Key Takeaways
• Textron Aviation named 2025 Top 25 Employer for Veterans by Military.com’s Veteran Employment Project.
• Nearly 15% of Textron’s workforce are veterans; tailored career resources and leadership programs support their transition.
• SkillBridge Internships and A&P certification accelerate veterans’ entry into civilian aviation roles.
Textron Aviation stands out in 2025 as one of the Top 25 Employers for Veterans, an honor given by Military.com’s Veteran Employment Project. This recognition highlights Textron Aviation’s strong effort in hiring veterans, helping them build fulfilling careers, and providing support as they switch from military to civilian work. With almost 15% of its workforce made up of veterans, the company has shown a clear devotion to former military personnel—not just through hiring, but by offering changes in roles, job resources, and career paths designed specifically for veterans’ needs.
How Textron Aviation Became a Top Employer for Veterans
The listing of Textron Aviation among the Top 25 Employers for Veterans for 2025 didn’t happen by chance. According to information provided by Military.com’s Veteran Employment Project and highlighted by VisaVerge.com, several qualities set the company apart:
– A dedicated veteran recruitment team that clearly communicates job openings and local work opportunities.
– Open paths for career growth and leadership. Veterans can see exactly how to move up in the organization.
– Strong support after hiring, including training, mentoring, and other resources.
Textron Aviation makes veterans feel valued and prepared for life after the military. This support is not only shown by the high number of veterans on staff but also in how the company helps them develop new skills and take on leadership positions.
Programs Built for Veterans’ Success
Textron Aviation offers a range of programs that focus on helping veterans shift from military service to working in the private sector. These include internships, job matching tools, and community support to provide veterans with every chance for success.
SkillBridge Internships
Textron Aviation is an authorized participant in the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge program. This program allows active-duty service members who are close to completing their service to take part in real work internships. These SkillBridge Internships help service members get practical experience and explore civilian career paths before officially leaving the military.
By welcoming SkillBridge Internships, Textron Aviation provides hands-on experience and a smooth switch. Veterans leave the military already having worked in a real business setting, with a clearer sense of what they want to do and what’s expected in civilian employment. This helps reduce the stress and uncertainty that often come with making such a big life change.
For more official information about the SkillBridge program, visit the Department of Defense SkillBridge overview.
A&P Certification and Training
Along with The Manufacturing Institute, Textron Aviation created a special Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) certification and training program for veterans. This accelerated, six-week program is split into two main steps:
- Two weeks of preparatory work, where veterans learn about the civilian job market, as well as improve resume writing and interview skills.
- Four weeks of focused certification training and testing in the technical skills needed for A&P jobs, which are vital for aircraft maintenance and safety.
This mix of job readiness and technical training helps veterans use their military background yet adapt it for commercial aviation. The certification process is direct and practical, allowing veterans to quickly jump into important roles within aviation after they leave the service.
Military Skills Translator
Switching careers can feel confusing, especially when military roles don’t have direct equivalents in civilian life. To help, Textron Aviation has launched a Military Skills Translator tool. Veterans enter their unique military occupational code—whether it’s an MOS (for the Army), AFSC (for the Air Force), or Rating (for the Navy). The tool then shows which Textron Aviation jobs might suit their background.
This simple process gives veterans a clearer idea of which skills from their service match up with real civilian jobs, making the job hunt much less overwhelming.
VETCOM Employee Resource Group
Camaraderie is often one of the things people miss most when leaving the armed forces. Textron Aviation addresses this by running the Veteran Engagement Through Community Outreach and Mentoring group, known as VETCOM. This employee resource group acts as a hub where veterans can find support, mentorship, and friendship within the company.
VETCOM members build a sense of belonging and understanding. They help each other adjust to corporate culture, share tips, and encourage veterans to get involved in community outreach. Shared events and charity causes help keep a spirit of teamwork alive.
Career Growth and Leadership for Veterans
Textron Aviation’s support does not stop at hiring. Veterans at the company can move up in their careers in a clear and structured way.
- Entry-level jobs are open to veterans as their starting point.
- From there, veterans can take specialized training and enroll in programs to build leadership skills.
- Textron Aviation offers leadership development and pathways into middle management and, for those who wish, executive roles.
These career ladders help veterans apply what they learned in the military—such as discipline, teamwork, and decision making—directly to their new roles. The message is clear: at Textron Aviation, veterans can aim high.
An outstanding example of this commitment to leadership is the career of the company’s top executive. Ron Draper, president and CEO of Textron Aviation, is himself a veteran—a former United States Army Captain, helicopter pilot, and company commander. His time in service included assignments overseas, including Bosnia, South Korea, and Germany. His story reflects the company’s belief that military experience directly connects to high-performing business leadership.
