The Benefits of Hiring Veterans

Joe Weinlick
Posted by in Career Advice


When soldiers leave their military careers, they often seek employment in the civilian world. Some employers are reluctant to hire retired service members, so veterans may find it difficult to find a job in the regular workforce. Organizations that do hire veterans enjoy a number of advantages. Check out these benefits of hiring veterans to find out what your company can gain by hiring a former soldier.

Technical Knowledge

During their time in the military, soldiers are trained for various occupations, and these learned skills typically transfer to civilian jobs. Members of the armed forces receive on-the-job training to perform job duties in such areas as aircraft and vehicle maintenance and repair, human resources, health care, electronic communications or construction. Job candidates with a military background may already have the technical knowledge and work experience necessary to fulfill job roles in the hiring industry, saving private organizations the expense of providing training.

Communication Skills

Veterans understand the importance of excellent communication in the workplace. Military personnel are taught to express themselves clearly to subordinates, team members and commanding officers, and they receive training in effective writing. Members of the armed forces understand workplace diversity and appreciate the need to be flexible, allowing veterans to adapt well to a variety of work environments. Companies that expand to the global marketplace benefit greatly by employing soldiers who understand international communication or who are bilingual.

Leadership Qualities

Much of the military training soldiers receive teaches them to be leaders, whether they are specifically tasked with being a military officer or not. Many soldiers enter the military at a young age and take on a great deal of responsibility and decision making early on in their careers. Since the military focuses on achieving missions, veterans are shaped to value independence and cooperation, making them excellent leaders in civilian industries.

Increased Motivation

Soldiers know the importance of self-discipline and are taught to face the consequences of their actions, so there is often little problem with them adhering to work rules and organizational policies. The military focuses on working efficiently and with a sense of urgency and stresses the importance of asking for guidance when it is necessary, so hiring veterans is a great decision for organizations looking to increase productivity in the workplace.

Team Loyalty

Soldiers learn the importance of being a team player during their time in service. The military focuses on achieving group goals, teaching members to put their personal differences aside to benefit the team. This helps veterans to be good leaders and good co-workers in civilian careers. Veterans often carry this sense of loyalty and dedication into the private sector, making them an excellent long-term investment for organizations hoping to sustain hardworking employees.

Strong Work Ethic

When soldiers are deployed, they work seven days a week with no time off for vacation or holidays, so veterans typically embody hard work and a strong work ethic. Soldiers are taught to be disciplined and adhere to schedules during their military careers, so they are able to demonstrate this professional maturity when transitioning to a career in the civilian world. For this reason, veterans make excellent candidates for organizations hoping to hire reliable, punctual and focused employees.

Tax Breaks and Government Incentives

In addition to the skills and values veterans bring to the table, they also present some financial benefits for employers. Organizations often qualify for tax credits for every unemployed veteran hired by the company. The amount of the tax credit is based on the amount of the veteran’s wages and the length of his unemployment. The tax credit may be even greater if the veteran is wounded. The government also provides financial assistance for veterans to receive higher education, allowing your company to benefit from any continuing education initiatives accepted by its employees.

In addition to technical know-how, military members possess a number of critical skills and values that transfer perfectly into the civilian workplace. The decision to hire a veteran can be extremely advantageous to organizations, as these businesses are bestowed with quality employees trained for success.

Photo Courtesy of Lauren at Flickr.com

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  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @Mark thanks for your comment. It's tough coming from the service back into the world. I did it after a 20 year stint so I know, from personal experience, that it can be done. Try reaching out to others in your situation. I belong to a LinkedIn Group for Veterans https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4466143. Try joining there and see if others can offer tips and suggestions to get you rolling along. Best of luck to you and thank you for your service.

  • Mark A.
    Mark A.

    I am one of those veterans who has a very difficult time making the case that we are easily assimilated into their system. just wish they would take the time to get to know us.

