Big defense companies can absorb dozens of military fellows each year, backed by recruiting teams devoted entirely to veterans. Smaller firms face tighter limits. HX5, with about 1,000 employees, has found its own rhythm under CEO Margarita Howard two fellows a year, every year, since 2021.

That steady approach was the focus of a recent Ritz Herald profile. The eight fellows HX5 has hosted came through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program, which places active-duty service members with civilian employers during their last 180 days in uniform.

Capacity and Commitment

For a company of this size, every fellow requires attention from managers, mentors, and project teams. Bringing in two people annually keeps integration manageable while still producing a reliable flow of veteran talent. The profile argues that consistency carries weight. Participation that holds steady from year to year signals a lasting commitment, whereas stop-and-start involvement usually tracks short-term staffing gaps.

Margarita Howard’s own background helps explain the choice. She served in the Air Force and is a service-disabled veteran. “My background was influenced by military service,” she told the publication.

Where Fellows Land

HX5 supports Department of Defense and NASA programs at over 70 government locations in more than 20 states. Its projects include advanced weapons research, production readiness reviews for sensor systems, and modeling and simulation for defense and space efforts. Many of these assignments require security clearances, which transitioning service members frequently already hold.

The fellowship runs 12 weeks. Participants work four days a week at the host company and attend professional development training on the fifth. They keep their military pay and benefits during that time, which lets them test a civilian career without financial strain.

The program has a solid track record overall, with more than 500 graduates since 2015 and an 80% hire rate. HX5 is a service-disabled veteran-owned and women-owned small business, and Margarita Howard’s measured participation offers a model for other small contractors weighing how to support military transition within their means. Refer to this article for related information.

Learn more about HX5 on https://ritzherald.com/ceo-margarita-howards-background-shapes-hx5-approach-to-veteran-employment/