FleishmanHillard, which saw former Defense Sec. Leon Panetta return as an advisor in May, has organized a division to focus on outreach and communications with the U.S. military, noting an increased demand and organizations "struggling" to connect with vets and their families after "more than 11 years of sustained armed conflict."

FH has worked for the Dept. of Defense, its healthcare program Tricare, military-oriented bank USAA, and the U.S. Army's Training with Industry program, which has placed Army fellows in FH jobs.

Martha Boudreau, who heads FH's Washington office as Mid-Atlantic/Latin America president said the firm's work with and on behalf of the military "particularly over the past 12 years, has given us the insight to counsel the military and the many organizations who would like to support them."

FH has formed a 20-staffer group with ties to the military led by senior VP/partner Erin Hazard, a former military spouse and project manager at the firm for its work on the Operation Tribute to Freedom marketing outreach program of the U.S. Army's Office of the Chief of Public Affairs.

"As the nation becomes more distanced overall from its military population, the group also has been called upon to assist military and veterans groups with maintaining their connection and relevance to the American public," FH said in a statement