National and Federal Recognition
The 2025 Top 25 Employers for Veterans honor is just the latest in a record of recognition. Textron’s family of companies, which includes Textron Aviation, Textron Systems, and Bell, have achieved other major awards. For instance, in 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor gave Textron Systems and Bell the HIRE Vets Gold Medallion Award. This is the only federal award given just for companies that show proven efforts to recruit, employ, develop, and most importantly, keep veterans in their companies.
Receiving the HIRE Vets Gold Medallion means the company is meeting high standards at the federal level and going beyond the basic requirements for supporting veterans. Textron Aviation’s repeated recognition shows its ongoing promise—not just a one-time campaign.
Ongoing Community Involvement and Support
Textron Aviation’s commitment stretches beyond its factory walls. In May 2025, as part of Armed Forces Month, the company paused to honor and remember the service and sacrifice of the United States Armed Forces. Leadership and staff voiced their thanks for those who have worn the uniform, showing both respect and gratitude.
Outside of special recognition events, Textron Aviation continues to actively recruit veterans by:
- Attending job fairs focused specifically on former military personnel
- Partnering with branches of the military and well-known organizations devoted to veteran career help
- Building relationships with local veteran groups to get the word out about open jobs
Through these ongoing efforts, the company tries not only to recruit veterans but also welcome them with the support, information, and community ties they need for long-term success and happiness at work.
Why Textron Aviation’s Approach Matters
The shift from military to civilian life can be tough. Veterans may have valuable skills, but they often face challenges such as:
- Difficulty showing how their military experience fits with civilian job needs
- Gaps in technical licenses or certifications required outside the military
- Lack of clear networks for support and mentorship as they start over in new places
Companies like Textron Aviation help fight these obstacles by giving clear resources and programs that fill these gaps. By being seen as a Top Employer for Veterans, Textron Aviation sets a high standard for other employers.
Key parts of their successful approach include:
- Making sure veterans have easy access to job postings and applications
- Creating learning programs that quickly build the skills and licenses veterans need for certain roles
- Providing tools to help veterans translate their old jobs into new civilian job titles
- Offering a welcoming workplace culture where veterans can connect, learn, and thrive
Impact on Veterans, Families, and the Larger Community
Textron Aviation’s success is more than just good news for the company itself. Veterans who find meaningful work and a supportive environment are more likely to stay in these jobs, invest in their personal growth, and give back to their local communities.
When employers invest in veterans, benefits ripple outward:
- Veterans’ families gain stability as their loved ones find good, long-term jobs.
- Local economies are strengthened by the skills, discipline, and leadership that veterans bring.
- The broader aviation industry benefits from a skilled talent pipeline ready to meet future needs in manufacturing, engineering, leadership, and maintenance.
Programs like the SkillBridge Internships at Textron Aviation help bridge the gap between military and civilian careers, raising the bar for other companies looking to hire from this important talent pool.
Final Thoughts
Textron Aviation’s recognition as a Top Employer for Veterans in 2025 shows the results of a focused, long-term plan to support those who have served. With nearly 15% of its workforce made up of veterans, strong programs like SkillBridge Internships, A&P certification, and the VETCOM resource group, and a top executive who once served as a military leader, the company offers more than jobs—it builds careers and communities.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these efforts help Textron Aviation lead the way in veteran hiring, support, and long-term growth. Veterans looking for a career in aviation can see Textron Aviation as a place where their service is honored and where they can keep achieving for years to come.
For further details about government programs and veteran employment resources, you can visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s HIRE Vets Medallion Program for more on federal recognition for veteran-friendly workplaces.
With this continued focus and commitment, Textron Aviation continues to set the pace for welcoming veterans, helping them build new futures, and showing what real support for former service members looks like in the American workplace.
Learn Today
SkillBridge Internships → A Department of Defense program allowing active-duty service members to gain civilian work experience before leaving the military.
A&P Certification → Short for Airframe & Powerplant certification, it qualifies individuals to inspect, maintain, and repair aircraft for safety and compliance.
Military Skills Translator → An online tool that matches veterans’ military job codes to civilian roles at Textron Aviation, easing job searches.
HIRE Vets Gold Medallion → A federal award recognizing employers for outstanding commitment to recruiting, hiring, and retaining veterans in the workforce.
VETCOM Employee Resource Group → Textron Aviation’s internal network supporting veterans through mentorship, community outreach, and guidance within the company.
This Article in a Nutshell
Textron Aviation is recognized as a 2025 Top Employer for Veterans for its robust support programs, including SkillBridge Internships and A&P certification. With almost 15% veterans on staff, they provide clear career pathways, mentorship, and tailored resources, ensuring veterans succeed at all levels in civilian aviation roles and leadership positions.
— By VisaVerge.com
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