The Greater San Antonio Chamber recently hosted a panel discussion at Mytech Partners examining the workforce challenges and opportunities facing military service members and their families in San Antonio.
Moderated by Dr. Sandi Wolff, Vice President of Community Engagement & Advancement at Hallmark University and Chair of the chamber’s Education and Workforce Council, the conversation focused on how leaders can better connect military talent with high-demand careers in growing industries, including aerospace, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing and technology. Panelists included Dr. Chaunte Hall, Chief of Community Engagement at Port San Antonio and Chair of the Military Affairs Council; Carla Miller, Lead Military Program Talent Advisor at USAA; and Adrian Lopez, CEO of Workforce Solutions Alamo.
The discussion opened with a regional outlook on the state of the veteran and military spouse talent pipeline and whether San Antonio is viewed as a long-term destination for military families or simply a stop along the way. Panelists emphasized that the city’s deep military roots, growing innovation economy and collaborative business community position it as a strong market for veterans seeking career growth after service.
A key theme throughout the conversation was the challenge of translating military experience into civilian workforce language. Hall stressed that veterans often possess highly transferable skills that are not always fully understood by civilian employers. “We have to do a better job of articulating and translating that, so our civilian sector understands who we are and what talents we offer,” Hall said.
The panel also explored barriers military spouses face when seeking employment, including licensing reciprocity, childcare access and career disruptions caused by frequent relocations. Lopez discussed how Workforce Solutions Alamo is using data and partnerships to better connect military families with employers and training opportunities.
“One of the interesting questions that we ask is, would you likely remain in the region if there was an employment opportunity?” Lopez said, referencing recent survey data collected through workforce initiatives. “That percentage was about 50 percent, which was pretty high.” He also noted that many military spouses and transitioning service members already hold technical certifications and advanced professional experience in fields, including cybersecurity, healthcare, logistics and business management.
From the employer perspective, Miller spoke about the importance of moving beyond simply hiring veterans and military spouses to intentionally supporting them through long-term career growth and retention. “We know 85 percent of all job offers are network based,” Miller said, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, referrals and relationship-building in connecting military-connected talent to meaningful careers.
Miller also highlighted programs at USAA designed to create pathways for military spouses and veterans, including internships, fellowships and flexible work arrangements that help military spouses continue their careers despite relocations. “It is about finding the right skill set,” Miller said. “What sets you apart needs to be on your resume, or you’re going to be one of 900 other people applying for that same job.”
Hall discussed the rapid growth of emerging industries at Port San Antonio, including cybersecurity, aerospace and space-related technologies, and challenged employers to think more broadly about workforce development and military talent integration. She also emphasized the importance of exposing young people to career opportunities in skilled trades and technology-focused industries. “The future of cyber and tech are growing in every single industry,” Hall said.
Throughout the discussion, speakers emphasized the importance of collaboration between employers, educational institutions, workforce organizations and military transition programs to strengthen San Antonio’s workforce pipeline. Panelists encouraged business leaders to become more proactive in engaging with the military community and creating cultures that support veteran retention and professional growth.
In closing, Hall urged employers and community leaders to move beyond conversation and focus on implementation. “We need the data, we need to understand the data, but we need to implement action,” she said. “How do we do that as a city?”