As Energy in Depth reported last year, Chesapeake Energy continues to help our returning veterans in placing a high priority on hiring our former servicemen and women, making it a central part of the companies recruitment strategy. With over 1,200 military employees,  the second-largest producer of natural gas hired more than 600 veterans in 2012 alone.

In recognition of the company’s continued progress in both hiring veterans and supporting them in the workforce, Chesapeake was again highlighted in this year’s  Magazine’s Top 100 Military Friendly Employers. The recognition is something Chesapeake has taken pride in as they continue to work to pay-it-forward to our servicemen and women.

Chesapeake is an American company that is a top producer of American oil and natural gas. Creating American jobs and hiring veterans to work in our oil and gas fields and in our offices has become central to our recruiting strategy. Veterans perform well in our industry and share our company’s commitment to energy independence. We hope to honor their talent, experience and military service with rewarding careers, while easing their transition to civilian life. – Martha Burger, Chesapeake Senior Vice President – Human & Corporate Resources

A team of recruiters leading Chesapeake’s military hiring initiative focuses most of its efforts on job fairs held on military bases, and offers veterans direct access to recruiters through a veterans-only email address. Of the more than 600 veterans hired this year, many filled positions in the field. Performance Technologies, a Chesapeake affiliate, recruited veterans to make up more than 30% of its 2012 new hires. Veterans also filled one in five Chesapeake Operating jobs in 2012.

The oil and gas industry offers thousands of jobs that are conducive to military experience. Military professionals tend to be goal-oriented leaders, skilled at working in teams, disciplined and used to working outside in safety-sensitive environments — characteristics we seek in our employees.–Pete Kenworthy, manager of media relations for Chesapeake in Ohio.

In addition to their internal objective to offer opportunities for our veterans, Chesapeake serves as partner in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Veterans Employment Advisory Council, part of the larger Hiring Our Heroes program. The initiative is focused on enhancing collaboration between the public and private sectors to improve career opportunities for veterans.  The council has a few goals, they include:

• hiring veterans and military spouses;
• sharing best practices and adopting next practices for veteran and military spouse employment;
• reporting measures such as job opportunities, interviews, and job placements;
• providing mentors to help transitioning service members and military spouses; and with the support of the Chamber’s extensive grassroots network;
• enlisting the commitment of thousands of small and medium-sized businesses across America to do the same.

Mike Hostetler joined Chesapeake in January 2012 as a field engineer after serving six years active duty in the United States Air Force. Working out of Chesapeake’s Canton office eased Hostetler’s transition to civilian life.

Chesapeake’s core values reflect many of my own personal and professional values.  There are plenty of companies that appear to shy away from hiring veterans, claiming that our skill sets aren’t easily translatable. Fortunately, Chesapeake sees service members as we are; unpretentious leaders, attentive professionals and people that get the job done. The company not only recognizes the value of my active duty military experience, but also provides opportunities to enhance that experience in a challenging and rewarding industry.–Mike Hostetler, Chesapeake employee, veteran

While employment opportunities go a long way to honor and aid our veterans in their return home, support goes beyond hiring. In 2012, Chesapeake created a Troop Connect program that provides resources and networking opportunities to veterans within the company, an initiative that aids not only our veterans, but their families as well.

As we hired more veterans, we came to realize the value that they gain by having a way to connect with each other. Through Chesapeake’s Troop Connect program, we are able to provide an avenue for our veterans and their families to share common experiences and form a strong community–Martha Burger, Chesapeake Senior Vice President – Human & Corporate Resources

This Veterans Day, Chesapeake will honor each of its more than 1,200 military employees by providing them with a commemorative challenge coin, a letter of gratitude from Chesapeake’s CEO, a pin, and a hard hat sticker. Offices across the country will also be hosting special ceremonies in gratitude of local employees who are veterans.

For more information or to view available jobs, visit www.chk.com/careers.

Veterans may also contact chkmilitary@chk.com.

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube ! – and today thank a veteran for their service and for keeping us all safe.