THE MILITARY CREATES STRONG EMPLOYEES
No matter who goes into the service, they are different when they come out. They’ve pushed their physical and mental limits and realized anything is possible. They have tools to handle stress and conflict. They know how to lead—and often, just as important, how to follow. They’re comfortable performing under stress. They share some core values like service to others before self. All of these things combine to make a quality employee—one who can make the difference between your business “just getting by” and growing.
VETERAN WORKERS NEED LESS TRAINING THAN MOST EMPLOYEES
All veterans will come to you with skills that directly benefit your business. All veterans have received:
- Leadership training
- Anti-discrimination training
- Stress management techniques
- Anti-sexual harassment training
- Personal resiliency tools
- Health and welfare classes
- Risk management education
- Crisis management skills
- Instruction on adhering to a core set of values (such as duty, honesty, loyalty and teamwork)
- Problem-solving experience
- Team-building exercises
- Experience working in service of a larger goal
Also, because veterans are so accustomed to training on so many levels, they’ve developed the ability to absorb a lot of information quickly and apply it to their situation.
EMPLOYEES WHO AREN'T AFRAID OF WORK
If there’s one trait most common across service members and their spouses, it’s a willingness to work hard. From day one of basic training, veterans are expected to perform—to attack the job in front of them without complaining. This work ethic is drilled into veterans throughout their career, and follows them into the civilian world. Similarly, among military spouses, the mindset is the same, no matter the task: “This job needs to be done.”
EMPLOYEES WHO AREN'T AFRAID OF A CHALLENGE
Another commonality among service members and their spouses is adaptability. They face changing conditions and shifting obstacles not only day to day, but sometimes minute to minute. So they are used to adjusting on the fly, focusing on a solution and calmly carrying on to make sure their goals are achieved. This makes them not only great problem solvers, but it also makes them exceptional at tackling any challenge your business can throw at them now and in the future.
Executive Summary for Senior Leadership
Learning more about what veterans and military spouses are all about can be as simple as talking to them. Find the veterans and spouses in your own company and ask about their experiences. If you prefer to take a more formal approach, invite them to a breakfast or team meeting to discuss your interest in them and hiring people like them. Ask them to help you.
If you don’t have any veterans or military spouses on staff, go to a local military function that’s open to the public, such as a deployment ceremony, homecoming or family support group meeting, and introduce yourself to the veterans and spouses in your community. Make connections with them and tell them how much you appreciate what they do.