; (ii) such employer has retained not less than 75 percent of the veteran employees hired during the calendar year preceding the preceding calendar year for a period of at least 12 months from the date on which the employees were hired; (iii) such employer has established an employee veteran organization or resource group to assist new veteran employees with integration, including coaching and mentoring; and (iv) such employer has established programs to enhance the leadership skills of veteran employees during their employment. (C) Platinum HIRE Vets Medallion Award No employer shall be eligible to receive a Platinum HIRE Vets Medallion Award in a given calendar year unless— (i) the employer meets all the requirements for eligibility for a Gold HIRE Vets Medallion Award under subparagraph (B); (ii) veterans constitute not less than 10 percent of all employees hired by such employer during the prior calendar year; (iii) such employer has retained not less than 85 percent of the veteran employees hired during the calendar year preceding the preceding calendar year for a period of at least 12 months from the date on which the employees were hired; (iv) such employer employs dedicated human resources professionals to support hiring and retention of veteran employees, including efforts focused on veteran hiring and training; (v) such employer provides each of its employees serving on active duty in the United States National Guard or Reserve with compensation sufficient, in combination with the employee’s active duty pay, to achieve a combined level of income commensurate with the employee’s salary prior to undertaking active duty; and (vi) such employer has a tuition assistance program to support veteran employees’ attendance in postsecondary education during the term of their employment. (D) Exemption for smaller employers An employer shall be deemed to meet the requirements of subparagraph (C)(iv) if such employer— (i) employs 5,000 or fewer employees