Honoring Veterans Day with Real Support: Building Lasting Career Pathways for Those Who Served

This Veterans Day, let’s go beyond words of gratitude. Real support means creating meaningful career opportunities and ensuring veterans have the resources and pathways they deserve for long-term success.

Happy Veterans Day! Today, we honor all those who’ve served, remembering their sacrifices and dedication. And for all the veterans out there, don’t forget to grab your free meal at Chili’s! You’ve earned it. For me, I enjoyed a free haircut... for my local Tulsa veteran connections, learn more about the Tom's Men's Haircuts promo/offer as well as local offers (link here).

Beyond today’s tributes, it’s crucial to address the unique challenges veterans face in their transition to civilian life. After World War II, veterans returned to a strong economy, often going straight into trades or using the GI Bill (recently passed in 1944) to pursue higher education. But with the Vietnam War era, things changed - similar to the public's perception of the military at the time. Veterans often faced societal pushback, with fewer structured resources to aid their transition.

Today, transitioning veterans find it both easier and more complex than even a decade ago. On one hand, we have expanded GI Bill benefits (along with VRE/vocational rehab if you are a disabled veteran and meet eligibility criteria) and veteran-specific recruiting and hiring programs. However, outdated and unreliable military transition programs still leave many veterans without the framework they need for a successful transition. Many programs lack modern resources and fail to account for evolving industries, making it hard for veterans to adapt their skills or understand the corporate landscape. Adding to these challenges is the reality that, despite best intentions, companies often don’t fully understand the high-value skills veterans bring. I am not saying most companies are "anti-military" or "anti-veterans", but rather don't understand the skillsets/background nor want to take a "risk" bringing in outside talent.

The internet has transformed the transition landscape: both for better and worse. On the positive side, it’s easier than ever for veterans to network, find job listings, and access online resources (@Sitreps2Steercos plug here, link: https://www.sitreps2steercos.com/) that help them learn new skills or connect with mentors. However, the internet also allows for the spread of misinformation, often by self-proclaimed "transition experts" who lack real expertise. Figures like Michael Quinn (yes... the #QuinnSights guy) have gained followings by offering guidance that is, unfortunately, often inaccurate or misleading. In addition, even attempt to profit off providing terrible advice. I have also seen local Tulsa-based veteran organizations similarly provide terrible military transition information and advice for local veterans. Veterans deserve reliable information and proven resources that genuinely support their journey, not advice that can hinder their progress.

How Veterans Can Improve Their Own Transition:

1. Build a Civilian-Friendly Resume: Veterans should focus on translating military roles into civilian job skills. Resources like LinkedIn and veterans' organizations can be instrumental in refining resumes for civilian roles. SINGLE PAGE RESUME (with some noted exceptions that I mentioned in a previous post) please.
2. Engage in Networking Early: Building a network before leaving the service is crucial. Veterans can benefit from professional groups, veteran networking events, and LinkedIn connections.
3. Seek Out Mentorship Programs: Mentorship from those who’ve already transitioned can provide invaluable insights and guidance on career navigation, company culture, and effective job search strategies.
4. Develop New Skills and Certifications: Using GI Bill benefits for certifications and skills that translate well in the civilian job market, like an MBA (in-person and ideally Top 25, M7 is even better), or IT and data analytics certifications just to name a few. All of which listed can be a game-changer.
5. Advocate for Veteran Recruiting Programs Once Employed: When veterans secure roles, they should pay it forward and advocate for internal recruiting and development programs focused on other veterans. Veteran-focused programs within companies often pave the way for additional DEI efforts. Just because it was a difficult process for you, doesn't mean it has to be for others who want to follow suit.

How Employers Can Better Support Veterans:

1. Empower ERGs and Go Beyond Events: Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are only as effective as the leadership supporting them and quite frankly, I have only seen a few actually have an impact. When properly supported, ERGs can impact real change in veteran recruitment, retention, and development. However, too many ERGs focus on hosting events rather than driving talent management and development initiatives. Leadership needs to ensure ERGs play a strategic role in supporting veterans’ career paths.
2. Offer Veteran-Specific Onboarding and Mentorship: Tailoring onboarding processes to address military-to-civilian transitions can significantly help veterans adapt to a new environment. Veteran-focused mentorship can also provide critical support and help build a sense of belonging.
3. Educate HR and Recruiting Teams on Translating Military Experience: HR teams and hiring managers trained to recognize military skillsets can better match veterans with appropriate roles. This understanding can prevent veterans from being overlooked due to differences in terminology.
4. Support Reservists and Commit to Flexibility: Veterans often have ongoing commitments, including reserve duties. Employers that respect and support these obligations are more likely to retain veteran talent long-term.
5. Invest in Career Development for Veterans: Veterans value structure and advancement. Employers who prioritize clear career pathways for veterans and offer development programs stand to retain dedicated, adaptable, and highly skilled employees.

Examples of Companies Leading in Veteran Support:

For a closer look, the Forbes 2024 list of Top Employers for Veterans (link here) highlights companies setting a strong example. It’s inspiring to see employers (great work Jeff Hamel / Michael Benedosso moving from #5 to #3 this year) making real investments in veteran careers, though it’s concerning that only one Oklahoma-based organization (Oklahoma State University) made the list. However, compared to last year, I guess 0 to now 1 recognized employer in the state is an upgrade. There’s a real opportunity here for local companies to step up and make tangible improvements in their support for veterans.

Veteran-Friendly Cities and Tulsa’s Opportunity for Growth

Cities across the country are stepping up to create supportive environments for veterans, with some truly excelling in outreach, career opportunities, and resources (shoutout to my college "hometown" Austin, Texas for taking the top spot). However, Tulsa, Oklahoma, where I currently live, has room to grow. According to WalletHub’s (link here) recent rankings of best and worst cities for veterans, Tulsa falls in the middle of the pack, indicating a clear need for improvement. While Tulsa has potential, it must take steps to attract and retain veteran talent, offering better support in areas like career development, affordable housing, healthcare, and community resources.

For cities to make a real impact, they need a targeted approach that includes veteran job fairs, dedicated transition programs, and partnerships with local employers willing to actively recruit and mentor veterans. By improving these areas, Tulsa can transform into a place where veterans not only feel appreciated but are also empowered to succeed in meaningful civilian careers. This Veterans Day, let’s encourage local leaders and organizations to invest in making Tulsa a top destination for veterans looking to start their next chapter.

In Closing

Today and every day, let’s honor veterans by not just thanking them but by creating pathways to meaningful careers. And to my fellow veterans, after you grab that free meal at Chili’s, keep fighting the good fight... this time for the career you’ve earned.