When Veterans Return Home

At some point, everyone who serves in the military returns home from serving our nation.  Some return only because of limits imposed by Congress on how long our warriors can serve their country.  Many warriors affected by that mandate have served as senior military leaders for as much as three decades. Their unique experiences honed them into smart, disciplined leaders with a depth of purpose and understanding that civilian CEOs and board chairs cannot claim.

Meanwhile, junior officers and skilled enlisted troops return home after having leveraged their talents to achieve positions of trust and responsibility that far exceed their non-veteran peers. 

Finally, let us never forget, the Americans that return home for their final rest, whether in spirit or in body, their last breath taken far away from their home. No veteran ever forgets them.

What happens when veterans return home? When they arrive, are they embraced as potential contributors to the success of businesses and nonprofits?  Are our veterans asked to share their unique experience and skilsl to help our communities prosper?  Are their strong character, education, and technical skills being used to ignite waves of innovation and efficiency?  Sometimes that answer is yes.   

However, studies say that collectively, only a quarter of community members view veterans as an assets, and  veterans’ advocacy organizations tend to agree with that statistic.  Furthermore, my personal interactions with veterans in my community support the same conclusion.  In fact, my personal experience says veterans receive  lots of pats on the back in gratitude for their service to the nation, but when they seek a tangible form of affirmation that would enable them to feed their family, people mostly offer shrugs.    

Since my return to civilian life two years ago, I’ve been on a fascinating journey as a student of the military transition.  I have listened to the frustrations of veterans, and, surprisingly, employers too, who are looking for the right fit, but neither fully understanding how to take advantage of the true value veterans bring.

I won’t be content watching productive veterans sit on the sidelines.  It’s my goal to educate veterans and employers alike, to find the right match for both, and together take business to the next level of success.  I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting experts who have studied the plight of veterans in the workforce, and have instilled hope that there are resources that available to help veterans reach their goals. 

Thankfully, the journey is far from over.  I’m hopeful that soon, veterans will come home victorious, with opportunities to fulfill their dreams of being valued contributors to their communities.  Remember, we all come home….

My Passion: Helping Our Nation Leverage Military Veterans, Our Greatest, Untapped Resource

Let me get to the heart of my passion for veterans, and for the nation.  We have a golden opportunity to leverage an untapped resource that is ready to unleash levels of productivity not seen in the modern era. This valuable resource comes with a deep-rooted sense of what it takes to be the absolute best. It also embodies a moral compass that executes with dignity and respect.

   

That valuable resource is our veterans.   

Our veterans have proven skills that have elevated and sustained the U.S. military as the nation’s most respected and successful organization. Let there be no mistake: our veterans stand apart from their civilian counterparts who have never worn this nation’s uniform. Yes, they are amazing!   

Yet, the business community, with a few notable exceptions, has not fully embraced these not-so-secret weapons, despite their tremendous potential.  Smart employers have already discovered that veterans can deliver a “secret sauce”…an intangible skill set that cannot be replicated or learned in a classroom. This awesome capability can only be gained through life experiences that illustrate the Proverb, “just as iron sharpens iron, so does one person sharpen another.” 

In terms of education, leadership and character our veterans come from a pool of the top candidates from our communities. That top-notch raw talent is educated, challenged and trained to push their limits, their minds, and their leaders. Yes, they are empowered to push their leaders!. They obtain education and experience that is unmatched anywhere in the world, let alone in our local communities. They have executed high-pressure assignments to help the military become the most respected institution in this nation.

When they complete their service to the nation, they return home.  When veterans arrive in the civilian world, there are abundant expressions of gratitude, flags are unfurled, and community leaders acknowledge the community’s appreciation for veterans and their service. But what happens after the flags are furled and the speeches faded away? Do you think our veterans are appreciated valued as an asset to their civilian community?

Unfortunately, in my experience the answer is no. I am passionate about searching for answers, helping civilians understand all of the benefits veterans have to offer in businesses and nonprofits across the nation.  I also hope to contribute to conversations that help veterans connect with the jobs they desire…and deserve.  

 I hope you’ll join in this discussion and help me address these issues, so the nation can take advantage of the golden opportunity that veterans can offer to our communities.