Freight rail industry spotlights link with veterans

The Association of American Railroads Tuesday noted freight railroads have had more than a century-long commitment to the nation’s servicemen and women, and in 2011 they continue to hire veterans “at a robust pace.”

AAR said one in five of the more than 15,000 new employees freight railroads expect to hire this year have served in our nation’s military.

“Freight rail continues to be a steady driver of our nation’s economy, and as demand increases we need even more employees to help keep our wheels turning,” said AAR President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger (pictured at left). “For this reason, our industry is on pace to hire approximately 15,000 new employees in 2011, and thousands of these jobs will go to members of the military, who are uniquely qualified to work in freight rail.”

AAR has developed a special online tribute to freight rail employees with service in the military. This section profiles individual former-military employees from all walks of life and in a variety of rail jobs.

As well, AAR has launched a slideshow with a historic look at how railroads have helped our military efforts, titled “Victory by Rail : America’s Railroads During Wartime.”

Hamberger pointed to an “overlap” in personal traits and skill sets of railroad employees with military service men and women. “Our vets have a disciplined background, with special capabilities and qualities that are uniquely suited to help keep freight railroads efficient and safe,” he said.