  • William Browning
    William Browning

    In past positions, I loved working with veterans. They are a cut above everyone else because of the training they receive in the military. I would actually prefer to work with vets because they tend to have a no-nonsense, let's get this done kind of attitude. Vets also have some of the coolest stories to tell in the break room.

  • CATHERINE S.
    CATHERINE S.

    I agree with the point that veterans are team players and have a great respect for leadership. The military teaches you that you aren't competing against your peers, but working together to meet goals and objectives, which is a mentality that is so valuable in many workplaces. I'm wondering why the government tax breaks for hiring veterans hasn't translated into a lower rate of unemployment.

  • Katharine M.
    Katharine M.

    I agree that there is a great benefit to hiring veterans. I've worked with many and their military experience has led them to develop a strong work ethic and excellent self-discipline. Additionally, it's one more way that a workplace can be diverse and employees can learn from each other.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    Thanks for your comments. @Andrew it is true that they should be upfront and let the hiring manager know that they will require two weeks off each year to complete their drills. Companies are required to give them the time and then to allow them to return to their position. This is actually a law. @Robert my heart aches for you. It is tough to come out of 22 years in the service and try to figure out what you want to be when you grow up. I, too, faced the same decisions after 20 years in the service. It is also a shame that military members are stereotyped just because of a few bad apples. And technically, they can not ask if you have a disability as that is covered by the ADA laws. Are you trying to work in the same type of field and position that you had in the service or are you starting a whole new career. Have you asked why you won't fit in to the demands of the job and what you need to do in order to be able to fit? Start there. Maybe you don't need anymore education. And I caution - the longer you are out of work, even for education, the longer it will be before you find a new position. You might want to try to pick up a part-time position or something while you are finishing up your schooling. Best of luck all.

  • Robert Andrews
    Robert Andrews

    Finding an employer that will accept military experience as actual "job" experience is a problem. I have 22 years in the military I now have two AAS degrees woking on a 3rd plus one more year to a bachelor's degree and still get told "I wont fit in to the demand of the job." just after the question is asked "Do I have a disability?"

  • Andrew  S.
    Andrew S.

    I agree that some employers are reluctant to hire former military personnel simply because of negative stereotypes they have about veterans. However, I think some of these employers' concerns may be legitimate in certain circumstances. Take reservists or guardsmen, for example. What if they may still have military commitments that they are not completely open about?

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    Thanks for your comments. It could depend upon the company culture @Cory whether or not a veteran will "fit in". But more than likely it won't take them long to adapt to the current environment and be one of the team along with creative thinking and creative ideas. @Lydia thanks for that. Not sure if onboarding and training programs are the right thing to do as that singles the veteran out even though the thought behind it is great. Veterans will come with a great work ethic and a can do attitude and they will do their best to embrace the workplace and fit in. Everyone has an opinion about this. If anyone else is working with veterans, chime in.

  • Cory L.
    Cory L.

    I think it's a little too all-encompassing to suggest hiring veterans for any position. There are some companies where their skills as team players and work ethic are effective, but a lot of companies now favor employees who are creative and quick thinkers. That's not to say that veterans don't have these traits, but the methods discipline used in the armed forces are now often antithetical to corporate policies.

  • Lydia K.
    Lydia K.

    @Jacob, I have worked alongside many veterans in the government contracting field and I think the article is pretty accurate about what many veterans bring to a corporate environment. Obviously a company environment is different from a military environment and new veterans will have a transitional period when they move into the civilian workforce. I think good practices in recruiting and interviewing veterans go a long way in finding the right fit for a given position. In my experience on-boarding and training programs that are sensitive to the fact that veterans are making a transition are very helpful.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    @James as one veteran to another - thank you for your service. Your country appreciates you.

