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military veterans

Why Military Veterans Maybe Your Best Hire

military veterans

The month of May is National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM). Throughout the month, there are six national observances designated to honoring the brave military veterans that have, and are currently, serving our great country.

Many of us know at least one or two friends or family members that have served our country. But did you know there are actually 19.4 million veterans in the United States? And out of that group, there are 9.7 million veterans in the workforce, according to the Department of Labor. And according to the Department of Labor and Training, the labor force as of April 2019 is 162,470,000.

In other words, roughly 0.6 percent of today’s workforce is represented by military veterans. And do you know why? Because it takes a lot of guts, courage, and perseverance to serve in the military. And that’s exactly why military veterans make fantastic candidates! Here are three reasons why hiring a vet may be your best hire you can make for your team.

Tremendous training

Military veterans go through hundreds of hours of rigorous training throughout their military careers, both in the classroom and in the field. Our veterans receive exposure to new technologies, theories, situations, and environments that foster a culture of continuous learning.

Thus, veterans can make tremendous assets to any team because they have a culture of learning and training ingrained in them from their first day of service. This makes veterans adaptable in almost any situation and environment. Therefore, our service members are capable of picking up new ideas or processes extremely quickly.

Great soft skills

Throughout these hours of training, military veterans develop soft skills that are both valuable to an employer and difficult to acquire. The environments and situations that veterans experience help them obtain strong soft skills that are transferable and useful to any industry or employer.

Communication

Communication is key in the military. In the military, whether it’s on the battlefield or behind the scenes, clear communication amongst your team is essential. A lack of communication or a misunderstanding in the military can be the difference between life or death. In the civilian workforce, not all matters are that extreme but strong communication is essential to ensure there are no hiccups or road bumps.

Teamwork

Teamwork is also a huge part of military life. Almost everything you do is team oriented. In the military, you have to think of what’s best for the team and what will make the team more successful. Most employers rely on team synergies to accomplish company goals or solve complex problems. With a military background, veterans make great team players and know how to work with others to accomplish a task or goal.

Leadership

Leadership is ingrained into almost every facet of military life. Many veterans were responsible for overseeing the training and development of their teams. Through rigorous training and unmatched experiences, our veterans often become great leaders. Military veterans must make tough decisions and lead by example. Many employers are looking for candidates with leadership characteristics to help take their organization and teams to the next level.

Strong work ethic

It’s nearly impossible to beat their work ethic, grit, and tenacity. Veterans must stick to strict schedules and guidelines to accomplish their jobs. Giving up isn’t an option in the military. They cannot just quit when a tough situation arises. They must think and move swiftly to ensure the livelihood of their team and their mission are not put at risk. This perseverance is desirable for any employer looking for a candidate who isn’t afraid of a challenge and won’t throw in the towel when the going gets tough.

Thank you to all those who have served

Memorial Day is just around the corner. While you’re enjoying the extra day off of work, barbequing with your friends or hanging out by the lake, take a moment to reflect on what this day truly means. Thank you to all of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Freedom isn’t free. It’s fought for.

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