Building a Culture That Attracts & Keeps Top Military Talent
The declaration, “I want to hire veterans,” is a powerful statement. It signifies a commitment to leveraging a talent pool renowned for its discipline, leadership, and unique skills. But the journey doesn’t end with a job offer. To truly benefit from military talent, organizations must cultivate a workplace culture that not only attracts but genuinely supports and retains these invaluable professionals for the long term.
Why Culture is Your Ultimate Recruitment & Retention Tool
Military professionals come from a highly structured, mission-driven environment with a strong sense of camaraderie. Transitioning to civilian life can present unique challenges, and a welcoming, inclusive culture is paramount. Without it, even the most skilled veteran might struggle to fully integrate or choose to move on. A robust, veteran-ready culture signals:
- Authentic Appreciation: It shows your commitment is more than just a hiring quota; it’s a deep-seated value.
- Understanding and Support: It acknowledges their unique experiences and provides the necessary resources for successful integration.
- Belonging: It creates a sense of community that mirrors the camaraderie they experienced in service.
This isn’t just about being “nice”; it’s a strategic investment that leads to higher retention rates and more engaged, productive teams. Military hires can have higher retention rates than their civilian counterparts – some studies show up to 9% higher in certain roles. [Student Veterans of America]
Pillars of a Veteran-Ready Workplace Culture:
Building this culture requires intentional effort across several key areas:
- Leadership Buy-In & Advocacy:
- Best Practice: Commitment must start at the top. C-suite and senior leaders should visibly champion veteran hiring initiatives and actively participate in veteran-focused events and programs. This sets the tone for the entire organization. Companies with strong executive sponsorship for diversity initiatives (including veteran hiring) see higher rates of employee engagement and retention.
- Example: Publicly celebrating Veterans Day, sponsoring a veteran ERG, or having a senior executive speak on the value of military hires at industry events.
- Inclusive Onboarding Programs:
- Best Practice: Tailor the onboarding experience to address the specific needs of military transitions. This might include pairing new hires with a veteran buddy or mentor, clearly explaining civilian workplace norms, and providing comprehensive benefit navigation.
- Goal: To bridge the cultural gap and ensure a smooth, confident start for your new military employees.
- Thriving Veteran Employee Resource Groups (ERGs):
- Best Practice: Establish and actively support a Veteran ERG. These groups provide peer-to-peer support, networking opportunities, mentorship, and a platform for veteran employees to share insights and contribute to company culture.
- Example: Companies like JPMorgan Chase and Microsoft have widely recognized and impactful Veteran ERGs that contribute to their hiring and retention success.
- Continuous Education & Awareness:
- Best Practice: Provide ongoing training for all employees, especially managers, on military culture, effective communication, and unconscious bias mitigation. This helps the entire workforce better understand and appreciate their veteran colleagues.
- Expert Insight: Web-based training modules can offer accessible, expert-led education to ensure your team is equipped to create a truly welcoming environment.
- Focus on Well-being & Development:
- Best Practice: Offer robust employee assistance programs (EAPs) that are sensitive to veteran needs, provide access to mental health resources, and create clear pathways for career growth and professional development within the company.
The Military Friendly® Impact: More Than Just Hiring
When you proclaim, “I want to hire veterans,” you’re making a promise. Military Friendly® Membership can help your organization fulfill that promise by providing the framework, insights, and validation to build a truly veteran-ready workplace. Our proprietary methodology assesses commitment across various dimensions, leading to a designation that tells military talent your culture is one where they can truly thrive.
A strong, inclusive culture isn’t just a “nice-to-have”; it’s your most powerful tool for attracting, retaining, and maximizing the incredible potential of military talent. Let’s explore how Military Friendly® can help your company build a workplace that truly earns and keeps their loyalty.
Schedule Your Complimentary Strategy Call with a Military Marketing Expert
