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Yesterday, CSX Corp. announced it will receive the 2011 Defense Employer Support Freedom Award from the U.S. Department of Defense's Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve later this month in Washington, D.C. CSX, which previously received the award in 1998, is the only two-time recipient, according to the Class I.

The award “is the highest recognition for companies that provide exceptional support for employees serving in the U.S. Guard and Reserves,” CSX officials said in a prepared statement. Of the 15 honorees since the award was instituted in 1996, CSX is the only major railroad to receive the honor, they said.

Among 4,000 nominations submitted for the award, CSX was nominated by John Gipe, a U.S. Army National Guard command sergeant major and CSX locomotive engineer.

“CSX is proud and appreciative of its citizen-soldiers as well as our military veterans,” said CSX Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Ward. “In addition to serving their country in their military roles, they also support the efficient delivery of freight that keeps our nation strong. The accountability and commitment they bring are important traits in our business.”

About one in five CSX employees is a veteran of the armed forces, or is a member of Guard or Reserve units. So far in 2011, CSX representatives have participated in 245 military recruiting events as part of a broad-based hiring initiative.

For more information on Class Is’ efforts to recruit former military personnel, follow this link to read an article (“Seeking those who have served”) that’s published in Progressive Railroading’s September issue.