5 Reasons Veterans Make Great Employees

Employing our Nation's Finest

“Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.”
― Abraham Lincoln

Skills, experience, and aptitude are essential in evaluating and obtaining top talent for your organization. And what better candidates exemplify these attributes more than America’s finest? Moreover, they embody qualities that are easily translatable and valuable for your workplace culture:

• Patriotism – the devotion exhibited in serving our country shows the capability to extend the same commitment to work
• Passion –driven by more than monetary compensation and motivated by forces greater than themselves
• Perseverance –steadfast amidst adversity and a “never say die” attitude

People with prior military experience have the proven ability to learn new skills and concepts. In addition, they bring with them distinguishable and transferable skills, proven in real-world situations. Their service consisted of mission-focused execution, leadership in demanding situations, and complex decision making, all of which translate to crucial skills including adaptability, quick thinking, collaboration, creative problem solving, experience working in diverse teams, and proven leadership.

 Also, most military career fields require basic training in conventional technologies. Some veterans receive advanced training in niche technological areas, which can benefit your organization if you need someone on staff with specific expertise.

 With all this in mind, we’ve identified the top five reasons to hire a veteran.

Discipline

Military personnel adhere to rigorous schedules and standards. Whether the job is time-sensitive or flexible, veterans are poised to succeed. Additionally, discipline translates into purpose. Purpose-driven employees stick to their goals with a laser focus and see projects through to completion.

Teamwork and collaboration

Veterans understand how genuine teamwork grows out of a responsibility to colleagues. They’ve learned to work side by side with individuals regardless of race, gender, ethnic background, and economic status, developing a sensitivity to cooperate with many different people.

Work ethic

The military instills organization and discipline in its service members. The mission always comes first. Those with a strong work ethic place a high value on their professional success and the success of their team and organization.

Adaptability

Many veterans dealt with sensitive situations that changed by the second, lived in less-than-ideal conditions, and learned how to effectively cope and pivot quickly. Adaptability and flexibility are key. You want someone who can keep composure under pressure on your team.

Leadership at its finest

The military provides leadership training to most of its members and encourages people to take on leadership roles whenever possible to hone their skills. Often, veterans receive intensive leadership and professional communication training within their first couple of years of service. So if you’re hiring a veteran, you're likely acquiring an employee who knows how to manage others, takes accountability for responsibilities, and motivate a team of people to accomplish common goals. Hiring veterans is not just a good concept, it's good business.