DALLAS - Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) is among the 2016 Most Valuable Employers (MVE) for Military® as named by CivilianJobs.com. The MVE winners list helps veterans and job-seekers with military experience identify the top employers to target for civilian careers. “We’re honored to be a Most Valuable Employer for Military, and immensely proud of the 6,800 veterans currently in our ranks at Southwest Airlines,” said Julie Weber, Vice President People at Southwest Airlines. “This recognition is a testament to our veterans and their incredible Warrior Spirit. And, like our military men and women, our sights are on a bigger cause—a commitment to continuing to grow the number of veterans in our workforce.” The 2016 Most Valuable Employers (MVE) for Military presented by DeVry University was open to all United States-based companies. Winners were selected based on surveys in which employers outlined their recruiting, training, and retention plans for military service members and veterans. MVEs are recognized in the month of May to help honor Armed Forces Day, May 21, 2016. This recognition underscores Southwest’s continuous efforts to hire and retain the nation’s military members. The Company actively seeks military talent through career fairs and military job boards, and partners with organizations to help veterans transition from the military and find meaningful employment. The airline offers a Military Appreciation Program to express gratitude and admiration for Employees who serve in U.S. military services through affiliation with the National Guard or Reserve Forces. Southwest Airlines has 12 national sponsorships with military-focused nonprofit organizations. Military-focused organizations are strategically chosen to represent a variety of services to military personnel, veterans, and their families, and represent the second-largest focus area of charitable contributions. In 2015, the Company volunteered nearly 5,400 hours for veteran and military causes. This allowed Employees to donate nearly 110 roundtrip tickets to military-focused nonprofit organizations through volunteer service. The airline’s total investment to military causes in 2015 was more than $1 million in cash and tickets.    SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.