GWOT Survey Response
I asked for Veteran recommendations to advise a group trying to learn more about what combat (GWOT) veterans are struggling with so they can research and hope to be able to come up with a program in the near future to address the needs, which after all these years, still need to be addressed and/or have more resources strategically allocated towards. Any recommendations of what the root issues are and what could a non-dod group do to influence or offer direct assistance?
Global War on Terror (GWOT) Veteran Issues
1. Finding your next mission/sense of purpose
a. Veterans are used to working for an ideal (patriotism, country, mom and apple pie)
b. Having a higher calling leads to a willingness to serve, selflessly; to sacrifice oneself for the betterment and progression of the mission.
c. Companies do not offer this. A company’s “mission” is to generate profit. This is seen as selfish and is categorically opposite of everything veterans are taught and know.
d. A lack of purpose is a contributing factor to PTSD and mental health negative complications.
i. PTSD in and of itself is not a showstopper for most veterans. The vast majority are living and succeeding despite it. Identify why some can succeed in spite while others succumb.
ii. Veterans may find “purpose” through mentoring, hobbies, charity work, sports, art, community-based engagement groups.
2. De-Institutionalization (Mental transition from Military to Civilian Mindset)
a. Like a prisoner leaving a life sentence, re-integration into “normal” society is difficult.
i. What is “normal?” To the veteran, civilian life is a foreign in every aspect.
1. Values/norms
2. Culture
3. Business vs Military vernacular
4. Socially acceptable behavior and speech
3. Negative Coping Methods
a. Coping from unhealed internal (TBI) / Emotional Injuries / Mental Health
i. Substance abuse
ii. Suicide
iii. Divorce
iv. Homelessness
b. Re-calibrating traditional programs that are missing the mark
i. Veteran Service Organizations
ii. Veteran Foreign War (VFW)
1. Can’t be just a drinking social club
2. Leverage professional networking power of VSO's to assist with finding "meaningful" employment. "Meaningful" is up to the veteran to define. Highlight the world of opportunities that go beyond Security, Project Management, Big 4, GS positions. Understand that military headhunters aren't helping you, they are helping themselves through your strictly prescribe brand and stereotype. They can be useful but beware of their limitations.
c. Introducing non-traditional programs that show promise.
ii. https://www.vetsolutions.org/
iii. Hormonal Testing & Deficit Treatment
4. Transition Education (Effective/meaningful job placement and training)
a. Veterans do not know about employment opportunities or the education/experience they need to be competitive.
i. Understand what military skills translate into employable skills company’s want.
1. Translate military into business-friendly terminology.
ii. Understand what full/part-time/night higher education opportunities and academic tracks lead to the positions that they want. Emphasis on understanding what those employment opportunities really are and what that career entails.
b. Have a candid conversation with veterans how civilian companies have an overly generalized, uniformed, stigmatized stereotype.
i. What behaviors reinforce and how to dispel the stereotype.
c. Educate companies on the veteran talent pool.
i. Veteran Rebranding Initiative targeting hiring mangers/executives/HR.
ii. Establish a blueprint for companies.
1. Hiring Efforts
2. Onboarding
3. Professional/Career Mentorship
Executive Leadership Coach I Senior Director I Aviation Consultant I Veteran
4 年Bryce Hansen- Great insights and this is helpful. Transition for many takes on different phases of pacing, speed and depth as well as breadth or change for the vet and the family. Sometimes the amount of choices of what to do and where to go are too few or too many--thus could lead to frustration, stress etc. I try to treat transition as entering a new AOR.. know the language, the culture, the leaders and what the organization ( nation) is working toward. This could help translate into actions and what the vet can apply and help the company achieve. Lastly...the support structure ( family, friends etc) is vital to this team transition effort-admitting when help is needed is strength building and supports (team) cohesion. The family served as much as the member, in different ways with different affect and effect. Thanks for writing this and looking forward to reading more
Roofing Advisor (Middle Tennessee Project Manager) at Tremco Construction Products Group (CPG)
4 年Transitioning is hard but can be rewarding once you find the job that you are excited to wake up and do. While in the military you can set yourself up for success through programs they offer. If you want a college degree you can us the Tuition Assistance program. It's a slow process due to obligations to the military and you only get so much per year, but it is achievable. I was in the Army Engineer Regiment and they had so many credentialing programs that they would pay for (PMP, Construction Manager, etc) and the Army as a whole has the COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line) which has so many different credentialing programs. The Army also has TWI (Training With Industry). For the construction side of the Army Engineer Regiment, we go and train for a year with Caterpillar. Now this is all great while you are in and will help you during your career. Once you choose to get out, life changes. During that transition you are excited for what's next in life but scared at the same time. SFL-TAP (Soldier For Life-Transition Assistance Program) is great to help you write a resume, show you resources, and point you in the right direction. Resources they show you is USO pathfinder program (Professional resume writer,
Technology Leader | Keynote Speaker ?? | Warrior Advisor?? ??| Accelerating Resiliency and Optimal Performance in Business, Sports & Life | Accomplice to Captain “Morgie” Morgen ??#warrioradvisor
4 年This is great Bryce Hansen, thank you for sharing!
Providing Roofing & Weatherproofing Peace of Mind for Institutional Building Managers
4 年Rodney Ammons
CEO @ ANTEATER | Producer | Filmmaker | Startup Advisor | Executive Coach
4 年Bryce Hansen - thank you for doing this survey and for sharing it. I’m sure will be helpful to not just those who want to help, but by other vets who I have met who are challenged to articulate an answer to the “what do you need ?” Question... I’m sure there are guys who will read this and say... ?? yeah, I’d like that from your list and it will help them in their search.