Veterans in the Workplace Ken Jones, PhD, FACHE, US Army Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)
Purpose This presentation is an exercise in empathy. Think about and feel what it is to be a veteran. This will help us understand veterans better and make us more successful in hiring them.
Learning Objectives Identify at least two key military skills that would be helpful for the non-military employee to know. Analyze two key strategies for the successful transition of a military new employee to an academic work place environment that could be used by a non-military employee to better understand the veteran. Identify resources to enable a successful military civilian position transition in an academic environment for the nonmilitary employer.
Agenda The Danger of Labels The Military Culture Leadership and Communication Things You Can Do Resources Questions and Answers
The Danger of Labels
The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete; they make one story become the only story. ~Chimamanda Adichie
The Military Culture A Veteran s experience depends on: Branch of Service (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) Type of Service (Enlisted, Warrant Officer, Commissioned Officer, Active, Reserve) Length of Service Job (Military Occupational Specialty MOS) Type of Units Combat vs. Garrison Perception of LEADERSHIP
Question Do We Have any Veterans in the Crowd? What Do you Picture when you think of the label Veteran?
The Military Culture What Does the Military Do? How Do We Get People to Do This? How Do Civilians Develop into Military Members? What Becomes Important to Them?
Question What skills do you think a person who has been in the military would bring to the civilian workplace?
Veteran Skills Leadership Training Work as a team member or lead a team Get along with and work with all types of people Ability to work under pressure and met deadlines Follow directions Drug Free Trustworthiness (security clearances) Systematic planning and organization An emphasis on safety Familiarity with records and personnel administration Conform to rules and structure Flexible Self-directed Educated Good work habits Commitment to quality standards and achieving excellence Global outlook Client and service-oriented Concerned about the community and family environment Specialized advanced training
Leadership and Communication What Veterans Expect Mission Focus Understanding Commander s Intent What Level of Decision Making Authority I Have Decision Makers to Make Decisions Frequent Feedback about how they are doing; both good and bad
Question What are some things you and your organization can do to make the veteran employment experience better?
Things You Can Do Veteran recruitment and hiring program Supportive policies and practices for members of the National Guard and Reserve Support affinity groups for Veterans Provide orientation training to new Veteran employees Have a mentorship program for new Veteran employees Recognize employees for their military service
Things You Can Do Provide training to supervisors on Veterans issues and available resources Offer EAP services provided by professionals trained in Veterans issues Encourage employees to seek assistance for professional or personal issues Give preference to Veteran-owned businesses when vendor support is needed or Support a military-focused philanthropic effort
Resources
Veterans Employment Toolkit https://www.va.gov/vetsinworkplace/inde x.asp Understanding the Military Experience Military Structure Military Culture Military Deployment Supporting Your Veteran Employees Resources Resources for Veterans
Questions and Answers
Veterans in the Workplace Ken Jones, PhD, FACHE, US Army Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)