Sonoran Desert Institute Honored for Veteran Hiring Efforts

by
posted on November 30, 2021
SDI Receives

U.S. Secretary of Labor Martin J. Walsh recently recognized the parent company of Sonoran Desert Institute (SDI)—an online school with a focus in firearms technology—Trade Training Company, for its recruitment, hiring and retention of veterans. It was one of the 849 recipients of the 2021 HIRE Vets Medallion Award during a virtual award ceremony presented by U.S. Department of Labor. The Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act (HIRE Vets Act) Medallion Program is the only federal award program that recognizes employers for their efforts at adding and keeping those who served in uniform on their staff.

Sonoran Desert Institute’s commitment to hiring veterans has earned the School of Firearms Technology the gold award from the U.S. Department of Labor. As a recipient of the 2021 HIRE Vets Medallion Award, SDI has proven it meets rigorous employment and veteran integration assistance criteria.

“Achieving this recognition was very important to me, aside from the opportunity to attract new talent and stand out within our industry,” said SDI’s Rob Howard, director of military and veteran services for SDI. “For me, this was a way to have SDI recognized outside of education to validate what our organization does daily.”

SDI joins 848 other companies from 49 states, plus the District of Columbia, who have shown a commitment to hiring veterans, but also ensuring that they have a long-term career and growth plan that uses the diverse skills they acquired through military service.

Recipients of the 2021 HIRE Vets Medallion Award meet rigorous employment and veteran integration assistance criteria, including veteran hiring and retention percentages; availability of veteran-specific resources; leadership programming for veterans; dedicated human resource efforts; pay compensation, and tuition assistance programs for veterans. More than 1,400 employers have earned a HIRE Vets Medallion Award since 2018.

SDI is licensed and regulated by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education, registered with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education and accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.

Latest

Forehand & Wadsworth British Bull-Dog right-side view nickel-plated gun revolver with black grip
Forehand & Wadsworth British Bull-Dog right-side view nickel-plated gun revolver with black grip

I Have This Old Gun: Forehand & Wadsworth British Bull-Dog

Many eagle-eyed NRA members viewing the 1993 Western “Tombstone” no doubt recognized the Forehand & Wadsworth British Bull-Dog so deftly welded by actress Joanna Pacula, portraying Big Nose Kate, during a contemptuous card game between Doc Holliday and Ed Bailey.

Medal Of Honor Marine Receives Henry Repeating Arms Tribute

Henry Repeating Arms presented a Spirit of the Corps 250th Anniversary Tribute Edition rifle to Maj. Gen. Livingston for going above and beyond the call of duty on May 2, 1968, during the Battle of Dai Do in Vietnam.

Preview: Duramag 1911 DS Magazines

Duramag’s 1911 DS Magazines are compatible with numerous 9 mm Luger-chambered 2011-style handguns on the market.

Colt Monitor: The FBI’s “Fighting Rifle”

In the years between the World Wars, a rare variation of the Browning Automatic Rifle proved its reputation as an effective, devastating automatic rifle for combat between the country’s lawmen and its outlaws.

The Armed Citizen® May 19, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Report Shows Inventory, Prices Have Dropped At Firearm Retailers

Nearly all gun and related gear inventories at retailers dropped in the last 12 months. So have most prices paid at the counter, according to the year-over-year comparison detailed in the latest RetailBI report.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.