1. Veteransface manychallengeswhenlookingforemploymentastheyseparate orretire frommilitary
service. Concerns,misconceptions,andlackof knowledge aboutexistingsupport systemsmaytranslate
intoa lack of employmentopportunities.
The unemploymentrate forthe overall Veteranpopulationishighandrising.
One hurdle ispossible misconceptionsheldbypotential employers. Employersare concernedaboutthe
Veteranstransitionfromamilitarypositiontoacivilianworkculture. Theyare alsoconcernedabout
PTSD and otherillnesses. Inaddition,some employersfindithardto translate militaryskills/experience
intotermstheycan understandandappreciate. Of course there isthe growingissue of physical
disabilities.
If more employerswere made aware of the Departmentof Labor’sVeterans’Employmentprograms,it
isfar more likelytheywouldutilize themintheirrecruitingefforts. These programsprovide job
development,training,placementandsupportservices.
Companieswithdisability programs,absence management andreturn-toworkpoliciespride themselves
on theirinnovate approachestoaccommodate employeeswithdisabilities. There isavital needfor
employerstoextendthisculture of accommodationtomilitaryVeterans–to those readjustingboth
personallyandprofessionallytocivilianlife,aswell astothose withdisabilities. Returningtocivilianlife
isnot an eventforthem,itis a process. We have to acceptthe repercussionsandthe delayedeffectsof
the war experience will be feltinthe workplacefordecadestocome.
There are manywayswe as employerscanhelpthese Veterans,ReservistsorNational GuardMembers:
a. Employee Assistance Programstohelpwiththe transition
b. Catch Up SkillsTraining
c. Flexible workarrangementsduringthe transitionperiod
d. Service recognition –Theydo not wishtobe thankeddaily,Veteranssimplywantyouto
understandwhattheyhave gone through andsupporttheirtransitionhome. Tothese vets,
thankingsoldiers fortheirservice symbolizesthe ease of sendingavolunteerarmytowage war
at great distance — physically,spiritually,economically.Itraisesquestionsof the meaningof
patriotism,sharedpurpose and,pointedly,whatyou’re supposedtosayto those whoput their
livesonthe line andare uncomfortable aboutbeingthankedforit. Believe itornot,some
soldiersexpressdreadwhentheyknowsomeone isabouttomake thisgesture.
Targetedsupportprogramsdo workand increase employeeretention.
The Institute forVeteransandMilitaryFamilieshascompileda“Guide toLeadingPolicies,Practices,and
Resources: Supportingthe Employmentof VeteransandMilitaryFamilies”whichliststrainingprograms
for managesandgoeson to cite the value of supportingthese groups.
Overthe course of the past 10 years, I have watcheddozensof Veterans(post9/11) sufferthrough
agonizingtransitionsbacktocivilianlife. These individualsgointoemploymentwithone mindset –to
do as theyare told and to get the jobdone at all costs. Unfortunately,theseindividualsare alsousedto
everyone aroundthemworkingwiththe same mindset. Veteranshave adifficulttime watchingothers
aroundthemthat may not possessthe same workethics. Theyfindit hardto communicate withpeople
that are not‘teamplayers’orthat are not as dedicatedtosimplygettingthe jobdone. Veteransrarely
approach a civilianopportunitywiththe mindsetof thisbeingasocial opportunityforthemtoexpand
theircivilian circles.

2. Theydo not wishtospeakof theirservice,andrarelydotheywishto speakaboutanythingatall feeling
theyhave nothingincommonwiththeircivilianco-workers.
Thiscan be a verydifficultsituation,especiallyif youare workinginanenvironmentwhere the people
aroundyou are a verysocial group such as ina factorysetting.
Veteransneedtime tocome totermswiththeirService. Theyneedtime tolearnnew sleepinghabits,
to live withmuchlessstructure,tolive without theirServiceFamily. Many of our Veteranshave
sufferedtraumaticlossandsimplywanttoreturnhome withsome opportunityforsuccess. We as
CivilianEmployersneed make those opportunitiesreadilyavailable.
Veteransare educated,welltrained,reliable,andhighlymotivated. Mostof thempossessskillsin
machining,transportation,communications,administrationandmanyothernecessaryskillstomake
themhighlyvaluablein today’sjobmarket.
Author: Dot Keevis,CTS – Branch Manager of the PMP Corporation,specializinginRecruitingand
RetentionisalsoanArmyVeteran. Dothas beenwiththe PMPCorporationfor23 yearsand manages
the PetoskeyDivisionof PMP