Employers need to reevaluate their relationship with the military and the
profound disconnect that exists between the lip service of "Thank you for
your service" and the actual tangible, material benefits we give to our
Armed Forces and veterans.
Acknowledgment
The author would like to thank and acknowledge
the contributions to this commentary by authors David Maron and Jason
Field.
The reception and perception veterans often receive by the civilian
population is in need of a total overhaul.
A Veteran's Perspective: Being Valued by the Civilian Workforce
Hearing gratitude for one's service does make an impact and has been
special to me personally, but I would have much more preferred the chance to
show what I could do with my skills in the workplace. I remember when I first
separated, I spent most of my days job searching and tailoring my résumés to
fit each job description precisely. I had received a few calls back but
nothing that led to an interview or job offer.
After about 3 to 4 months of the same routine, I found myself questioning
our decision to separate from the military. My experience helped me land a
job, but I found it frustrating that my training in the Air Force was
considered null at my new place of employment. Veterans with just 4 or 5
years of service are almost guaranteed to have some sort of
management/supervisory role when they stay in the military, so starting out
at entry level all over again in a civilian job is also somewhat
difficult.
Some employers do not want to hire veterans for fear they may have
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or performance-limiting conditions. This
remarkable stigma exists and is actually a form of discrimination. The
prejudice persists despite the fact that service members are expertly trained
and capable of remarkable problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership.
Part of the difficulty veterans face is that the civilian work culture is
often far different than the one in which they thrived, and often the level of
discipline and performance is below their expectations. Whether it's the
Marines, Navy, Army, Air Force, or the Coast Guard, veterans count themselves
as being part of something bigger than themselves. Assimilating to a new
standard becomes all the more difficult when transitioning into a new
field.
One veteran shared, "My coworker showed up 20 minutes late with no
consequence. If we were in the service, we would have beat his ass."
Veterans are accustomed to being pushed to excellence, to the boundaries of
their abilities to serve an important calling. In the right motivating
environment, veterans will bring this level of performance to the workplace.
From the initial training and throughout their career, our service members are
repeatedly tested to accomplish the following.
- Work together as a team to complete a mission
- Implement efficient procedures
- Quickly overcome obstacles
- Have one another's back
These skills and many more and the mindset of service for the greater good
can benefit an employer in countless ways.
Transitioning from One Battlefield to Another
When our warriors transition out of military life, those that deployed are
sometimes transitioning from one battlefield to another—that being the
battlefield of the mind. For those who return with images and experiences of
war, their minds may ruminate on these experiences as they try to process what
they experienced. Posttraumatic stress is an understandable reaction to these
extreme conditions, though civilians may not have knowledge or awareness of
symptoms, and may, unfortunately, exercise bias against the veteran
unknowingly.
For others, the battlefield of the mind comes from feeling isolated and
misunderstood at home. One minute they are spending 24/7 in a tightly knit
unit, the next minute they are surrounded by family and friends who now feel
like strangers. Many don't feel comfortable talking about their military
experiences with civilians for fear of being judged.
While veterans were well trained for one battlefield, the military does not
adequately train them to battle the demons of depression, anxiety, addiction,
and trauma. From a mental health perspective, transition inoculation is
critical to thwarting the potential negative outcomes of this life change.
We provide the greatest military training to our armed services; they are
the undisputed elite military fighting force in the world. But what kind of
training do we provide for reentry into civilian life? The preparation and
training they receive are in no way comparable to the predeployment
preparation, especially in terms of mental health.
A Veteran's Perspective: Honoring the Warrior in Transition
The loss of identity is a big deal in transition, along with camaraderie and
cohesion. We think about "whom I was, whom I am now, whom am I going to
be?" We have all these warriors coming back, and we need to find ways to
honor them because they are always going to be warriors.
The Transition Assistance Program does tremendously important work and
provides critical resources and access to postservice opportunities. However,
many veterans have described the process as a one-size-fits-all
death-by-PowerPoint experience. They liken the process of transitioning out of
service as something akin to being released from prison.
We can do better.
One veteran shared that when he received his benefits manual, it was
hundreds of pages thick. He became so frustrated in trying to read through it
that he literally burned it.
A Veteran's Perspective: Translate Warrior Skills to the Workforce
What would be most helpful would be if organizations on the outside could
assist veterans with translating the job skills and experience learned in the
service to a language more consistent with that of the civilian workforce. One
positive development is Google's new "Jobs for Veterans" search
capability where services members are able to enter their military job codes to
identify civilian positions that match their skills and abilities. This is a
step in the right direction.
There are many pathways veterans can lead postservice, let's create the
means and conditions where their futures follow the very best pathway for
them.
Often what is most helpful to veterans in transition is a peer who's
been there. Peers who've transitioned successfully into new careers can
help others behind them find their path. The ongoing connection of these peers
can offer troubleshooting and moral support when the job prospects are not
forthcoming. Veterans can guide one another to employers who are
veteran-friendly to help make sure the best and brightest job candidates are
well taken care of.
A Veteran's Perspective: Employee Support Group for Veterans
It would be so helpful to offer an employee veterans support group. Veterans
isolate themselves because they feel others they work with do not understand
their experience. Allowing veterans to meet at work will provide a safe
environment for them to share current struggles in adapting as well as
frustrations with communicating with their fellow civilian coworkers.
Imagine being a new employee coming straight out of the military and being
able to connect with other veterans at the workplace that have shared similar
experiences in serving as well as the difficulties of transitioning into a new
civilian job.
