Transitioning from Military Service

to the Civilian WorkforceA Cultural Competency and How-to for

Human Resource Professionals and Hiring Managers

Combat to Community

swords-to-plowshares.org combattocommunity.org

INSTITUTE FOR VETERAN POLICY

KEY POINTS

CULTURAL COMPETENCY: Learn about commonly shared attitudes, values, goals and practices that often (but not always) characterize service in the military.

HOW TO BECOME "Veteran-Friendly"

What am I Going to Learn?

Housing:

Permanent

Supportive +

Transitional

Employment +

Job Training

Health + Social

Services

Institute for

Veteran Policy

Women

Veterans

Program

Legal Services

for

Disabled Veterans

An Overview of Services

United States Armed Forces

The Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense (DOD).

The Coast Guard reports to the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime and to the DOD (by way of the Navy) during wartime.

Stateside and overseas assignments/deployments/active duty/National Guard/Reserves.

National Guard/Reserves

WHAT MAKES

SERVICE

MEMBERS IN THE

GUARD

DIFFERENT FROM

OTHER

BRANCHES?

Members of the Guard tend to be older and have more responsibilities “outside” military service.

They do not have the same military support as active duty.

Global War on Terror (GWOT) Includes Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom

Also Known As Overseas Contingency Operations

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)Iraq combat operations from 4/19/2003 to 9/1/2010

Operation New Dawn (OND)Refers to U.S. troops remaining in Iraq for non-combat operations

Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF)Refers to the conflict primarily in Afghanistan, as well as other theaters of combat operations

Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR)Refers to the ongoing operations in Iraq and Syria

Key Terms and Lingo

Areas of Combat Operations Around the Globe

CURRENT CONFLICTS

Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans

How many Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are there?

Over 2.7 million men and women have been deployed in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and over 56% of these veterans are currently separated from the military.

How old are the most recently separated veterans?

Over 58% of Post-9/11 veterans are age 34 or younger.

In 2014, Post-9/11 veterans have higher rates of unemployment (7.2%) compared to all veterans (5.3%) and civilians (6.2%).

How many Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are unemployed?

Women Veterans

HOW

DOES

MILITARY

SERVICE

IMPACT

WOMEN?

Women veterans represent 10% of the total veteran population.

Thirty percent of women veterans have served Post-9/11.

Until recently, women did not serve in official combat arms jobs, but that does not mean they didn’t participate in combat.

Diversity in the Veteran Population

AGE, RACE AND ETHNICITY BY GENDER

67%

25%15%

81%

13% 6%

Veteran Women Veteran Men

*PUMS, 2012

Median Age Women Veterans: 48 Women veterans more racially and Median Age Veteran Men: 64 ethnically diverse than veteran men

17 to 24

25 to 34

35 to 44

45 to 54

55 to 64

65 to 74

75 to 84

85+

4%

18%20%

25%

18%

7%4% 5%

1%

6%9%

14%

22%24%

17%

7%

Veteran Women Veteran Men

Identify a Veteran

Identify a Veteran

Myths and Stereotypes

WHAT ARE

SOME

STEREOTYP

ES

ABOUT THE

VETERAN

POPULATION

?

All veterans served in the infantry. All veterans are in crisis. All veterans have served in combat. Women do not serve in combat. All combat veterans have post-traumatic

stress (PTS). Veterans are rigid. Veterans with disabilities are

unemployable. All people who were in the military self-

identify as veterans.

Combat Related Physical Injuries

Severe physical injuries may include muscle skeletal, paralysis, amputation, burns, TBI and blindness.

Moderate to minor physical injuries may include back injuries, hearing damage, nerve damage, knee, hip and other joint injuries.

The Elephant in the Room

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS

26% of veterans have PTSD or another mental health disorder.*

26% of U.S. citizens have a diagnosable mental health condition each year.*

• Mental health issues are not as prevalent among veterans as many assume.

• Mental health issues are not unique to the veteran population.

• Dealing with mental health and disability is a daily function of doing business.

*Kessler RC, Chiu WT, Demler O, Walters EE. Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of twelve-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). Archives of General Psychiatry, 2005 Jun;62(6):617-27.

The Business Case for Hiring Veterans

Skills Transfer Across Contexts/Task

Advanced Technical Training

Adept in Discontinuous Environments

Resiliency

Systematic Planning and Organization

Ability to Work Under Pressure and Meet Deadlines

Client Customer Service Skills

*”Guide to Leading Policies, Practices & Resources: Supporting the Employment of Veterans and Military Families,” Syracuse University. http://vets.syr.edu.employment/resources; and “Findings from the California Association of Veteran Service Agencies Veteran Engagement Summit, “Swords to Plowshares. http://www.swords-to-plowshares.org/advocacy-and-policy/research-publications/.

Team Building/Leadership/Membership

Organizational Commitment

Cross-Cultural Experiences

Experience/Skill in Diverse Work-Settings

Entrepreneurial

Self-Direction

Commitment to Excellence

BEYOND THE CLICHÉS*Value of a Veteran

Military Education

SERVICE MEMBERS RECEIVE STATE OF THE ART TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL TRAINING Boot Camp

Basic Training: All enlistees learn weapons marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat, physical fitness, first aid and survival techniques.

Selection of specialty Specific individualized training is different for each career path which

can last anywhere from two months to two years which focuses on the skills and day to day operations that lays the foundation for understanding the military structure and the interlacing roles and responsibilities.

