Doing Their Part: How Employers can create a soft landing for Veterans
Our audience is typically transitioning servicemembers, Veterans, and their families, but as we dive into the Community Pillar this month, our audience is going to be employers. In the employment handshake between transitioning servicemembers and employers, it is the responsibility of the Veteran to prepare themselves for transition, but it is also important for employers to create a welcoming environment for their entire employee population. This month, we take a look at Veterans employee resource groups and some things an employer can do to create a healthy work environment.
MilitaryConnected.org is a nonprofit organization improving the military-connected community’s transition experience through employer education, data driven research, and access to a network of job opportunities with military-ready employers.
The Vegetus Foundation is dedicated to helping Americans improve their quality of life through education on healthy living and has published the Nutrition Health Review since 1979. Learn more at nutritionhealthreview.com
What Employers Should Know About a Veteran’s Transition
Before we discuss the ways employers can invest in their Veteran community, it is important for employers to understand “why” they are both important investments to make and prudent for their bottom line.
The journey from military service to civilian employment is a significant transition, and it’s one that presents both unique challenges and incredible opportunities for employers. While a veteran’s resume might not always use traditional corporate language, the skills they possess are highly valuable and directly applicable to the civilian workforce.
One of the most important things for employers to understand is that military service instills a deep-seated sense of discipline, teamwork, and problem-solving. Veterans are trained to operate effectively under pressure, adapt to changing circumstances, and work collaboratively to achieve a common goal. Their experience in diverse, high-stakes environments prepares them to be reliable and resourceful team members.
However, the transition can also be difficult. Veterans may struggle with a shift in communication styles, the loss of a close-knit community, and the search for a new sense of purpose. A successful transition is not just about finding a job; it’s about finding a place where they feel a sense of belonging and where their unique experiences are understood and appreciated.
Employers can play a crucial role by creating a supportive environment. This means more than just hiring a veteran; it means providing mentorship, celebrating their military service, and actively listening to their needs. By doing so, companies can tap into an immense pool of talent while helping our nation’s heroes find meaningful and lasting careers.
What Makes a Strong Veterans Employee Resource Group?
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are more than just social clubs; they are a vital component of a company’s culture and an essential tool for fostering a sense of community and inclusion. For veterans, a dedicated Veterans Resource Group (VRG) or ERG can be a powerful bridge between their military past enhancing their ability to integrate in the culture of the organization.
A strong Veterans ERG is built on three core pillars: purpose, leadership, and a clear mission. It must have a defined purpose that goes beyond simple networking, such as providing professional development, creating mentorship opportunities, and offering a safe space for dialogue. The most impactful groups often partner with external organizations, like with external organizations to connect their members to a wider network of support.
Effective leadership is also critical. A successful ERG is led by passionate individuals—both veterans and allies—who are committed to advocating for their community’s needs within the company. These leaders champion initiatives that address the unique challenges veterans face in the
workplace, from translating military skills to advocating for mental health resources. The trap some VRG’s can fall into is leaning on previous military ranks for leadership. It’s a new environment and the VRG needs to focus on leaders that understand the culture of the organization, communicate well, and are passionate – being an O5 isn’t always as important.
Ultimately, a strong VRG benefits not just its members but the entire organization. It enhances employee engagement and retention, and fosters a deeper understanding of military service. By investing in these groups, a company demonstrates its commitment to the veteran community, solidifying its reputation as a military-friendly employer.
Advancing the Military Connected Community with MilitaryConnected.org
MilitaryConnected.org connects businesses across the nation with top military connected talent. Our mission is to end attrition and unemployment in the workplace for military connected employees.
With our unique, holistic approach to talent engagement, employer education, and data-driven research, MilitaryConnected.org and our platform is the nation’s best veteran and military family employment engagement strategy.
By entering your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code into a job matching tool, you can identify civilian careers that align with your military training and experience. These tools, such as the Veterans Job Matcher, analyze your MOS to suggest relevant occupations, providing information on matching roles. This approach helps veterans translate their military skills into civilian-applicable qualifications, potentially streamlining the job search process by focusing on compatible opportunities. Access this FREE service on our platform by CLICKING HERE
