10 Reasons to Hire War Veterans and Other Military Service Veterans
Veterans Day is this month, and President Bush has proclaimed the week of November 9 through November 15, 2008, as National Veterans Awareness Week.
Veterans’ Experiences and Expertise Transfer to America's Business Needs
U.S. employers are asked to consider hiring war veterans and other Armed Services veterans because of their potential and proven abilities. In addition to acquired technical skills, veterans gain expertise in other areas such as leadership, management and teambuilding.
We have seen images of soldiers protecting the streets of Baghdad and other dangerous areas in the Middle East. They are highly trained to serve in combat situations and to meet the countless everyday-new challenges of their mission(s). When they complete their service, these men and women are considered "war veterans."
The U.S. also has approximately 800,000 other highly trained people on active duty, serving in the Armed Forces and supporting various missions around the globe. These non-combatants are also veterans.
It is not only goodwill to hire war veterans and other Armed Services’ veterans; it is also good business. Our Armed Services invest heavily in training and development programs. Take advantage of this "ready-made" highly skilled and well-trained labor pool. You and your business will be rewarded by employees who also have valuable global experiences.
According to a U.S. Department of Labor Web site, HireVetsFirst, there are 10 good business reasons for hiring war veterans and other Armed Services veterans:
- Accelerated learning curve: Veterans have already proven they can quickly learn advanced skills, develop abilities and grasp new concepts.
- Teamwork: From the first day of basic training, veterans learn that genuine teamwork grows out of responsibility to their peers.
- Leadership: The military trains its people to lead by example, and also by motivation, delegation and inspiration.
- Diversity and inclusion in action: Veterans have learned to live and work closely with others regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, etc.
- Performance under pressure: Veterans have learned to perform under tight deadlines and limited resources. They know how to see a task through to its successful completion.
- Respect for procedures: Veterans understand the value of respecting procedures. They have learned to operate within a ranking system and increasing levels of supervision.
- Technology and globalization: Because of their experiences and training, veterans understand technical trends affecting business and industry.
- Integrity: Employers can take advantage of security clearances that veterans have acquired. This track record usually translates into qualities of trustworthiness and sincerity.
- Conscious of health and safety standards: Veterans have operated in a drug-free environment, and they have learned proper safety and health behaviors. They know how to protect individuals, materials and property.
- Triumph over adversity: Veterans have learned to overcome great adversity and other personal discomforts with resolve and courage.
Small business employers and their customers can benefit from employees like these veterans. They have graduated from various technical schools that included a broad range of computer systems’ training. Typically, you will also find that a majority of these veterans are more mature and responsible than their civilian peers.
Employers can also benefit from additional government initiatives and support. In August 2008, the U.S. Department of Labor announced its America’s Heroes at Work program. This program helps equip employers and the workforce development systems with the necessary tools and resources to help returning service members succeed in the workplace.
Source: HireVetsFirst at hirevetsfirst.org