Continuing education in professional career fields In addition to continuous on the job training each career field has

intense professional development and leadership training that occurs periodically and with promotions.

GI Bill: Types of Training

THE FOLLOWING ASSISTANCE IS APPROVEDUNDER THE POST-9/11 GI BILL

Correspondence training Entrepreneurship training Flight training Independent and distance learning Institutions of higher learning undergraduate and graduate

degrees Licensing and certification reimbursement Vocational/technical training, non-college degree programs National testing reimbursement On-the-job training Tuition assistance top-up Tutorial assistance Vocational/technical training

Corporate Initiative

GOT YOUR SIX is a campaign to bridge the civilian-military divide by creating a new conversation in America, so that veterans and military families are perceived as leaders and civic assets.

The Bottom Line

Hiring veterans is good for business

Materials

Materials “Do’s & Don’ts

DO’S Clearly state what the program is/does, who is eligible,

and how to apply/reach you for more information.

Use good graphics/pictures.

Pictures from good outreach materials: www.wlac.edu/veterans/pdfs/outsidethewire.pdf.

Materials “Do’s & Don’ts

DON’T…be overly complex and try to fill every space on your

materials.

…use flags and other typically patriotic imagery.

…use the term “female” use woman.

Skill Translation

Cryptology Linguist = Marketing

Communications, Security Intelligence

& Analysis Multimedia Illustrator =

Graphic Designer

Air Crewmen Avionics = Computer/ Electronics/

Telecomm Install/Maintain/Repair, Electrical Design Drafter

A cryptology linguist is primarily responsible for identifying foreign communications using signals equipment. Their role is crucial as the nation’s defense depends largely on information that comes from foreign languages.

Multimedia illustrators are primarily responsible for operating multimedia-imaging equipment in order to produce visual displays and documents. They produce graphic artwork that is used in Army publications, signs, charts, posters, television and motion picture productions.

Naval Air Crewmen Avionics (AWV) are members of a fixed wing integrated tactical aircrew aboard maritime patrol and reconnaissance and command and control aircraft. Personnel are knowledgeable of all avionics systems, safety equipment, emergency procedures, and aircraft equipment.

Skill Translation Tool

careerinfonet.org/moc/

Skill Translation Tool

careerinfonet.org/moc/

Service-Connected Veterans

VETERAN PRIORITY HIRING

Although the ADA prohibits discrimination, “On the basis of

disability,” it does not preclude affirmative action on the behalf of

individuals with disabilities. An employer may—but is not required to

—hire a qualified veteran with a disability over other qualified

applicants with disabilities.

HIRING DISABLED VETERANS

An employer may ask an applicant if they are a “disabled veteran” if

they are seeking to hire someone with a disability. Employers may

also ask a veteran service employment agency to recruit a qualified

veteran who has a disability.

Strongly encouraged to apply

Veteran Affinity Groups

Veteran Affinity Groups

Veteran Friendly Job Ads

PLACING VETERAN FRIENDLY JOB ADSExperience vs. Education

Include MOS or military job field (Not called MOS in all branches)

Mention veterans in the workforce/leadership positions/affinity groups

Promote through social media

Mention service connected veterans/women/etc are strongly encouraged to apply

The same things that make an add appeal to anyone. Growth opportunities

Benefits

Pay scale

Profile of a Veteran Friendly Company

Linking up with Veteran Service Organizations

SERVICES

Direct Placement “Job Broker” – Employer provides the veteran service

agency the job announcement, which is then recruited through the agency’s employment collaborative.

Training/On-the-Job Training Community college/university partnership—veteran

cohort training and certification programs.

Corporate CBO partnerships—development of mutual training and recruitment strategies.

Administration of Department of Labor, VA and state grants.

Onboarding

Chain of command

Veteran affinity group point of contact

o Mentorship

EAP Military/veteran issues point of contact (if any)

Polices and paperwork

Reasonable accommodations

Take a moment and get other questions from the veteran you have hired.

Create a Game Plan

Translate knowledge learned today into a plan to become “veteran-friendly.”

Reach out to veteran service organizations in your area to learn how to create veteran hiring programs.

Create a relationship with the Employment + Training Department at Swords to Plowshares

Checklist

Why Partner with Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs)? Review brochures, recruitment materials, and

website for veteran friendliness. Use Military Occupational Skills (MOS) Translator for

job skills. In Job Advertisements

Military Occupational Skills. Service-connected veteran preference for hiring. Advertise to veteran and military groups (both

online and off).

Checklist

In the Interview Ask open-ended questions about military

experience. Be aware of other professional skills gained through

military experience. On the Job

Does your organization have a military/veteran affinity group or mentorship program?

Is your human resources department familiar with military/veteran disabilities?

Have employees at your organization taken any courses on military/veteran cultural competency?

Begin on the job training and job coaching.

The Bottom Line

Being a veteran friendly company will

help you gain and retain talent

What Questions Do You Have?

Thank You for Your Attendance

Copyright © 2015 by Swords to PlowsharesAll rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

Swords to PlowsharesInstitute for Veteran Policy

1060 Howard StreetSan Francisco, CA 94103

Geoff MillardPolicy Associate, Employment &Community Outreach and Education(415) 252-4787, ext. 248gmillard@stp-sf.org