Opinions on veterans can vary and often do. In times when patriotism runs strong, veterans are looked on with high regard. In times when the public grows weary of war and conflict, opinions on veterans fall. Since the end of the draft, there has been another facet for veterans to contend with when deciding to return to the private sector, the absence of people in high places with direct military experience. Without direct representation at and near the top of private and public enterprises, the fate of the modern veteran rests in unfamiliar hands.

Full disclosure, our founder Stephen Beck served with the Marines for over 14 years, 9 of which were active duty. Beck’s experience returning to the private sector was noteworthy in that he “separated” from active duty twice. The first time was voluntary separation upon completion of his second enlistment. The second, after being separated after being recalled to active duty for Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The consequences of his transitions impact how we advise military personnel and veterans at Beck Advisory. To be clear, our government has made tremendous progress and does a great job on transitioning, we just take it up a few notches to avoid certain pitfalls that will trip up even the best transitions. Enough of this shameless plug. Let’s move on.

The question of “No Uniform, Now What?” is especially timely given recent trends in recruiting, retention, and mobility for service members, and prompted us to peel the layers, at least a little for this article. While we found no formal studies concerning the views of hiring managers on veterans recently, there is an abundance of general information and anecdotes flowing freely.

Our mission was to identify a modern-day “Vet Top 10 List”, supported by more than a barber shop or salon conversation. Specifically, our goal was to pin down details and insights as to why an organization may be inclined to hire a vet. Without any further adieu, here we go.

1. Strong Work Ethic:  Veterans are known for their discipline and commitment, which translates into a strong work ethic. Veterans are seen to be reliable and punctual employees who understand the importance of completing tasks and meeting deadlines. Furthermore, veterans often demonstrate a strong commitment to their work, take their responsibilities seriously, and are willing to put in extra effort to get the job done. Beyond that, veterans have a reputation for being meticulous, which makes them well-suited for tasks requiring a high level of precision and thoroughness. In summary, they are typically self-motivated, adhere to rules, and work well on teams.

2. Leadership Skills:  While not every service member is promoted up to levels of leadership, every service member is expected to lead. Leadership happens whenever there are two or more servicemembers in common proximity. The first order of leadership is to lead by example. When something is not right, they are skilled to speak up, to take decisive action, and to make things right. Those are valuable skills that hiring managers are often challenged to find.

The military emphasizes teamwork and collaboration, learning to put petty differences aside. These skills are invaluable in this age of diversity and inclusion. Veterans have been there and done that for a long time. Veterans must learn to resolve differences and be open to other perspectives and experiences.

3. Problem-Solving:  Veterans are adept at identifying problems, finding solutions, and implementing them. Their critical thinking skills are honed through experience. Many veterans excel in building cohesive and high-performing teams. They understand the importance of team dynamics and how to motivate and support team members.

Military training often demands problem-solving and critical thinking during times of high pressure and duress. It is during these moments when the need for critical thinking is at a premium. Veterans are often skilled critical thinkers who can analyze complex situations and identify key issues quickly. They are effective decision-makers, trained to make well-informed decisions with imperfect information. A key factor behind this ability rests on their analytical abilities. Veterans tend to possess strong analytical skills, enabling them to break down complex problems into manageable components, and apply a Methodical Approach:  Veterans are often known for being methodical analytical people. They are also versed in assessing and mitigating risk, valuable skills in today’s environment.

4. Adaptability:  Military leadership often requires quick adaptation to changing situations, which can be beneficial in dynamic environments. But it is not only leaders who learn to adapt and improvise, team members are frequently engaged and mentored for coaching roles, helping their team members develop new skills and grow in their roles.

5. Accountability:  Veterans are accustomed to adapting to changing and challenging environments, a valuable skill in today’s dynamic workplace. Being resourceful is equally valuable, and veterans are exceptionally resourceful. They tend to be quick studies who not only learn new information but also have abilities to apply their newfound knowledge and take on additional roles and responsibilities with ease.

Effective leaders accept and seek responsibility for their team’s performance and are willing to be held accountable for the outcomes. Veterans learn skills that enable them to remain calm under pressure, to remain focused on the tasks and mission at hand until the objective is accomplished.

