6 ways employers can help veterans transition to new careers

November 11, 2021 3:09 PM

The transition from military to civilian life can be difficult for veterans, especially when it comes to building a career outside of the service.

It can be tough for these mission-driven individuals to showcase how the skills they developed during their time in the service can translate into an office or other work environment, and this miscommunication can result in veterans being turned down for job opportunities they are actually well suited for. And some veterans who do find work after the military often leave quickly because of the challenges in adapting to the new situation.

Half of all veterans leave their first post-military position within a year, according to research from VetAdviser, a veteran-centric integrative care provider. Between 60% and 80% of veterans leave these jobs before reaching two-years of employment, often due to a lack of career development, work that lacks meaning or an unfamiliar culture.

But things don’t have to be so bleak for veterans in the workforce, and there are plenty of ways in which employers can provide the right kind of support to help veterans make the most out of their new careers.

“There's a lot of things veterans don't necessarily know or understand about civilian life,” Jim Beamesderfer, vice president of the Veteran’s Initiative at Prudential, previously told Employee Benefit News. “HR can take the time to get to know them and understand where they’re coming from. Help them be fully productive by explaining things like how compensation works, how paid time off works, how career progression works.”

In honor of Veterans Day, Employee Benefit News has rounded up some of our most recent veterans-focused coverage. Scroll through and read about different groups that can help veterans build civilian careers and the steps employers can take to tap into this underutilized talent pool.

Understand their talents

Transitioning out of the military is an overwhelming experience often made worse by a system that inadequately prepares its members for life after serving. It’s not that veterans don’t have the skills for civilian jobs, according to Jeff McMillan, an Army veteran and chief analytics and data officer at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. McMillan, who mentors veterans and co-chairs Morgan Stanley's Veterans program, says it's that they lack the support necessary to learn how to translate those skills into terms civilian employers would understand.

“The military is extremely linear in its approach — there's a standard operating procedure and your job description is defined,” McMillan says. “And then all of a sudden you take your uniform off and it's all gone. There's nothing. And it's scary because you don't even know what you should be asking to do.”

Read More:

How companies can provide more opportunities for unemployed veterans

Focus on mental health

Combat veteran Patrick Benson turned his love of horses into an organization that not only helps veterans overcome their post traumatic stress, but also provides networking opportunities to help them find a career that provides them with passion, drive and purpose.

“Horses are the most underutilized tool out there and the reason is they're non-bias and they’ve already got a read on you before you even go up to them,” Benson says. “Everyone's different in their transition out of the military,” Benson says. “We’re building this network and connecting veterans with individuals that have navigated this process and who can mentor and coach them. Veterans are serviced-based individuals who want to work and accomplish a bigger mission.”

Read More:

Horse power: This veteran helps fellow soldiers defeat PTSD and build new careers

Don’t forget their spouses

Military spouses who want to work often feel uncomfortable explaining to a boss why they can only stay in a role for a temporary period, or may need special accommodations, like more flex time and

WFH arrangements

, says Charlene Wilde, a military spouse and a veteran. While COVID has made these arrangements much easier, it’s important for military spouses to communicate their needs, and for HR leaders and managers to listen.

“Things are changing and it used to be something that you were kind of afraid to say,” Wilde says. “But it’s so important to be upfront and honest about your needs and how to make the job a good fit from the start. It shouldn’t be a shock if someone says, ‘My husband is traveling this month, or is being deployed,’ because that way you can make an arrangement and be flexible.”

Read More:

Ready to serve: Why military spouses are an overlooked talent pool

Provide the right benefits

Prudential Financial has partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs in an effort to provide veterans, transitioning service members and their families with access to financial wellness resources to improve their economic well-being and help them reach financial stability.

“Now more than ever, our military families are looking to make smart financial decisions that will positively impact their future,” Robert Wilkie, veterans affairs secretary, said in a statement. “Financial wellness education tools and solutions are important to achieving future success.”

Read More:

Prudential helps veterans transition into the workplace

Don’t limit support

Employers can play an important role

in supporting veterans

, but too often they’re at a loss, not understanding what veterans need or how to provide it. Navy veteran Eric Power says he works with entrepreneurs and CEOs who want to offer benefits and provide an inclusive workplace but don’t always know what’s available.

“In the military, I was a parachute rigger, which was very detail-oriented, and I expected that same kind of attention to detail and help from the VA when I got out of the military,” Power says. “They’re supposed to advocate for veterans, but nobody could answer my questions.”

While applying for his benefits through Veterans Affairs, Power says he had to educate himself and sift through stacks of paperwork on his own, eventually securing the support he was entitled to. The experience inspired him to

help others

navigate the benefits system, and his firm,

Veterans Disability Help

, now helps those who’ve served seek compensation and plan for a post-military future.

Read More:

Use Veterans Day as a catalyst for year-round support

Connect veterans to those who have been in their shoes

After four years of service with the Army and the National Guard, Jerry Flanagan was eager to build a new life and career. But he didn’t know where to start — so he took matters into his own hands. As the founder and CEO of JDog Brands, a franchise that provides junk-hauling and carpet-cleaning services, Flanagan is committed to partnering exclusively with veterans and veteran family-members as franchisees. It’s not just helping him build a booming business — he’s fighting to combat veteran unemployment and support mental health.

“When you’re an unemployed veteran, and you’re struggling with PTSD, and maybe you’re involved with drugs and alcohol, you’ve got to get employed and you need to work where you feel you belong,” he says. “When you find that ethos of brotherhood and sisterhood, and you’re working amongst other veterans that understand you, you feel comfortable, you feel like you’re serving your country.”

Read More:

This military vet is using his business to fight veteran unemployment and boost mental health