Purpose is often cited as the most difficult thing veterans lose when they leave military service. Careers built around national security, life-or-death operations, and tightly coordinated missions don’t have obvious civilian equivalents. HX5 CEO Margarita Howard, herself a service-disabled Air Force veteran, has structured her company around the idea that government contracting can provide exactly that kind of work and that veterans are uniquely positioned to do it.

Howard has described HX5’s work to potential hires in direct terms: “The work we do is very exciting. Some of it is not being done anywhere else in the world.” The company supports Department of Defense and NASA missions across research and development, engineering, information technology, and mission operations, with operations in more than 20 states and over 70 government locations.

Fellowship Program Creates Real Entry Points

HX5 has participated in the Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship Program since 2021, hosting eight fellows over four years at a rate of two annually. The program is a Department of Defense SkillBridge initiative facilitated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Active-duty members within 180 days of separation spend 12 weeks at host companies working four days a week on active projects. One day per week goes toward professional development. Military pay and benefits continue throughout.

The program has produced strong outcomes at the national level: more than 500 fellows have completed it since 2015, 80% have received job offers, and average starting salaries sit at $70,000. HX5’s fellow count is modest in absolute terms, but scaled to a workforce of roughly 1,000, the company’s commitment holds up against much larger participants.

The practical appeal for HX5 is clear. The company’s contracts frequently require active security clearances and personnel who understand how government agencies operate from the inside. Veterans often arrive with both. The fellowship structure lets HX5 evaluate those candidates in actual work environments before making permanent hiring decisions.

A Career Model Built from Experience

Margarita Howard’s trajectory after the Air Force earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees, working on the Tricare military health care program, and ultimately founding HX5 in 2004 — created the framework for what she now offers fellowship participants. Her company holds certification as both a service-disabled veteran-owned and women-owned small business.

For veterans weighing civilian employment options, that combination of certifications, mission-driven work, and leadership with firsthand knowledge of military transition carries weight. Margarita Howard has built HX5 into a place where that background isn’t just welcomed — it’s the foundation the company runs on. Refer to this article for related information.

Learn more about Howard on https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/hx5-llc