Roughly 200,000 military members retire or separate from the armed services every year, according to the Department of Labor. These veterans bring competitive skills to civilian jobs, along with the core values military service cultivates, including dedication, teamwork, good communication and pride in getting work done. But finding and competing for civilian positions can be challenging for transitioning veterans.
National Hire A Veteran Day aims to inspire employers to recruit and hire veterans by recognizing the unique skills and values that former soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen bring to the workforce.
National Hire a Veteran Day was officially observed on Tuesday, July 25th, but the efforts and initiatives continue year-round at your Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. “We are proud to currently have two veterans and three military spouses on staff at the Greater Chamber and to have hired veterans, spouses, and military children for many years,” says Lori Stinson, Vice President of Military Affairs and Leadership Development and former Army spouse of 25 years. “Hiring a Veteran and Military Spouse has so many benefits to an organization such as adaptability, flexibility, and discipline.”
Marine Corps Veteran and Hire Our Heroes founder Dan Caporale created National Hire a Veteran Day in 2017 as a call to action for hiring companies and also to encourage veteran job applicants. Additionally, Congress passed the Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans Act (HIRE Vets Act) in 2017. This resulted in the HIRE Vets Medallion Program, a federal award that “recognizes a company or organization’s commitment to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development,” according to the program website.
The Department of Labor uses National Hire a Veteran day to encourage employers to increase their veteran workforce. As service members transition from military life to the civilian world through separation or retirement, many may seek new careers to apply their skills in the civilian world. Competing for a civilian job can be daunting at first, but efforts like National Hire A Veteran Day raise awareness and call employers to action. In fact, government support for National Hire a Veteran Day is what makes it unique from other holidays that focus on veteran’s issues. The Department of Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs – among others – recognize and promote National Hire a Veteran Day on July 25 by encouraging employers to seek out qualified veterans to hire and promote.
For more connections and details on hiring a veteran in the Alamo Region, email Lori Stinson.