Garners National American Legion Award for Veteran Hiring

The major U.S. carrier receives top honors for building a workforce where veterans make up one-fifth of its total personnel.

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Omaha, Nebraska — Werner has secured the National Award for Outstanding Large Employer of Veterans from the American Legion, recognizing the carrier for its ongoing commitment to hiring and supporting former military personnel. The accolade highlights how major trucking companies hiring ex-service members can successfully bridge the gap between military service and civilian careers behind the wheel.

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Veterans currently make up roughly 20 percent of Werner's total workforce. The carrier deploys specialized internal programs and tailored benefit structures designed to assist former service members as they transition into the civilian logistics sector. Greg Hamm, vice president of Field and Government Recruiting at Werner, noted that the organization remains dedicated to supplying meaningful employment opportunities and reliable support networks for drivers coming out of the armed forces.

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The Veterans Employment and Education Commission runs the Employer Awards Program, which has evaluated corporate dedication to veteran staffing since 1969. Werner earned the recognition through structured initiatives that help military personnel adapt their skills to commercial freight operations, providing steady pathways for CDL-A drivers entering the freight market.

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What This Means for Drivers

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For former service members holding a CDL-A, carriers with dedicated military transition programs offer a smoother path into long-haul and regional freight hauling. These specialized corporate structures often credit military experience toward pay scales and insurance qualification, reducing the friction typically associated with entering the civilian trucking workforce. Veterans evaluating carriers can leverage these established onboarding pipelines to secure stable positions with major fleets faster than traditional hiring routes allow.

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Industry Reaction

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Major carriers across the United States increasingly target the military community to fill critical seat shortages, positioning logistics careers as a natural fit for disciplined personnel leaving active duty. Programs that bridge military logistics experience with civilian over-the-road operations help stabilize driver retention rates while offering reliable incomes for newly discharged veterans entering the transportation sector.

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Key Points

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  • Werner received the American Legion National Award for Outstanding Large Employer of Veterans.
  • Veterans account for approximately 20% of the carrier's total workforce.
  • Greg Hamm serves as Werner's vice president of Field and Government Recruiting.
  • The American Legion Veterans Employment and Education Commission's Employer Awards Program has operated since 1969.
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Photo by Tom Fisk on Pexels

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Sandra Torres
Transportation journalist covering FMCSA rulemaking and freight market trends since 2014.