  • James Person
    James Person

    Thanks for posting this. I am a vet and appreciate everything you detailed

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    Thanks for the comments. @Abbey it is very true that the number one word, when thinking about veterans, would be discipline. Absolutely - it is instilled in you from the very first day and becomes part of who you are even after leaving the service. @Mike thanks for that honesty. Some companies would hire simply because the candidate served in the military. 9 times out of 10 it would be a good hire, ,too. Veterans know all about training, taking criticism gracefully, keeping to themselves and getting the job done right the first time and, of course, punctuality. @Hema as a veteran, I would have to do some serious research to find out if a company is receiving tax credits because they hire veterans. I can't imagine a veteran saying - hey you receive these benefits if you hire me so when can I start?!!! Companies pretty much know what they are getting when they hire a veteran - with or without any benefits to the company for hiring veterans.

  • Mike Van de Water
    Mike Van de Water

    In my past hiring decisions, I've always given extra consideration to those who have served in the military. Ex-soldiers understand training and criticism without taking it personally, they tend to not stir up any drama, and they're always on time! The financial benefits were just an added bonus. I wouldn't hire somebody SIMPLY BECAUSE he had a military background, but given two candidates of generally equal talent, I'll hire the vet every time.

  • Hema Zahid
    Hema Zahid

    Do the veterans themselves know that a company that hires them can receive tax credits? Are there any ways for veterans to find out exactly what benefits a company is eligible for by hiring them? This knowledge would make them feel empowered in interviews with organizations that may be a little reluctant to include veterans in their workforce.

  • Abbey Boyd
    Abbey Boyd

    When I think of military members, the first thing that comes to my mind is discipline. I think that is one of the strongest, most important characteristics that is taught in the military. The members are taught not only to follow orders, but also to adhere to the rules, to stay strong, and to have great moral character. As Shannon commented, they are generally diligent, conscientious, and trained to meet deadlines. This is all a part of the discipline that is instilled in them while in the military. As a hiring manager, this is the one thing that would entice me most to hire a former military member. These are the things that make these people highly sought after employees in any sector.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    Thanks for that @Kellen. As one of those veterans, I appreciate that. You will find it to be true pretty much across the board for veterans. Motivation, attention to detail and following directions are things that are instilled in military members from the very first day in the service. That is one of the main reasons why you will not go wrong in hiring a veteran. Yes, there are exceptions to this rule, of course - the same as with any "category" such as the baby boomers or millennials. But hopefully those are the rare exceptions when it comes to the men and women who have served our country.

  • Kellen P.
    Kellen P.

    I agree with the "increased motivation" part, at least in my limited time working with veterans. It's a small sample size, but veterans I have worked with were always intensely motivated. They always had an excellent attitude about the task at hand, as well! It's anecdotal evidence, for sure, but I have seen it in action, for sure.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson

    Thanks for your comments. @Jacob you are probably right that there would be an enormous outcry. However, military members are in a class of their own. Would they mind working a 70 hour work week? Probably not as the larger percentage of these men and women work longer days than that currently and would probably welcome it. Why are companies hesitant to hire military members? They just don't understand what that person has been through and they fear what is always brought out in the news - one former military member who goes commando on them. They are afraid of PTSD and they are afraid that the member would not integrate into their company culture. Well, speaking again from personal experience, it is hard to acclimate from the military to the civilian world without a few bumps in the road. My first position after retirement was at a law firm. Guess why I got the position? Yes, the lawyer was former military. My second job was the same way - my boss was former military. They understand. It's hard to explain but there truly is a difference between the military and civilian cultures. Hiring a former military member is always a great choice!

  • Jacob T.
    Jacob T.

    Not to detract from veterans as a class, for whom I have the utmost respect, but isn't it a little short-sighted to lump all veterans in to these categories? Yes, the military provides training and experiences, but to assume that all veterans are team-players that don't mind working 70 hour weeks just doesn't seem likely. If any other single group of people were stereo-typed like this, there would be an enormous outcry.

  • Shannon Philpott
    Shannon Philpott

    As a former hiring manager, I can attest to the many benefits of hiring a veteran. The men and women who worked for me were diligent, trained to meet deadlines and conscious about their projects. The first paragraph mentions that many people are hesitant to hire veterans. Can you offer some reasons as to why this occurs?

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