Hiring isn’t just about filling an open position; it’s about finding the right fit for your team—someone who brings unique skills, perspective, and drive. And that’s exactly what veterans offer. With their military background, they’ve developed strengths and qualities that go beyond typical job skills. Here are seven strong reasons why hiring veterans could be one of the best decisions you make for your team.
1. A Rock-Solid Work Ethic
Veterans are renowned for their exceptional work ethic, a quality that can significantly enhance team productivity and morale. Their military training instills a deep sense of duty, responsibility, and commitment to excellence, which seamlessly transitions into the civilian workforce. This dedication raises team standards across various roles, as veterans consistently demonstrate reliability, focus, and perseverance. When employees bring this level of commitment to their work, it fosters a culture of responsibility and excellence that resonates throughout the organization.
2. Real-World Leadership Experience
Hiring veterans brings real-world leadership experience that goes beyond the classroom. For veterans, leadership is a skill developed through hands-on situations, often under intense circumstances. They know how to motivate others, make quick decisions, and manage teams with a shared mission in mind. This readiness to lead translates exceptionally well to civilian workplaces, where guiding teams through challenges is crucial.
Many veterans bring direct leadership experience into civilian roles, positioning them to excel in supervisory or managerial duties that require strategic oversight and people management. Hiring veterans means bringing on team members who know how to bring out the best in people—an invaluable asset in any team environment.
3. Adaptable and Resilient
Life in the military means being ready for anything. Veterans learn to adapt quickly, find solutions on the fly, and keep going no matter the stress level. These qualities make hiring veterans a smart choice for any fast-paced, constantly changing work environment. When unexpected challenges come up, they’re likely the calm, cool heads you want on your team.
Adaptability is a top skill for industries that undergo frequent change, like tech, finance, and healthcare. When it comes to adaptability, veterans consistently excel in this area. Companies such as Microsoft have noted that veterans’ ability to quickly integrate into new roles and adapt to ever-evolving projects adds immediate value. This resilience makes them highly valuable in business landscapes where flexibility is key to success.
In a 2023 Microsoft podcast, LinkedIn VP Aneesh Raman spoke about the importance of adaptability in today’s job market. He said, “Adaptability is the best way to have agency right now. I think in a moment of big change, like we’re living through now, what we all want most is not just a way to understand it, but a way to manage it. And at the core of that right now is building that muscle of adaptability.”
4. Strong Technical Skills
From IT to engineering to healthcare, veterans often come with specialized training that’s hard to find elsewhere. They bring technical know-how from the start, which means less time on training and more time getting things done. Each year, nearly 200,000 veterans transition to civilian careers, bringing expertise from highly technical fields gained during their service. Many are well-prepared to meet the growing demand for specialized skills across various industries.
Veterans’ training in cybersecurity, logistics, mechanical engineering, and medical support makes them highly relevant in today’s data-driven, tech-centered workforce. They’re accustomed to handling complex technologies and following detailed protocols, giving companies an edge when filling roles that require specialized knowledge.
5. Team Players and Excellent Communicators
In the military, working as a team isn’t optional—it’s essential. Veterans are highly skilled at collaborating with diverse groups and communicating clearly, even in high-stakes situations. This background makes them excellent team members who know how to work well with others and keep projects moving smoothly.
Veterans also bring a strong sense of discipline to communication, understanding how to convey ideas concisely and effectively, even under pressure. This makes them invaluable in roles that rely on clear direction and teamwork, whether they’re leading a project or supporting team goals. For companies aiming to enhance internal collaboration, veterans’ teamwork skills can make a meaningful difference.
6. Laser-Focused on Details
Veterans are trained to notice details that others might miss, follow procedures rigorously, and double-check their work. This level of precision and attention to detail is a tremendous asset in roles that demand accuracy and compliance, such as those in finance, healthcare, and quality control. Veterans develop strong attention to detail through their training, especially in high-stakes environments that require strict adherence to protocol.
Industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and aviation benefit greatly from employees who prioritize accuracy and compliance. Veterans bring an elevated level of attentiveness to these roles, reducing the risk of errors, enhancing regulatory compliance, and ensuring safety protocols are met. Employers frequently observe that veterans’ commitment to detail improves quality and reliability within teams.
7. Loyal and Purpose-Driven
Veterans are mission-driven by nature, which means they look for work with purpose and impact. When they find it, they’re more likely to stick around. This loyalty means you’ll have dedicated employees who genuinely care about the organization’s success, which helps reduce turnover and build a stronger team.
According to LinkedIn’s 2023 Veteran Opportunity Report, veterans are 27% less likely than their non-veteran counterparts to leave their first job within 6 months. In a time when employee retention is more critical than ever, hiring veterans can bring reliability to teams. Veterans’ commitment to a cause translates into greater dedication to organizational goals, which helps create a cohesive, loyal workforce.
8. Financial Benefits Through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit
Hiring veterans doesn’t just bring talent to your team; it can also come with financial incentives for your business. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal program that provides tax credits to employers who hire individuals from certain target groups, including veterans. By hiring qualified veterans, companies can receive a tax credit of up to $9,600 per employee, depending on the veteran’s specific background and circumstances.
This incentive is designed to encourage companies to hire veterans and help ease the transition to civilian life. For employers, the WOTC means not only gaining a skilled and dedicated team member but also enjoying a potential reduction in tax liabilities. In this way, hiring veterans is not only a smart business move but also a financial advantage that supports your organization’s bottom line while contributing to veterans’ employment.
Why Hiring Veterans is a Win for Your Workplace
With veterans on your team, you gain employees who understand the importance of commitment, adaptability, and teamwork. Veterans offer a unique combination of hard and soft skills, ready to make an immediate impact. Their approach to work goes beyond just getting the job done—it’s about achieving excellence and inspiring those around them.
If you’re ready to start hiring veterans and want some guidance, these resources can help you build a veteran-friendly workplace:
- U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS): Provides an Employer Guide to Hiring Veterans, covering recruitment strategies, tax benefits, and best practices.
- Hiring Our Heroes (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation): Connects companies with talented veterans and offers resources for recruitment and building inclusive workplaces.
- Veteran Employment Center on VA.gov: Access job fairs, veteran job postings, and tools for creating veteran-friendly hiring practices.
- Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University: Offers employer resources, research, and programs like Onward to Opportunity to assist with hiring, training, and retaining veterans.
- American Job Centers (AJCs): Provides local assistance, including access to veterans transitioning to civilian work and support for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit.
Unlock the potential of hiring veterans to elevate your team—bringing unmatched skills, dedication, and a culture of excellence that drives success across your organization