6. Strategic Thinking:  Veterans often have a strategic mindset, considering long-term objectives and planning to achieve them. They are also tactical, recognizing that executing the plan and delivering results are equally important to ensuring success. A key driver for these veterans is ensuring the team has a clear purpose, is equipped with assets to accomplish goals, and has the authority to get the job done. The rest sit with the teams, the men and women who are dedicated and willing to go the extra mile to secure victory.

7. Team Integration:  Veterans can seamlessly integrate into new teams, adapt to different team dynamics, and contribute positively. They are culturally sensitive, and often exposed to diverse cultures and environments, making them sensitive and adaptable in international or cross-cultural settings.

These remarks emphasize the adaptability and versatility that veterans bring to the workplace. Their experiences in the military have prepared them to navigate change, uncertainty, and new challenges effectively. Adaptability is a valuable quality that can contribute to an organization’s resilience and success in a rapidly changing world.

8. Integrity and Character:  This character trait almost needs no comment. Veterans are often perceived as having high levels of integrity, honesty, and strong moral fiber. Veterans are known for their honesty and truthfulness in all their interactions, both personally and professionally. They are known to be ethical and highly trustworthy, willing to put themselves in jeopardy for just cause. They care for others and apply principled leadership.

These remarks highlight the contribution veterans make to strengthening an already positive work environment and point to even greater levels of success further down the road.

9. Security Clearances:  Some veterans hold security clearances, which can be advantageous in industries that require an elevated level of security and trust. We already mentioned the character and leadership traits, so we do not need to rehash those here. Instead, we will touch on a few practical considerations with this level of trust. First, veterans with security clearances understand the importance of safeguarding classified information and are well-versed in the principles of confidentiality. They adhere to protocols and guidelines and are keenly aware of cyber and other security measures.

10. Grit and perseverance: We save the best for last. Veterans, regardless of military occupational specialty, assignments, or the total amount of time served, are all tested to their limits, pushed beyond personal and team-limiting beliefs, and infused with a sense of purpose and confidence. Veterans are trained to not give up, especially when the stakes are high.

It is important to note that not all veterans will possess these qualities, and individual experiences and skills may vary. Additionally, hiring managers should be cautious not to make assumptions about veterans based solely on their military background and should evaluate each candidate on their unique qualifications and experiences.

Now that we have enumerated the advantages that are possible by hiring a vet, let us address our observations over several decades. Veteran and transition services, while improved and improving, only carry military members and veterans so far. We like to think of the current situation as a bridge too far. Current resources are more general in nature, out of necessity.

Recent data suggests that about 200,000 to 250,000 military members separate each year. That is a substantial number of people trying to make heads or tails of everything in life. We phrase it this way, “No More Uniform, Now What?” because it is more than a job change. It is life-changing. Stephen Beck, founder of Beck Advisory knows the rigor firsthand as a former Marine. For Beck Advisory, our veteran transformation process is personal. Beck succumbed to promises of transition gold and endured shady practices. Recently, ads promoting “golden” opportunities for just being a vet spurred Beck into action to help protect our latest generation from being taken. Our programs are customized, purposeful, and designed to meet the specific client’s needs. For more information, go to our website at www.beck-advisory.com.

General resources on veterans and their hiring attractiveness might be found in the sources listed below, as well as academic and government databases, government agency websites, and veterans advocacy organizations.

Academic Journals: Many studies related to veterans are published in academic journals. Journals like the “Journal of Veterans Studies” and “Military Psychology” often cover topics related to the traits and skills of veterans. You can search academic databases like JSTOR, PubMed, or Google Scholar for relevant research articles.

Government Reports: Government agencies like the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense often publish reports and studies on various aspects of veterans’ experiences and skills. Their websites may have resources for your research.

Nonprofit Organizations: Organizations like the RAND Corporation, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), and the Veterans Health Administration conduct research on veteran-related topics. Their websites and publications may have valuable information.

Books: Researchers and authors often publish books on topics related to veterans, their experiences, and their skills. You can search library catalogs and online bookstores for relevant books. Theses and Dissertations: Many graduate students conduct research on veterans as part of their theses and dissertations. University libraries and online repositories often provide access to these research works.