When a company claims that more than 30 percent of its workforce has military experience, that’s not just a statistic — it’s a strategic advantage. That figure belongs to Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA), which has just been awarded the 2026 HIRE Vets Gold Medallion Award by the US Department of Labor. This marks the ninth consecutive year the company has earned this recognition, a streak that dates back to the award’s inception in 2018.
The HIRE Vets Medallion remains the only federal-level award that specifically honors exceptional achievement in veteran employment. For SPA, a global provider of data-driven analytical insights for critical national security programs and defense priorities, this track record reflects a long-term commitment to helping veterans build careers after their military service ends.
“Veterans bring firsthand mission experience and a deep understanding of the challenges our clients face,” said Rich Sawchak, CEO of SPA. “Their leadership, discipline, and commitment to service are central to our culture and the work we do. We’re proud that so many veterans have chosen SPA as the next chapter in their careers.”
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Beyond hiring numbers, the company has built infrastructure to support its veteran workforce. Through mentorship programs and SPA VETS — an employee resource group designed for veterans, reservists, and National Guard members — the firm creates spaces where employees can share experiences, access resources, and forge professional connections. SPA also actively recruits veterans and transitioning service members, aiming to connect their specialized expertise with roles that touch everything from national security missions to defense analytics.
For those interested in learning more about the company’s veteran community and available career paths, additional information is available here.
Why it matters: SPA’s nine-year run with the HIRE Vets Gold Medallion shows that consistent veteran hiring isn’t a one-off PR move — it’s a sustainable business model in the defense and national security sector. When companies actively integrate military talent into their workforce, they don’t just check a diversity box; they gain a reservoir of firsthand mission knowledge that directly benefits clients and mission outcomes.
Genesis Eldredge
Systems Planning & Analysis
genesis.eldredge@spa.com
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