“Veterans bring a powerful skillset and real-world experience to many positions…they are resilient, mission-oriented, and forward thinking.” – Jason Frei, president of the Boeing Veteran Engagement Team Business Resource Group and a U.S. Marine Corp veteran 

Despite the uncertain economic times, we are in the midst of a hiring boom. Although some large companies have started scaling back, tech jobs are still in high demand, according to the latest US Department of Labor report. As if the job market isn’t competitive enough, there is a shortage of qualified workers who have the skills tech companies need right now.  

Thankfully, in many ways, we have veterans. This Veteran’s Day, we should give thanks and honor those who served and were willing to sacrifice all to protect our freedom.  

We should also be hiring them. And not just because that is one of the best ways to honor a veteran, but because they are an asset to any team. This isn’t patriotic hyperbole. Several academic studies, including a recent one by PhDs from Syracuse University, make a strong case for the benefits veterans bring to a business’s workforce.  

And companies have taken notice of those benefits in recent years and are hiring more veterans. Indeed, the latest unemployment rate among veterans as of September 2022 was 2.7%, nearly a full percentage point below non-veterans. A continued positive trend wasn’t always the case.  

And Big Tech has recognized the value that veterans bring to the office as well. Giants such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon have active veteran’s affairs divisions with the goal of teaching veterans the tech skills necessary to transition into public-sector employment in the tech industry. All this effort despite veterans making up less than 6% of the US labor force. 

Oh, and they are also actively trying to hire them in the process. So, what does this mean for your company? Should your HR team be actively targeting veterans for roles in your company? Read on to better understand the skills that give veterans an edge and why you should place more emphasis on recruiting them for your organization.  

Strong Teamwork and Leadership Skills 

“Leadership is a two-way street, loyalty up and loyalty down.” – Rear Admiral Grace Hopper 

The foundation of any successful military is a strict command structure. There is a clear and organized hierarchy, and pride in that institution is instilled in recruits the moment they begin basic training. But the military doesn’t want mindless drones. The military wants leaders, strong leaders, and it knows the best leaders must also possess the ability to follow.  

Teamwork isn’t just a buzzword for the military. Trust in the person next to you and the ability to work together toward a common objective is hardwired because the entire structure of the military depends on it. And most veterans, especially those who served near or over the average 6-8 years, have advanced into leadership roles. Moreover, they’ve been trained extensively in how to assume those responsibilities.  

Ability to Adapt and Overcome Chaos 

“In preparing for battle, I have always found the plans are useless.” – General Dwight Eisenhower.  

It is often said that truth is the first casualty of war. Eisenhower thought plans were the second. The Marines have a succinct motto for such times – Improvise, Adapt and Overcome.  

The tech industry is constantly evolving, with innovations continually changing the landscape on what seems to be a daily basis. Companies that cannot manage that chaos usually lag, so there is a constant need for employees who work well under pressure, operate under tight deadlines, and can adapt to sudden changes. 

Veterans often thrive in chaotic situations because their training has taught them that, while planning is important, the ability to adapt to a dynamic environment is even more so. This, too, is backed by research, which has found that veterans are adept at discontinuous environments, more so if they also have combat experience. This also speaks volumes about the level of critical thinking veterans possess.  

Adaptive to innovative technologies 

“Engage your brain before you engage your weapon.” – General James Mattis 

Field artillery cannoneer and machine gunner aren’t positions you’ll see in Silicon Valley, at least we hope. So, some military occupations do not translate well into the civilian sector. But make no mistake, even those jobs in the military that are combat focused are also supported by the latest in cutting-edge technology. 

On average, veterans have more exposure and training in advanced technologies than their non-veteran peers. Being exposed and well-trained to the latest technologies provides veterans with a superb ability to connect tech-based solutions to the challenges of any organization or company. Even if the technology isn’t exactly comparable, the ability to quickly learn, and master modern technology, is the hidden skill veterans bring to your company.  

Conclusion

Each year, approximately 200,000 servicemen and women hang up their boots and transition into civilian life. The vast majority are still in their twenties and looking to start their post-military career. They bring with them a strong work ethic, adaptability, and leadership. If your tech company isn’t tapped into this talent pipeline, you may be hindering your full potential.  

And to all veterans, thank you for your service.  

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About the Company:

Peterson Technology Partners (PTP) has partnered with some of the biggest Fortune brands to offer excellence of service and best-in-class team building for the last 25 years.

PTP’s diverse and global team of recruiting, consulting, and project development experts specialize in a variety of IT competencies which include:

• Cybersecurity
• DevOps
• Cloud Computing
• Data Science
• AI/ML
• Salesforce Optimization
• VR/AR

Peterson Technology Partners is an equal opportunities employer. As an industry leader in IT consulting and recruitment, specializing in diversity hiring, we aim to help our clients build equitable workplaces.