The Business Case for Hiring Veterans

Genesis10 was recently presented with the “Above and Beyond” award for recognition in supporting their employees that are members of the Guard and Reserves. It was a wonderful experience to sit in a room of service members that are representative of the Citizen Soldier, or those people that balance the difficult requirement of being both a service member and a civilian.

Pictured from left to right are Minnesota ESGR State Chair Paul Monteen, National ESGR Chair Paul E. Mock, Nicholas Swaggert, Genesis10 Minnesota Branch Director Angelia Brekke and Major General Richard C. Nash.

The primary reason of the event was to recognize those employers that see the value of having an employee that serves their country. Many employers see support as a function of giving back or supporting national security, but I would argue there is a less altruistic and more of a business case to be made for having a Guard or Service member on your team:

1. Training: Each year, every service member is required to complete a litany of different training classes: information security, ethics, and leadership, many of which translate from the military world to the civilian world.
2. Worldly: Guard and Reserve members typically engage in missions around the world with unique and different personalities. This translates into employees that are empathetic, customer focused and cross cultural.
3. Referrals: Guard and Reserve members have an extensive network of other service members who are ready and able to contribute in roles in the corporate world.

Veterans, whether still participating in the Guard/Reserves or not, are great hires, not because it is the right thing to do or because it assists with national security. Hire a veteran because it is a good business decision that will positively influence your organization’s bottom line.