Preparing Employers for What To Expect
When veterans return home, some reintegrate quickly, putting their training
and discipline toward becoming successful entrepreneurs or seamlessly
transitioning to a parallel career path. Others need more help with converting
their unique strengths into job opportunities best-suited for them. Often
employers need coaching on what a veteran employee can do.
Here's a brief narrative. A good friend of mine, Charlie Shelby, a
retired Army captain, shared his experience of trying to find postservice
employment with a well-known technology company.
Talent rep: "So, Mr. Shelby, what did you do while in the
military?"
Mr. Shelby: "I worked in artillery."
Talent rep: "What does one do when they work in artillery?"
Mr. Shelby: "Well, you blow stuff up."
Talent rep: "Well we here at [well-known technology
company] don't blow things up. Thank you for your service. Have a nice
day."
Mr. Shelby did not get the job.
Sadly, this experience is not uncommon. A colleague from a job-sourcing
company shared that "recruiters see a veteran's résumé and say
'Oh, you have experience using a firearm, your job opportunities are a
security guard or a police officer.'" This limited thinking needs to
be turned on its head.
How are we going to sustain enrollment in the armed forces if returning
veterans are not treated properly? How are they going to justify encouraging
their children to join if they themselves are not receiving the benefits,
entitlements, and compassion they rightly deserve?
We grow accustomed and take for granted the benefits their continued
sacrifice provides. All of us move through our day-to-day lives with relative
ease and safety due to the past and ongoing efforts of armed service members.
They protect our freedoms by facing threats to our safety abroad, and yet, they
face tremendous threats to their safety at home.
Work Is Good for Veterans
Meaningful work gives veterans a new mission to focus on. While the exact
purpose may shift from protecting our country to something new, the discipline
and teamwork needed to reach audacious goals are familiar. Veterans' sense
of duty to a larger cause can help them live through the challenges they may
experience like posttraumatic stress or other mental health conditions.
Veterans Need To Be Needed
The structure of needing to get moving each day can also help veterans'
well-being. A routine in the day of exercising brain and body helps ward off
the emotional and physical pain. This ebb and flow of work and rest is the
rhythm that humans are meant to exist within. Too much idleness is not good for
the soul. When work challenges veterans in a good way, they experience
"eustress"—the positive side of the stress continuum that helps us
continue to grow and learn.
Finally, working helps veterans establish a sense of community and can offer
social support. Belonging is central to mental resilience. When veterans find
workmates that help them evolve into their best selves, they thrive. A sense of
camaraderie is formed that transcends the immediate task at hand. Building a
new part of an identity postmilitary service that extends the self into new
self-descriptors beyond "former military" is a critical step in
transition success. Together, this enhanced self-concept combined with a new,
supportive tribe increases self-esteem and builds a safety net around veterans.
So, when times get tough, they have something to keep them standing strong.
What To Do if You Are Worried about a Veteran Employee
Treat them like any other employee. Don't assume that because they
served in the military they have PTSD, as many are not deployed, and many do
not see combat. Do assume that they come with a high level of resilience and
self-reliance, so they may not readily disclose if they are experiencing
hardship. You may need to ask, reassure, refer, and follow up.
Ask—All employees should have regular mental health
checkups. Workplaces can participate in national screening days for depression,
anxiety, and alcohol abuse. If a supervisor or other employee is concerned,
they should ask directly, "Hey, you don't seem like yourself lately.
Are you okay?"
Reassure—Employers can create a culture of
caring for all employees by reassuring them that "they have their
back" if they ever are facing a mental health challenge.
Refer—Employers seeking to support veterans should be aware
of both veteran and nonveteran mental health services, including the
following.
- Veteran Crisis Line—24/7 crisis counseling for
military, veterans, and families
- Make the Connection—Make the Connection is a
free resource for veterans, military families, and clinicians who can connect
veterans with care for fulfilling, healthy lives. It is part of the
Department of Veterans Affairs' mental health campaign.
- Real Warriors—The Real Warriors Campaign is a
multimedia public education campaign designed to promote service members'
engagement with psychological health treatment. The campaign website offers
access to 24/7 live chat, message boards, and more.
- Vets4Warriors—This phone line, (855) 838–8255,
is a 24/7 confidential peer support network for veteran and military
communities.
- Treatment Works for
Vets—TreatmentWorksforVets.org is a new website that offers
evidence-based treatment for sleep and mood issues that veterans often
face.
- Give an Hour—Give an Hour is dedicated to meeting the
mental health needs of military personnel, veterans, their families, and
communities affected by the post-9/11 conflicts through counseling and public
education.
Nonveteran mental health resources (like most employee assistance programs)
are not usually familiar with military-specific stressors like moral injury,
traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, and parenting/relationships
challenges during deployment. Employers may brief nonveteran specific providers
with information on these challenges to help insure veterans' experiences
are better understood.
Follow up—Once support has been offered, following up is
advised. Sometimes referrals don't work out. Sometimes it's just nice
to know that someone cares. You can say, "I am not sure what is happening
for you right now, I just wanted to let you know that I hope I can be that
person you feel like you can talk to when things get overwhelming. I know
you'd do the same for me."
Conclusion
While it can be challenging to look issues of distress and despair among our
veterans head-on, it is thrilling to consider a future world where our society
recognizes and demonstrates our appreciation for their service in a meaningful
and material way. A job and career tailored for the veteran and their
individual skills and abilities allow them every chance for living a thriving,
successful postmilitary life.